JPH1056555A - Image output system and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily match output colors between an display output and a printing output of the same image and also to always and easily obtain a printing output made with output colors which are desired by a user. SOLUTION: A CPU 6 executes monitor calibration according to a program stored in ROM 8, calculates monitor characteristic value and stores it in a characteristic value storage part 20. When the CPU 6 recognizes that a printing start instruction is carried out by an input device 14, it also calculates a conversion characteristic value for color conversion based on monitor characteristic value stored in the part 20 and printing characteristic value stored in a printer characteristic value storage part 21 and stores it in a conversion characteristic value storage part 22. Then, the CPU 6 converts image data stored in image memory 11 by using the conversion characteristic value, stores it in output image memory 12 and outputs for printing to a printer 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for converting first image data formed for output to first image output means into output characteristics of the first image output means and the second image output means. And an image output system for outputting to the second image output means as a second image data by performing a conversion process based on the output characteristics of the image data and a display image data to be displayed on a screen such as a CRT. The present invention relates to a printing system that performs printing by converting the data into an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of computers using a high-resolution color display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, a color printer is often used to print a fine color image displayed on a CRT or the like. Have been.

However, the color of light emitted from a CRT or the like and the color printed by a color printer are different from image data obtained by appropriately adjusting the colors on the CRT due to the principle of color development and the fact that the primary colors themselves are different. Was converted into a color system for printing, and then printed with a color printer, the impressions received from both tended to be quite different.

For this reason, the color correction mechanism for approximating the display color of the CRT and the print color of the printer uses image data that reflects the display characteristics of the CRT and the print characteristics of the printer during the conversion process of the color system. Fine-tuning is needed. However, a display device such as a CRT used for adjusting the display color of an image has a large difference in display characteristics between models and a large change with time in the display characteristics. This display characteristic is a characteristic that determines in what kind of luminescent color the image data is displayed on the screen of the CRT. The display characteristic affects the content of the image data and is thus adjusted by adjustment on the CRT. This also affects image data obtained by converting the converted image data for printing.

Therefore, the color correction mechanism for approximating the image displayed on the CRT and the printed image needs to correctly reflect the display characteristics of the CRT which are easily changed. Further, the CRT is provided with an adjustment dial capable of adjusting brightness and contrast (difference in brightness between dark and light) to a degree desired by a user. Since there are not a few individual differences in the user's vision, and also differences in tastes, the display characteristics on the CRT will change even if the user adjusts according to each sense.

[0006] For this reason, if the time elapses or the user changes even in the same CRT, there is a problem that color correction cannot be performed accurately with the existing display characteristics. To cope with this, there are printing systems having a display characteristic measuring mechanism. For example, IBM (lntemational B
US Pat. No. 5,298,993 by USiness Machines) is known as a method of obtaining display characteristics based on the user's vision without using an expensive measuring instrument (details of the embodiment are described below). Section.).

According to this method, the display characteristics are measured for each user, each time printing is performed, or at predetermined intervals, and the display characteristics which are suitable for the user or are set at the latest are always displayed on the CRT. Image and the image output from the color printer can be maintained in an approximate state.

[0008]

As described above, when a display characteristic is obtained by performing measurement for each user based on the user's vision (or adjustment using the adjustment dial), it is optimal for the user. Color correction can be performed, and the display color and the print color become similar.

However, in a printing system in which a plurality of users exist, it is not known who used the printing system immediately before.
Must be measured and reset, and color correction must be performed based on the display characteristics. As described above, every time the printing system is used, it is troublesome to execute the above-described method, and the operation becomes complicated.

This problem also occurs when a plurality of display devices are connected to the same printing system. That is, even if the same user uses a plurality of display devices, the display characteristics are different for each display device. Therefore, each time the user works on a different display device, the display characteristics of the CRT are measured again. It must be reset and color corrected based on the display characteristics.

Further, as described above, since the display characteristics of a display device such as a CRT are apt to change, the display characteristics are re-measured by the above-mentioned measuring device or the like at every use or every predetermined period. However, printout of image data is not required only immediately after the image data is created while observing the display device, and there is also a request that image data created in the past be printed out again in the same print state. Of course it exists. When storing image data, it can be said that it is rather intended to be used for such purposes.

However, as described above, if the display characteristics are measured and the color correction is set again as necessary or necessary, the image data is output in the display color and print when displayed on the display device. Although the print color at the time can always be approximated, the output color to be printed and output at the present time for the same image data has been changed in the past because the content of the color correction has already changed due to the change in the display characteristics. Print color is no longer the same.

That is, when image data reproduced in the past is output by printing again, the user of the printing system should expect to print exactly the same color as the previously printed color. The problem arises that you cannot answer. Therefore, in order to make the print output the same as the past print color, it is necessary to perform a troublesome adjustment of repeatedly performing printing and checking.

