JP2004040184A - Image processor and control unit, and method for them - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein only two choices can no longer perform cross matching or the like although an ICC profile includes rough luster information as attribute information such as luster and no luster. <P>SOLUTION: When embedding of the luster information to the ICC profile is instructed (S4), the luster information is acquired from a color chart placed on an original platen of a color copying machine (S8), and the acquired luster information is described to a private tag of the ICC profile (S9). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００８８】
ΔＧが等しい装置がある場合（Ｓ２０２）、ｗｈｉｔｅ＿Ｇ　ｔａｇを参照して、ホワイトの光沢度の差ΔＷＧが小さい装置を選択する（Ｓ２０３）。なお、ターゲットプロファイルに光沢度情報がない場合は、記録紙の設定を参照し、普通紙のホワイトの光沢度は「低（〜１５）」、光沢紙は「中（１６〜４０）」、キャストコート紙は「高（４１〜）」とする。
【００８９】
ΔＧおよびΔＷＧが等しい装置がある場合（Ｓ２０４）、Ｓｉｇ＿Ｇ　ｔａｂｌｅ　ｔａｇを参照して、ＭｉｎΔＧが最小の装置を選択する（Ｓ２０５）。なお、ＭｉｎΔＧはＳｉｇ＿Ｇ　ｔａｂｌｅ　ｔａｇから導き出される。
【００９０】
ΔＧ、ΔＷＧおよびＭｉｎΔＧが等しい装置がある場合（Ｓ２０６）、Ｓｉｇ＿Ｇ　ｔａｂｌｅ　ｔａｇを参照して、ＭａｘΔＧが最小の装置を選択する（Ｓ２０７）。なお、ＭａｘΔＧはＳｉｇ＿Ｇ　ｔａｂｌｅ　ｔａｇから導き出される。
【００９１】
次に、プリントサーバは選択した画像形成装置のＩＣＣプロファイル、および、ユーザが想定したターゲットのＩＣＣプロファイルにより、色空間圧縮を含む色変換を行い（Ｓ１１８）、ＲＩＰを行い（Ｓ１１９）、選択した装置へビットマップデータを送信して画像を形成させる（Ｓ１２０）。
【００９２】
ターゲットプロファイルは、コンピュータ１などに登録されていることはもちろん、プリントサーバにも登録されていることが望ましい。そのようにすれば、画像ファイルにプロファイルを埋め込まなくても、プリンタドライバの設定によって色変換およびグロスマッチングなどをプリントサーバに行わせることができ、コンピュータ１の負荷を軽減し、処理速度も向上する。また、専門的な知識も必要とせずに、容易にカラーマッチングおよびグロスマッチングすることができる。
【００９３】
●　色を重視
一方、「色を重視」が選択されると、プリントサーバは、ディスティネーションプロファイル（画像形成装置のＩＣＣプロファイル）のｇａｍｕｔ　ｔａｇおよびＡｔｏＢ２　ｔａｇを参照して、ターゲットプロファイルの色域（ｃｏｌｏｒ　ｇａｍｕｔ）と比較する。色域の比較方法としては次の方法が考えられる。
（１）　色立体の色域内外判定（Ｐｈｏｔｏｓｈｏｐ（Ｒ）　６．０の色域警告機能に類する）
（２）　色域体積の比較（色再現範囲（Ｌａｂ）を体積に換算して比較）
（３）　特定ポイントの比較、特定ポイントとしてはＣ、Ｍ、Ｙ、Ｋ、Ｒ、Ｇ、Ｂｋ、Ｗおよび最低明度点（九点）
【００９４】
プリントサーバに登録されたすべてのＩＣＣプロファイルの色域を判定し、最適な画像形成装置を選択することを考えると、判定時間および比較精度を考慮して（３）項の方法を採用する。つまり、ディスティネーションプロファイルのＡｔｏＢ２　ｔａｇを参照して、上記の九点のポイントのＬａｂ値を得る。なお、最低明度点には信号和４００％を採用する。同様に、ターゲットプロファイルから上記九点のＬａｂ値を得て、上記九点の平均色差ΔＥが最小になる画像形成装置を探索する（Ｓ１１７）。
【００９５】
なお、ターゲットよりもディスティネーションの色域が広ければ、当然、ターゲットの色域を満たすことができるが、画像データの限られたビット数（例えば８ビット）では、色域が広ければ広いほど、階調ステップ（８ビットならば１／２５６レベル）に対応する濃度段差が目立つ。これらを配慮して、色立体の外郭部でのΔＥに基づく色域比較法によって画像形成装置を探索する（Ｓ１１７）。
【００９６】
●「光沢感を最重視、色を重視」または「色を最重視、光沢感を重視」
他方、「光沢感を最重視、色を重視」または「色を最重視、光沢感を重視」が選択された場合は、ＩＣＣプロファイルに埋め込まれた光沢度情報、および、「色を重視」と同様に主要な九点のＬａｂ値を参照して、以下の条件を満たす画像形成装置を探索する（Ｓ１１７）。
ΔＧ　＜　５　かつ　ΔＥ　＜　５
【００９７】
図１２は「光沢感を最重視、色を重視」または「色を最重視、光沢感を重視」が選択された場合の最適な画像形成装置の探索（Ｓ１１７）の詳細を説明するフローチャートである。
【００９８】
「光沢感を最重視、色を重視」の場合（Ｓ２１１）、上記の条件を満たす装置が存在するか否かを判定し（Ｓ２１２）、存在すればΔＧが最小の装置を選択する（Ｓ２１３）。また、上記の条件が満たされない場合は、ΔＥの条件を解除してΔＧ　＜　５の装置が存在するか否かを判定し（Ｓ２１４）、存在すればΔＧ　＜　５かつΔＥが最小の装置を選択する（Ｓ２１５）。
【００９９】
一方「色を最重視、光沢感を重視」の場合（Ｓ２１１）、上記の条件を満たす画像形成装置が存在するか否かを判定し（Ｓ２１６）、存在すればΔＥが最小の装置を選択する（Ｓ２１７）。また、上記の条件が満たされない場合はΔＧの条件を解除してΔＥ　＜　５の装置が存在するか否かを判定し（Ｓ２１８）、存在すればΔＥ　＜　５かつΔＧが最小の装置を選択する（Ｓ２１９）。
【０１００】
また、光沢感を最重視する場合にΔＧ　＜　５を満たす装置がない場合、および、色を最重視する場合にΔＥ　＜　５を満たす装置がない場合は、その旨および他のマッチング方法の選択を依頼する旨のデータコンピュータ１に送信し（Ｓ２２０）、ユーザの応答を待つ（Ｓ２２１）。
【０１０１】
●　クラスタプリンティング
ユーザがスピードを重視してクラスタプリンティングを指示した場合、プリントサーバは、上記と同様の条件（ΔＧ　＜　５　かつ　ΔＥ　＜　５）で画像形成装置を探索する（Ｓ１１７）。
【０１０２】
図１３はクラスタプリンティングが指示された場合の最適な画像形成装置の探索（Ｓ１１７）の詳細を説明するフローチャートである。
【０１０３】
「光沢感を重視」が選択された場合は、条件ΔＧ　＜　５を満たす装置の数を把握し、その数に応じて処理を分岐する（Ｓ２３１）。条件を満たす装置の数が「０」「１」または「４以上」の場合は下記のメッセージをコンピュータ１に送信する（Ｓ２３２−Ｓ２３４）。
０の場合：「クラスタプリンティングできません、他の条件に変更してください」
１の場合：「クラスタプリンティングできません、一台で出力してもよいですか？」
４以上の場合：「何台で出力しますか？」
【０１０４】
「一台で出力してもよいか？」のメッセージに対するユーザの応答を判定して（Ｓ２３５）、「Ｙｅｓ」の場合は一台を選択し（Ｓ２３７）、「Ｎｏ」の場合は「０」の場合と同様に「クラスタプリンティングできません、他の条件に変更してください」のメッセージをコンピュータ１へ送信する（Ｓ２３２）。
【０１０５】
「何台で出力しますか？」のメッセージに対してユーザがキーボードなどを使用して台数を指示すると（Ｓ２３６）、その指示に応じた数の装置を選択するが、例えば三台が指定された場合は、ΔＧが小さい側から三台の装置を選択する（Ｓ２３７）。
【０１０６】
また、条件を満たす装置の数が「２」または「３」の場合は、プリントサーバは、ユーザに指示を問うことなくその二台または三台の装置を選択する（Ｓ２３７）。
【０１０７】
「色を重視」が選択された場合は、条件ΔＥ　＜　５を満たす装置の数を把握し、上記と同様に、その数に応じて処理を分岐し（Ｓ２３１）、（ΔＥが小さい順に）装置を選択する（Ｓ２３７）。
【０１０８】
「色を最重視、光沢感を重視」が選択された場合は、条件ΔＥ　＜　５かつΔＧ　＜　５を満たす装置の数を把握し、上記と同様に、その数に応じて処理を分岐し（Ｓ２３１）、（ΔＥが小さい順に）装置を選択する（Ｓ２３７）。
【０１０９】
「光沢感を最重視、色を重視」が選択された場合は、条件ΔＥ　＜　５かつΔＧ　＜　５を満たす装置の数を把握し、上記と同様に、その数に応じて処理を分岐し（Ｓ２３１）、（ΔＧが小さい順に）装置を選択する（Ｓ２３７）。
【０１１０】
このように、光沢度情報を有するＩＣＣプロファイルを利用して、画像形成装置の光沢度および色再現性を容易に把握して、ユーザの要求に応じた画像形成が可能な装置を容易に選択することができる。
【０１１１】
【第２実施形態】
以下、第１実施形態と異なる方法で光沢度情報を取得して、ＩＣＣプロファイルに光沢度情報を埋め込む例を第２実施形態として説明する。なお、本実施形態において、第１実施形態と略同様の構成については、同一符号を付して、その詳細説明を省略する。
【０１１２】
第１実施形態においては、光沢度情報を取得する機能部を備える画像形成装置を必要とする。光沢度情報の容易な取得よりも、コストを重視する場合はハンディタイプの光沢度計を採用する方が望ましい。そこで第２実施形態では、コンピュータ１に、光沢度計の出力情報を入力し、入力される情報を解析して、光沢度情報をＩＣＣプロファイルのプライベートタグに埋め込む。
【０１１３】
図１４はＩＣＣプロファイルの作成手順を説明するフローチャートで、ＣＰＵ　２０がプロファイル作成アプリケーションを実行することで実現される処理である。なお、図７と同様の処理は、同一符号を付して、その詳細説明を省略する。
