JP7658007B2 - IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing method, and an image processing program.

Conventionally, printing data such as images of lines, characters, figures, photographs, etc. are rasterized to generate an image for printing, and color proofing (soft proofing) is performed to check the finished state of the image on the display screen of a display device before printing out the image (see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below). With this soft proofing, an image can be proofread and checked on the display screen without actually outputting a printout of the image, which has the advantage of reducing waste of printing resources such as printing paper and ink and shortening work time. In addition, there are image processing devices that allow you to check an enlarged portion on the display screen of a display device (see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2018-191240 A JP 2010-166113 A

Inkjet printers are known to use multi-size dot printing, which uses different ink dot sizes when printing, but the conventional soft proofing technology disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 does not take into consideration displaying an image on a display screen that takes into account color changes caused by multi-size dots, and it is not possible to confirm changes due to ink dot size when the image is enlarged.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an image processing device, an image processing method, and an image processing program that can accurately display images printed out by multi-size dot printing on the display screen of a display device.

The image processing device according to the present invention is an image processing device that displays an image based on input image data on a display screen of a display device, and is characterized by comprising: a first image generation unit that inputs the image data and generates print image data constituting an image for printing formed by multi-size dots; a second image generation unit that color-converts the print image data based on dot size and dot color information to generate display image data constituting an image for display formed by single-size dots; and an output unit that outputs the display image data to the display device.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first image generation unit generates the print image data by referring to an input profile of the image data and an output profile of a print output device, and the second image generation unit generates the display image data by referring to a conversion table for color converting the color information according to the display profile of the display device and the dot size.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second image generating unit converts the luminance of the color information by referring to the conversion table.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the second image generation unit generates a navigation image that displays the display image data in a reduced form, which constitutes a plurality of split images obtained by dividing the display image into specified areas, and a proof image that displays an enlarged version of one of the plurality of split images.

The image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method for displaying an image based on input image data on a display screen of a display device, and is characterized by comprising a first image generation step of inputting the image data and generating print image data constituting an image for printing formed by multi-size dots, a second image generation step of color-converting the print image data based on dot size and dot color information to generate display image data constituting an image for display formed by single-size dots, and an output step of outputting the display image data to the display device.

The image processing program of the present invention is an image processing program that displays an image based on input image data on a display screen of a display device, and is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute a first image generation step of inputting the image data and generating print image data constituting a print image formed with multi-size dots, a second image generation step of color-converting the print image data based on dot size and dot color information to generate display image data constituting a display image formed with single-size dots, and an output step of outputting the display image data to the display device.

According to the present invention, images printed out using multi-size dot printing can be accurately displayed on the display screen of a display device.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image processing device. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining multi-size dots, their dot sizes, and data configurations. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a conversion table used for color conversion by the image processing device. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of conversion using a conversion table. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an image processing procedure performed by the image processing device. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a display image displayed on a display screen of a display device. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a group of dots that form a part of a display image. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the image processing procedure performed by the image processing device.

Below, an image processing device, an image processing method, and an image processing program according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the following embodiments do not limit the inventions according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a functional configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing device 1 of this embodiment can be configured as, for example, a RIP (Raster Image Processor). The image processing device 1 includes, for example, a raster image conversion unit 2, a print image data generation unit 3, a display image data generation unit 4, a storage unit 5, and an operation unit 6. Note that the image processing device 1 can be connected to a print data input unit 7 such as a print data generation device that inputs print data including image data, a display 8 as a display device, and an inkjet printer 9 as a print output device. Note that the display 8 may be included in the operation unit 6 of the image processing device 1.

The raster image conversion unit 2 receives PDF (Portable
The printing data generating unit 3 inputs printing data consisting of image data such as lines, characters, figures, and photographs in a standard format such as a Print Document Format (PdF) or a PostScript (PS: registered trademark), and converts it into raster image data (CMYK data), which is image data such as a TIFF image consisting of raster data. The printing image data generating unit 3 has a color conversion unit 3a and a halftone processing unit 3b, and performs various conversion processes on the image data (raster image data) from the raster image conversion unit 2 to generate printing image data of multi-size dots.