Further, the problem that the past print colors do not match the current print colors also occurs when the display device is replaced because the display characteristics are different between before and after the replacement. The present invention measures the latest display characteristics as described above and performs color correction based on the display characteristics, thereby solving the troublesome work that occurs to the user and enabling quick color correction. The purpose is to:

[0015]

The image output system according to the present invention converts the first image data formed for output to the first image output means into the first image output means. Conversion processing is performed based on the output characteristics and the output characteristics of the second image output means as second image data,
An image output system for outputting to said second image output means, wherein a plurality of output characteristics of said first image output means are stored, selected from said plurality of output characteristics, and used for said conversion processing. Features. The image output system of the present invention is characterized in that in the image output system, a plurality of conversion characteristics in the conversion process are stored, and the conversion process is performed by selecting from the plurality of conversion characteristics. .

For example, a plurality of output characteristics of the first image output means or a plurality of conversion characteristics in the conversion processing may be stored in accordance with a use condition of the image output system. As the usage status of the image output system, for example, if the usage status is to be used by a plurality of users, each output characteristic of the first image output unit measured for the plurality of users is stored, or A conversion characteristic is obtained and stored for each user based on each output characteristic of the first image output unit and an output characteristic of the second image output unit measured for the user, and the output characteristic or the conversion is calculated. What is necessary is just to select from characteristics and to use it for the said conversion process. For the selection, for example, an output characteristic measured by the user himself or a conversion characteristic obtained from the output characteristic is selected.

Thus, even if a plurality of users use the image output system, the output characteristics at the time of their use and the conversion characteristics obtained from the output characteristics can be read and used. There is no need to measure the output characteristics of the means, and the second image output means can quickly output an image suitable for itself.

If the image output system is used in such a manner that the past image data is desired to be output by the same second image output means as the previous one, the image output system may be used for the first time. A plurality of output characteristics of one image output unit are stored, or based on each output characteristic of the first image output unit and an output characteristic of the second image output unit measured at a plurality of times in the past. The conversion characteristic may be obtained and stored for each time, and may be selected from the output characteristic or the conversion characteristic and used for the conversion processing. The selection is made, for example, by selecting an output characteristic measured at a time when image data to be output from the second image output unit is created or at a time close to the time, or a conversion characteristic obtained from the output characteristic.

Thus, even when the output characteristics of the first image output means are measured every time the image output system is used or at predetermined time intervals, the output from the second image output means is attempted to be output. The output characteristics at the time the image data was created and the conversion characteristics determined from these output characteristics can be read and used, so even if the current display characteristics or conversion characteristics have changed, The same output as the above output can be made to be the second image output means. Also, even if the first image output means is replaced,
The same output can be made from the second image output means for the image data created when there was the previous first image output means.

If the use status of the image output system is a use status in which a plurality of first image output means are provided, each output characteristic measured for each first image output means is stored, or A conversion characteristic is obtained for each of the first image output means from each output characteristic measured for each of the first image output means and an output characteristic of the second image output means, and the output characteristic or the conversion is stored. What is necessary is just to select from characteristics and to use it for the said conversion process. The selection selects an output characteristic measured for the first image output means to be used or a conversion characteristic obtained from the output characteristic.

Thus, even if the output characteristics are measured for each of the first image output means, the second image output means used when the image data to be output from the second image output means is created. Since the output characteristics measured for one image output unit and the conversion characteristics obtained from the output characteristics can be read and used, the first image output unit different from the currently used first image output unit is used. Even if the image data is created as described above, the same output as the previous time can be made to be the second image output means. Also, even if the first image output means used at the time of creating the image data is gone,
The same output can be made from the second image output means for the image data created when there was the previous first image output means.

[0022] Further, which image data has an appropriate output characteristic for which user, at what time the output characteristic is appropriate, or which output characteristic is appropriate for any of the first image output means. In order to clarify whether or not and perform appropriate conversion processing, the output characteristics or conversion characteristics of the first image output means may be stored in association with the first image data.

For example, the output characteristic or the conversion characteristic of the first image output means is associated with the user identification information for identifying the user of the image output system. It may be memorized,
The first image output means may be stored in association with time information for identifying the time used in the present image output system.

As the first image output means, for example, a display means for displaying an image on a display can be mentioned, and as the second image output means, for example,
Printing means for printing an image on a print medium can be given. In a printing system that performs conversion from display image data to print image data, for example, the following configuration can be given.

That is, image display means for displaying and outputting display image data, display characteristic measuring means for measuring display characteristics of the image display means, and a plurality of display characteristics measured by the display characteristic measuring means are stored. Display characteristic storage means,
A display characteristic selection unit for selecting any one of the plurality of display characteristics stored in the display characteristic storage unit; an image printing unit for printing out the input print image data; and a print characteristic of the image printing unit. Image print characteristic storage means for performing conversion processing of display image data based on the display characteristics selected by the display characteristic selection means and the print characteristics stored in the image print characteristic storage means. And an image data converting means for outputting the image data to the image printing means.

Here, the display characteristic storage means stores, for example, each display characteristic measured by the display characteristic measurement means for a plurality of users, or measured by the display characteristic measurement means in a plurality of past times. Each display characteristic can be stored. When a plurality of image display means are provided, the display characteristic storage means can store the respective display characteristics measured by the display characteristic measurement means for each image display means.