【０１１４】
第１実施形態では、色変換テーブルの作成に使用したカラーチャートを光沢度の測定に使用したが、カラーチャートのサイズがＡ３だとしてもカラーパッチは１ｃｍ×１ｃｍのサイズに過ぎず、市販の光沢度計には小さ過ぎる。また、ハンディタイプの光沢度計で９２８ものパッチの光沢度を測定するには時間と労力がかかり、実用的ではない。そこで、ハンディタイプの光沢度計による測定を考慮した、ＩＣＣプロファイルに記述する光沢度の項目を減らし、カラーパッチの数を大幅に削減したカラーチャート用の画像データを出力して、カラー複写機１６にカラーチャートを形成させ（Ｓ３１）、光沢度計から光沢度の測定値が入力されると（Ｓ３２）、ステップＳ９を実行する。
【０１１５】
ハンディタイプの光沢度計を用いてＩＣＣプロファイルに光沢度情報を埋め込む際の関連項目は次のとおりである。
ａｖｅ＿Ｇ　ｔａｇ
ｗｈｉｔｅ＿Ｇ　ｔａｇ
【０１１６】
つまり、第１実施形態ではＩＣＣプロファイルに埋め込んだ、Ｓｉｇ＿Ｇ　ｔａｂｌｅ　ｔａｇを埋め込まない。Ｓｉｇ＿Ｇ　ｔａｂｌｅ　ｔａｇは、上述したように、信号和対光沢度の関係を示し、光沢に違和感が発生するか否かの判定に使用される。勿論、重要な項目ではあるが、トナー光沢（７０％以上の信号に対する光沢特性）が一致しない方が人間は敏感である。そのため、第１実施形態で説明した、最適な画像形成装置の探索には使用していない。そこで、第２実施形態ではａｖｅ＿Ｇ　ｔａｇおよびｗｈｉｔｅ＿Ｇ　ｔａｇをＩＣＣプロファイルのプライベートタグに記述する。
【０１１７】
上述したように、ａｖｅ＿Ｇ　ｔａｇはＣ、Ｍ、Ｙ、Ｂｋ、Ｒ、Ｇ、ＢおよびＷの八つのカラーパッチの平均光沢度、また、Ｗｈｉｔｅ＿Ｇ　ｔａｇには各画像信号が０％のパッチの光沢度である。
【０１１８】
なお、ハンディタイプの光沢度計から測定値を入力するために、光沢度計に専用のインタフェイスを設けてもよいが、ネットワーク、シリアル／パラレルインタフェイス、または、シリアルバスを介して入力してもよい。
【０１１９】
また、Ｃ、Ｍ、Ｙ、Ｂｋ、Ｒ、Ｇ、ＢおよびＷの八つのカラーパッチおよび各画像信号が０％のパッチと、ハンディタイプの光沢度計で測定するパッチの数が少ないことから、ユーザはキーボード４を操作して測定値を入力してもよい。
【０１２０】
【他の実施形態】
なお、本発明は、複数の機器（例えばホストコンピュータ、インタフェイス機器、リーダ、プリンタなど）から構成されるシステムに適用しても、一つの機器からなる装置（例えば、複写機、ファクシミリ装置など）に適用してもよい。
【０１２１】
また、本発明の目的は、前述した実施形態の機能を実現するソフトウェアのプログラムコードを記録した記憶媒体（または記録媒体）を、システムあるいは装置に供給し、そのシステムあるいは装置のコンピュータ（またはＣＰＵやＭＰＵ）が記憶媒体に格納されたプログラムコードを読み出し実行することによっても、達成されることは言うまでもない。この場合、記憶媒体から読み出されたプログラムコード自体が前述した実施形態の機能を実現することになり、そのプログラムコードを記憶した記憶媒体は本発明を構成することになる。また、コンピュータが読み出したプログラムコードを実行することにより、前述した実施形態の機能が実現されるだけでなく、そのプログラムコードの指示に基づき、コンピュータ上で稼働しているオペレーティングシステム（ＯＳ）などが実際の処理の一部または全部を行い、その処理によって前述した実施形態の機能が実現される場合も含まれることは言うまでもない。
【０１２２】
さらに、記憶媒体から読み出されたプログラムコードが、コンピュータに挿入された機能拡張カードやコンピュータに接続された機能拡張ユニットに備わるメモリに書込まれた後、そのプログラムコードの指示に基づき、その機能拡張カードや機能拡張ユニットに備わるＣＰＵなどが実際の処理の一部または全部を行い、その処理によって前述した実施形態の機能が実現される場合も含まれることは言うまでもない。
【０１２３】
本発明を上記記憶媒体に適用する場合、その記憶媒体には、先に説明したフローチャートに対応するプログラムコードが格納されることになる。
【０１２４】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、画像の光沢度を考慮して画像処理することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】画像処理を実行するシステムの構成例を示すブロック図、
【図２】ＨＤに格納されたソフトウェアやデータを説明する図、
【図３】色変換を説明するための図、
【図４】ＩＣＣプロファイルの構造を示す図、
【図５】ＩＣＣプロファイルの詳細例を示す図、
【図６】スキャナの画像読取部を示す図、
【図７】ＩＣＣプロファイルの作成手順を説明するフローチャート、
【図８】グロスマッチングを行った場合と、行わない場合の出力画像の光沢度の概要を示す図、
【図９】光沢度情報を有するＩＣＣプロファイルの利用方法を説明するためのフローチャート、
【図１０】プリントサーバの処理を示すフローチャート、
【図１１】「光沢感を重視」が選択された場合の最適な装置の探索の詳細を説明するフローチャート、
【図１２】「光沢感を最重視、色を重視」または「色を最重視、光沢感を重視」が選択された場合の最適な装置の探索の詳細を説明するフローチャート、
【図１３】クラスタプリンティングが指示された場合の最適な装置の探索の詳細を説明するフローチャート、
【図１４】ＩＣＣプロファイルの作成手順を説明するフローチャートである。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing device, a control device, and a method thereof, for example, to an image processing in consideration of glossiness of an image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Today, the quality of images output by electrophotographic printers and color copiers has dramatically improved, and has reached a level comparable to that of offset printing. This is due to the improvement of image forming processes such as charging, development, transfer, fixing, and cleaning, and the result of expanding the color reproduction range in the saturation direction of the toner.
[0003]
On the other hand, there has been an increasing tendency to connect a printer or a color copying machine to a network and use it as a multi-function printer (MFP). For this reason, images have been input from various devices to printers and color copiers via networks, and it has been difficult to match the colors of these images. To solve such inconveniences, various color management methods have been proposed. One of them is a color management system (CMS) using an ICC (International Color Consortium) profile, which is becoming a de facto standard.
[0004]
Furthermore, in order to realize remote proofing and cluster printing for outputting images whose colors have been adjusted by the designer at each site, a new image forming apparatus that connects a plurality of image forming apparatuses to a network server and outputs the images. The use of is becoming widespread.
[0005]
Further, in consideration of the stability of the image forming apparatus, a calibration method has been proposed in which the gradation of only a single color is adjusted to an initial state without converting the multicolor table of the ICC profile.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The ICC profile includes glossy / glossy glossy information as attribute information, but gloss matching or the like cannot be performed at all with the two options. Even if the same color is reproduced, if the gloss is different, the impression of the output image naturally becomes different. For that purpose, it is necessary to perform a gross simulation with a computer device. Of course, even when performing the gloss simulation, it is meaningless unless an image forming apparatus defined by the ICC profile is selected and an image is output.
