JP5771976B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program thereof.

  Conventionally, when compressed image data is stored in a memory and the decompressed image data is image data in a first color space such as RGB, color conversion is performed to image data in a second color space such as CMYK and printing. When the image data supplied to the engine and decompressed is image data in the second color space, it has been proposed to supply the image data to the print engine without color conversion (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this apparatus, both RGB image data and CMYK image data can be processed, and the printing speed can be increased.

JP 2000-295485 A

  However, in the above-described apparatus, when performing image processing for color conversion from the first color space to the second color space, this conversion time may be required. It has been desired to shorten the time required for this conversion process.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program thereof that can further reduce the image conversion processing time.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the main object described above.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention
An image processing apparatus that performs conversion between first image data in a first color space and second image data in a second color space that is a different color space from the first color space and includes a plurality of basic colors. There,
Image data acquisition means for acquiring first image data of the first color space;
Continuous number acquisition means for acquiring a continuous number of colors of pixels of the first image data;
When generating the second image data of the second color space, the pixel value of the acquired first image data is converted to the pixel value of the second color space, and the pixel value after the conversion is converted to the first color data. The second image data is generated by storing in the image data for each basic color in the two color spaces, and the pixel value after the conversion and the continuation of the color for the pixels in which the colors are continuous in the first image data Data generating means for storing the number for each basic color in the image data and generating the second image data;
It is equipped with.

  In this image processing apparatus, when acquiring the first image data of the first color space, acquiring the continuous number of colors of the pixels of the first image data, and generating the second image data of the second color space, The pixel value of the first image data is converted into the pixel value of the second color space, and the converted pixel value is stored in the image data for each basic color of the second color space to generate the second image data. At the same time, for the pixels in which the colors are continuous in the first image data, the converted pixel value and the number of continuous colors are stored in the image data for each basic color to generate the second image data. As described above, when generating the image data in which the color space is converted, the pixels in which the colors are continuous are set as the image data expressed using the continuous number. Therefore, the processing time for image conversion can be further shortened. Here, when generating the second image data, the data generation means may not perform repeated copying of pixel values for pixels having continuous colors in the first image data.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the data generation unit may generate the second image data by leaving a pixel in which the color pixel value and the number of continuations are not stored in the pixels in which the colors are continuous. In this case, the processing time of image conversion can be further shortened by setting the pixels having continuous colors to blank pixels.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the continuous number acquisition unit may acquire the continuous number stored in the first image data of the first color space from the first image data. By doing this, it is possible to obtain the number of consecutive images relatively easily and further reduce the image conversion processing time.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention acquires vector data, generates first image data of the first color space, which is raster data, from the acquired vector data, and calculates a continuous number of colors of pixels of the raster data. A first image generation unit that counts and stores the counted continuous number in the first image data may be provided. In this way, since the number of continuous colors is also recorded when generating raster data in which all pixel values are stored, the number of continuous can be counted more efficiently.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the first color space may be an RGB color space, and the second color space may be a CMYK color space. In this way, it is possible to further reduce the image conversion processing time when performing color conversion between the RGB color space often used for display images and the CMYK color space often used for print images.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention may include an output unit that outputs the generated second image data of the second color space to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium. In this way, the color-converted image data can be used in the image forming apparatus.

The image processing method of the present invention includes:
An image processing apparatus that performs conversion between first image data in a first color space and second image data in a second color space that is a different color space from the first color space and includes a plurality of basic colors. An image processing method to be executed,
(A) obtaining first image data of the first color space;
(B) continuous number acquisition means for acquiring a continuous number of colors of pixels of the first image data;
(C) When generating the second image data of the second color space, the pixel value of the acquired first image data is converted into the pixel value of the second color space, and the pixel value after the conversion In the image data for each basic color in the second color space to generate the second image data, and for the pixels in which the colors are continuous in the first image data, the converted pixel value and the Storing the number of consecutive colors in the image data for each basic color to generate the second image data;
Is included.

  In this image processing method, similar to the above-described image processing apparatus, when generating image data in which the color space is converted, pixels having continuous colors are converted into image data expressed using the continuous number. Conversion processing time can be further reduced. In this image processing method, various aspects of the above-described image processing apparatus may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above-described image processing apparatus may be added.

  The program of the present invention is for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the above-described image processing method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.) or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by a single computer or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, each step of the above-described image processing method is executed. Therefore, the same effect as this image processing method can be obtained. can get.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printer system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print data conversion processing routine. Explanatory drawing of the process which stores a continuous number in the image data of RGB color space. Explanatory drawing which produces | generates the image data of CMYK color space, and performs a compression process. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printer 20B.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printer system 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a printer system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a printer 20 that functions as an image forming apparatus that performs print processing of print data, and an image processing apparatus that is connected to the printer 20 so as to be able to perform data communication and outputs print data. As a personal computer (PC) 40.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 20 includes a controller 21 that controls the entire printer 20, a network interface (I / F) 26 that controls input / output of data between devices connected to a network (not shown), And a printer unit 30 including a printer mechanism 31 and a printer ASIC 32. The controller 21, the I / F 26, and the printer unit 30 are connected so as to be able to exchange data with each other via a bus (not shown).

  The controller 21 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 22, and includes a flash ROM 23 that stores various processing programs, and a RAM 24 that temporarily stores data and stores data. The controller 21 outputs a print command signal to the printer ASIC 32 or inputs a print operation signal from the printer ASIC 32. The controller 21 exchanges data with the PC 40 via the I / F 26.

  The printer mechanism 31 is configured as a full-color electrophotographic printer mechanism adopting a tandem type and an intermediate transfer method. The printer mechanism 31 includes toner cartridges 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K that store colorants (toners) of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and an exposure (not shown). And a developing roller 35 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the container with toner contained in the cartridge. Further, the transfer belt 36 that is primarily transferred so that the toner images of the developing roller 35 overlap each other, and the transfer roller 37 that secondarily transfers the four color toner images on the transfer belt 36 onto the recording paper S conveyed from the paper cartridge 33. And a fixing roller 38 for melting and fixing the four color toner images transferred onto the recording paper S.

  The PC 40 is a personal computer configured as an image processing apparatus used by a user. The PC 40 inputs and outputs data to and from an external device such as a controller 41 that controls the entire apparatus, an HDD 45 that is a large-capacity memory that stores various application programs (simply called applications) and various data files, and the printer 20. And a network interface (I / F) 46 for performing the above. The controller 41 includes a CPU 42 that executes various controls, a flash ROM 43 that stores various control programs, a RAM 44 that temporarily stores data, and the like. The PC 40 also includes an input device 47 such as a keyboard and a mouse for a user to input various commands, a display 48 for displaying various information, and the like. The PC 40 has a function of executing an operation corresponding to the input operation when the user inputs the cursor or the like displayed on the display 48 via the input device 47. The controller 41, the HDD 45, the I / F 46, the input device 47, the display 48, and the like are electrically connected via a bus 49 so that various control signals and data can be exchanged.

  The HDD 45 of the PC 40 stores a first application 12 that is an application program, a print driver 50 that generates print data, and the like. The first application 12 may be, for example, a document creation program, a photographic image correction program, a spreadsheet program, or the like, and has a function of instructing print processing of vector format image data. The print driver 50 is a program that converts a print job received from the application side into print data that can be directly printed by the printer 20 and outputs (transmits) the print job to the printer 20 side. The print driver 50 includes a rendering processing unit 51, a continuous number counting unit 52, a data acquisition unit 53, a continuous number acquisition unit 54, a data generation unit 55, a lookup table (LUT) 56, a compression processing unit 57, and a data output unit. 58 or the like. The rendering processing unit 51 has a function of acquiring vector data from the application side and generating first image data in an RGB color space (first color space) that is raster data from the acquired vector data. The continuous number counting unit 52 has a function of using the raster data generated by the rendering processing unit 51 to count the continuous number of pixels of the raster data and storing the counted continuous number in the first image data. . The data acquisition unit 53 has a function of inputting the generated first image data. The continuous number acquisition unit 54 has a function of reading the continuous number of colors stored in the first image. The data generation unit 55 has a function of converting the RGB color space to the second image data in the CMYK color space using the LUT 56 and generating print data that can be printed by the printer 20. The LUT 56 is correspondence information in which a pixel value in the RGB color space is associated with a pixel value in the CMYK color space on a one-to-one basis. The LUT 56 has grid point data obtained by dividing each of the R axis, G axis, and B axis in a three-dimensional RGB space by a predetermined number of grids. The grid point data corresponds to RGB values. CMYK values are associated with each other, and conversion between RGB values and CMYK values of pixels included in image data is possible. The LUT 56 is used by expanding the data between the lattice points into an LUT having more lattice point data by performing a known tetrahedral interpolation process. The compression processing unit 57 has a function of compressing the second image data (print data) generated by the data generation unit 55 using a predetermined compression method. The compression processing unit 57 employs a compression method that compresses data based on the relationship between the values of pixels adjacent to the left and right and the values of pixels adjacent to the upper and lower rows. The data output unit 58 has a function of transmitting the compressed print data to the printer 20 via the I / F 46. The rendering processing unit 51, the continuous number counting unit 52, the data acquisition unit 53, the continuous number acquisition unit 54, the data generation unit 55, the compression processing unit 57, and the data output unit 58 are respectively a rendering processing module as a program and a continuous processing unit. A number counting module, a data acquisition module, a continuous number acquisition module, a data generation module, a compression processing module, and a data output module are incorporated in the print driver 50. These modules are executed by the controller 41 to express the functions described above. For example, the print job may be data corresponding to the application program and include vector data such as character data. The print data may be raster data corresponding to the colorant of each color of the printer 20. Good.

  Next, regarding the operation of the PC 40 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, a process for converting a print job to be printed into print data and causing the printer 20 to print will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print data conversion processing routine executed by the CPU 42 of the controller 41. This routine is stored in the HDD 45, and is executed after a print processing execution command is input. The print processing execution command is input by, for example, editing the image data on the editing screen of the first application 12 displayed on the display 48 and then clicking the print execution button displayed on this screen. It may be a thing. The print data conversion process is performed by the rendering processing unit 51, the continuous number counting unit 52, the data acquisition unit 53, the continuous number acquisition unit 54, the data generation unit 55, the LUT 56, the compression processing unit 57, the data output unit 58, and the like. It was supposed to be executed by the function.

  When this routine is executed, the CPU 42 acquires a print job (step S100), and executes a rendering process for the image data stored in the acquired print job (step S110). In this rendering processing, processing for generating first image data in the RGB color space (first color space), which is raster data, from vector data is performed using the function of the rendering processing unit 51. Next, the CPU 42 counts the continuous number that is included in the generated first image data in the RGB color space and that is a continuous color, that is, a continuous number of pixel values, and the counted continuous number is counted as the first image data. A writing process is executed (step S120). Here, the continuous number is assumed to count the number of pixels having the same pixel value in the horizontal direction of the image using the function of the continuous number counting unit 52. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of processing for storing the continuous number in the image data in the RGB color space. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, when four pixels are continuous, the number of consecutive pixels is counted as 3 except for the top pixel. In the first image data, each value is stored in the RGBX data format including the R value, the G value, the B value, and the continuous number as the pixel value. In this way, first, the first image data (raster data) in the RGB color space including the continuous number of pixel values is created from the vector data.

  When the first image data in the RGB color space is generated, the CPU 42 then generates a CMYK color space (second color) that is a color space different from the RGB color space and has CMYK as a basic color from the first image data in the RGB color space. Color space) is converted into the second image data (steps S130 to S190). In this process, first, the CPU 42 reads the pixel value of the first image data in the RGB color space using the function of the data acquisition unit 53 (step S130), and uses the function of the data generation unit 55 to detect the pixel in the RGB color space. A value is converted into a pixel value in the CMYK color space (step S140), and each CMYK value is stored in a corresponding sheet among the sheets of each color (step S150). Here, as the read pixels, for example, the uppermost pixel and the leftmost pixel are set as initial pixels, and the pixels are sequentially set to the right side, and when reaching the right end, the read pixels are sequentially set from the left end one step down to the right side. Further, the color space conversion processing is performed by using the LUT 56 to read out pixel values in the CMYK color space corresponding to the pixel values in the RGB color space. Next, the CPU 42 uses the function of the continuous number acquisition unit 54 to determine whether or not the read pixel has a continuous number (step S160). When there is no continuous number, it is determined whether or not all the pixels are finished (step S190). When all the pixels are not finished, the processing after step S130, that is, the pixel value of the next read pixel is read, and the color space. Repeat the conversion process. On the other hand, when there is a continuous number in step S160, the continuous number is written to the next pixel in which the pixel value has been written (step S170), blank pixels are provided according to the continuous number, and the read pixel of the first image data in the RGB color space is provided. Is skipped according to the continuous number (step S180), and the processing after step S190 is performed.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of generating image data in the CMYK color space from the RGB color space and executing compression processing. In the color space conversion process of the present embodiment, CMYKX format data including image data (sheet) of each color is directly generated from RGBX format data (see the third row in FIG. 4). In FIG. 4, for easy understanding, the CMYK format data not created by the processing of the present invention is shown in the second row of FIG. Here, as a specific example, RGBX format data read pixels are RGB = (a, b, c), continuous number X = 3, and CMYK = (m, n, o, p) corresponds to this. A color space conversion process in a certain case will be described. In this color space conversion process, when the CMYK values corresponding to the RGB values are read, the converted pixel values are stored in the corresponding pixel positions of the cyan sheet, magenta sheet, yellow sheet, and black sheet. That is, when CMYK = (m, n, o, p), the corresponding pixel of the cyan sheet is “m”, the corresponding pixel of the magenta sheet is “n”, the corresponding pixel of the yellow sheet is “o”, and the corresponding pixel of the black sheet Each pixel value of “p” is stored in. Further, since the consecutive number X = 3, “3” is stored next to the pixel storing the pixel value. Furthermore, blank pixels corresponding to the continuous number, for example, “2” blank pixels obtained by subtracting the number of pixels storing the continuous number from the continuous number are provided. At this time, the read pixels are skipped by the number “3” corresponding to the continuous number. As described above, the conversion efficiency is improved by skipping the read pixels using the continuous number and omitting the copy of the pixel values of the continuous pixels (no CMYK format data is created).

  When the color space conversion is completed for all pixels in step S190, the CPU 42 uses the function of the compression processing unit 57 to perform compression processing of the second image data in the CMYK color space (step S200). Here, the compression processing compresses data based on the relationship between the value of the pixel adjacent to the left and right and the value of the pixel adjacent to the upper and lower rows. Here, in the second image data, pixels with continuous colors are blank pixels (see the third row in FIG. 4). For example, the relationship between the upper and lower sides is grasped as compared with the case where blank pixels are packed. It is easy and the compression process can be performed more smoothly. When the compression process is performed, the CPU 42 uses the function of the data output unit 58 to transmit the compressed second image data (print data) to the printer 20 via the I / F 46 (step S210), and ends this routine. To do. The controller 21 of the printer 20 that has received the print data decompresses the compressed print data, decompresses it into raster data for each color of CMYK, and outputs this to the printer ASIC 32. The printer ASIC 32 that has input this drives the printer mechanism 31 to form four color toner images based on the CMYK color image data, transfer the four color toner images onto the transfer belt 36, and then record them. A printing process for further transferring and fixing on the paper S is executed.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The controller 41 and the data acquisition unit 53 of the present embodiment correspond to the image data acquisition unit of the present invention, the controller 41 and the continuous number acquisition unit 54 correspond to the continuous number acquisition unit, and the controller 41 and the data generation unit 55 generate data. The controller 41, the rendering processing unit 51, and the continuous number counting unit 52 correspond to the first image generation unit of the present invention, and the data output unit 58 corresponds to the output unit. The RGB color space corresponds to the first color space of the present invention, the CMYK color space corresponds to the second color space, the printer 20 corresponds to the image forming apparatus, and the PC 40 corresponds to the image processing apparatus. In the present embodiment, an example of the image processing method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the PC 40.

  According to the PC 40 of the present embodiment described in detail above, vector data is acquired, first image data in the RGB color space, which is raster data, is generated from the acquired vector data, and the color of the pixels of the raster data is continuous. The number is counted, and the process of storing the counted continuous number in the first image data is performed. Further, the pixel value and the continuous number of the first image data in the RGB color space are acquired, and the pixel value of the first image data is converted into a pixel value in the second color space. The converted pixel value is stored in the image data for each basic color in the second color space to generate the second image data, and the pixel value after the conversion for the pixels in which the colors are continuous in the first image data And the continuous number of colors are stored in the image data for each basic color to generate second image data. In addition, for the pixels having continuous colors in the first image data, the second image data is generated without repeating the pixel value. As described above, when generating the image data in which the color space is converted, the pixels in which the colors are continuous are set as the image data expressed using the continuous number. Further, the pixel values are not repeatedly copied, that is, the creation of CMYK format data (see the second row in FIG. 4) is omitted. Therefore, the processing time for image conversion can be further shortened. Also, since the number of continuous colors is recorded when generating raster data in which all pixel values are stored, the number of continuous colors can be counted more efficiently.

  In addition, since the second image data is generated for the pixels in which the color pixel value and the continuous number are not stored in the pixels where the colors are continuous, the image conversion processing time is further shortened by omitting the pixel value copy processing. can do. Furthermore, after generating the second image data, for example, there is a case where the compression processing is performed based on the difference from the value of the upper and lower rows. However, the processing time of the compression processing may be shortened due to the presence of the blank pixel. it can. Furthermore, since the continuous number stored in the first image data in the RGB color space is acquired, the continuous number can be acquired relatively easily and the processing time for image conversion can be further shortened. Then, in order to convert the image data from the RGB color space to the CMYK color space, the image conversion processing time is reduced when performing color conversion between the RGB color space often used for display images and the CMYK color space often used for print images. It can be shortened more. In addition, since the compressed second image data is output, the color-converted image data can be used by the printer 20.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first image data is generated by converting the vector data into the raster data. However, the first image data is not particularly limited as long as the first image data is acquired. Image data generation processing may be omitted.

  In the embodiment described above, the second image data is generated as a blank pixel for a pixel in which the pixel value and the continuous number are not stored. However, this blank pixel may be omitted. In this way, the compression processing may take a long processing time, but the image conversion processing time can be further shortened.

  In the embodiment described above, the converted second image data is compressed. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the compression process may be omitted. Even in this case, the processing time for image conversion can be further shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the RGBX format image data in which the continuous number of colors of adjacent pixels is stored in the first image data is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Further, although the continuous number is obtained from the first image data, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the continuous number is counted when the first image data is generated, but may be performed when converting from the RGB color space to the CMYK color space.

  In the above-described embodiment, the conversion process between the RGB color space and the CMYK color space is performed. However, if the image conversion process between the first color space and the second color space different from the first color space is performed, the conversion process is performed. It is not limited to this.

  In the above-described embodiment, the generated second image data is output to the printer 20, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the printer system 10 includes the printer 20 and the PC 40. However, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a printer 20B (image forming apparatus) having the functions of the image processing apparatus (PC 40) may be used. In FIG. 5, the same components as those of the printer 20 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Even in this case, the processing time for image conversion can be further shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer 20 includes the electrophotographic full-color printer mechanism 31. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the inkjet printer mechanism discharges ink by applying pressure by heating with a piezoelectric element. Alternatively, a thermal transfer type printer mechanism or a dot impact type printer mechanism may be used. Further, although the image processing apparatus such as the PC 40 is used, an image processing method may be used or a program that can be executed may be used.

  Here, the time reduction effect of the color conversion process by the print data conversion process routine described above was verified. Here, a process of converting the RGBX format data (first row in FIG. 4) to CMYKX format data (third row in FIG. 4) and generating compressed print data (fourth row in FIG. 4) (this is for convenience). (Referred to as color conversion processing of the invention) and processing for generating compressed print data (fourth row in FIG. 4) converted from RGBX format data to CMYK format data (second row in FIG. 4) (reference processing for convenience) Measured) and compared. In the color conversion process and the reference process of the present invention, the format and content of the finally generated compressed print data are the same. In this reference processing, the CMYK format data is copied by copying the CMYK pixel values using the continuous number included in the RGBX format data, while skipping the pixel values of the RGBX format data by the continuous number. To speed up the creation of As the first image to be converted, document data, spreadsheet data, presentation data, PDF data, gradation image, document data with image, etc. were used as model data, and the conversion processing time was verified. The measurement results are shown in Table 1. In the color conversion processing of the present invention, the processing speed was improved by about 3 times compared to the reference processing. Thus, it has become clear that the processing time of image conversion can be further shortened.

10 Printer system, 12 First application, 20, 20B Printer, 21 Controller, 22 CPU, 23 Flash ROM, 24 RAM, 26 Network interface (I / F), 30 Printer unit, 31 Printer mechanism, 32 Printer ASIC, 33 Paper Cartridge, 34C, 34M, 34Y, 34K Toner cartridge, 36 Transfer belt, 37 Transfer roller, 38 Fixing roller, 40 Personal computer (PC), 41 Controller, 42 CPU, 43 Flash ROM, 44 RAM, 45 HDD, 46 I / F , 47 input device, 48 display, 49 bus, 50 print driver, 51 rendering processing unit, 52 continuous number counting unit, 53 data acquisition unit, 54 continuous number acquisition , 55 data generation unit, 56 LUT, 57 compression processing unit, 58 a data output unit, S paper.

Claims (7)

An image processing apparatus that performs conversion between first image data in a first color space and second image data in a second color space that is a different color space from the first color space and includes a plurality of basic colors. There,
Image data acquisition means for acquiring first image data of the first color space;
Continuous number acquisition means for acquiring a continuous number of colors of pixels of the first image data;
When generating the second image data of the second color space, the pixel value of the acquired first image data is converted to the pixel value of the second color space, and the pixel value after the conversion is converted to the first color data. The second image data is generated by storing in the image data for each basic color in the two color spaces, and the pixel value after the conversion and the continuation of the color for the pixels in which the colors are continuous in the first image data stores the number in the image data for each of the basic colors, the pixel color of the pixel values and the number of consecutive not stored in the pixel where the color is continuous data generating means for generating said as a blank second image data,
A compression processing unit that compresses the generated second image data based on the relationship between the value of pixels adjacent to the left and right and the value of pixels adjacent to the upper and lower rows;
An image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the continuous number acquisition unit acquires the continuous number stored in the first image data of the first color space from the first image data. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
Vector data is acquired, and first image data of the first color space, which is raster data, is generated from the acquired vector data, and the number of continuous colors of the pixels of the raster data is counted, and the counted number of continuous data is calculated. An image processing apparatus comprising: first image generation means for storing the first image data. The first color space is an RGB color space;
The second color space is a CMYK color space, the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4,
An image processing apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs the generated second image data of the second color space to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium. An image processing apparatus that performs conversion between first image data in a first color space and second image data in a second color space that is a different color space from the first color space and includes a plurality of basic colors. An image processing method to be executed,
(A) obtaining first image data of the first color space;
(B) continuous number acquisition means for acquiring a continuous number of colors of pixels of the first image data;
(C) When generating the second image data of the second color space, the pixel value of the acquired first image data is converted into the pixel value of the second color space, and the pixel value after the conversion In the image data for each basic color in the second color space to generate the second image data, and for the pixels in which the colors are continuous in the first image data, the converted pixel value and the a step to store a number of successive colors on the image data for each of the basic colors, for generating the second image data and color pixel a pixel value and the number of consecutive not stored with the blank in the pixel where the color is continuous ,
(D) compressing the generated second image data based on a relationship between a value of a pixel adjacent to the left and right and a value of a pixel adjacent to the upper and lower rows;
An image processing method including: A program that causes one or more computers to implement each step of the image processing method according to claim 6 .

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