Thus, even if there are a plurality of users, it is possible to read out and use the display characteristics at the time of their own use, so that it is not necessary to measure the display characteristics of the image display means every time the printing system is used, and the image can be quickly displayed. Can be printed out from the image printing means as an image suitable for itself. Further, even when the display characteristics of the image display unit are measured every time the printing system is used or every predetermined time,
Since the display characteristics at the time when the display image data to be printed out from the image printing means are created can be read and used, even if the current display characteristics have changed, the display image data at the time when the display image data was created The same print output as that of the printing can be made to the image printing means.

Further, even if the image display means is replaced,
The same print output can be made from the image printing means for the display image data created when there is an image display means. Further, even if the display characteristics are measured for each image display unit, the display characteristics measured for the image display unit used when the display image data to be printed out from the image printing unit are created. Can be read and used, so that even if the display image data is created using an image display unit different from the image display unit currently used, the same print output as the previous time can be made to be used by the image printing unit. it can. Further, even if the image display means used when creating the display image data is gone, the same output can be made from the image printing means for the display image data created when the previous image display means exists.

The display characteristic storage means may store the display characteristic in association with the display image data, or store the display characteristic in association with user identification information for identifying a user of the printing system. Alternatively, the display characteristics may be stored in association with time information for identifying the time when the image display means has been used in the printing system.

The printing system may have the following configuration. That is, image display means for displaying and outputting display image data, display characteristic measuring means for measuring display characteristics of the image display means, image printing means for printing out input print image data, and image printing Means for storing printing characteristics of the means, and printing from display image data based on the display characteristics measured by the display characteristics measuring means and the printing characteristics stored in the image printing characteristics storing means. Conversion characteristic calculation means for obtaining a conversion characteristic at the time of conversion processing to image data for use; conversion characteristic storage means for storing a plurality of conversion characteristics obtained by the conversion characteristic calculation means; and conversion characteristic storage means. A conversion characteristic selection unit for selecting any one of the plurality of conversion characteristics, and performing a conversion process of the display image data based on the conversion characteristic selected by the conversion characteristic selection unit. Seeking printing image data, and the printing system being characterized in that an image data converting means for outputting to said image printing means.

Here, the conversion characteristic storage means is obtained based on each display characteristic measured for a plurality of users by the conversion characteristic calculation means and the print characteristics stored in the image print characteristic storage means. The conversion characteristics for each user may be stored, or the conversion characteristics may be obtained based on each display characteristic measured at a plurality of past times by the conversion characteristic calculation unit and the print characteristics of the image printing unit. The conversion characteristics for each time may be stored. Also,
When a plurality of the image display units are provided, the conversion characteristic storage unit stores the display characteristics obtained for each of the image display units by the conversion characteristic calculation unit and the print characteristics of the image printing unit. The conversion characteristic obtained for each of the image display means may be stored.

With this, even if a plurality of users use the printing system, it is possible to read and use the conversion characteristics at the time of using the printing system. Therefore, each time the printing system is used, the display characteristics of the image display means need to be measured and stored as the conversion characteristics. And the image can be quickly printed out from the image printing means as an image suitable for itself. Also, every time the printing system is used,
Alternatively, even if the display characteristics of the image display means are measured at predetermined time intervals, the conversion characteristics of the time when the display image data to be printed out from the image printing means can be read and used. Even if the conversion characteristic of the image data changes, the same print output as the print at the time when the display image data was created can be made to the image printing means. Further, even if the image display unit is replaced, the same print output can be made from the image printing unit for the display image data created when the image display unit is provided.

Further, even if the display characteristics are measured for each image display unit and the conversion characteristics are obtained, the conversion characteristics are used when the display image data to be printed out from the image printing unit is created. The conversion characteristics obtained from the measured display characteristics of the image display means can be read and used, so that the image data for display created by using an image display means different from the currently used image display means. Also, it is possible to cause the image printing means to output the same print output as the previous time. Further, even if the image display means used when creating the display image data is gone, the same output can be made from the image printing means for the display image data created when the previous image display means exists.

Further, the conversion characteristic storage means may store the conversion characteristic in association with the display image data, or store the conversion characteristic in a user identification for identifying a user of the printing system. It may be stored in association with information,
Alternatively, the conversion characteristic may be stored in association with time information for identifying the time when the image display unit has been used in the printing system.

[0035]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a printing system 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Inside the printing system 2, a display device such as a CRT (corresponding to a first image output unit or an image display unit) 4 for visually displaying an image, a CPU 6 for controlling various operations, A ROM 8 in which programs and data are stored, a RAM 10 in which various programs and data are temporarily stored when the programs are started, and an input including a mouse and a keyboard for inputting desired data by a user of the printing system 2 A device 14, a printing device (corresponding to a second image output unit and an image printing unit) 16 such as a color printer for printing and outputting an image, and a storage device 18 such as a hard disk for storing various data are connected by a bus or the like. ing.

