JP6590139B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program.

  In image forming apparatuses and printing apparatuses that form images, special colors may be used in addition to basic colors such as C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). Various colors are used as the special colors, but there are cases where a special color having a gloss such as gold, silver, or a metallic color or a special color of fluorescent color is used. In addition, as described in Patent Document 1, attempts have been made to make gloss appear using a transparent color material as a special color.

  Before forming an image, the image may be displayed on a display device for confirmation. In an image in which the above-described special color having a gloss or a special color of fluorescent color is used, the gloss or fluorescence of the special color is not reproduced by the display device, so that the corresponding alternative color is displayed. For example, the gold spot color is replaced with ocher, and the silver spot color is replaced with gray. In addition, when gloss is reproduced using a transparent spot color, since transparency is not reproduced by the display device, for example, in Patent Document 2, the transparent spot color portion is colored with a specific color and an image of another color is used. And are superimposed.

  The glossiness of the special color having gloss is caused by the characteristics of the color material itself of the special color, and when the special color is uniformly reproduced with alternative colors, it is not reproduced in the displayed image. In addition, the fluorescent spot color is also emitted by the characteristics of the color material of the spot color, and even if the spot color is uniformly reproduced with alternative colors, the fluorescence is not reproduced in the displayed image. . Further, when a transparent spot color is used, gloss is added to the background color, so coloring with a specific color is different from the original color of the area.

  Further, if a color similar to the substitute color of the special color is used in the image, the user may confuse both when displayed. For example, if a gold spot color area and an ocher area exist, the user may confuse the gold spot color area and the ocher area on the display screen. Further, even when a silver spot color area and a gray area exist in the image, the user may confuse the silver spot color area and the gray area on the display screen. Even in the case of a yellow fluorescent color, the user may confuse the spot color region and the yellow-green region on the display screen.

  On the other hand, although no special color is used, in Patent Document 3, when an object including highlight light such as gloss exists in a subject, gradation correction is performed on the area of the object, and the texture of the object is reduced. There are also attempts to reproduce.

JP 2006-251722 A JP 2008-145784 A JP-A-2005-010902

  In the present invention, when an image using a spot color that exhibits gloss or fluorescence is displayed on the display means, the image area using the spot color is recognized by the user separately from other image areas. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program capable of obtaining a display image.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present application relates to an image area drawn with the spot color in an image using a spot color that exhibits gloss or fluorescence, and the color used out of the image area. When there is a color whose color difference from the color used for the image area is in a predetermined range, a processing means for processing so as to obtain a visual effect by light, and processed by the processing means An image processing apparatus including a generation unit that generates a display image that includes an image region and is displayed on a display unit.

  In the invention according to claim 2 of the present application, the processing means in the invention according to claim 1 corrects the pixel value according to the distance between the light source virtually set for the image and each pixel of the image area. An image processing apparatus characterized in that:

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is characterized in that the processing means in the invention according to claim 2 sets the position of the light source based on the size of the image area and the arrangement in the image. An image processing apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is an image processing apparatus characterized in that in addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 2 of the present application, the image processing apparatus further comprises a receiving means for receiving designation of the position of the light source from a user. .

  The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is an image processing apparatus in which the processing means in the invention according to claim 1 performs processing that is changed with time for the image area. .

  In the invention according to claim 6 of the present application, the processing means in the invention according to claim 5 corrects the pixel value according to the distance between the light source virtually set for the image and each pixel of the image area. And the position of the light source is changed over time.

  In the invention according to claim 7 of the present application, the processing means in the invention according to claim 5 of the present invention causes the pixels having lightness higher than that of surrounding pixels to be scattered in the image area, and the pixels with the passage of time. It is an image processing apparatus characterized by changing.

  The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is an image processing program for causing a computer to execute the function of the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when displaying on the display means an image using a spot color that reveals gloss or fluorescence, the color is used regardless of the color used outside the image area in which the spot color is used. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a display image that is recognized by the user by distinguishing the image area in which those special colors are used from other image areas.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a visual effect such that an image area using a special color that reveals gloss or fluorescence is illuminated by light from a light source.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the position of the light source that is virtually provided can be set based on the size of the image area in which the special color that makes gloss or fluorescence appear, the arrangement in the image, and the like.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the user can set the position of the light source that is virtually provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to give a visual effect that changes with the passage of time to an image region in which a special color that reveals gloss or fluorescence is used.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a visual effect in which an image region using a feature color that reveals gloss or fluorescence receives light from a light source and further moves the light source. .

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a visual effect such that an image area using a spot color that exhibits gloss or fluorescence is sparkled.

  According to the invention described in claim 8 of the present application, the effect of the image processing apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 7 can be obtained.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system including an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement in one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the specific example which shows an example of the operation | movement in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing process with respect to a glossy image area | region. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which determines whether the approximate color of the alternative color of a glossy special color is used. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the setting process of a light source position. It is explanatory drawing of the specific example of the setting process of a light source position. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the correction process according to the distance with a light source. It is explanatory drawing of another example of the correction process according to the distance with a light source. It is explanatory drawing of the specific example in another example of the correction process according to the distance with a light source. It is explanatory drawing of the specific example by an example of the process processing with respect to a glossy image area | region. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the display image at the time of changing the position of a light source. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement in the case of changing a display image with progress of time. It is explanatory drawing of another example of the display image in the case of changing a display image with progress of time. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a computer program, a storage medium storing the computer program, and a computer when the functions of the device described in the embodiment of the present invention are realized by the computer program.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a processing unit, 2 is a generation unit, 3 is a reception unit, and 4 is a display device. In general, a color image has four basic colors, for example, three colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) or K (black), R (red), G (green), and B Three colors (blue) are used. In the image provided in this embodiment, in addition to the basic color, a special color that exhibits gloss or fluorescence is used. For example, spot colors such as gold, silver, and metallic colors that are glossy themselves, spot colors that are transparent but exhibit gloss, and spot colors of fluorescent colors are used. In the following description, these special colors that cause gloss or fluorescence to appear are referred to as gloss specials.

  As an image, it may be given as a version for each basic color and each spot color, or given as a set of drawing commands, and a spot color is specified by specifying a color for each drawing figure, and it is performed while performing drawing processing. Processing described in one form may be performed, or an image of another format may be used.

  The processing unit 1 processes so that a visual effect by light can be obtained on an area drawn with a glossy spot color (hereinafter referred to as a glossy image area) in an image using a given glossy spot color. Apply. The processing may be performed when there is a color whose color difference from the color used for the glossy image area is in a predetermined range among colors used outside the glossy image area. If no other color within the predetermined range of the color difference from the glossy image area is used, the color of the glossy image area shall be distinguished from other colors without any modification. It may be configured not to be processed.

  As an example of processing, the pixel value is corrected according to the distance between the light source virtually set for the image and each pixel of the glossy image area to be processed, for example, the lightness is increased or the lighter the color is closer to the light source It is good to process so that a visual effect can be obtained as if it is exposed to light. The light source may be fixed at a preset position on the image, and the position of the light source is set based on the size of the gloss image area to be processed and the arrangement of the gloss image area in the image. May be. Or you may use the position of the light source which the reception part 3 received from the user. If it is not necessary to receive an instruction from the user during processing, the receiving unit 3 may be omitted.

  As another example of the processing, the gloss image area may be processed with a change over time. For example, the position of the light source is changed over time along with the above-described processing for correcting the pixel value according to the distance between the light source virtually set for the image and each pixel of the glossy image region. As for the glossy image area, an image that changes as the light source moves is obtained. Alternatively, a process may be performed in which pixels whose brightness is higher than that of surrounding pixels are scattered in the glossy image area, and the pixels are changed over time. A visual effect of light is obtained such that a star strikes the glossy image area.

  Of course, the processing applied to the glossy image area by the processing unit 1 is not limited to these examples, and various processing that can obtain a visual effect by light may be performed.

  The generation unit 2 generates a display image to be displayed on the display device 4 including the glossy image region processed by the processing unit 1. For example, an image formed with a color other than the glossy special color may be generated, the glossy image area may be masked, and the image processed by the processing unit 1 may be combined to generate a display image. Alternatively, the display image may be generated by overwriting the glossy image region processed by the processing unit 1 without masking. The display image is output to the display device 4 and displayed. Note that when the processing unit 1 performs processing that has been changed over time on the glossy image region, the generation unit 2 also generates a display image that changes over time and displays it on the display device 4. In this case, the display device 4 displays an image whose image changes as time passes, which is called moving image display or animation display.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system including an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a user terminal, 12 is a communication path, 13 is an image forming server, 14 is a display device, 15 is a communication path, 16 is an image forming apparatus, 21 is a communication section, 22 is an image receiving section, and 23 is an image. A storage unit, 24 is an image memory, 25 is an image processing unit, 26 is an image transmission unit, 27 is a communication unit, 28 is a display image generation unit, 29 is a display control unit, 30 is an instruction device, 31 is an instruction reception unit, 32 Is a control unit.

  In the image forming system shown in FIG. 2, when an image formation is instructed from the user terminal 11 through the communication path 12, the image forming server 13 receives this, generates an instructed image, and transmits the generated image through the communication path 15. The image is sent to the image forming apparatus 16, and the sent image is formed on a medium such as paper by the image forming apparatus 16 and output. The image forming server 13 also has a function of causing the display device 14 to display an image before the image forming device 16 forms an image and allowing the user to check the formed image.

  In this example, the image forming server 13 includes a communication unit 21, an image reception unit 22, an image storage unit 23, an image memory 24, an image processing unit 25, an image transmission unit 26, a communication unit 27, a display image generation unit 28, and display control. A unit 29, an instruction device 30, an instruction receiving unit 31, a control unit 32, and the like are included.

  The communication unit 21 communicates with other devices including the user terminal 11 through the communication path 12. The image receiving unit 22 receives an image formation instruction from the user terminal 11, acquires information on the instructed image to be formed from the user terminal 11 or another device, and stores it in the image memory 24 or the image storage unit 23. Let

  In the image storage unit 23, information of an image before drawing is accumulated. A drawn image, an image being drawn, and other information may be stored. The image memory 24 is used when the image processing unit 25 performs a drawing process, and stores a drawn image, information on an image used for drawing, and various other information.

  The image processing unit 25 generates an image to be formed by the image forming apparatus 16 from image information under the control of the control unit 32. When the image is generated, it is performed in accordance with an image formation instruction received by the image receiving unit 22 or various instructions received by the user from the instruction device 30 and received by the instruction receiving unit 31. The image to be generated is a bitmap image. For example, the image is separated for each color of the color material used in the image forming apparatus 16. Here, it is assumed that a glossy special color is used together with a basic color, and an image composed of a plate of each color is generated.

  The communication unit 27 communicates with the image forming apparatus 16 through the communication path 15, and the image generated by the image processing unit 25 is sent from the image transmission unit 26 to the image forming apparatus 16 and is imaged on a medium such as paper. Is formed.

  The image forming server 13 has a function of displaying and confirming an image on the display device 14 before the image forming device 16 forms an image. The display image generation unit 28 generates an image to be displayed on the display device 14 based on the image generated by the image processing unit 25 and sends the image to the display device 14 through the display control unit 29. As a result, an image formed by the image forming device 16 is displayed on the display device 14. The user may confirm the image formed by the image forming apparatus 16 based on the displayed image. The display device 14 corresponds to the display device 4 in FIG.

  As the display image generation unit 28, the processing unit 1 and the generation unit 2 in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. For the gloss image area drawn with the gloss spot color, an image processed so as to obtain a visual effect by light is generated and displayed on the display device 14. Even if a similar color to a glossy spot color is used outside the glossy image area, or a transparent spot color is used as the glossy spot color, the glossy image area provides a visual effect due to light. It is distinguished from other areas. In the case of receiving an instruction from the user at the time of processing, the instruction receiving unit 31 corresponding to the receiving unit 3 of FIG. It can be used when.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the image forming server 13 and the image forming apparatus 16 are illustrated separately, but may be an apparatus in which these are integrated. Needless to say, various modifications such as a configuration having an image reading unit and a configuration having a facsimile function may be made.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, an example of an operation for displaying an image using the basic color and the glossy special color on the display device is shown. The basic color is indicated as CMYK, the glossy special color is indicated as S, and the display device receives an RGB image. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the image processing unit 25 may draw an image and the image forming apparatus 16 may receive an image.

  For the basic color image, color space conversion, for example, conversion from the CMYK color space to the RGB color space is performed in S101. At the time of conversion, color correction according to the display device may be performed.

  For the glossy spot color image, replacement with an alternative color in the RGB color space is performed in S102. The substitute color is displayed with a similar color because the glossy special color is not directly reproduced by the display device. For example, yellow or ocher is used as an alternative color for gold, and gray is used for silver. When the glossy special color is transparent, the basic color used in the pixel at the position where the transparent glossy special color is used in the basic color image after color space conversion may be acquired as an alternative color.

  In step S103, the glossy spot color image replaced with the substitute color is processed so that a visual effect by light is obtained on the glossy image area in which the glossy spot color is used. A specific example will be described later.

  On the other hand, in this operation example, in S104, the glossy spot color image replaced with the alternative color in S102 is binarized, and in S105, the binarized image in S104 is used as a mask, and the basic color converted in color space in S101 is used. Mask processing is performed on the image, and the glossy image area is extracted from the basic color image.

  In step S106, the gloss image area extracted from the basic color image in step S105 is combined with the gloss special color image processed so as to obtain the visual effect of light in step S103 to generate a display image. The display image is sent to the display device and displayed on the display device.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example showing an example of the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4A shows a basic color image, and FIG. 4B shows a gloss special color image. The basic color image shown in FIG. 4A is an image converted into the color space of the image received by the display device. Also, the glossy spot color image shown in FIG. 4B is an image that is replaced with an alternative color corresponding to the glossy spot color. The color space after replacement is the color space of the image received by the display device.

  The glossy spot color image shown in FIG. 4B is processed so that a visual effect by light is obtained on the glossy image area where the glossy spot color is used. The processed image is shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the glossy spot color image shown in FIG. 4B is binarized to obtain a binary image shown in FIG. Here, binary values are indicated by white and black, and a black area indicates a glossy image area using a glossy special color. Using this binary image as a mask, mask processing is performed on the basic color image shown in FIG. Here, processing for extracting a black region from the binary image shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4E, an image in which the glossy image area is missing is obtained.

  The obtained image shown in FIG. 4E and the processed glossy special color image shown in FIG. 4C are combined to obtain a display image shown in FIG. In the display image, the glossy image area where the glossy special color is used has been processed so as to obtain a visual effect by light, and even if a color similar to the glossy special color is used outside the glossy image area, both Will not be confused. For example, even when the character color existing in the basic color image shown in FIG. 4A is similar to the substitute color of the glossy special color, the display image shown in FIG. However, the character portion of the basic color is not confused with the color.

  In this operation example, the composition process is performed after the mask process is performed. However, at the time of composition, for example, the gloss image area may be overwritten with the basic color image to produce a display image. . In this case, the binarization in S104 and the masking process in S105 in FIG. 3 are not necessary. In the example of FIG. 4, the glossy image area of the processed glossy special color image shown in FIG. 4C may be overwritten on the basic color image shown in FIG.

  Next, an example of a processing process performed on the glossy spot color image will be described. Here, a case where processing is performed so as to obtain a visual effect as if light from a light source has been applied to the glossy image region will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing for the glossy image area. In S111, it is determined whether or not the substitute color of the glossy special color or an approximate color of the substitute color is used in an area other than the glossy image area in the basic color image. If it is not used, the alternative color of the glossy image area is distinguished from other colors, so that the processing in FIG. Of course, regardless of the color used in the basic color image, the gloss image area may be processed, and in this case, S111 may not be provided.

  In S112, the position of the light source that is virtually provided is set. The position of the light source may be set based on, for example, the size of the gloss image area to be processed and the arrangement of the gloss image area in the image. Or you may set the position of a light source according to the instruction | indication received from the user. The position of the light source may be fixed at a preset position on the image, and in this case, the process of S112 is unnecessary.

  In S113, the pixel value is corrected according to the distance between the position of the light source set in S112 and the position of each pixel in the light source image area to be processed. For example, the closer to the light source, the higher the luminance or the lighter the color. When such processing is performed, a visual effect is obtained as if the light is shining from the set position of the light source.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for determining whether or not an approximate color of a glossy spot color alternative color is used. This process is an example of the process performed in S111 of FIG. In S121, a used color is extracted for one pixel in the basic color image. In step S122, a color difference ΔE between the extracted color and the substitute color for the glossy special color is calculated. In S123, it is determined whether or not processing has been performed for all the pixels in the basic color image. If there are any unprocessed pixels, the process returns to S121 to repeat the processing for the remaining pixels.

  After calculating the color difference ΔE for all the pixels in the basic color image, in S124, it is determined whether or not the number of pixels having the color difference ΔE equal to or less than a preset threshold is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. . If the number of pixels having the color difference ΔE equal to or smaller than the threshold is greater than a predetermined number, it is determined in S125 that the approximate color is used. In this case, in the process shown in FIG. 5, the gloss image area is processed so as to obtain a visual effect as if the light from the light source is hit. Further, when the number of pixels having a color difference ΔE equal to or less than a threshold value is smaller than a predetermined number, it is determined that the gloss image area is identified by the user even if these pixels exist, In this case, in S126, it is determined that the approximate color is not used. In this case, the processing shown in FIG. 5 does not process the glossy image area.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the light source position setting process. This process is an example of the process performed in S112 of FIG. Here, an example of processing when a light source is arranged in the center of the glossy image region is shown. In S131, the origin is set to the glossy spot color image, and the X and Y axes are set. For example, the origin may be set at the upper left of the image. The X axis may be set in the left-right direction, and the Y axis may be set in the up-down direction.

  In S132, the maximum and minimum values in the X-axis direction and the maximum and minimum values in the Y-axis direction are obtained for each pixel having a glossy spot color value, that is, each pixel in the glossy image area. The maximum value in the X-axis direction is Xmax, and the minimum value is Xmin. The maximum value in the Y-axis direction is Ymax, and the minimum value is Ymin. As a method for obtaining each, a known method may be used. For example, if projections in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are generated, respective values can be obtained.

  In S133, P1 (Xmin, Ymin), P2 (Xmax, Ymax), P3 (Xmax, Ymin), P4 from the maximum and minimum values in the X-axis direction and the maximum and minimum values in the Y-axis direction obtained in S132. Four coordinate values of (Xmin, Ymax) are obtained. These are the coordinates of the vertices of the rectangular area containing the glossy image area.

  In S134, the coordinates of the intersection when P1 and P2 and P3 and P4 are connected by straight lines are obtained. The coordinates of this intersection may be used as the light source position.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of the light source position setting process. The process shown in FIG. 7 will be described using a specific example. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, there is a circular figure drawn with a glossy spot color at the center. This figure becomes a glossy image area. For example, the origin is provided at the upper left, the minimum value and the maximum value are obtained in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the vertices P1, P2, P3, and P4 of the rectangular area including the glossy image area are obtained. The vertices P1, P2, P3, and P4 are obtained as shown. The vertices P1 and P2 and P3 and P4 are respectively connected by straight lines, and the intersections are obtained. The coordinates of this intersection may be used as the light source position. In FIG. 8A, a point indicated by a white circle is the position of the light source.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8B, there are two separate figures drawn with glossy special colors. In the processing described with reference to FIG. 7, the vertices of the rectangular area including the two figures are P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively. The vertices P1 and P2, and P3 and P4 may be connected by straight lines, and the coordinates of the intersections may be used as the light source position. A point indicated by a white circle is the position of the light source.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when there are a plurality of figures drawn with glossy special colors, in addition to setting the common light source position as described above, the light source is set for each figure. Also good.

  In the above-described example, the example in which the center of the rectangular area including the glossy image area is set as the position of the light source is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the position of the light source may be set. For example, the position of the obtained light source may be shifted to the upper right or upper left. Further, the point P1 or the point P3 may be set as the position of the light source. Of course, it may be provided at a fixed position regardless of the arrangement of the glossy image areas, such as the upper right, upper left, and center of the image. Or you may follow the instruction | indication from a user. For example, a point on the display screen may be pointed using a pointing device such as a mouse, and the position of the light source may be set from the pointed point position.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of correction processing according to the distance to the light source. This process is an example of the process performed in S113 of FIG. Here, as an example, a case is shown in which correction processing is performed to increase the luminance closer to the light source. For example, using the fact that the distance from the light source and the luminance have a negative correlation, the pixel value of the glossy spot color image is calculated using the relationship between the distance from the light source and the luminance as shown in FIG. to correct. In the relationship shown in FIG. 9A, the correction is performed such that the brightness is increased as the distance from the light source is increased, and the correction of the brightness is decreased as the distance from the light source is increased.

  For example, when the circular figure shown in FIG. 9B is drawn with a glossy special color and the position of the light source is set at the center thereof, correction is performed to increase the brightness as the position is closer to the light source. Then, the correction is made as shown in FIG. For convenience of illustration, the difference in luminance is indicated by the hatched interval.

  As a specific example, a circular figure drawn with a glossy special color is converted into an alternative color corresponding to the glossy special color, and if it is not processed, it is displayed on the display device as shown in FIG. 9B. Since the display device displays the substitute color, the glossiness of the glossy special color is not reflected, and a flat display is performed. When the above processing is performed, the figure that appears planar in FIG. 9B reflects the light from the light source provided at the center as shown in FIG. 9C. A visual effect like this is obtained. Although the circular figure drawn with the glossy special color is displayed in the alternative color, it is confirmed by the user that it is formed with the glossy special color due to the visual effect.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the correction process according to the distance from the light source. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the glossiness obtained from the image actually formed using the glossy special color may not be expressed in the displayed image. In such a case, not only the luminance is changed, but when other colors are used together with alternative colors, glossiness may be obtained in the displayed image. For example, when a golden glossy special color is used, an ocher color is used as an alternative color. However, there are cases where the glossiness cannot be reproduced even if the luminance is changed only with the ocher color. In such a case, it is advisable to add a yellow color to give a glossy appearance. An example of correction processing in this case is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10A shows an example of a relationship used when correcting an alternative color for the glossy special color. Compared to the example shown in FIG. 9A, the range from the set position of the light source to the predetermined first distance d1 is corrected to the maximum luminance, and therefore no alternative color is used. Alternatively, the use amount of the alternative color is reduced as compared with the area where correction is not performed. As the distance becomes longer than the first distance d1, the luminance correction amount is decreased and the use amount of the alternative color is increased.

  FIG. 10B shows an example of the relationship between the distance from the light source and the mixing ratio of colors used together with alternative colors. The mixing rate is increased from the position of the light source to a predetermined first distance d1, and the mixing rate is decreased from the predetermined first distance d1, and mixed at a predetermined second distance d2. The rate is set to zero.

  As a result, the color used together with the alternative color is increased without increasing the alternative color from the position of the light source toward the first distance d1. The alternative color is increased from the first distance d1 to the second distance d2, and the color used with the alternative color is decreased, and the color used with the alternative color is set to 0 at the second distance d2. After that, we will increase the alternative colors.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example in another example of the correction process according to the distance to the light source. FIGS. 11A and 11B show the examples shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C again. FIG. 11C shows an example in which the luminance correction of the alternative color is performed using the relationship shown in FIG. FIG. 11D illustrates an example in which the color used together with the alternative color is added to the example illustrated in FIG. 11C using the relationship illustrated in FIG. The range of maximum luminance is wider than the example shown in FIG. Here, for convenience of illustration, each color is indicated by diagonal lines.

  For example, when a gold glossy special color is used, even when an ocher color is used as an alternative color and the image shown in FIG. In such a case, yellow is used together with the ocher color, and glossiness is produced by using it in an area to be processed so that light from the light source is strong. In the example shown in FIG. 11D, the first distance d1 is reproduced in yellow as the distance from the light source is increased, and the color is changed from yellow to ocher as the distance from the light source is further increased. The visual effect of light is obtained by simulating the brightness of light from the light source that occurs when light is irradiated onto an actual golden surface.

  The color used together with the alternative color may be determined in advance together with the alternative color. In the gold special color, yellow may be used together with the ocher alternative color as described above. In addition, for the silver special color, a light blue gray may be used together with a gray alternative color. Other glossy special colors may be determined in advance.

  In addition, it is only necessary to determine in advance what kind of relationship is used for luminance correction and mixing rate control, and is not limited to this example, and may be determined in consideration of the characteristics of the spot color to be used.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example according to an example of the processing for the glossy image region. In FIG. 12, a glossy special color is used for a circular area a like a face. This area a becomes a glossy image area. Further, a color similar to the substitute color of the glossy special color is used for the character area b outside the glossy image area. FIG. 12A shows a case where the gloss image area is not processed, and the difference in color between the area a and the area b is not distinguished by the user. Therefore, even if the gloss spot color is used. I do not know from the display image.

  FIG. 12B shows a case where the above-described processing is applied to a gloss image area using a gloss spot color. Here, an example in which processing is performed on the assumption that the light source is arranged at the center of the circle of the region a is shown. Processing shows a case where a color different from the alternative color described in FIG. 10 is used together with the alternative color. Here, for the convenience of illustration, the difference in brightness is shown by changing the interval between the hatched lines. When such processing is performed, in the glossy image area, the closer to the light source, the stronger the light is irradiated, and a visual effect is obtained as if it is reflected by the glossy special color. On the other hand, the glossy special color is not used for the area b, and therefore, the color reproduction is uniform without being processed. Therefore, the area a and the area b are distinguished by the user.

  In the above-described example of processing on the glossy image area, a single display image is generated. However, the display image to be displayed on the display device may be changed over time. It is good also as a display by what is called a moving image and animation.

  As an example, in the example of performing the correction process according to the distance from the light source described above, the position of the light source may be changed over time. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display image when the position of the light source is changed. FIG. 13A shows an example of a display image at a certain time. At this time, it is assumed that the light source is set at the position a, and the circular gloss image area is processed.

  From the light source position a shown in FIG. 13A, the position of the light source is changed over time. For example, a display image in the state where the light source position is set at the position b is shown in FIG. It shows. The user who is referring to the image displayed on the display device can visually recognize that the glossy image area changes with the passage of time, and can distinguish it from areas other than the glossy image area that does not change. .

  How the light source is moved over time may be determined by a predetermined method. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 13, it is illustrated as rotating clockwise around a certain point. Of course, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this example. The time interval for changing the display image may be set in advance.

  Further, the light source may be moved according to a user instruction. For example, using a position indicating device such as a mouse, a display image may be generated according to a change in position on the specified image and displayed on the display device. For example, when the position indicating device is moved to the point b in FIG. 13B from the state in which the point a in FIG. 13A is indicated by the position indicating device, the movement shown in FIG. The display image may be changed to the display image shown in FIG. In this case, by referring to the display image that changes according to the user's operation, the gloss image area that changes is distinguished from other areas that do not change.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when the display image is changed over time. The above-described processing for changing the display image, when the display image is changed over time without receiving an instruction from the user is set to the automatic mode, and when the display image is changed according to the user's operation is set to the manual mode. An example is shown in FIG.

  In S141, the set mode is determined. The mode may be set by the user with respect to the reception unit 3 or the like. The setting may be set in advance, or the setting may be accepted even while the display image is being referred to.

  If the set mode is the automatic mode, it is determined in S142 whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. If not, the process returns to S141. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the position of the light source is changed in S143. The change method may be determined in advance. In S146, the gloss image area is processed based on the position of the light source set in S143 to generate a display image, and the display image displayed on the display unit is updated.

  On the other hand, if the set mode is the manual mode, in S144, it is determined whether or not the position designated by the user has moved. If it has not moved, the display image need not be updated, and the process returns to S141. If the instructed position has moved, the instructed position is set as the light source position in S145. In S146, the gloss image area is processed based on the position of the light source set in S145 to generate a display image, and the display image displayed on the display unit is updated.

  In any case, it is determined in S147 whether or not to end the display of the display image. If not, the process returns to S141. When the display is finished, this process is finished. In this operation example, an example in which the automatic mode and the manual mode are switched and used is shown, but of course, either one may be configured. Moreover, you may have other modes including the mode without a motion.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of another example of a display image when the display image is changed over time. In each of the above-described examples, an example in which a glossy image area is processed according to a distance from a virtually set light source position is shown, and an example in which a display image is changed by changing the light source position has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and any processing that can obtain a visual effect by light may be used.

  For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a plurality of points having luminance higher than the luminance of the region are arranged in the glossy image region. And the arrangement | positioning of this point is changed with progress of time. For example, the display image shown in FIG. 15A and the display image shown in FIG. 15B are alternately displayed as time passes. Alternatively, the arrangement of points may be changed randomly.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 15C and 15D, an example in which a shining graphic is arranged instead of the point arranged in the glossy image area in the example shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B is shown. ing. Also in this example, for example, the display image shown in FIG. 15C and the display image shown in FIG. 15D are alternately displayed with the passage of time, or the arrangement of the figures is changed at random. Show it.

  In the example shown in FIG. 15, a display image is generated and displayed in the image of blinking of electrical decorations used in, for example, a Christmas tree. As a result, the glossy image area has a visual effect that the glossy spot color shines by reflecting light, and the user recognizes it separately from other areas.

  So far, we have shown some examples that can produce a shining visual effect. Of course, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and various processing for obtaining a visual effect by light may be applied to the glossy image area so as to be distinguished from other areas.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a computer program, a storage medium storing the computer program, and a computer when the functions of the apparatus described in the embodiment of the present invention are realized by the computer program. In the figure, 41 is a program, 42 is a computer, 51 is a magneto-optical disk, 52 is an optical disk, 53 is a magnetic disk, 54 is a memory, 61 is a CPU, 62 is an internal memory, 63 is a reading unit, 64 is a hard disk, and 65 is An interface 66 is a communication unit.

  You may implement | achieve all or a part of function of the structure demonstrated by embodiment of this invention mentioned above with the program 41 which a computer runs. In this case, the program 41 and data used by the program may be stored in a storage medium that can be read by a computer. The storage medium causes a change state of energy such as magnetism, light, electricity, etc. to the reading unit 63 provided in the hardware resource of the computer according to the description content of the program, and the signal corresponding thereto In this format, the description content of the program is transmitted to the reading unit 63. For example, there are a magneto-optical disk 51, an optical disk 52 (including a CD and a DVD), a magnetic disk 53, a memory 54 (including an IC card, a memory card, a flash memory, and the like). Of course, these storage media are not limited to portable types.

  The program 41 is stored in these storage media, and the program 41 is read from the computer by mounting these storage media in the reading unit 63 or the interface 65 of the computer 42, for example, and the internal memory 62 or the hard disk 64 (magnetic disk or the like). The program 41 is executed by the CPU 61 and the functions of the configuration described in the above-described embodiment of the present invention are realized in whole or in part. Alternatively, the program 41 is transferred to the computer 42 via the communication path, and the computer 42 receives the program 41 by the communication unit 66 and stores it in the internal memory 62 or the hard disk 64, and the program 41 is executed by the CPU 61. Also good.

  In addition, various devices may be connected to the computer 42 via the interface 65. Here, an instruction device in which a user gives an instruction to the display device 4 and the reception unit 3 is illustrated. Further, for example, the image forming server 13 may be configured with each unit illustrated in FIG. 2, or may be configured as an integrated image forming apparatus including the configuration of the image forming apparatus 16. In addition, various devices may be connected via the interface 65.

  Note that it is not necessary for each component to operate on one computer, and a plurality of computers may be configured to perform processing in cooperation. Further, depending on the application, the program may be integrated with the program for that application. Furthermore, it may be partially configured by hardware, or all may be configured by hardware.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Processing part, 2 ... Production | generation part, 3 ... Reception part, 4 ... Display apparatus, 11 ... User terminal, 12 ... Communication path, 13 ... Image formation server, 14 ... Display apparatus, 15 ... Communication path, 16 ... Image Forming apparatus, 21 ... communication unit, 22 ... image receiving unit, 23 ... image storage unit, 24 ... image memory, 25 ... image processing unit, 26 ... image transmission unit, 27 ... communication unit, 28 ... display image generation unit, 29 ... Display control unit, 30 ... Indicating device, 31 ... Instruction receiving unit, 32 ... Control unit, 41 ... Program, 42 ... Computer, 51 ... Magnetic disk, 52 ... Optical disk, 53 ... Magnetic disk, 54 ... Memory, 61 ... CPU, 62 ... internal memory, 63 ... reading unit, 64 ... hard disk, 65 ... interface, 66 ... communication unit.

Claims (8)

A color used for the image area out of colors used outside the image area for an image area drawn with the spot color in an image using a spot color that exhibits gloss or fluorescence. When there is a color whose color difference is in a predetermined range, a processing unit that performs processing so as to obtain a visual effect by light, and a display that is displayed on the display unit including an image area processed by the processing unit An image processing apparatus comprising a generating unit that generates an image.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit corrects a pixel value according to a distance between a light source virtually set for the image and each pixel of the image area.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit sets the position of the light source based on a size of the image area and an arrangement in the image.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an accepting unit that accepts designation of the position of the light source from a user.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs processing that is changed over time on the image area.   The processing means corrects a pixel value according to a distance between a light source virtually set for an image and each pixel of the image region, and changes the position of the light source with time. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit scatters pixels whose brightness is higher than that of surrounding pixels in the image region, and changes the pixels as time passes. An image processing program for causing a computer to execute the function of the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

Images