Abstract: An image forming device and a controlling method thereof, in which the image forming device includes: a customer replaceable unit memory (CRUM) associated with a recording material storage medium to store a color conversion table group including a color conversion table that corresponds to status information of the image forming device, and a controller to determine current status information of the image forming device, to read a target color conversion table from among the color conversion table group according to the determined current status information, and to apply the target color conversion table to perform a printing operation on a document. Therefore, an optimum print quality can be guaranteed according to the determined current status of the image forming device.

Abstract: A method for correcting neutral color shift in a production cartridge for use in an imaging system includes determining a colorant increment data based on a standard cartridge neutral variation signature color data and a standard cartridge neutral sensitivity signature color data associated with a standard cartridge, and based on a production cartridge neutral variation signature color data and a production cartridge neutral sensitivity signature color data associated with the production cartridge, and using the colorant increment data to correct the neutral color shift.

Abstract: A method and system for optimal node placement of a color correction table first generate a high resolution color correction table. A low resolution color correction table is generated. Each node of the low resolution color correction table has a corresponding color correction value generated by interpolating the color correction values of the high resolution color correction table. A reconstructed color correction table is generated, and each of the nodes of the reconstructed color correction table has a corresponding color correction value generated by interpolating the color correction values of the low resolution color correction table using an interpolation method identical to an output device interpolation method. Differences between the color correction values of the reconstructed and the high resolution color correction table are quantified into a measure of error, and the node locations of the low resolution color correction table are adjusted, and the procedure is repeated.

Abstract: The values of each possible component output R, G, and B may be pre-computed for all values of each possible component input Y, U, and V. Each contribution of Y, U, and V input may then be loaded into a register and added in parallel, without overflow, resulting in a computationally inexpensive RGB output from a YUV input. In one embodiment, contributions of Y, U, and V to each of R, G, and B are retrieved from pre-computed tables. The YUV contributions for each value of R, G, and B are packed into three data elements and added together in parallel, resulting in a value for an RGB output.

Abstract: In an image processing for printing a monochrome image, color deviation can be suppressed to print a favorable monochrome image. Specifically, the printing of a monochrome image is performed by using black ink in all of a color reproduction region (color gamut) including a gray axis and regions other than the gray axis. This avoids the use of C, M, and Y for the expression of the monochrome image to suppress the color deviation due to slight imbalance among amounts of three colors of inks.

Abstract: Color reproduction ranges for images of subjects taken in the light of plural light sources each having plural color temperatures are previously stored. First, a predetermined chromatic characteristic of an input image is analyzed, thereby determining whether the image needs white balance correction or not. If the image is determined to need white balance correction, a color reproduction range close to the color distribution of the image is selected from among the color reproduction ranges previously stored, and white balance correction adapted for a color temperature associated with the color reproduction range is performed.

Abstract: A color data conversion apparatus and method. The color data conversion apparatus includes a K ratio calculator for outputting a K ratio that is calculated using entered color data; a K ratio adjuster for adjusting the calculated K ratio, which is output from the K ratio calculator, in reference to gamut boundary descriptors (GBDs) corresponding to a K ratio and outputting the adjusted K ratio as a final K ratio; and a CMY ratio calculator for calculating C, M, and Y ratios based on the final K ratio. When converting the entered color data to the CMYK data, the calculated K ratio can be adjusted to the K ratio printable by use of the K GBDs. Accordingly, the printing apparatus can substantially print according to the calculated K ratio and thus the degradation of the printing quality can be avoided.

Abstract: An inkjet printer performs printing by scanning a printing head having a plurality of ink nozzles, and has a monotone printing mode and a color printing mode. Under the condition of using the same print medium and the same printing resolution, the average pass count for the monotone printing mode is set to a larger value than the average pass count for the color printing mode.