The RAM 10 has an image memory 11 for storing image data for displaying an image on the display device 4 and an output image memory 12 for temporarily storing image data for outputting an image by the printing device 16. Have been. In the storage device 18, a monitor characteristic value storage unit (corresponding to a display characteristic storage unit) 20 capable of storing a plurality of pieces of information indicating the display characteristics of the display device 4 and information indicating the print characteristics of the printing device 16 are stored. A printer characteristic value storage unit (corresponding to an image print characteristic storage unit) 21 and information indicating characteristics of color conversion for approximating colors displayed on the display device 4 and colors output from the printing device 16 are stored. Conversion characteristic value storage unit 22 (conversion characteristic storage means).

The CPU 6 performs a process of converting image data, which will be described later, and controls the operations of the display device 4, the printing device 16, and other devices in accordance with various programs stored in the ROM 8. Next, FIG. 2 shows a data configuration of the monitor characteristic value storage unit 20.

In the monitor characteristic value storage unit 20, a γ (gamma) value or a BK value indicating a display characteristic of the display device 4 stores information for identifying a specific user from a plurality of users who use the printing system 2. (Hereinafter, referred to as “user identification information”; here, the password of the user), and stored and stored. As will be described later, the three stimulus values (Xr, Yr, Z
r), (Xg, Yg, Zg), (Xb, Yb, Zb) and the like are also stored.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the image data conversion processing performed by the CPU 6 of the printing system 2. First, when the printing system 2 is activated, the CPU 6
When a display prompting the registration of a user who intends to use is displayed on the display device 4 and the user looks at the display and inputs information for identifying the user or a password from the input device 14, The CPU 6 identifies the input information and stores it in a predetermined area in the RAM 10 (S100).

Here, the CPU 6 compares the password input in step S100 with the registration list of the user who has already used, and determines whether or not the user is the first use (S110). Here, when the password of the user who has already used is input ("NO" in S110), CPU 6 asks the user whether or not to execute monitor calibration (S120).

The user selects a desired operation using the input device 14 or the like. Here, if there is an input indicating that monitor calibration is not to be executed ("N" in S120)
O "), the CPU 6 refers to the user's password stored in step S100, and from the monitor characteristic value storage unit 20 configured as shown in FIG. 2, displays the display characteristic (γ value And the BK value) (S13)
0).

Then, the CPU 6 reads the image data generation application program stored in the storage device 18 into the RAM 10 and starts it, and generates image data on the image memory 11 according to the operation of the user. At the same time, in order to allow the user to recognize the degree of generation of the image data, the image data generated on the image memory 11 is displayed on the display device 4 (S140), and an instruction to start printing is waited for (S150). When the user recognizes that the desired image data has been generated, the user can input a command for instructing printing to start using the input device 14.

The CPU 6 issues a print start instruction to the input device 14.
(S150: “YE
S "), a conversion characteristic value for color conversion is calculated based on the display characteristics read in step S130 and the print characteristic information stored in the printer characteristic value storage unit 21,
This conversion characteristic value is stored in the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22 (S
160). A specific example of the calculation of the conversion characteristic value stored in the printer characteristic value storage unit 21 will be described in [Others].

Then, the CPU 6 converts the image data stored in the image memory 11 using the color conversion values obtained in step S160 (S170), and stores the converted image data in the output image memory 12. And the printing device 16
(S180). A specific example of this image data conversion processing will also be described in [Others].

When it is determined that the user is the first time to use the printing system 2 based on the password of the user input in step S100 ("Y" in step S110).
ES ”) or when the execution of monitor calibration is instructed in step S120 (“ Y ”in S120).
ES ”) performs the following processing.

First, the CPU 6 reads the monitor calibration execution program stored in the storage device 18 into the RAM 10 and starts it, and executes the monitor calibration (S190). Details of the monitor calibration are shown in the flowchart of FIG.
This monitor calibration was performed by IBM (ln
USP 5,29 from temational Business Machines)
8,993 is shown as an example.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, two display units A1 and A2 are provided on the display device 4 (here, CRT).
Is formed (S400). Then, a pattern in which the gradation signal values L1 and the gradation signal values L2 are alternately arranged in the pixels is formed on one of the display sections A1 (S410). here,
O ≦ L1 <L2 ≦ 255. Note that the relative brightness when displayed on the CRT with the pixels having only the respective gradation signal values L1 and L2 is V1 and V2, respectively.

As specific numerical values, the gradation signal value L1 = 0 and the gradation signal value L2 = 255. This gradation signal value L
Since 1 and L2 indicate the darkest portion and the brightest portion in the display of the display device 4, the relative brightness (relative brightness) of both is set to V1 = 0 and V2 = 1.

Next, the gradation signal value L is displayed on the other display section A2.
A pattern is formed with only three pixels, and the user is requested to adjust the gradation signal value L3 (S420).
The gradation signal value L3 is adjusted so that the brightness of the display unit A1 is the same as the brightness of the display unit A1, and the end is waited (S42).
5). However, L1 <L3 <L2.

The relative brightness VA1 of the display section A1 is such that the points of relative brightness V1 and V2 are alternately arranged.
VA1 = (V1 + V2) /2=0.5. And
If the relative brightness VA2 of the display unit A2 is adjusted by the user to match the brightness of the display unit A1, VA2
= VA1 = 0.5.