[0007]
In the above-described cluster printing, a flow emphasizing color is adopted for selecting an image forming apparatus. However, there is no method that simulates matching for glossiness and selects an image forming apparatus.
[0008]
In such a situation, if a different model of the image forming apparatus is used, it is not possible to output an image giving a desired glossiness, and a phenomenon occurs in which the impression of the output image differs.
[0009]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve the above-described problems individually or collectively, and has an object to perform image processing in consideration of glossiness of an image.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.
[0011]
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that creates a profile describing information on color conversion between a device-specific color space and a device-independent color space, and indicates a gloss level of an image. An input unit for inputting information and a description unit for describing the input glossiness information in the profile are provided.
[0012]
Also, an image processing apparatus to which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected and which stores profiles of the apparatuses, wherein an obtaining unit that obtains information indicating a gloss level described in the profile, an obtained gloss level information, Comparing means for comparing the image to be formed by the image forming apparatus with glossiness information designated, and selecting an image forming apparatus to be used for forming the image from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the comparison result. The image processing apparatus includes a selection unit and a transmission unit that transmits the image to be formed to the selected image forming apparatus.
[0013]
An image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method for creating a profile describing information on color conversion between a device-specific color space and a device-independent color space, and indicates a gloss level of an image. Information is input, and the input glossiness information is described in the profile.
[0014]
A control method according to the present invention is a control method for controlling a plurality of image forming apparatuses based on profiles of the apparatuses, and obtains information indicating glossiness described in the profile, and obtains the obtained glossiness information and Comparing with the gloss information designated to the image to be formed by the image forming apparatus, and selecting an image forming apparatus to be used for forming the image from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the comparison result; The image to be formed is transmitted to an image forming apparatus.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
At present, various processes in consideration of color reproducibility have been proposed. In the following description, a process using an ICC profile that has recently been accepted in the market will be described.
[0017]
The ICC profile is defined by converting color image data defined corresponding to the color space of one device into a color space unique to another device or a color space PCS (Profile Connection Space) independent of the device. Used to convert to color image data. For example, in the ICC profile, a series of standard color conversion operations for converting image data in the RGB color space into image data in the PCS and further into image data in the CMYK color space of a color printer are defined.
[0018]
However, as described above, the gloss information included in the public tag of the ICC profile includes only “gloss / no gloss”, and it is difficult to match the glossiness. Therefore, in the embodiment, gross information is added to the private tag, and gross matching is performed according to the situation.
[0019]
[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system that executes image processing according to the embodiment.