The display image data generating unit 4 generates display image data for previewing from the print image data from the print image data generating unit 3. The display image data generating unit 4 also functions as an output unit that outputs image data to the display 8.

The storage unit 5 stores data such as various profiles and conversion tables, data such as display drivers and printer drivers, and various image data converted and generated by each unit. The operation unit 6 accepts operation inputs by a user of the image processing device 1 via the input unit 6a.

The color conversion unit 3a of the print image data generation unit 3 performs color conversion processing on the image data by referencing at least the input profile of the image data and the output profile of the inkjet printer 9 from the storage unit 5. Specifically, the color conversion unit 3a first performs color management processing by referring to an input profile (ICC profile) such as Japan Color (registered trademark) stored in the storage unit 5, expanding the image data (e.g., 8-bit CMYK data) into a color space of the L*a*b* color system, for example, and converting the color into the L*a*b* values of device-independent colors.

Then, the color conversion unit 3a refers to an output profile (ICC profile) that can be used with the inkjet printer 9 being used, and converts the L*a*b* values again into device-dependent color CMYK values (8-bit CMYK data).

In addition, the color conversion unit 3a can perform color calibration processing, such as generating light ink colors (Lc, Lm, Lk), generating spot ink colors (W: White/V: Varnish) for base color printing and thick printing, and adjusting the ink amount (tone curve adjustment). In this way, the color conversion unit 3a performs the so-called color matching processing in general, including color management processing and color calibration processing.

The halftone processing unit 3b of the conversion processing unit 3 performs halftone processing using an error diffusion method or the like based on the CMYK values (8-bit CMYKLcLmLkWV data) from the color conversion unit 3a, and converts them into CMYK values (2-bit CMYKLcLmLkWV data) of multi-sized dots of device-dependent colors, which are the image data for printing. Details of the multi-sized dot (SML) information 20 will be described later.

The CMYK values of the multi-size dots (2-bit CMYKLcLmLkWV data) output from the print image data generation unit 3 are output to the inkjet printer 9 as print data that forms the raster image data of the print image.

The display image data generating unit 4 converts the CMYK values (2-bit CMYKLcLmLkWV data) of the multi-sized dots output from the halftone processing unit 3b into RGB values (8-bit RGB data) of device-dependent colors constituting a display image formed by single-sized (uniform size) dots, based on a conversion table 30 (see FIG. 4) stored in the storage unit 5. The display image data generating unit 4 outputs the display image data consisting of this 8-bit RGB data to the display 8. The conversion table 30 will be described in detail later.

By configuring the image processing device 1 of this embodiment in this way, it is possible to appropriately convert a print image (CMYK data) printed and output by multi-size dot printing on the inkjet printer 9 into a display image (RGB data) to be displayed on the display screen of the display 8, so that the print image can be accurately displayed on the display 8 before the actual print output, for example. This makes it possible to avoid wasting printing resources and shorten work time. The print image data generation unit 3 and display image data generation unit 4 function as a first image generation unit that generates print image data and a second image generation unit that generates display image data, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of the image processing device 1. As shown in FIG.
2, the image processing device 1 includes, as its hardware configuration, a CPU 11, a RAM 12, a ROM 13, a HDD (hard disk drive) 14, and an SSD (solid state drive) 15. The image processing device 1 also includes an input I/F (interface) 16, an output I/F (interface) 17, and a communication I/F (interface) 27. The components 11 to 17 and 27 are connected to each other via a bus 10.

The CPU 11 controls the entire image processing device 1 by executing various programs stored in the RAM 12, ROM 13, HDD 14, SSD 15, etc., and also realizes the functions of the raster image conversion unit 2, print image data generation unit 3, and display image data generation unit 4 by executing image processing programs. The RAM 12 can be used as a working area for the CPU 11. The ROM 13 stores the various programs. The HDD 14 and SSD 15 store various data in a readable and writable manner, and realize the functions of the storage unit 5.