Therefore, if an instruction to end the adjustment is made by the user via the input device 14 ("YE" in S425).
S "), VA1 can be set as the relative brightness of the gradation signal value L3 as a result of the adjustment by the user (S430). Next, in order to obtain the BK, as shown in FIG. 6, the area A displayed on the display device 4 with the gradation signal value 0 and the gradation signal value L
A region B where B can be changed is compared with a region B and displayed as a test pattern (S440). Then, first, the gradation signal value LB of the region B is set to 1 (S450),
The test pattern is displayed (S460). Then, it is requested that the user determine whether or not a difference is felt in the brightness of the two areas A and B arranged in comparison (S4).
70).

Here, when there is no difference between the two (S
If “NO” at 470), the gradation signal value LB is increased by one (S480), and the test pattern is displayed on the display device 4 again (S460), and the user is allowed to determine the difference in brightness (S460). S470). If there is no difference in brightness between the areas A and B (“NO” in S470), the processing (S480 and S460) for gradually brightening the area B is repeated.
If the user has input that a difference in brightness has occurred in B ("YES" in S470), the tone signal value LB of the area B is returned to a value smaller by one, so that there is no difference in brightness. A value is obtained and set as a black point BK (S
490).

Next, the tone characteristic value γ is calculated (S50).
0). Here, a gradation signal value and a relative luminance value (the above-described brightness V1, V2, and V3) for each of the three primary colors RGB of the CRT.
It is known that the correlation (corresponding to V3 or the like) (gradation expression characteristic: one of display characteristics) can be expressed by the following equation 1.

[0054]

(Equation 1)

Here, V: relative luminance value (the maximum luminance value is 1
Relative value (0 ≦ V ≦ 1), L: gradation signal value (0 ≦ L ≦ 255), BK: black point (0 ≦ B)
K ≦ 255), γ: gradation characteristic value (0 <γ). "＾
“γ” indicates “γ power”. However, when L <BK, the relative luminance value V is expressed by the following equation (2).

[0056]

(Equation 2)

Therefore, step S430 is added to the above equation (1).
The brightness characteristic value γ can be calculated by substituting the brightness VA1 calculated in step S490 and substituting the value of BK calculated in step S490 (S500). When Expression 1 is expressed by a logarithm, the following Expression 3 is obtained.

[0058]

(Equation 3)

Therefore, V = VA1, L =
When the values of L3 and BK are substituted, the following equation 4 is obtained.

[0060]

(Equation 4)

That is, the gradation characteristic value γ, which is the main variable of the gradation expression characteristic, can be easily obtained together with the black point BK by visually evaluating the display as shown in FIGS. it can. Next, the CPU 6 determines the characteristic values (γ, B
K) is stored in the monitor characteristic value storage unit 20 in association with the user password input in step S100 as shown in FIG. 2 (S195). Then, the process proceeds to step S140 in order to convert the image data based on the characteristic values stored in the monitor characteristic value storage unit 20 in step S195. Hereinafter, as described above.

According to the first embodiment, by performing the above-described configuration and operation, the display characteristic value of the display device 4 is set according to the plurality of users of the printing system 2 to perform the image data conversion processing. In addition, a plurality of pieces of user identification information (here, a password) and display characteristic values (here, a γ value and a BK value) of the display device 4 set by each user are stored in association with each other.

For this reason, the user who has already used the printing system 2 only selects the stored display characteristic value for himself / herself, and executes the monitor calibration every time the user changes. It is not necessary to perform the troublesome process of resetting the display characteristics by doing so. Therefore, when one printing system 2 is executed by a plurality of users, display characteristics can be easily and quickly set according to the user without performing complicated operations. Conversion processing is performed according to the user, and appropriate print image data is formed, and appropriate printing is performed.

The approximation between the display color of the display device 4 and the print color of the printing device 16 largely depends on human subjectivity. Therefore, the fact that the characteristics can be set according to the user in this way means that This leads to improved color reproducibility. Step S190 of the first embodiment corresponds to processing as a display characteristic measuring unit, step S130 corresponds to processing as a display characteristic selecting unit, and steps S160 and S17.
0 and S180 correspond to processing as image data conversion means.

[Second Embodiment] The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the contents of the image data conversion processing and the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Is the same as FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22. The conversion characteristic value storage unit 22 stores addresses (hereinafter, referred to as conversion characteristic value storage addresses) for storing conversion characteristic values of color conversion for approximating the display color of the display device 4 and the print color of the printing device 16. Are stored in association with information indicating a period used in the printing system 2. In addition, the information indicating the period includes two pieces of information of a use start date when the corresponding conversion characteristic value starts to be used as a conversion characteristic value in the printing system 2 and a use end date when the use is stopped. The information indicating this period corresponds to the time information.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the image data conversion processing executed in the second embodiment. First, when the image data conversion process is started, the user is asked whether to execute monitor calibration (S200). Here, when a response to execute the monitor calibration is obtained from the user via the input device 14 (S
(“YES” in 200), the CPU 6 reads the monitor calibration execution program stored in the storage device 18 into the RAM 10 and starts it, and as described in the first embodiment, displays the display characteristics such as the γ value and the BK value. A value is obtained (S210).