[0020]
The general-purpose computer 1 such as a personal computer, based on a program stored in a ROM 28 or a hard disk (HD) 7, uses a main memory 29 composed of a RAM or the like as a work area to configure each component connected to the system bus 21. In addition to performing control, a process described later is executed.
[0021]
The following interfaces are connected to the system bus 21. The serial interface (I / F) 22 measures the color of the color image, and the colorimeter 15 inputs the colorimetric result to the computer 1. The parallel I / F 23 detects the image data output from the computer 1. A color copier (or printer) 16 for recording a color image on a recording medium based on the above, a monitor 2 on a display I / F 25, a keyboard 4 for inputting a character code and a command on a device I / F 26, A pointing device 6 such as a mouse for pointing and operating an object displayed on the monitor 2 is connected to the disk I / F 27, and a CD-ROM drive 14 for a storage medium such as an HD 7 and a CD-ROM is connected to the disk I / F 27. You. The network interface card (NIC) 24 is for connecting to a network such as a LAN via the network cable 17.
[0022]
Note that a serial interface such as RS232C or RS422, or a serial bus such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or IEEE1394 is used as the serial I / F 22 and the device I / F 26. Also, an interface such as IEEE1284, SCSI, or GPIB is used as the parallel I / F 23. The disk I / F 27 uses a parallel interface such as ATA (ATAPI) or SCSI, or a serial bus such as USB, IEEE1394, SerialATA, or the like. Note that the colorimeter 15 and the printer 16 can be connected to the device I / F 26.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a view for explaining software and data stored in the HD 7, and creates (changes) an operating system (OS) 8, a color management system (CMS) 9 including a CMM (Color Matching Module), an ICC profile, and the like. An application 10, a profile manager 11 for storing private tags, an ICC profile 12, and the like are stored. The computer 1 can read these programs and data from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and store them on the hard disk 7.
[0024]
The color copying machine 16 has a function of reading the glossiness of the recording medium, and can input information indicating the read glossiness to the computer 1.
[0025]
Note that the computer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is not limited to a general-purpose computer, and may use a dedicated computer or a data processing device.
[0026]
[CMS and ICC profiles]
The CMM included in the CMS 9 plays a role of performing color conversion with reference to the description of the ICC profile 12. For example, using the data stored in the ICC profile, the image data in the RGB color space is converted to another color space such as CMYK. In other words, the ICC profile is for converting image data created by a certain device into image data in a color space unique to another device. For example, RGB image data for a monitor can be converted into CMYK image data for a printer using an ICC profile.
[0027]
The ICC profile is provided for each device, and provides color conversion information on the device to the CMM. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining color conversion. The CMM 102 refers to the ICC profile 104 of the input device 101 and converts the RGB image data in the color space dependent on the input device into a device-independent color space (PCS ) Is converted to Lab (or XYZ) data, color space compression (gamut mapping) is performed as necessary, and the Lab data is dependent on the output device 103 with reference to the ICC profile 105 of the output device 103. Convert to CMYK data in color space. Of course, color conversion in the reverse direction is also possible. Thus, the CMM uses an ICC profile to perform color conversion between two device dependent color spaces.
[0028]
FIG. 3 shows ICC profiles 104 and 105 corresponding to an input device 101 such as a scanner and an output device 103 such as a printer, but these ICC profiles are not necessarily incorporated in the devices. These ICC profiles may be embedded in data to be subjected to color conversion by the CMM (image data such as TIFF), or may be stored in the memory of the computer 1 that executes the CMM. Further, the ICC profile can be applied to an image input / output device such as a digital camera, a monitor, and a color facsimile machine in addition to a scanner and a printer.
[0029]
Meanwhile, the PCS defines a D50 standard light source, CIE Lab or XYZ chromaticity coordinates as a uniform color space, and also defines 0/45 or 45/0 reflectance measurement for colorimetric conditions.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the ICC profile, which includes two basic elements of a header 39 and a tag table 40. The header 39 contains information used by a CMM, such as ColorSync (a color conversion engine from Apple) to process the input image data according to the ICC profile.
[0031]
The ICC profile includes a required public tag designed to provide a complete set of information necessary for the CMM to convert color information between the PCS and the device-dependent color space. It is included. In addition, ICC profiles include optional public tags that can be used to perform additional conversions, and private tags that can be customized by individual developers to add proprietary values to the ICC profile. May be included.
[0032]
To perform color conversion of input data, a profile description tag, a device maker tag, a device model name tag, a media XYZ white point tag, a UCCMS private information tag, a copyright tag, and a relative XYZ of each of RGB are used. Color material tags containing tristimulus values, gamma tags for the R (red) channel, the G (green) channel, and the B (blue) channel are required.
[0033]
To perform color conversion for screen display, a profile description tag, a device manufacturer tag, a device model name tag, a media XYZ white point tag, a copyright tag, a color material tag including relative values such as RGB phosphors, Gamma tags for channels, G channels and B channels are required.
[0034]
To perform output color conversion for hard copy, a profile description tag, device manufacturer tag, device model name tag, AtoB0 tag, BtoA0 tag, gamut tag (gamuttag), AtoB1 tag, BtoA1 tag, AtoB2 tag, BtoA2 tag, UCCMS private Information tags, XYZ media white point tags, measurement tags, copyright tags, etc. are required.
[0035]
The AtoBx tag has either an ICC lut8Type or an ICC lut16Type structure. The general-purpose model of the ICC lut8Type or ICC lut16Type structure is as follows.
Matrix → One-dimensional LUT → Multi-dimensional LUT → One-dimensional LUT
[0036]
If the tag has a lut8Type structure, the input and output LUTs, as well as the color LUT, are arrays of 8-bit unsigned values. Each input table is composed of a one-byte integer. The entries of the input table are appropriately standardized in the range of 0 to 255, respectively.
[0037]
The AtoBx tag included in the ICC profile for the output device includes a color conversion table for converting from the CMYK color space to another color space, and is used as a so-called source (target) profile.
[0038]
On the other hand, the BtoAx tag for the output device has the reverse color conversion, includes information for converting from the Lab color space to the CMYK color space, and is mainly referred to when used as a destination profile.
[0039]
The tags AtoB0 and BtoA0 are tags for performing perceptual color conversion, and mainly perform color conversion suitable for a photographic image that emphasizes gradation (gradation) reproduction, and are premised on brightness preservation. For color matching.
[0040]
The AtoB1 and BtoA1 tags are for performing color conversion that minimizes the color difference. When the color reproduction range of the output device is wider than that of the target in all areas, and when there is no image in the high saturation area. It is effective for such as. In addition, this color matching is adopted for color reproduction of a logo mark such as a company emblem, because the color specification is strict.
[0041]
The tags of AtoB2 and BtoA2 are tags for performing color conversion for preserving saturation, and are not suitable for tone reproduction, but are mainly used for color matching of business graphic images.