Abstract: A method for producing a profile specifying the correspondence relationship of values in different color spaces, includes a step of acquiring a first correspondence relationship that is a correspondence relationship of a plurality of ink amounts and color values, a step of acquiring a plurality of grid points that are a plurality of grid points in a predetermined color space and for which a relative relationship between the adjacent grid points is defined, a step of acquiring a second correspondence relationship that is a correspondence relationship of the plurality of grid points and color values, a step of acquiring a third correspondence relationship that is a correspondence relationship of the plurality of grid points and ink amounts based on the first correspondence relationship and the second correspondence relationship, and a step of producing a profile specifying the third correspondence relationship.

Abstract: An image data generator generates first image data consisting of a plurality of color data and being an image information for each pixel. An image processor including a color converter applies image processing such as color conversion on the first image data. An image display unit displays an image using image data consisting of second color data. An image data output unit outputs the first image data to the outside. The image display unit performs image display using the image data having received image-processing such as color conversion, while the image data output unit and outputs to the outside the image data before receiving the image processing. It is possible to obtain an image processing device capable of realizing an “exact color reproduction” or a “preferred color reproduction” on an image display image display unit, and outputting, to the outside, image data in the form of a standard image data, without reflecting the characteristics of the image display unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing color manipulation using virtual gamuts. In one aspect of the invention, a method to perform color manipulation on a digital processing system includes: performing color manipulation using a virtual gamut of a device if a real gamut of the device is poor in quality. When the real gamut of the device is wide, color manipulations are performed using the real gamut of the device. In one example according to this aspect, whether or not the real gamut of the device is poor in quality is determined by comparing an area of the real gamut with a threshold gamut area in a chromaticity diagram. A virtual profile of the device specifies the virtual gamut of the device.

Abstract: A scan target is scanned to acquire scan data that includes tone values for each color component in a plurality of pixels; there are acquired scan profiles indicating association relationships between the aforementioned tone values and color values, which profiles specify a said association relationship for each of a plurality of scan locations in the aforementioned image scanning program code; and for scan data acquired by means of the aforementioned image scanning step, the aforementioned tone values are converted to color values with reference to the scan profile corresponding to each scan location.

Abstract: Gamut-mapping from a source device to a destination device is performed in a perceptually linear color space such as CIECAM02 by separating a source image into primary color components and processing each primary component separately by mapping a source primary hue leaf with a destination primary hue leaf. The mapped primary components are then summed and a resultant destination image is obtained. Alternatively, hue rotation is performed by determining a relative position of an input color between the nearest primary and the nearest secondary color in a source hue wheel. The determined relative position in the source hue wheel is used to find a corresponding location in a destination hue wheel so that the hue angle for obtaining the destination hue leaf can be determined. In both processes, the source and destination hue leafs are mapped using a cusp-to-cusp mapping with a shear mapping process being used to pull in the remaining colors.

Abstract: A picture transmission/reception system includes: an information supply apparatus that supplies, sequentially in time, combined information including picture information and counterpart-picture location information representative of a location of counterpart-picture information that is information about a picture related to the same subject-of-display but different in processability attribute from the picture information; and a picture receiver apparatus that has a receiving part that receives the combined information supplied by the information supply apparatus, a picture-display processor that displays, sequentially in time, picture information included in the combined information received at the receiving part, and a counterpart-picture-data acquirer that analyzes counterpart-picture location information corresponding to a picture selected by a user out of pictures displayed by the picture-display processor and accesses a location of the counterpart-picture in a data storage apparatus that stores the count

Abstract: There is provided an output apparatus capable of outputting an image of high quality even if unreproducible colors are converted into reproducible colors among colors included in an image. The output apparatus, which converts unreproducible colors into reproducible colors among colors included in an image to output the image, includes a color unreproducible region extracting unit operable to extract a color unreproducible region that is a region including a color capable of not being reproduced by the output apparatus among the colors included in the image, a first color converting unit operable to convert a color of the color unreproducible region into a color capable of being reproduced by the output apparatus, and a second color converting unit operable to convert colors of regions besides the color unreproducible region based on positional relationship in the image between the color unreproducible region and the regions besides the color unreproducible region.

Abstract: A print data creating device that creates print data for an inkjet printer. The inkjet printer is configured to print an image on a fabric in accordance with the print data. The print data creating device is provided with a color conversion table storage that stores color conversion tables corresponding to washing conditions representing conversions to be made when the fabric will be washed after the image is printed thereon, a washing condition designating system which is operated by a user to input a washing condition, a table selecting system that selects one of the color conversion tables stored in the color conversion table storage in accordance with the washing condition input through the washing condition designating system, and a print data creating system that creates the print data using the color conversion table selected by the table selecting system.

Abstract: The color processor is provided with: a conversion source color data acquiring part for acquiring conversion source color datasets in a first color space; a gamut storage for storing a gamut; a determining part for determining whether or not each of the conversion source color datasets exists in the gamut; a first color conversion processor for performing color conversion processing on each of conversion source color datasets A in the conversion source color datasets by use of a color conversion characteristic model, the conversion source color datasets A being determined to exist in the gamut; and a second color conversion processor for performing color conversion processing on each of conversion source color datasets B in the conversion source color datasets by use of color conversion correspondence, the conversion source color datasets B being determined not to exist in the gamut.

Abstract: Method for building color transforms for color imaging devices having concave color gamut regions, including forming a device model that relates device control signals for a color imaging device to corresponding device-independent color values in a device-independent color space; forming a device color gamut representing the set of colors in the device-independent color space that are producible by the color imaging device; and forming a convex color gamut by fitting a convex hull to the device color gamut. The method further includes forming an expanded device model that relates device control signals for the color imaging device to expanded device-independent color values in the device-independent color space, such that the expanded device-independent color values fill the convex color gamut; and building a color transform that relates input device-independent color values to corresponding device control signals for the color imaging device using the expanded device model.

Abstract: It is difficult to adjust a black plate while maintaining accurate color reproduction in a color printer that forms an image using C, M, Y, and K color agents. Upon generating a conversion condition used to convert a signal on a uniform color space into a CMYK signal which depends on a printer, the signal on the uniform color space according to a colorimetric value is temporarily converted into an RGB signal, and the RGB signal is then converted into a CMYK signal. After that, a black amount adjustment unit adjusts a K value using a black amount adjustment function based on a user's instruction.

Abstract: A method and a system for outputting an image having a specific color on an output device, the method including (a) analyzing the image; (b) creating a model for the output device, based on the analysis, wherein the model encompasses the specific color and is made in a particular space having a one-to-one relation to a device independent color space.

Abstract: Patches (standard images) are printed on a printing medium with a standard ink recording quantity with a printer (printing device) 20 filled with alternative ink different from corresponding inks. The printed patches are subjected to colorimetry in the Lab color space (predetermined color space) to acquire alternative colorimetry data. The acquired alternative colorimetry data is converted into predictive colorimetry data obtained when patches are printed on a printing medium with the standard ink recording quantity with the printer 20 filled with the corresponding inks and subjected to colorimetry in the Lab color space. ID (error information) that represents the result of correlation between the predictive colorimetry data obtained by the conversion and predetermined reference colorimetry data is acquired.

Abstract: A method for correcting colored fringe artifacts in a region of an image around saturated pixels captured by an electronic imager associated with a color filter array, includes providing a threshold map of the image based on thresholding one or more color channels with a common or separate threshold value for each color channel; providing a first edge map by dilating the threshold map as a function of the color fringe width, producing a first dilated threshold map and subtracting the threshold map from the first dilated threshold map; and color-desaturating image pixels that correspond to the first edge map.

Abstract: Various implementations of this invention provide a method of color transformation of image data that included: providing at least two units, each unit comprising a combination of a plurality of look-up tables and a M×N matrix; providing image data configured in a first color space; processing the image data using a first unit to generate an output; and processing the generated output using a second unit to generate a second output; wherein the plurality of look-up tables are used to transform an input color space to a device dependent color space, and the M×N matrix is used to perform one of at least converting color data defined in standard space to data defined in XYZ space and converting image data defined in XYZ space to image data defined in LAB space.

Abstract: Gamut maximizing black generation for printers. Generating device dependent data from device independent data uses both chromatic curves and achromatic curves, which are independently controllable and which each include a color space curve and a black curve. The achromatic and chromatic curves are generated using a set of input parameters. Once the curves are generated, the final color space values are generated using an interpolation between the achromatic curves and the chromatic curves.

Abstract: A color conversion section in an image processing apparatus converts input colors at positions of interest in input color document data to a limited number of colors, on the basis of page layout information that is updated on a page-by-page basis and delivered from a page layout analysis section, a color-assignment table that is updated on a page-by-page basis and delivered from a color-assignment table generating section, and color category attribute information relating to the positions of interest in the input color document data, which is delivered from a color categorizing section.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an image includes applying an auto-level transformation to an original image to form a first image, applying an auto-contrast transformation to the original image to form a second image, and applying an auto-brightness transformation to the original image to form a third image. The method further includes applying a color cast correction to the first, the second, and the third images to generate a first group of images, applying a gamma correction to the first group of images to generate a second group of images, applying a sharpening correction to the second group of images to generate a third group of images, and presenting the third group of images to a user to select a final result.

Abstract: An update performing unit repeatedly performs an updating process by controlling a second reference point setting unit to set a plurality of second reference points that are uniformly distributed in a subspace in the second color space; a calculation unit to calculate color differences between a set of fifth color data for each second reference point in the subspace and a single first reference point; a first judging unit to judge whether or not the smallest color difference among all the color differences with respect to each of the second reference points in the subspace is smaller than a color difference registered at the single first reference point; and a updating unit to update, if the first judging unit judges that the smallest color difference is smaller than the color difference, a set of fourth color data, that is already registered at the single first reference point, to a set of fourth color data for the each second reference point in the subspace.

Abstract: A system and method for managing memory for color transforms. Color input data representing a colorized electronic document is first received by a color management module and analyzed. The color transformations required to complete processing of the color document is then determined. A plurality of lookup tables are then generated in system memory in accordance with the determined color transformations specified by the analysis of the color input data. A counter, corresponding to a lookup table for each request for a related color transform is then selectively incremented and decremented, based upon the output and determinations of the color management module. The color management module then selectively clears a lookup tables in the associated system memory when a corresponding counter value has been decremented to a selected level.

Abstract: An image processor has a storing unit and a searching unit. The storing unit stores one or more process colors and/or one or more spot colors that is/are different from the one or more process colors according to a predetermined key word. The searching unit extracts the one or more process colors and/or the one or more spot colors stored in the storing unit according to an entered key word.

Abstract: A method of performing color conversion to convert a set of input color values to color values in an output color space includes representing an output color in the output color space as a geometric lattice having a plurality of lattice points, each of the plurality of lattice points having an address defined by a particular set of input color values; using a set of input color values with respect to the geometric lattice to determine a set of lattice points that neighbor a point corresponding to the set of input color values to be interpolated; choosing a random number; and utilizing the random number to select a first lattice point of the set of lattice points to provide as a pseudo-interpolated result of the color conversion.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus, image data obtained by an image pickup unit is subjected to predetermined image processing, and an image is displayed on an electronic viewfinder screen based on the image data that has undergone the image processing. A specified color is determined based on color information included in a predetermined region of an image that is currently being displayed on the electronic viewfinder screen, and image processing parameters are produced so that color conversion is carried out on the image while eliminating color components of colors other than the determined specified color.

Abstract: An ICC profile includes brief gloss information indicating glossy/matte attribute as attribute information, however, gloss matching cannot be performed with the 2 options. In a case where embedding of glossiness information into the ICC profile is designated, glossiness information is obtained from a color chart placed on an original plate of a color copier, and the obtained glossiness information is described in a private tag of the ICC profile.

Abstract: Error diffusion is performed upon input image data. In one aspect, multiple error diffusion processing elements perform error diffusion on a selected pixel in parallel. In another aspect, the error diffusion logic is integrally formed with a fast local memory in the same electronic device, such as an ASIC. The error data produced by the error diffusion logic for a pixel is buffered in the fast local memory until it is to be used by the error diffusion logic on other pixels. In still another aspect, a first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer regulates or buffers the color image data between the output of a color conversion system, such as a colorant lookup table, and the input an error diffusion processing element. In yet another aspect, the error diffusion logic has tagging logic that produces and stores an indicator, either in the output data stream itself or in a separate area, to indicate whether a raster contains printable data.

Abstract: A method for printing with a custom colorant material stored in a container having a memory storage element is disclosed. The memory storage element includes information related to the custom colorant material. In the method, the information is received from the memory storage element. A custom color table is implemented, and the custom color table is employed during printing of the custom colorant material.

Abstract: The conversion of Mobile Display information used in a wide variety of Mobile Devices into Unified Image Formats is disclosed to enable viewing on a desktop computer system in addition to manual and automated testing of Mobile Content. In order to support the variety of Mobile Displays available, and to process the Mobile Display information in real-time, a configurable emulation system may be employed to model the Image Commands being used for each type of available Mobile Display. This emulation system can then provide a representative view of the image as it would be displayed on the Mobile Display, but in a format that can be utilized by other manual or automated systems.

Abstract: A profile is created for making correspondence between a lattice point in an ink color space composed of ink colors and a lattice point in a device-independent color space by: defining a virtual force acting on a focused lattice point in a device-independent color space and obtaining the focused lattice position in a stable state reached when the virtual force acts on the focused lattice point; and working based on a transform model for transforming a lattice point in the ink color space into a lattice point in the device-independent color space to obtain a lattice point in an ink color space corresponding to a focused lattice position in the stable state and creating the profile by making correspondence between both.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of processing plural jobs at a high rate. The image processing apparatus is comprised of first and second buffer memory devices, which are independent of each other and configured to be simultaneously accessible; a compression-extension device, which is exclusively connected to each of the buffer memory devices; a control section to assign a buffer memory device to input image data raster by raster (one page of the image data) when executing input processing of the image data, which is input from a scanner or executes output processing of the image data to a printer section, so that the control section regulates and changes the image data flow raster by raster.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a white balance processing apparatus including: white balance processing means for effecting white balance processing on a taken image based on a set white balance value; storage means for storing white balance values employed in the white balance processing of past taken images; and employed value setting means for setting a white balance value employed in the past, stored in the storage means as the white balance value for the taken image.

Abstract: A facial image photographed by a digital camera is downloaded to a PC. When a facial image correction program starts, a correction window and a correction item selection window open on a monitor. When a user opens the facial image in the correction window, a pixel extraction circuit extracts pixels representing a skin area, an eye area, a teeth area, and a hair area from the facial image. Correction items to be performed are determined in the correction item selection window. A cursor position detection circuit detects the position of a cursor in the correction window. When the cursor is in one of the areas, a facial image correction circuit judges whether the correction item corresponding to the area is selected. If the corresponding correction item is selected, the facial image correction circuit subjects a pixel pointed by the cursor to predetermined correction processing.

Abstract: A multifunction device includes a look-up table generation portion for generating a look-up table in accordance with a profile of a print mechanism or an image read mechanism and a profile of an apparatus except for the multifunction device, a look-up table memory for storing the generated look-up table, and a color conversion portion for performing a process of color conversion for image data obtained by an input and output interface or the image read mechanism in accordance with the look-up table stored in the look-up table memory.

Abstract: An image processing method creates a lookup table having a plurality of grids. The image processing method includes the steps of selecting a grid having a small difference from a target grid from among grids whose output values are calculated; setting an output value of the selected grid as an initial value; optimizing an output value of the target grid by using the set initial value; and storing the optimized output value as an output value of the target grid.

Abstract: A color sensor monitors the output of a color producing process and produces a signal representative of a color produced by the color producing process. The signal can be used as feedback signal to control the process. Occasionally, the color sensor signal includes a component representing a transient error. A system model of the color producing process is used to predict reasonable sensor signals. A comparison of the sensor signal with the predicted sensor signals is used to determine if the sensor signal is reasonable. If the sensor signal is unreasonable, a substitute signal is used as the feedback signal to the control process. The substitute signal can be a predicted sensor signal or a signal based on historical system performance data.

Abstract: An image processing device has a storage unit, a read-out unit, a color information generating unit, a color information converting unit and a color replacing unit. The storage unit stores color information of spot colors. The read-out unit reads out the color information from the storage unit. The color information generating unit generates color information of an alternate color based on the color information of the spot color. The color information converting unit generates each of first and second color information, the first color information is generated by converting the color information of the color plate for which color replacement is instructed into the color information of the spot color, the second color information is generated by converting the color information of the color plate for which the color replacement is instructed into the color information of the alternate color. The color replacing unit generates new color information.

Abstract: A method of processing cyan, magenta, and yellow color values C1, M1, Y1 including transforming the C1, M1, Y1 color values to cyan, magenta, and yellow color values C, M, Y in such a manner that each of C, M, Y is not greater than a predetermined maximum value VMAX; obtaining blue, cyan and magenta output color values B, Cout, Mout by setting B=0, Cout=C, and Mout=M; if the sum C+M is greater than VMAX, obtaining blue, cyan and magenta output color values B, Cout, Mout such that B+Cout+Mout=VMAX; and half-toning B, Cout, Mout and Y using a first threshold array A1 for B, Cout and Mout, and a second threshold array A2 for Y.

Abstract: A bright luminance value, a dark luminance value, and an average luminance value relating to a face image portion included in an image represented by fed image data are calculated in calculating circuits. Further, a target bright luminance value and a target dark luminance value are calculated in a calculating circuit on the basis of a target average luminance value and a dynamic range that are inputted from an input device and the calculated bright luminance value, dark luminance value, and average luminance value. Interpolation processing based on a correspondence between the calculated bright luminance value, dark luminance value, and average luminance value relating to the face image portion and the target bright luminance value, the target dark luminance value, and the target average luminance value respectively corresponding thereto is performed in a corrected value calculating circuit, to create a look-up table.

Abstract: A color image communication device includes a transmission unit which carries out a facsimile transmission of image data of a sYCC-Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) color space, and a control unit which controls a facsimile transmission of the image data of the sYCC-JPEG color space without setting size information in a facsimile communication protocol when the image data to be transmitted by facsimile is the image data of the sYCC-JPEG color space.

Abstract: In a color converting device for converting input image data based on a plurality of first color components (the number of bits of each color component is k) into output image data based on plural of second color components by interpolation processing using a 3DLUT storing color correction values at grid points obtained by dividing a color space composed of the plurality of first color components, the distance of the grid points is 2n (where n is an integer smaller than k), the number Dn of grid points of the plurality of first color components is an integer satisfying 2m?1+1<Dn<2m+1+1 (where Dn?2m+1, and m=k?n), and input image data is converted into output image data by converting each color component data of the input image data according to the number of grid points, and performing interpolation processing by reading color correction values corresponding to the converted color components from the 3DLUT.

Abstract: There has been a room for improvement of calibration accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for printing by superposing a metallic ink and transparent inks. These methods and systems are useful for color separating images into superpositions of a metallic ink and transparent inks both for design purposes and for the creation and authentication of security documents, such as banknotes, checks, diploma, corporate documents, passports, identity cards, credit cards, product labels, optical disks, CDs, DVDs, packages of medical drugs, cosmetics, and alcoholic drink bottles. By combining a metallic ink and transparent inks, one may create printed images behaving dynamically: an image viewed under specular reflection may be considerably different from the same image viewed under non-specular reflection. Patterns which are either dark or hidden become highlighted under specular reflection, yielding interesting visual effects. Metallic inks allow therefore to create visually appealing dynamically changing color images.

Abstract: A method for transforming a first image defined by a first multi-dimensional color space (RGB) into second image defined by a second multi-dimensional color space (CMYK). The method computes the transformation using information derived from a previous transformation of said second image into said first image. The method then minimizes the error produced while transforming the second image back into the first image. As such, an image editing system can display on a video monitor an image that is defined in one multi-dimensional color space (RGB), print using a printer that prints images using a second multi-dimensional color space (CMYK) and edit an image using any multi-dimensional color space (either RGB or CMYK) that facilitates rapid and accurate image editing.