Next, a conversion characteristic value for color conversion is calculated based on the display characteristic value obtained in step S210 and the print characteristic of the printer characteristic value storage unit 21 (S220). The calculation of the conversion characteristic value will be described in [Others]. Then, the conversion characteristic value obtained in step S220 is stored in the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22, and the storage address of the conversion characteristic value stored here is stored and stored in the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22 as a display characteristic value (S230). ).

Then, the CPU 6 identifies the current time (here, date) by using a timer (not shown) or the like.
The time is stored and stored as information indicating the time in the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22 (S240). Here, the time is stored and saved in association with the use start date of the storage address of the conversion characteristic value newly stored in step S230, and the storage of the conversion characteristic value used immediately before step S230. The address is stored and saved in association with the use end date of the address. Of course, it is also possible to store only the start date.

Next, the CPU 6 reads the application program for image data generation stored in the storage device 18 into the RAM 10 and starts it, and executes the image data generation processing. This process may be a process of generating display image data by a user's operation as in step S140 described in the first embodiment, but here, a plurality of already-created plurality of image data stored in the storage device 18 are stored. A process is selected from the display image data and read into the image memory 11 (S250).

The CPU 6 displays an image of the display image data read on the image memory 11 on the display device 4 and waits for a print instruction (S260). The user is the display device 4
By looking at the image displayed above, it can be determined that the image data is the desired display image data, and an instruction to start printing can be given.

When recognizing that there is a print start instruction ("YES" in S260), CPU 6 asks the user whether or not to set the conversion characteristic value by the user's selection (S270). Here, when an instruction to set the conversion characteristic value is obtained (“YES” in S270), CP
U6 requests the user to input a time (S28).
0).

When the user inputs the time during which the desired color conversion characteristic value has been used from the input device 14 or the like (S280).
Is "YES"), the CPU 6 compares the input timing with the information indicating the timing stored in the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22, selects an appropriate storage address, and stores the selected storage address. The conversion characteristic value is read (S290).

Then, based on the conversion characteristics selected in step S290, the display image data stored in the image memory 11 is converted into print image data and stored in the output image memory 12 (S300). Then, the printing image data on the output image memory 12 is output from the printing device 16 as a printed material (S310).

When the monitor calibration is not performed in step S200 (“N” in S200)
O "), and jumps to step S250. If the conversion characteristic value is not set in step S270 ("NO" in S270), the process jumps to step S300, and executes color conversion based on the conversion characteristic value already set at that time ( S300), print (S31)
0).

In the second embodiment, by controlling the configuration and operation described above, even if the currently used conversion characteristic value is different from the past, the same conversion characteristic as the previously set conversion characteristic is obtained. The display image data can be read and reset, and the display image data can be converted into print image data. That is, by re-converting the display image data created in the past with the same conversion characteristic value used in the past and printing,
It is possible to easily obtain a printout having the same color as the printout obtained in the past.

In the second embodiment, since a plurality of conversion characteristic values are stored and selected, the reconstructed display characteristic of the display device is reset and the reconstructed characteristic values are compared with the case where the converted characteristic values are reconstructed. Therefore, the speed of the conversion and printing processes can be increased.

In step S280, the user is required to input information indicating the time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, since information indicating the time when the display image data is generated can be usually attached to the display image data, the information indicating the time is identified from the display image data read in step S250. The information indicating the time may be treated as the information input in step S280. As described above, by using the information attached to the display image data, the operation of the user can be omitted, so that the complexity of the operation for the user can be improved. In addition, if the user inputs the time, there is a risk of an input error. However, if the time information of the display image data is used, this can be prevented.

Step S210 of the second embodiment corresponds to the processing as the display characteristic measuring means, and step S130
Corresponds to the processing as the display characteristic selecting means, and the step S
Step 220 corresponds to processing as conversion characteristic calculation means, steps S280 and S290 correspond to processing as conversion characteristic selection means, and steps S300 and S310 correspond to processing as image data conversion means.

[Others] The process of calculating the conversion characteristic value for color conversion in step S160 in the first embodiment and in step S220 in the second embodiment will be described. This calculation process is shown in the block diagram of FIG.

FIG. 9A shows an example of the information of the monitor profile 20 a stored in the monitor characteristic value storage section 20. In the monitor profile 20a, RG, which is the three primary colors of the display device 4 and represents the display characteristics of the display device 4, is displayed.
B tristimulus values (Xr, Yr, Zr), (Xg,
Yg, Zg), (Xb, Yb, Zb), and the γ value and the BK value indicating the gradation expression characteristics shown in FIG. 2 are stored.

FIG. 9B shows the printer profile 21.
This table shows the function of a look-up table (hereinafter, referred to as an LUT) 21b that represents the printing characteristics of the printing device 16 stored in a. The LUT 21 b stored in the printer profile 21 a stores the CIE Lab value in the printing device 16.
Is a data group to be converted into CMYK, which is a control signal of.

First, the CPU 6 converts the RGB data 600 generated in step S140 or read in step S250 into gradation correction processing 6 using the gradation characteristic value γ value and BK value stored in the monitor profile 20a.
Do 10 This gradation correction processing 610 is performed by, for example, the following equation 5.
To 7 are mentioned.