[0042]
The gamut tag is a one-input one-output one-dimensional look-up table (LUT) that describes whether or not the output device can be reproduced with respect to the input channel (Lab). It has the same format as the AtoB0 tag.
[0043]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed example of the ICC profile. The following items are described in the header 39 and the tag table 40.
Size: Defines the size of the profile.
CMM Type: Describes which CMM is used as a default by a computer incorporating a plurality of CMMs. For example, “Appl” or “ACMS” means the above-mentioned ColorSync, and “KCMS” means Kodak CMS (Kodak color conversion engine).
Version: Indicates the version of the profile.
Profile Class: Defines the type of profile. The parameter may be any one of the following.
output… an output device such as a printer
input… input devices such as scanners and digital cameras
display ... Display devices such as CRTs and liquid crystals
device link ... Combination structure of multiple profiles
color space conversion: color space conversion between non-device type profiles, for example, Lab / XYZ
abstract ... A unique method for converting color data between PCS (Profile Connection Space).
Color Space: Defines a color format for converting color image data based on a profile, and is one of RGB, XYZ, GRAY (gray scale), CMY, Luv, HSV, CMYK, YCbr, HLS, Lab, and Yxy. Should be fine.
Connection Space: Defines a profile connection space, and may be either Lab or XYZ.
Creation Date: Defines the date and time when the profile was created.
CS2 Signature: Defines the file signature of the profile and is used by the operating system (OS) of the device using the profile to create the icon.
Prim platform: Defines the platform or OS on which the profile was created. The parameter may be any of the following.
Appl ... OS of Apple
MSFT… Microsoft OS
SGI… Silicon Graphics
SUNW… Sun
TGNT… Taligent
Flags: contains hint information for CMM. If "embedded / not embedded" is indicated, it indicates a profile / independent file embedded in an image file or the like, and if "embedded only / use anywhere" is indicated, it can be used only in the embedded state / can be used even if it is separated Represents
deviceManufacturer: describes the creator of the profile.
deviceModel: defines the model number or name of the device for which the profile is to be used. The parameters of the device model must conform to the rules of ICC, ColorSync of Apple, and ICM of Microsoft. In particular, the model number or name must be a 4-byte ASCII string using the characters "A" through "Z" (uppercase only) and the characters "0" through "9".
deviceAttributes: Describes the transparency and gloss of the surface when creating a profile. "Reflective / Transparency" (reflection color / transmission color), "Glossy / Matte" (glossy / matte), and the like are described.
Intent: Defines the profile's design intent, that is, perceptual, relative colorimetric or absolute colorimetric, and saturation.
White XYZ: Defines the XYZ chromaticity value of PCS, and describes a value obtained by normalizing white XYZ.
[0044]
As described above, the header 39 is not a list including all pieces of information that can be stored in the header, but merely shows an example of information that can be stored in the header.
[0045]
The tag table 40 includes a list of tags and information on those tags, for both public tags and private tags. As mentioned earlier, public tags define normal color conversion operations that can be used in all ICC profiles. An example of a public tag defined in the tag table 40 is AtoB2 including two sets of 3 × 3 color conversion matrix processing, a three-dimensional LUT, and three one-dimensional LUTs. Other examples of public tags are described in more detail in the ICC profile format document.
[0046]
[First Embodiment]
Although details will be described below, in the first embodiment, in a system for creating an ICC profile which is color conversion information unique to a device, gloss information described only in the expression “gloss / matte” is replaced with gloss. This is expanded to gloss information including degrees to enable not only color matching but also gloss matching. The gloss information describing the gloss is described in a private tag of the ICC profile, and is referred to as needed. In other words, the first embodiment is a system for creating an ICC profile in which gloss information is described in a private tag.
[0047]
[Input gloss information]
The gloss information described in the private tag is measured by the scanner of the color copying machine 16 connected to the computer 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image reading unit of the scanner.
[0048]
At the time of normal image reading, the image reading unit outputs the irregular reflection component output from the light source 113 and reflected from the original 111 placed on the original platen glass 112 via the imaging element array 114 and the infrared cut filter 115. Then, it is detected by the CCD 116 and converted into a color signal.
[0049]
On the other hand, when acquiring the glossiness, light output from the light source 118 and reflected by a document placed on the platen glass 112 is specularly reflected to the light source 118 via the condenser lens 110. Is input to the photodetector 119 provided at the angle of, and the amount of specular reflection of an original or the like is converted into an electric signal, which is converted into gloss information.
[0050]
Of course, at the time of reading an image and obtaining the glossiness, the scanner unit 117 incorporating the optical element described above is moved in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. Based on the obtained image information, a document range, an optimum irradiation light amount, and the like are calculated and determined. Further, based on the image information read by the light receiver 119, the reflected light amount is converted into a gloss level (gloss value).
[0051]
Note that the glossiness is a value with the glossiness of the glass surface having a refractive index of 1.567 as 100 as defined in JIS Z8741.
[0052]
[Creation of ICC profile]
Next, a procedure for creating an ICC profile will be described. Although an electrophotographic printer will be described as a target device of the gross information, the present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic printer.
[0053]
The ICC profile is a very simple one in which an input / output relationship for realizing conversion of a “device-specific color space →→ device-independent color space” is described. Therefore, first, it is necessary to grasp what color characteristics the device has.
[0054]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an ICC profile, which is a process realized by the CPU 20 executing the profile creation application.
[0055]
The CPU 20 outputs CMYK image data for forming a color chart composed of a plurality of color patches (S1). Normally, there are many ICC profile creation applications that use the IT8.7 / 3 928 patch managed by the ISO. Therefore, the present embodiment also uses the IT8.7 / 3 928 patch image data.
[0056]
The color copier 16 forms a color chart on a recording medium based on the color chart image data output by the CPU 20. Each color patch of this color chart is measured by the colorimeter 15, and the colorimetric value (Lab data) of the colorimetric result is input to the computer 1.
[0057]
When the colorimetric values are input (S2), the computer 1 creates a BtoAx table which is a Lab → CMYK conversion table and an AtoBx table which is a CMYK → Lab conversion table based on the colorimetric values and the image data of the color chart. (S3).
[0058]
In general, an output device forms an image using four color materials of CMYK, and in principle, the sum of the respective color component signals (hereinafter referred to as “signal sum”) is 0 to 400%, The output device limits the signal sum to about 240 to 300% in consideration of the consumption amount of (or ink), the necessity of actual color reproduction, the scattering of toner (undried ink), and the like. Of course, many profile creation applications use the upper limit of the signal sum so that a user who places importance on color reproducibility can set a large amount of toner consumption, and a user who places importance on toner cost can set a small amount of toner consumption. Can be set.
[0059]
The profile creation application 10 of the present embodiment can also set the signal sum, and can set the signal sum limit in the range of 240 to 400%. When the signal sum restriction is specified, the lowest lightness point is set as follows. For example, if the signal sum is specified to be 280%, a color conversion table is created using signals in which the minimum lightness point is set to 100% for K and 60% for each of CMY (total 280%).