The input I/F 16 is connected to a keyboard 18 and a mouse 19 that function as the input section 6a of the operation section 6, and receives information associated with operation input from the user. The output I/F 17 is connected to the display 8 and the inkjet printer 9, and outputs print data and monitor data. The image processing device 1 can be connected to an external device 29 via a network 28 by the communication I/F 27. The external device 29 includes other image processing devices in remote locations, etc.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining multi-size dots, their dot sizes, and data configurations.
3A, a print image in multi-size dot printing can be composed of dots of multiple dot sizes with different dot diameters. Multi-size dots are composed of, for example, small dots (S dots) 21, medium dots (M dots) 22, and large dots (L dots) 23, and can maximize color expression using four colors of CMYK compared to single-size dots, forming a high-quality print image.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the multi-size dot (SML) information 20 specifies the S dot 21, M dot 22, and L dot that make up this multi-size dot by, for example, 2-bit data expression, where the S dot 21 can be expressed as "01", the M dot 22 as "10", and the L dot 23 as "11". Note that if there is no dot, it is expressed as "00". The CMYK value (2-bit_CMYKL) converted after the above-mentioned halftone processing is
The multi-size dots are used to represent ink colors (CMYK), light ink colors (LcLmLk), and special ink colors (WV).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a conversion table 30 used for color conversion by the display image data generating unit 4 of the image processing device 1. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the conversion table 30 stores the correspondence between the CMYK values (2-bit CMYKLcLmLkWV data) representing the dot size and color information of the multi-sized dots in the printing image, and the RGB values (8-bit RGB data) of the display image of the single-sized dots that represent this.

The conversion table 30 includes color tables such as a cyan (C) table 31, a magenta (M) table 32, a yellow (Y) table 33, a black (K) table 34, a light cyan (Lc) table 35, and a light magenta (Lm) table 36. The color tables for light black (Lk), white (W), and varnish (V) are not shown in the figure, but may be included in the conversion table 30. However, white (W) and varnish (V) are often used as independent colors without being used with other ink colors, and in that case, for example, the entire color becomes the same color (W, V). Also, varnish (V) is a clear (transparent, varnish) ink, so it is a special ink color that is difficult to confirm even when the color is displayed on the display 8. Therefore, it is possible to make it easier to confirm where the dots are by corresponding them using an alternative color (e.g., black) table (not shown).

In each of the color tables 31 to 36, the RGB values when there is no dot are expressed as values of "255, 255, 255", for example. In the cyan (C) table 31, the RGB values of the S dot 21 are expressed as values of "170, 255, 255", the RGB values of the M dot 22 are expressed as values of "85, 255, 255", and the RGB values of the L dot 23 are expressed as values of "0, 255, 255".

Similarly, the RGB values of the S dots 21, M dots 22, and L dots 23 are expressed in the magenta (M) table 32 as "255,170,255", "255,85,255", and "255,0,255", respectively; in the yellow (Y) table 33 as "255,255,170", "255,255,85", and "255,255,0", respectively; and in the black (K) table 34 as "170,170,170", "85,85,85", and "0,0,0", respectively.

In addition, in the light cyan (Lc) table 35, they are expressed as values of "234, 255, 255", "213, 255, 255", and "191, 255, 255", respectively, and in the light magenta (Lm) table 36, they are expressed as values of "255, 234, 255", "255, 213, 255", and "255, 191, 255", respectively.

By referencing the conversion table 30 configured in this way, the display image data generating unit 4 generates monitor data that represents the display image, which is an appropriately converted version of the output image, in RGB values (8-bit RGB data). Note that the above-mentioned conversion table 30 is an example in which the color density of the RGB values as color information is changed to correspond to multi-size dots of each color, but it may also be one in which the luminance values of RGB are changed to correspond to multi-size dots of each color, as shown in FIG. 5.