[0083]

(Equation 5)

Here, R, G, and B are RGB data, and Kr, Kg, and Kb are correction data after gradation correction. When each pixel of RGB is assumed to be capable of expressing each pixel in 256 gradations from 0 to 255, data of 16 steps such as 0, 16, 32, 48,. It shall be composed of

Subsequently, a matrix operation (XY of CIE) is performed using the tristimulus values in the monitor profile 20a.
Z calculation processing) 620 is executed. Specifically, the following equations 8 to
Do as in 10.

[0086]

(Equation 6)

Then, the CIE Lab is calculated by performing the CIE XYZ arithmetic conversion processing 630.
Since the specific procedure is described in JIS Z 8729, a detailed description is omitted. And the C
Using the LUT 21b stored in the printer profile 21a, the IE Lab is converted into an LUT conversion process 640.
To convert the data into CMYK data 650. The specific processing is described in JP-B-59-41227 and JP-A-63-162.
248 etc.

Then, a color correction LUT 660 is created by associating the RGB data 600 with the CMYK data 650, and the color correction LUT 660 is stored in the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22 of the storage device 18 as a conversion characteristic value. Thereafter, in step S170 in the first embodiment and in step S300 in the second embodiment, the display image data formed in RGB by the LUT in the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22 is printed in CMYK. To image data for use.

In the first embodiment, the display characteristic value is measured and stored for each user. However, instead of the display characteristic value, a color is obtained from the display characteristic value and the print characteristic value measured for each user. A conversion characteristic value for conversion may be obtained, stored as a conversion characteristic value for each user in the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22, read out for each user, and used for conversion.

In the second embodiment, a conversion characteristic value for color conversion is obtained from the display characteristic value and the print characteristic value measured for each period, and the conversion characteristic value is stored in the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22 as the conversion characteristic value for each period. Although it was stored, instead of the conversion characteristic value, the display characteristic value measured for each period is stored, and the display characteristic value corresponding to the period in which the display image data to be converted is created is read, A conversion characteristic value may be obtained together with the print characteristic value, and this conversion characteristic value may be used for conversion.

In this case, the display image data includes the created time data, but the display image data includes data for specifying the display characteristic value and the conversion characteristic value at the time of the creation, or directly. , Display characteristic values or conversion characteristic values. In such a case, the display characteristic value and the conversion characteristic value are immediately found, so that the process does not make a mistake in the characteristic value, and the process is quick.

Also, unlike the first and second embodiments,
When a plurality of display devices 4 are provided in the printing system 2, the display characteristic values may be measured and stored for each display device 4, or may be used instead of the display characteristic values. A conversion characteristic value for color conversion may be obtained from the measured display characteristic value and the print characteristic value, and stored as the conversion characteristic value for each display device 4 in the conversion characteristic value storage unit 22.

Further, the display characteristic value and the conversion characteristic value for each user, the display characteristic value and the conversion characteristic value for each period, and the display characteristic value and the conversion characteristic value for each display device 4 may be appropriately combined and used. More precise conversion and printing are possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a data configuration of a monitor characteristic value storage unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of image data conversion processing performed by the printing system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a monitor calibration process.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a pattern configuration for obtaining display characteristics.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a pattern configuration for obtaining a BK value.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of image data conversion processing performed by the printing system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a conversion characteristic value storage unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a monitor profile and a printer profile according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a process of calculating a conversion characteristic value for color conversion.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Printing system 4 ... Display device 6 ... CPU 8 ... ROM 10 ... RAM 11 ... Image memory 12 ... Output image memory 14 ... Input device 16 ... Printing device 18 ... Storage device 20 ... Monitor characteristic value storage unit 20a ... Monitor profile 21 ... Printer characteristic value storage unit 21a ... Printer profile 21b ... LUT 22 ... Conversion characteristic value storage unit

Claims (29)