[0060]
The CPU 20 displays a dialog on the monitor 2 and asks the user whether or not to write the gloss information (S4). If instructed not to embed the gloss information, the CPU 20 displays the size (Size) and the CMM type in the generated conversion table. (CMM Type), a profile class (Profile Class), a white point XYZ (White XYZ), and the like are added, and are stored in a predetermined area of the HD 7 as an ICC profile (S5). That is, it is stored as a normal ICC profile without gross information.
[0061]
On the other hand, when the embedding of the gloss information is instructed, the CPU 20 displays a message such as “Please place the color chart on the platen of the color copier” on the monitor 2 to obtain the gloss information ( S6). In response to this message, the user places the previous color chart on the platen and clicks, for example, a “read” button displayed on the monitor 2.
[0062]
When the reading is instructed (S7), the CPU 20 instructs the color copying machine 16 to acquire gloss information (S8). In response to this instruction, the color copying machine 16 acquires the gloss information and transmits the gloss information to the computer 1. The computer 1 that has obtained the gloss information describes the gloss information in the private tag of the ICC profile (S9), and then advances the processing to step S5.
[0063]
The gloss information is compiled in the following format according to the profile creation application 10.
ave_G tag: average glossiness
Sig_G table tag: Signal sum (0 to 300%) vs. gloss (0 to 100)
white_G tag: media gloss (gloss of a patch where each image signal is 0%)
[0064]
The above ave_G is a minimum lightness point patch, a yellow 100% and magenta 100% red patch, a cyan 100% and yellow 100% green patch, a cyan 100% and magenta 100% blue patch, and a 0% of each color. It is the average glossiness of eight patches of white patches.
[0065]
The White_G tag describes the degree of gloss at 0% for each color.
[0066]
The Sig_G table is a one-dimensional LUT that is also included in the BtoAx tag. The Sig_G table is an input value in which signal sum 0 to 300% is standardized by 8 bits (300% → 255) and gloss level 0 to 100 is 8 bits. The relationship with the standardization (100 → 255) is described. More specifically, the table corresponding to the signal sum of 0 to 100% is a table obtained by averaging (CMYK average) the relationship with the glossiness in each CMYK single-color gradation. The tables corresponding to more than 100% and up to 200% are tables in which the relationship with the glossiness in RGB (secondary color) gradation is averaged (RGB average). The tables corresponding to more than 200% and up to 300% are tables describing the relationship between the CMY three colors and the gloss of the process black gradation.
[0067]
By describing such gloss information in a private tag, gloss matching that eliminates unnatural glossiness in a halftone portion of an image becomes possible. The unnaturalness of the glossiness includes, for example, a high glossiness of the recording medium, a decrease in the glossiness due to a toner step in the halftone portion, and the glossiness increases due to the glossiness of the toner as the toner is filled. There are phenomena. The impression that a person observing an image receives is that the eyes of a person or the like are glare, and that the shadow part of the gums is too shiny and the user feels a sense of discomfort.
[0068]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an outline of glossiness of an output image when gloss matching is performed according to the present embodiment and when gloss matching is not performed. The gloss matching makes the relationship between the signal sum and the glossiness linear. , Can reduce the feeling of strangeness in gloss.
[0069]
【Example】
Hereinafter, as an embodiment, a method of using an ICC profile to which gloss information is added will be described.
[0070]
[How to use 1]
The CPU 20 executing the profile creation application 10 stores the ICC profile describing the glossiness information in the above procedure in the ICC profile storage of the HD 7 so that other applications can use the ICC profile. Specifically, in the case of Windows (R), the file is saved in the “System @ Color” folder, and in the case of MacOS (R), the file is saved in the “system folder: ColorSync profile” folder.
[0071]
Since the ICC profile can be handled as a normal data file, the user of the computer 1 can distribute the ICC profile, store and publish the profile on a server, download the ICC profile to an image forming apparatus, and the like. The computer 1 can instruct various printers and copiers to output images via a network.
[0072]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method of using an ICC profile having gloss information, and is a process realized by the CPU 20 executing the CMS 6 when a user instructs printing.
[0073]
First, it is determined whether or not the user has selected the ICC profile having the gloss information as the source profile (S11). If the ICC profile having the gloss information has been selected as the source profile, it is registered in the computer 1. By referring to the average gloss tag (ave_G tag) of the ICC profile of the printer or the copying machine (a plurality of ICC profiles may be registered per one) (S15), the difference ΔG from the average gloss of the source profile is referred to. Printers or copiers whose values become equal to or less than a predetermined value are picked up (S16), and a list of the picked up printers or copiers is displayed on the monitor 2 (S17).
[0074]
The user can select a printer or a copying machine to be used from a list displayed on the monitor 2. This takes into account the case where the printer or copier picked up by the CPU 20 is not always located near the user, but is located on a different floor, for example. In the list, the device names may be arranged in the order of ΔG, for example.
[0075]
When the user selects an apparatus from the list displayed on the monitor 2 and clicks, for example, a "print start" button displayed on the monitor 2 (S18), the CPU 20 determines whether the selected apparatus can perform gloss control. Is determined (S19), and if possible, the apparatus is set to a gloss mode (S20), and color conversion including color space compression is performed on the image data to be printed using the ICC profile of the selected apparatus as a destination profile. (S21), and downloads the color-converted image data to the selected device to form an image (S22).
[0076]
If the glossiness changes, the specular reflection component for the incident light changes, so that the irregular reflection component for the color also changes. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare an ICC profile of an image forming apparatus capable of controlling gloss for each gloss mode.
[0077]
If the ICC profile having the gloss information is not selected as the source profile, a message asking whether or not to perform gloss matching is displayed on the monitor 2 (S12), and an instruction from the user to perform gloss matching is issued. If the user has received the target glossiness (S13), the user is caused to input the target glossiness from, for example, a keyboard (S14), and then the process proceeds to step S15. If gross matching is not performed, the process proceeds to step S21 assuming that the default printer or copier has been selected.
[0078]
[Usage method 2]
As described above, an ICC profile having gloss information can be uploaded to a server or the like on a network. Therefore, an example will be described below in which an ICC profile having gloss information is uploaded and registered to a print server on a network.
[0079]
Plural types / plural image forming apparatuses are connected to the print server. The print server detects, manages, and reports the current state of the image forming apparatuses, such as “paper out”, “paper jam”, and “toner out”, registration and management of the ICC profile of each image forming apparatus, and a page description language. It has a RIP (Raster Image Processing) function for developing image data described in (PDL) into a bitmap image. Further, so-called cluster printing in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses perform image formation of one job is also possible.
[0080]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print server, which is the processing executed by the print server upon receiving a print instruction from the computer 1 or the like.
[0081]
First, the print server transmits data for asking the user to specify a printer to the computer 1 (S111). When the printer is specified (S112), the print server sends color data to the received image data using the specified printer profile. The color conversion including the spatial compression is performed (S113), and the designated printer executes printing (S114).
[0082]
On the other hand, if there is no designated printer, data for asking the user whether or not to perform cluster printing is transmitted to the computer 1 and a response is obtained (S115). (See below) is transmitted to the computer 1 (S116).
・ Color is important
-Focus on glossiness
・ Glossiness is the highest priority, color is the highest priority
・ Color is the highest priority, glossiness is the highest priority
[0083]
First, a description will be given assuming that “no cluster printing” and “emphasis on glossiness” have been selected, focusing on how to use an ICC profile having gloss information.
[0084]
When “emphasize glossiness” is selected, the print server sets the glossiness information of the target specified by the user (glossiness information of the target profile) or the setting condition of the recording paper (glossiness “low (（15)). , "Medium (16 to 40)", "high (41 to 41)", and the specified state of the gloss level, and searches for an optimal image forming apparatus by referring to the ICC profile having the gloss level information (S117). ).
[0085]
The target ICC profile can be incorporated into a TIFF image file or the like. Therefore, by downloading the image file in which the target profile having the gloss information is embedded to the print server, it is possible to cause the print server to search for an image forming apparatus that matches the gloss.
[0086]
● Focus on gloss
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating details of the search for the optimal image forming apparatus (S117) when “emphasis on glossiness” is selected.
[0087]
First, referring to the ave_G tag, a device having the smallest difference ΔG in average glossiness is searched for (S201).

[0088]
If there is a device having the same ΔG (S202), a device having a small white gloss difference ΔWG is selected with reference to the white_G tag (S203). If there is no gloss information in the target profile, reference is made to the setting of the recording paper, and the white gloss of plain paper is “low (〜15)”, the glossy paper is “medium (16-40)”, The coated paper is "high (41-)".
[0089]
When there is a device having the same ΔG and ΔWG (S204), the device having the smallest MinΔG is selected with reference to the Sig_G table tag (S205). Note that MinΔG is derived from the Sig_G table tag.
[0090]
If there is a device having the same ΔG, ΔWG, and MinΔG (S206), the device having the smallest MaxΔG is selected with reference to the Sig_G table tag (S207). Note that MaxΔG is derived from the Sig_G table tag.
[0091]
Next, the print server performs color conversion including color space compression based on the ICC profile of the selected image forming apparatus and the target ICC profile assumed by the user (S118), performs RIP (S119), and performs the selected apparatus. The bitmap data is transmitted to form an image (S120).
[0092]
It is desirable that the target profile is registered not only in the computer 1 and the like but also in the print server. By doing so, it is possible to cause the print server to perform color conversion and gloss matching by setting the printer driver without embedding the profile in the image file, thereby reducing the load on the computer 1 and improving the processing speed. . Further, color matching and gloss matching can be easily performed without requiring specialized knowledge.
[0093]
● Focus on color
On the other hand, when “emphasis on color” is selected, the print server refers to the gamut tag and AtoB2 tag of the destination profile (ICC profile of the image forming apparatus) and compares the gamut tag and the color gamut of the target profile with the gamut tag. I do. The following methods can be considered as color gamut comparison methods.
(1) Color gamut inside / outside determination of color solid (similar to the color gamut warning function of Photoshop (R) 6.0)
(2) Comparison of color gamut volumes (comparison by converting color gamut (Lab) to volume)
(3) Comparison of specific points, specific points are C, M, Y, K, R, G, Bk, W and minimum lightness point (nine points)
[0094]
Considering the determination of the color gamut of all ICC profiles registered in the print server and selection of an optimal image forming apparatus, the method of item (3) is adopted in consideration of the determination time and the comparison accuracy. That is, with reference to the AtoB2 tag of the destination profile, the Lab values of the above nine points are obtained. Note that a signal sum of 400% is used for the lowest lightness point. Similarly, the Lab values of the nine points are obtained from the target profile, and an image forming apparatus that minimizes the average color difference ΔE of the nine points is searched for (S117).
[0095]
The target color gamut can be naturally satisfied if the destination color gamut is wider than the target. However, with a limited number of bits (for example, 8 bits) of the image data, the wider the color gamut, the larger the color gamut. A density step corresponding to a gradation step (1/256 level in the case of 8 bits) is conspicuous. In consideration of these, the image forming apparatus is searched for by the color gamut comparison method based on ΔE in the outer part of the color solid (S117).
[0096]
● "Given the highest priority on gloss, emphasize color" or "Most priority on color, focus on gloss"
On the other hand, when “most important to glossiness, importance to color” or “most importance to color, importance to glossiness” is selected, the gloss information embedded in the ICC profile and Similarly, an image forming apparatus that satisfies the following condition is searched for with reference to the nine main Lab values (S117).
ΔG <5 and ΔE <5
[0097]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the search for the most suitable image forming apparatus (S117) in the case where "most importance on glossiness, importance on color" or "most importance on color, importance on glossiness" is selected. .
[0098]
In the case of "emphasis on glossiness, emphasis on color" (S211), it is determined whether there is a device that satisfies the above condition (S212), and if there is, a device with the smallest ΔG is selected (S213). . If the above condition is not satisfied, the condition of ΔE is released and it is determined whether or not there is a device with ΔG <5 (S214). If so, a device with ΔG <5 and the smallest ΔE is selected. (S215).
[0099]
On the other hand, in the case of “emphasis on color and emphasis on glossiness” (S211), it is determined whether or not there is an image forming apparatus that satisfies the above conditions (S216). If there is, an apparatus with the smallest ΔE is selected. (S217). If the above condition is not satisfied, the condition of ΔG is canceled and it is determined whether or not there is a device with ΔE <5 (S218). If there is, a device with ΔE <5 and the smallest ΔG is selected. (S219).
[0100]
If there is no device that satisfies ΔG <5 when the glossiness is most important, and if there is no device that satisfies ΔE <5 when the color is the most important, the effect and the selection of another matching method are determined. The request is transmitted to the data computer 1 (S220), and a response from the user is waited for (S221).
[0101]
● Cluster printing
When the user gives an instruction for cluster printing with emphasis on speed, the print server searches for an image forming apparatus under the same conditions (ΔG <5 and ΔE <5) as described above (S117).
[0102]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating details of the search for the optimal image forming apparatus (S117) when cluster printing is instructed.
[0103]
If “emphasize glossiness” is selected, the number of devices that satisfy the condition ΔG <5 is grasped, and the process branches according to the number (S231). If the number of devices satisfying the condition is “0”, “1” or “4 or more”, the following message is transmitted to the computer 1 (S232-S234).
0: "Cluster printing is not possible, please change to other conditions"
In the case of 1: "Cluster printing is not possible. Can I output by one unit?"
4 or more: "How many units do you want to output?"
[0104]
The response of the user to the message "Is it possible to output by one device?" Is determined (S235). If "Yes", one device is selected (S237). If "No", "0" is selected. The message "Cluster printing cannot be performed, change to another condition" is sent to the computer 1 as in the case of (2) (S232).
[0105]
When the user instructs the number of devices using a keyboard or the like in response to the message “how many devices will be output?” (S 236), the number of devices according to the instruction is selected. For example, three devices are designated. If so, the three devices are selected from the side with the smaller ΔG (S237).
[0106]
If the number of devices satisfying the condition is “2” or “3”, the print server selects the two or three devices without asking the user for an instruction (S237).
[0107]
When “emphasis on color” is selected, the number of devices that satisfy the condition ΔE <5 is grasped, and processing is branched according to the number in the same manner as described above (S231), and the devices are sorted (in the order of smaller ΔE). Is selected (S237).
[0108]
When "important importance on color and importance on glossiness" are selected, the number of devices that satisfy the conditions ΔE <5 and ΔG <5 is grasped, and the process branches according to the number in the same manner as described above ( (S231), the device is selected (in the order of small ΔE) (S237).
[0109]
When “Green feeling is emphasized and color is emphasized” is selected, the number of devices that satisfy the conditions ΔE <5 and ΔG <5 is grasped, and processing is branched according to the number in the same manner as described above ( (S231), a device is selected (in the order of small ΔG) (S237).
[0110]
As described above, the glossiness and the color reproducibility of the image forming apparatus are easily grasped by using the ICC profile having the glossiness information, and the apparatus capable of forming the image according to the user's request is easily selected. be able to.
[0111]
[Second embodiment]
Hereinafter, an example in which the gloss information is acquired by a method different from that of the first embodiment and the gloss information is embedded in the ICC profile will be described as a second embodiment. Note that, in the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to configurations substantially similar to those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0112]
In the first embodiment, an image forming apparatus including a function unit for acquiring gloss information is required. If cost is more important than easy acquisition of gloss information, it is preferable to use a hand-held gloss meter. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the output information of the gloss meter is input to the computer 1, the input information is analyzed, and the gloss information is embedded in the private tag of the ICC profile.
[0113]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for creating an ICC profile, which is a process realized by the CPU 20 executing a profile creation application. In addition, the same processes as those in FIG.
[0114]
In the first embodiment, the color chart used for creating the color conversion table is used for measuring the glossiness. However, even if the size of the color chart is A3, the color patch is only 1 cm × 1 cm in size, and a commercially available glossy patch is used. Too small for a scale. Also, measuring the glossiness of as many as 928 patches with a handy-type glossmeter requires time and effort, and is not practical. Therefore, in consideration of the measurement by the handy type gloss meter, the items of the glossiness described in the ICC profile are reduced, and the image data for the color chart in which the number of color patches is greatly reduced is output. A color chart is formed (S31), and when a measured value of gloss is input from the gloss meter (S32), step S9 is executed.
[0115]
The related items when embedding gloss information in an ICC profile using a handy type gloss meter are as follows.
ave_G tag
white_G tag
[0116]
That is, in the first embodiment, the Sig_G table tag embedded in the ICC profile is not embedded. As described above, the Sig_G table tag indicates the relationship between the signal sum and the gloss level, and is used for determining whether or not a sense of discomfort occurs in gloss. Of course, although it is an important item, humans are more sensitive when the toner gloss (gloss characteristic for a signal of 70% or more) does not match. Therefore, it is not used for searching for the optimal image forming apparatus described in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the ave_G tag and the white_G tag are described in the private tag of the ICC profile.
[0117]
As described above, ave_G tag is the average glossiness of eight color patches of C, M, Y, Bk, R, G, B, and W, and White_Gtag is the glossiness of a patch whose image signal is 0%. It is.
[0118]
Note that a dedicated interface may be provided for the gloss meter in order to input measurement values from the hand-held gloss meter, but the interface can be input via a network, a serial / parallel interface, or a serial bus. Is also good.
[0119]
In addition, since eight color patches of C, M, Y, Bk, R, G, B, and W, and a patch in which each image signal is 0%, and the number of patches measured by a handy type gloss meter are small, The user may operate the keyboard 4 to input the measured value.
[0120]
[Other embodiments]
The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but can be applied to a device including one device (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.). May be applied.
[0121]
Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or a CPU or a CPU) of the system or the apparatus. Needless to say, the present invention can also be achieved by an MPU) reading and executing a program code stored in a storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0122]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is executed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU included in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0123]
When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.
[0124]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, image processing can be performed in consideration of the glossiness of an image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system that executes image processing.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating software and data stored in an HD,
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining color conversion;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure of an ICC profile;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed example of an ICC profile;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an image reading unit of the scanner.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an ICC profile;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of glossiness of an output image when gloss matching is performed and when gloss matching is not performed;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method of using an ICC profile having gloss information,
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of the print server;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating details of searching for an optimum device when “emphasis on glossiness” is selected;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating details of searching for an optimal device when “Most importance on glossiness, importance on color” or “Most importance on color, importance on glossiness” is selected,
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating details of searching for an optimum device when cluster printing is instructed;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an ICC profile.

Claims (11)

An image processing apparatus for creating a profile describing information on color conversion between a device-specific color space and a device-independent color space,
Input means for inputting information indicating the glossiness of the image;
A description unit for describing the input gloss information in the profile. 2. The glossiness information according to claim 1, wherein the glossiness information includes at least one of an average glossiness of an image, information indicating a relationship between an image signal and the glossiness, and a glossiness of a non-image portion. Image processing device. An image processing apparatus to which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected and which stores profiles of the apparatuses,
Acquiring means for acquiring information indicating the glossiness described in the profile,
Comparison means for comparing the acquired gloss information with gloss information specified for an image to be formed by the image forming apparatus;
Selecting means for selecting an image forming apparatus to be used for forming the image from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the comparison result;
An image processing apparatus having transmission means for transmitting the image to be formed to the selected image forming apparatus. The acquisition unit further acquires color space information described in the profile, and the comparison unit further compares the acquired color space information with the color space information specified in the image to be formed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit selects the image forming apparatus based on a comparison result between the gloss information and the color space information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a setting unit configured to set an image forming mode of the selected image forming apparatus based on the comparison result. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit selects a plurality of image forming apparatuses to be used for forming the image based on the comparison result. An image processing method for creating a profile describing information on color conversion between a device-specific color space and a device-independent color space,
Enter information indicating the gloss level of the image,
An image processing method, wherein input glossiness information is described in the profile. A control method for controlling a plurality of image forming apparatuses based on profiles of the apparatuses,
Obtain information indicating the glossiness described in the profile,
Comparing the acquired gloss information with the gloss information specified for the image to be formed by the image forming apparatus,
Based on the comparison result, select an image forming apparatus used for forming the image from the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
And transmitting the image to be formed to the selected image forming apparatus. A program for controlling an image processing apparatus to execute the image processing according to claim 7. A program for controlling an information processing device to execute the control according to claim 8. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 or 10 is recorded.

Images