Specifically, for example, among the color tables 31 to 36, in the cyan (C) table 31, the RGB values of the S dot 21 are set to "170, 255, 255" and the RGB brightness is set to "67%
It is also possible to express the RGB values of the M dots 22 as "85, 255, 255" with RGB brightness of "33%, 100%, 100%", and the RGB values of the L dots 23 as "0, 255, 255" with RGB brightness of "0%, 100%, 100%". On the display 8, such RGB values can be interpreted as RGB brightness signals to express colors.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing an example of an image processing procedure by the image processing device 1, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display image displayed on the display screen of the display 8. Note that the image processing in Figure 6 represents an example of display and printing processing in soft proofing by the image processing device 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image processing device 1 inputs print data from the print data input unit 7 (step S100). Next, the raster image conversion unit 2 of the image processing device 1 executes a rasterization process to convert the input print data into raster image data (step S101). Next, the print image data generation unit 3 performs various conversion processes and halftone processes as described above to generate print image data of multi-size dots corresponding to S dots 21, M dots 22, and L dots 23 (step S102).

Thereafter, an instruction is received from the user via the operation unit 6 (step S103), and if the received instruction indicates printing ("Print" in step S103), the image to be printed is printed out by the inkjet printer 9 (step S107), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the received instruction indicates display ("Display" in step S103), the display image data generating unit 4 generates display image data corresponding to an enlarged display and a reduced split display according to the multi-size dots of S dots 21, M dots 22, and L dots 23 based on the print image data from the print image data generating unit 3 (step S104). Note that the display image data generated in step S104 may, for example, be a plurality of split images obtained by splitting the display image into predetermined areas. In this way, it is possible to speed up image processing (for example, processing related to calculations and drawing) and reduce the processing burden.

Then, the display image is displayed on the display screen of the display 8 (step S105). Here, if the display image data constitutes a display image formed by a plurality of divided images as described above, the display image data may further be such that the display image corresponding to the multi-size dots is enlarged as described above, or the plurality of divided images is reduced (i.e., reduced divided display). For example, the display image displayed on the display 8 in step S105 above may be displayed as shown in FIG. 7. That is, a preview window 40 for displaying the display image is displayed on the display screen of the display 8.

The preview window 40 has a main display area 41 and a sub-display area 42. In the sub-display area 42, a navigation image 43 is displayed, which is a reduced version of the entire display image divided into a plurality of parts. When an arbitrary divided image is selected in a selection frame 44 from among the plurality of divided images displayed in the navigation image 43, for example, by a user's operation via the operation unit 6, a proof image (not shown) 45 in which the selected divided image is enlarged and displayed can be displayed in the main display area 41. The user further selects and specifies a necessary portion in a magnification frame 46, and operates a magnification menu 47 to change the magnification displayed in a magnification ratio display window 48, whereby an enlarged proof image 45 in which the specified portion is enlarged and displayed is displayed in the main display area 41 (step S106). The user confirms the enlarged proof image 45, and ends the series of processes.
Since the amount of image data becomes very large for images printed by a large inkjet printer, the image processing device 1 of this embodiment automatically calculates and determines the number of divisions suitable for the image, and displays the divisions in a reduced size according to the determined number of divisions, thereby making the target image data easier to handle and speeding up processing. For example, when an image with a print size of 1,615 mm x 1,142.2 mm is printed at a print resolution of 720 dpi x 720 dpi, the pixel size of the entire image is 16,838 x 11,906, so if the number of divisions is set to 108 (12 x 9), the pixel size per division will be 1,403 x 1,322.
In addition, by creating data for the entire screen regardless of whether or not divided data is displayed, the image of the selected portion can be smoothly enlarged and displayed, and by increasing the magnification ratio, the dots of the selected portion can be easily displayed.

In the enlarged proof image 45, the dot size on the display screen of the display 8 is constant, but as described above, the RGB brightness is changed for each color, i.e., as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the S dots 21 are relatively bright, the L dots 23 are relatively dark, and the M dots 22 are displayed at an intermediate brightness, thereby appropriately expressing the differences in dot size in the image to be printed. By visually checking the enlarged proof image 45 displayed in this way, the user can easily and simply check whether the intended color expression, etc. is actually being reproduced in the image to be printed, for example, in accordance with changes due to the dot size of the ink.

According to the image processing device 1 of this embodiment, the print image for multi-size dot printing can be accurately checked by soft proofing using such a display image, so that an accurate simulation can be realized over the details such as color expression and layout of the print image for multi-dot printing, which not only eliminates waste of printing resources and shortens work time, but also reduces the burden on the user.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the image processing procedure by the image processing device 1.
As shown in FIG. 9, the image processing device 1 inputs print data from the print data input unit 7 (step S200), and the raster image conversion unit 2 of the image processing device 1 executes a rasterization process to convert the input print data into raster image data (step S201).

Next, the print image data generating unit 3 of the image processing device 1 performs various conversion processes and halftone processes as described above to generate print image data of multi-size dots (step S202), and the display image data generating unit 4 of the image processing device 1 generates display image data based on the print image data from the print image data generating unit 3 (step S203).

Then, the display image data generating unit 4 outputs the display image data to the display 8 before the print image is output by the inkjet printer 9, and the display image is displayed on the display 8 as described above (step S204). The user can then easily and simply check whether the intended color expression, etc. is actually reproduced in the print image by visually checking the enlarged proof image 45, and if, for example, no image correction is required (NO in step S205), the user instructs the operation unit 6 to execute printing, which causes the inkjet printer 9 to print out the print image (step S207), and the series of processes ends.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the image needs to be corrected (YES in step S205), various correction operations (step S206) are performed via the operation unit 6, and then the process proceeds to step S202 to generate print image data reflecting the corrections (step S202), and furthermore, after regenerating display image data (step S203), the subsequent processes are repeated. It is also possible to accurately check and correct the print image for multi-size dot printing using such a soft proof.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This new embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Image processing device 2 Raster image conversion section 3 Print image data generation section 3a Color conversion section 3b Halftone processing section 4 Display image data generation section 5 Storage section 6 Operation section 6a Input section

Claims (5)

1. An image processing device that displays an image based on input image data on a display screen of a display device,
a first image generating section which receives the image data and generates print image data constituting a print image formed by multi-size dots;
a second image generating section that generates display image data constituting a display image formed by single-size dots by color-converting the print image data based on dot size and dot color information;
an output unit that outputs the display image data to the display device,
the first image generation unit generates the print image data by referring to an input profile of the image data and an output profile of a print output device;
When color information of each dot constituting the printing image data is a spot ink color, the second image generating unit converts the spot ink color into an alternative color that allows the position of the dot to be confirmed, and generates the display image data , and converts multi-sized dots of the spot ink color into single-sized dots of the alternative color by referring to an alternative color table that associates the spot ink color with the alternative color.
Image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the special ink color is at least one of a white ink and a clear ink. The image processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second image generating unit generates a navigation image in which the display image data constituting a plurality of split images obtained by dividing the display image into predetermined regions is displayed in a reduced size, and a proof image in which one of the plurality of split images is displayed in an enlarged size. 1. An image processing method for displaying an image based on input image data on a display screen of a display device, comprising:
a first image generating step of generating print image data constituting a print image formed by multi-sized dots by inputting the image data;
a second image generating step of generating display image data constituting a display image formed by single-size dots by color-converting the print image data based on dot size and dot color information;
and an output step of outputting the display image data to the display device,
the first image generating step generates the print image data by referring to an input profile of the image data and an output profile of a print output device;
In the second image generating step, when color information of each dot constituting the printing image data is a spot ink color, the spot ink color is converted into an alternative color that allows the position of the dot to be confirmed , to generate the display image data, and multi-sized dots of the spot ink color are converted into single-sized dots of the alternative color by referring to an alternative color table that associates the spot ink color with the alternative color.
Image processing methods. An image processing program for displaying an image based on input image data on a display screen of a display device,
On the computer,
a first image generating step of generating print image data by inputting the image data and constituting a print image formed by multi-sized dots;
a second image generating step of generating display image data constituting a display image formed by single-size dots by color-converting the print image data based on dot size and dot color information;
an output step of outputting the display image data to the display device;
the first image generating step generates the print image data by referring to an input profile of the image data and an output profile of a print output device;
In the second image generating step, when color information of each dot constituting the printing image data is a spot ink color, the spot ink color is converted into an alternative color that allows the position of the dot to be confirmed , to generate the display image data, and multi-sized dots of the spot ink color are converted into single-sized dots of the alternative color by referring to an alternative color table that associates the spot ink color with the alternative color.
Image processing program.

Images