[Claims] A first image output unit configured to output first image data to be output to the first image output unit based on output characteristics of the first image output unit and output characteristics of the second image output unit; An image output system for performing a conversion process and outputting the second image data as second image data to the second image output means, wherein a plurality of output characteristics of the first image output means are stored, and the plurality of output characteristics are stored. And an image output system selected from the following for use in the conversion processing. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first is measured for a plurality of users.
2. An image output system according to claim 1, wherein each output characteristic of said image output means is stored and selected from said output characteristics and used for said conversion processing. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of output characteristics of said first image output means measured at a plurality of past times are stored, selected from the output characteristics, and used for the conversion process. 2. The image output system according to 1. 4. A plurality of said first image output means are provided,
2. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein each output characteristic measured for each of said first image output means is stored, selected from the output characteristics, and used for the conversion process. 5. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein output characteristics of said first image output means are stored in association with each of said first image data. system. 6. The output characteristic of the first image output means is stored in association with user identification information for identifying a user of the image output system. The image output system according to any one of the above. 7. The output characteristic of the first image output means is stored in association with time information for identifying when the first image output means is used in the present image output system. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein: 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first image data formed for output to the first image output means is output based on output characteristics of the first image output means and output characteristics of the second image output means. An image output system for performing a conversion process and outputting the second image data as second image data to the second image output means, wherein a plurality of conversion characteristics in the conversion process are stored and selected from the plurality of conversion characteristics. And an image output system for performing the conversion process. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first is measured for a plurality of users.
Calculating and storing a conversion characteristic for each user based on each output characteristic of the image output means and the output characteristic of the second image output means, selecting the conversion characteristic, and performing the conversion processing. 9. The image output system according to claim 8, wherein: 10. A conversion characteristic is obtained and stored for each time based on output characteristics of the first image output means and output characteristics of the second image output means measured at a plurality of past times. 9. The image output system according to claim 8, wherein said conversion characteristic is selected from said conversion characteristics and used for said conversion processing. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said first image output means are provided, and said first image output means is determined based on output characteristics measured for each of said first image output means and output characteristics of said second image output means. 9. The image output system according to claim 8, wherein a conversion characteristic is obtained for each output means and stored, and the conversion characteristic is selected and used for the conversion processing. 12. The image output system according to claim 8, wherein said conversion characteristic is stored in association with said first image data. 13. The image output apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the conversion characteristic is stored in association with user identification information for identifying a user of the image output system. system. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said conversion characteristic is stored in association with time information for identifying a time when said first image output means is used in said image output system. 14. The image output system according to any one of claims 13 to 13. 15. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first image output means is a display means for displaying an image on a display, and the second image output means is a printing means for printing the image on a print medium. The image output system according to claim 1. 16. An image display means for displaying and outputting display image data, a display characteristic measuring means for measuring display characteristics of the image display means, and a plurality of display characteristics measured by the display characteristic measuring means. Display characteristic storage means, display characteristic selection means for selecting any of the plurality of display characteristics stored in the display characteristic storage means, image printing means for printing out input print image data, and image printing An image printing characteristic storing unit for storing printing characteristics of the unit, and a conversion process of display image data based on the display characteristics selected by the display characteristics selecting unit and the printing characteristics stored in the image printing characteristics storing unit. An image data conversion unit for performing the operation to obtain image data for printing and outputting the image data to the image printing unit. 17. The printing system according to claim 16, wherein said display characteristic storage means stores each display characteristic measured by said display characteristic measurement means for a plurality of users. 18. The printing system according to claim 16, wherein said display characteristic storing means stores each display characteristic measured by said display characteristic measuring means in a plurality of past times. 19. A display device comprising: a plurality of image display means; and a display characteristic storage means for storing display characteristics measured by the display characteristic measurement means for each of the image display means. Item 17. The printing system according to Item 16. 20. A printing system according to claim 16, wherein said display characteristic storing means stores said display characteristic in association with said display image data. 21. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said display characteristic storage means stores said display characteristic in association with user identification information for identifying a user of said image output system. The printing system according to any one of the above. 22. The display characteristic storing means stores the display characteristic in association with time information for identifying a time used by the first image output means in the present image output system. The printing system according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein 23. Image display means for displaying and outputting display image data, display characteristic measuring means for measuring display characteristics of the image display means, image printing means for printing out input print image data, An image print characteristic storage unit that stores print characteristics of the image print unit; and a display image based on the display characteristics measured by the display characteristic measurement unit and the print characteristics stored in the image print characteristic storage unit. A conversion characteristic calculation unit for obtaining a conversion characteristic when performing conversion processing from data to print image data; a conversion characteristic storage unit for storing a plurality of conversion characteristics obtained by the conversion characteristic calculation unit; and a conversion characteristic storage unit. Conversion characteristic selection means for selecting any of the stored plurality of conversion characteristics, based on the conversion characteristics selected by the conversion characteristic selection means,
A printing system, comprising: image data conversion means for performing conversion processing of display image data to obtain print image data and outputting the image data to the image printing means. 24. The conversion characteristic storage means is obtained based on each display characteristic measured for a plurality of users by the conversion characteristic calculation means and the print characteristics stored in the image print characteristic storage means. The printing system according to claim 23, wherein the conversion characteristics for each user are stored. 25. The conversion characteristic storage means, wherein the conversion characteristic calculation means calculates each of the time intervals determined based on each display characteristic measured at a plurality of past times and the printing characteristic of the image printing means. The printing system according to claim 23, wherein the conversion characteristic is stored. 26. A method according to claim 26, wherein a plurality of said image display means are provided, and said conversion characteristic storage means includes a display characteristic obtained for each of said image display means by said conversion characteristic calculation means and a print characteristic of said image printing means. 24. The printing system according to claim 23, wherein a conversion characteristic obtained for each of the image display means, which is obtained based on the following, is stored. 27. The printing system according to claim 23, wherein said conversion characteristic storage means stores said conversion characteristic in association with said display image data. 28. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said conversion characteristic storage means stores said conversion characteristic in association with user identification information for identifying a user of said image output system. The printing system according to any one of the above. 29. The conversion characteristic storing means stores the conversion characteristic in association with time information for identifying a time when the first image output means has been used in the image output system. The printing system according to any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein: