Image processing apparatus and method

Abstract: A CPU performs color space compression of an input image, and also performs masking processing associated with image formation. A plurality of images having undergone different color space compression processes are sent to a monitor via a video interface. The monitor displays a plurality of images on one screen. The user selects an image having a desired color appearance from the plurality of images displayed on the monitor. The CPU converts the color reproduction range of the input image into the color reproduction range of the selected image, and supplies the resultant data to a printer via a printer interface. With this processing, a preview function for forming an image having a desired color appearance can be provided.

Description: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method and, more particularly, to an image processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus which allows a user to preview an image to be formed before it is formed, and a method therefor. Some image forming apparatuses are designed to display an image on a monitor before a corresponding color image is output, i.e., can perform a so-called preview operation. In this preview operation, R, G, and B signals obtained by inverting Y, M, and C signals for forming an image are displayed on the monitor. For example, such preview operations include the following operations: allowing the user to check the type of an image to be output, e.g., to check whether the image is an image of a flower or human figure; displaying an image portion exceeding the color reproduction range of an image forming apparatus by, e.g., painting it in a specific color (e.g., gray); and allowing the user to check the color of an image to be formed. The following problems, however, are posed in the above prior arts. Users normally want a preview function as a means of forming an image having a desired color appearance. In many cases, however, even colors which can be displayed on a monitor exceed the color reproduction range of an image forming apparatus especially in forming artificially colored images such as computer graphics and illustrations because of the difference between the color reproduction range of the monitor and that of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, colors cannot be faithfully reproduced, and the resultant image has a color appearance different from a desired one. In addition, checking of the type of an image or painting of a portion outside a color reproduction range, as in the prior arts, alone cannot provide an image having a desired color appearance, even though such operation can alarm the user as to the presence of the problem. That is, the above problem cannot be solved. Furthermore, with the conventional preview function, the user can check the colors of an image to be formed. If, however, the user is not satisfied with the colors, he/she cannot know which kind of image processing should be performed. Moreover, there are problems with which an image forming apparatus alone cannot be cope. EP-A-0528358 describes a method of simulating color images in which a user causes processing apparatus to print a hard copy of image data, the processing apparatus displays to the user a plurality of different color processed images, the user selects the one of the displayed color processed images that appears closest to the hard copy and the processing apparatus determines the inverse of the color conversion parameter used to produce the selected processed image so that future color image data can be processed using that inverse to enable the printer to produce a hard copy whose color is substantially the same as that of the original displayed image. The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a preview function of forming an image having a desired color appearance. In one aspect, the present invention provides an image processing method as set out in claim 1. In another aspect, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus as set out in claim 5. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer storage medium as set out in claim 7. An embodiment of the invention provides a preview function of forming an image having a color appearance desired by a user by simultaneously outputting images, as visually recognisable image data, obtained by performing different color space processes for the same input image data. An embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a preview function of forming an image having a color appearance desired by a user by simultaneously outputting images, as visually recognisable image data, obtained by performing preview processes corresponding to different image forming apparatuses with respect to the same input image data. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1A is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image forming system including an image processing apparatus; Fig. 1B is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processing apparatus; Figs. 2A and 2B are views for explaining an example of color space compression; Fig. 3 is a view showing an example of the color reproduction range of a printer or the like; Figs. 4A and 4B are views showing an example of a color space compression algorithm; Fig. 5 is a view showing a three-dimensional look-up table; Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing a procedure for a preview operation not falling within the scope of the invention claimed; Fig. 7 is a view showing an example, not falling within the scope of the invention claimed, of how a preview operation is performed; Fig. 8 is a view showing an example of color space compression performed when parameters for a color space compression algorithm are changed; Fig. 9 is a view showing an example, not falling within the scope of the invention claimed, of how a preview operation is performed; Fig. 10 is a view showing an example of how a preview operation is performed in an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a view showing the differences in color reproduction range between printers; Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of hardware implementing the processing shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 13 is a view showing an example of how a preview operation is performed according to a modification of the embodiment; Fig. 14 is a flow chart associated with mode setting in a preview operation; Fig. 15 is a view showing a screen for setting a preview process mode; Fig. 16 is a view showing a preview screen produced by as image processing method not falling within the scope of the invention claimed; and Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing a procedure for selecting a preview and obtaining a printer output on the basis of preview images. An image processing apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following is a case wherein the present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus which is independent of a color printer or an image scanner. Fig. 1A is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image forming system including an image processing apparatus 11. Fig. 1B is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the image processing apparatus 11. As shown in Fig. 1A, in this system a monitor 1 and printers 7 to 9 are connected to the image processing apparatus 11. Reference numeral 3 denotes a CPU, which controls other blocks (to be described later) via a bus 3a and executes processing (to be described later) by using a RAM 4 as a work memory in accordance with programs and the like stored in a ROM 5. Reference numeral 2 denotes a video interface for interfacing with the monitor 1; and 6, a printer interface for interfacing with the printers 7 to 9. Note that the three printers have different color reproduction ranges. Each printer performs predetermined processes such as logarithmic conversion, masking correction, UCR, and gamma correction with respect to R, G, and B image signals sent from the image processing apparatus 11, and forms a color image on a recording sheet. In this case, these image processes may be performed by the image processing apparatus 11 to output C, M, Y, and K image signals. In this case, each of the printers 7 to 9 forms an image on the basis of input image signals. Although Figs. 1A and 1B show one monitor and three printers, arbitrary numbers of monitors, printers, scanners, and the like can be connected to the image processing apparatus 11. Reference numeral 10 denotes a hard disk, which is used to store color reproduction range data on the printers 7 to 9 and the monitor 1, a profile including programs including a color space compression algorithm, and the like in advance. Note that these data and programs may be stored in the ROM 5 and are used by the CPU 3 via the bus 3a. The hard disk 10 may be incorporated in the image processing apparatus 11 or may be connected, as an external storage unit, to the image processing apparatus. In addition, an image forming apparatus may hold the profile and transfer it to the image processing apparatus 11 via the printer interface 6 as needed. Reference numeral 12 denotes an operating unit, which is used by the user to select a desired process. Figs. 2A and 2B are views for explaining an example of color space compression, in which color reproduction ranges 21 and 22 of a monitor and a printer are respectively expressed by L*a*b* color spaces. Fig. 2A shows an L*a* plane. Fig. 2B shows an a*b* plane. Note that L* represents lightness; and a* and b*, color differences. On the a*b* plane, the saturation increases with an increase in the distance of a given point from the origin, and the hue changes as the point rotates about the origin. In general, the color reproduction range of a monitor is wider than that of a printer. When colors outside the color reproduction range 22 are printed out, gradation is lost, and all the colors are mapped on the contour, i.e., the peripheral edge, of the color reproduction range 22. Therefore, a color outside a color reproduction range may be printed out as a color having a color appearance different from that in the color reproduction range. Therefore, a desired color space compression process is performed for input image data in such a manner that all input colors including colors outside a color reproduction range are converted into colors in the color reproduction range, which are similar in color appearance to the original colors. With this process, the color appearance of an image to be actually formed can be expressed as accurately as possible. Note that the respective types of apparatuses have unique color reproduction ranges, and the printers 7, 8, and 9 have different color reproduction ranges. The color reproduction range of a printer or the like has a distorted dice-like shape like the one shown in Fig. 3. A case wherein eight data at the eight vertexes of the color reproduction range are used as color reproduction range data will be described below. However, this is not limiting, and more data can be used. In this case, the data at the eight vertexes correspond to the outermost colors of R, G, B, C, M, Y, W, and K, i.e., the colors having the highest saturations among the corresponding colors. Various color space compression algorithms may be used. An algorithm for color space compression on the peripheral edge of a color reproduction range with constant lightness as shown in Fig. 4A will be referred to algorithm A hereinafter. An algorithm for color space compression on the peripheral edge of a color reproduction range with constant hue as shown in Fig. 4B will be referred to algorithm B hereinafter. Another algorithm is for color space compression within a color reproduction range. Each color space compression algorithm has its own characteristic features, and each processing result has a color appearance corresponding to individual characteristic features. The CPU 3 executes color space compression by using a three-dimensional look-up table like the one shown in Fig. 5 and interpolation data obtained from the look-up table as needed. Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing a procedure for a preview operation. Referring to Fig. 6, when R, G, and B image data are input from an image scanner or image memory (not shown) in step S1, the CPU 3 outputs the input image data to the monitor 1 via the video interface 2, and checks in step S2 whether to perform a preview operation. If a preview operation is not performed, the processing is terminated, and the input image data are supplied to one of the printers 7 to 9 via the printer interface 6. Note that the user can determine whether to perform a preview operation, or can set a specific printer to which image data are to be supplied, or a specific kind of preview operation to be performed, in advance, through the operation unit 12. Alternatively, the user can perform such a setting operation through the operation unit 12 every time image data are input. If a preview operation is to be performed, it is checked in step S3 whether color space compression is performed. If NO in step S3, the flow jumps to step S7. If YES in step S3, the color space of the input data is converted in step S4. In step S5, the above-described color space compression is performed in accordance with a selected printer. In step S6, the color space of the image data is restored to the initial color space. In step S7, masking processing for the image data is performed on the basis of data associated with the characteristics of the printer and the monitor, which are read out from the hard disk 10, so as to emulate image processing to be performed by the printer. In step S8, preview data is output to the monitor 1 via the video interface 2. Thereafter, the processing is terminated. Note that the data on the printer, read out from the hard disk 10, is data set by the user and associated with the printer selected to perform an output operation. In this manner, preview images are displayed on the monitor 1. In this example, the following four images are output: an image indicating the input image data as they are; an image having undergone no color space compression; an image having undergone color space compression based on, e.g., algorithm A selected from a plurality of algorithms; and an image having undergone color space compression based on algorithm B. As shown in Fig. 7, these four images are displayed on the monitor 1 upon compression and synthesis. More specifically, after the non-compressed image data are output in step S8, the processing from step S4 to step S8 is repeated twice to output image data having undergone color space compression and masking processing in accordance with the set printer. These four image data are stored at predetermined positions in a video memory incorporated in the video interface 2 or the monitor 1, and displayed in the manner shown in Fig. 7. Referring to Fig. 7, reference numeral 71 denotes an image indicating the input image data as they are; 72, an image having undergone no color space compression; 73, an image having undergone color space compression based on algorithm A; and 74, an image having undergone color space compression based on algorithm B. The image 71 is an original image. The image 72 is an image output from the printer according to a conventional method without performing any processing for input image data outside the color reproduction range. The images 73 and 74 are those which are output from the printer on the basis of image data obtained by converting input image data into image data within the color reproduction range. In this case, a plurality of algorithms are prepared for a color space compression process for the following reason. Since an object for a color space compression process is an ambiguous object called a color appearance, an optimal color space compression process cannot always be specified to one process. That is, an optimal result varies depending on the type and application purpose of an input image such as a character or photographic image. Therefore, the images 71 and 72 are displayed together with the images 73 and 74 having undergone different color space compression processes to allow the user to compare them, thereby allowing the user to easily select an optimal image in accordance with an application purpose. Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing a flow chart showing a procedure for selecting a preview image, performing processing on the basis of the selected image, and outputting the resultant data to a printer. Note that the same reference symbols in Fig. 17 denote the same processes as in Fig. 6. In step S30, the user selects a desired image from multi-synthesized preview images through the operation unit 12. In step S1, R, G, and B data are input. In step S31, it is checked, on the basis of the preview image selected in step S30, whether a color space compression process is performed. If color space compression is performed, the R, G, and B data are converted into L*a*b* data in step S4. In step S32, a color space compression process corresponding to the preview image selected in step S30 is performed. In step S6, the L*a*b* data are converted into R, G, and B data. In step S33, the R, G, and B data are output to the printer. If it is determined step S31 that no color space compression process is performed, the R, G, and B data are output to the printer without performing any color space compression process, in step S33. More specifically, the user notifies the CPU 3 of the selected image by operating the operation unit 12. Upon this notification, the CPU 3 performs a process based a color space compression algorithm corresponding to the selected image with respect to the R, G, and B image data loaded again, and outputs the resultant image to the set printer via the printer interface 6. Therefore, an image formed by the printer has a color appearance selected by the user. As described above, the user can compare a plurality of preview images obtained by performing different color space compression processes (designed for the same printer) for an image to be formed. Therefore, in order to form an image having a desired color appearance, the user can select whether to perform color space compression, and can also select an algorithm when color space compression is to be performed. As described above, images obtained by changing parameters in accordance with a selected color space compression algorithm can also be displayed. Fig. 8 shows an example of color space compression performed by changing parameters. In this case, the compression level is changed in four steps by changing the parameters. As shcwn in Fig. 9, images having undergone this four-step color space compression are displayed on the monitor 1. Referring to Fig. 9, reference numerals 91 to 94 respectively denote images having undergone four-step color space compression. The user selects a desired image from the images displayed in this manner. With this operation, the user can obtain an image-having a more preferable color appearance. In addition, a plurality of images compressed at different compression ratios without changing the characteristics of color space compression can be displayed so that the user can select a desired compression ratio. Assume that the color reproduction range of an image forming apparatus changes with time or environmental changes to differ from a set color reproduction range, so that the effect of a color space compression process is reduced and a desired image cannot be output. In this case, the user can output a desired image by changing the compression level to a desired level. EMBODIMENT In an embodiment of the present invention, in the processing from step S3 to step S8, preview image data corresponding to the characteristics of the three printers connected to the image processing apparatus may be output to display images, as shown in Fig. 10 or 13. Fig. 10 shows a case wherein color space compression processes based on the same algorithm and corresponding to the respective printers are performed, and the resultant images are displayed. More specifically, reference numeral 95 denotes an input image as it is; 96, an image having undergone color space compression corresponding to the printer 7; 97, an image having undergone color space compression corresponding to the printer 8; and 98, an image having undergone color space compression corresponding to the printer 9. Fig. 13 shows a modification of the case shown in Fig. 10. Reference numeral 95 denotes an input image as it is; 99, an image corresponding to the printer 7 and having undergone no color space compression; 100, an image corresponding to the printer 8 and having undergone no color space compression; and 101, an image corresponding to the printer 9 and having undergone no color space compression. According to the case shown in Fig. 10, the user can easily select a printer suitable for an application purpose from a plurality of printers. According to the case shown in Fig. 13, since images corresponding to the respective printers and having undergone no color space compression are displayed, the user can recognize the output characteristics of the printers on the basis of the display. As described above, the user can determine which printer he/she should use for an image to be formed, or which printer he/she cannot use. Therefore, the user can easily select a printer having output characteristics suitable for an image to be formed without any knowledge about the characteristics of the respective printers. Various preview process modes corresponding to various application purposes demanded by the user are described above, as shown in Figs. 7, 9, 10, and 13. A procedure for a preview process corresponding to each type of mode will be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in Fig. 14. In step S30, it is checked, on the basis of a command from the operation unit 12, whether a preview process is performed. If YES in step S30, a preview process mode is set on the basis of a command from the operation unit 12 in step S31. In step S32, image data are input. A color space compression process (step S33) corresponding to steps S4 and S5 in Fig. 6 is performed on the basis of the set mode. A preview process (step S35) corresponding to steps S6 and S7 in Fig. 6 is performed, and the resultant image data are output to the monitor (step S35). In step S36, it is checked whether all the processes associated with the set mode are completed. The processing from step S32 to step S36 is repeated until all the processes are completed. If it is determined in step S30 that no preview process is performed, the processing is terminated Fig. 15 shows an example of display in designating a preview process mode through the operation unit 12. The user sets the types of images to be displayed, the types of color space compression processes, and the types of printers to be used with respect to images 1 to 4. In this case, in setting the type of image to be displayed, the user sets either "original image" or "preview image" indicating an image to be output from a printer. In setting the type of printer to be used, the user sets a specific printer for which a preview image is displayed. In setting the type of color space compression process, the user chooses between performing or not performing color space compression and sets a specific algorithm for color space compression. When the compression ratio of a color space compression process is to be changed as shown in Fig. 9, a screen for setting detailed conditions associated with color space compression is used. In addition, as shown in Fig. 11, the color reproduction ranges of the respective printers can be displayed on the basis of the color reproduction range data on the printers which are stored in the hard disk 10 in Fig. 1. More specifically, if a color reproduction range is defined by eight points, a color reproduction range like the one shown in Fig. 3 can be obtained by interpolation using the eight points. For example, an origin is then set at L* = 50 and a*, b* = 0, and vertexes nearest to the origin are selected, thereby displaying a color reproduction range. That is, an equi-luminance plane for L* = 50 is displayed. The narrowest color reproduction range may be selected from the color reproduction ranges of the respective printers, shown in Fig. 11, and color space compression corresponding to the selected range may be performed. By outputting images from the printers 7 to 9 on the basis of image data having undergone the color space compression thus selected, the images output from the respective printers can be made identical to each other. That is, color space compression can be set in such a manner that any types of printers can output images having the same color appearance. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of hardware equivalent to the processing shown in Fig. 6. This hardware is designed to increase the processing speed by performing color space conversion and color space compression processes according to a pipeline scheme. Reference numeral 101 denotes a color space converting unit for converting the RGB color space of image data input via the bus 3a into an L*a*b* color space; 102, a color space compressing unit for performing color space compression set by the CPU 3 with respect to the L*a*b* image data directly input from the color space converting unit 101; and 103, a color space converting unit for converting the L*a*b* color space of the image data directly input from the color space converting unit 101 into an RGB color space and outputting the resultant data to the bus 3a. These converting units and the compressing unit perform the respective processes by using three-dimensional look-up tables and performing matrix calculations. Note that color space compression and color space conversion can be performed by using one three-dimensional look-up table. The printers 7 to 9 are of a sublimation, thermal transfer, electrophotographic, or ink-jet type. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printer having a head of a type designed to cause film boiling by means of heat energy and discharging ink droplets, and a recording method using this printer may be employed. Alternatively, a printer for outputting a gray scale image may be used. In this case, color space compression (lightness compression) is performed on the L*-axis. As the monitor 1, any type of display such as a CRT, an LCD, or a plasma display can be used as long as it can display a color image. In the above embodiment, four images are displayed on the monitor 1. However, more or fewer images may be displayed, and images having undergone the above processes may be arbitrarily combined and displayed together. In addition, the color space of image data in performing color space compression is not limited to an L*a*b* color space. For example, an L*u*v* or XYX color space may be employed. Furthermore, in displaying preview images, the respective modes may be simultaneously displayed, as shown in Fig. 16. As described above, images obtained by performing different color space compression processes with respect to the same input image data are simultaneously output as visually recognizable image data. Therefore, a preview function can be provided, which allows the user to form an image having a desired color appearance. In addition, images obtained by performing preview processes corresponding to different image forming apparatuses with respect to the same input image data are simultaneously output as visually recognizable image data. Therefore, a preview function can be provided, which allows the user to form an image having a desired color appearance. In the above embodiment, as algorithms for color space compression, color space compression processes for narrowing the color reproduction ranges are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a color space compression process for broadening the color reproduction range may be used when, for example, an image is to be displayed on an image display apparatus such as a monitor on the basis of image data from an image forming apparatus such as a printer. Note that the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or an apparatus constituted by one device. In addition, as is apparent, the present invention can be applied to a case wherein the above-described functions can be attained by supplying programs to a system or an apparatus.

Claims: An image processing method of previewing an image output from an image forming apparatus (7, 8 or 9) on a monitor (1), comprising the steps of: producing (S4 to S7) a preview image (96, 97, 98). by performing a preview process corresponding to the image forming apparatus (7, 8 or 9) on input image data; and outputting (S8) the preview image (96, 97, 98) to the monitor (1), wherein plural preview images (96, 97, 98) corresponding to the input image data are concurrently displayed in arrangement on the monitor (1), and wherein each plural preview image corresponds to a respective one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses and is produced by performing a respective preview process which includes performing a color gamut mapping corresponding to the color gamut of the respective corresponding image forming apparatus (7, 8, 9). The method according to claim 1, wherein an image (95) representing the input image data is displayed on the monitor (1) with the plural preview images. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein information, which indicates the relation between the plural preview images (96, 97, 98) and the image forming apparatuses (7, 8, 9), is displayed on the monitor (1) with the plural preview images (96, 97, 98). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the step of instructing a color mapping method of the color gamut mapping to be performed on each of the plural preview images. An image processing apparatus (11) for previewing an image output from an image forming apparatus (7, 8, 9) on a monitor (1), comprising: producing means (3) for producing a preview image by performing a preview process corresponding to the image forming apparatus on input image data;' outputting means (2) for outputting the preview image to the monitor; and means (3) for causing plural preview images (96, 97, 98) corresponding to the input image data to be concurrently displayed in arrangement on the monitor (1), wherein the producing means (3) is operable to produce each plural preview image (96, 97, 98) in correspondence with a respective one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses by performing a respective preview process which includes a color gamut mapping corresponding to the color gamut of the respective image forming apparatus (7, 8, 9). The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising one or more of the plurality of image forming apparatuses (7, 8, 9) for forming an output image on a recording medium. A computer storage medium; adapted to enable a processor to carry out a method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4.

Inventors: USAMI AKIHIRO, USAMI, AKIHIRO, USAMI, AKIHIRO, C/O CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1995
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: H04N1