U.S. patent application number 11/438314 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for profile producing method and profile producing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kiyomi Tamagawa.
Application Number | 20060209327 11/438314 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18538069 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060209327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tamagawa; Kiyomi |
September 21, 2006 |
Profile producing method and profile producing apparatus
Abstract
There are disclosed a profile producing method and a profile
producing apparatus for producing a profile in a device for
mediating between image data including color data and a color
image, such as a color scanner and a color printer. In the process
of producing the profile, a smoothing processing is applied.
Inventors: |
Tamagawa; Kiyomi; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
|
Family ID: |
18538069 |
Appl. No.: |
11/438314 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09758434 |
Jan 12, 2001 |
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11438314 |
May 23, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/603 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/001.9 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/60 20060101
H04N001/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 13, 2000 |
JP |
2000-009996 |
Claims
1. A profile producing method of producing a profile representative
of an association between a first color data representative of
coordinates on a device-dependence color space dependent on a
device mediating between image data including color data and a
color image, and a second color data representative of coordinates
on a common color space independent of devices, said profile
producing method comprising: a color association definition
obtaining step of obtaining a color association definition defining
an association between the first color data representative of
coordinates on the device-dependence color space and the second
color data representative of coordinates on the common color space;
and a profile producing step of producing a profile defining an
association between the first color data representative of
coordinates on the device-dependence color space and smoothed
second color data representative of coordinates on the common color
space, in accordance with the color association definition obtained
in said color association definition obtaining step, via a
smoothing step of smoothing the second color data representative of
coordinates on the common color space to the first color data
representative of coordinates on the device-dependence color
space.
2. A profile producing method according to claim 1, wherein said
color association definition obtaining step comprises: a color
chart producing step of causing an output device to output a color
chart composed of a plurality of color patches associated with a
plurality of first color data; and a color chart colorimetry step
of measuring a plurality of color patches constituting the color
chart obtained in said color chart producing step to determine the
second color data for the color patches, wherein the color
association definition is obtained through said color chart
producing step and said color chart colorimetry step.
3. A profile producing method according to claim 1, wherein said
profile producing step comprises: a smoothing step of smoothing the
second color data to the first color data, using the first color
data and the second color data constituting the color association
definition obtained in said color association definition obtaining
step, to determine a new color association definition defining an
association between the first color data and smoothed second color
data; and a profile construction step of constructing a profile in
accordance with the new color association definition obtained in
said smoothing step, the profile consisting of pairs of the first
color data and the second color data mutually associated, wherein
the pairs of the first color data and the second color data are
more than the number of pairs of mutually associated first color
data and the smoothed second color data constituting the new color
association definition.
4. A profile producing method according to claim 1, wherein said
profile producing step comprises: a color association definition
reconstruction step of producing a new color association definition
in accordance with the color association definition obtained in
said color association definition obtaining step, said new color
association definition consisting of pairs of the first color data
and the second color data, wherein the pairs of the first color
data and the second color data are more than the number of pairs of
the mutually associated first color data and the second color data
constituting the color association definition, and are equal in
number to pairs of mutually associated first color data and the
second color data constituting the finally produced profile; and a
smoothing step of smoothing the second color data to the first
color data using the first color data and the second color data
constituting the color association definition obtained in said
color association definition obtaining step, whereby said profile
producing step produces a profile defining an association between
the first color data and smoothed second color data.
5. A profile producing method according to claim 1, wherein said
color association definition obtaining step is a step of obtaining
a color association definition consisting of pairs of the first
color data and the second color data, wherein pairs of the first
color data and the second color data are equal in number to pairs
of mutually associated first color data and the second color data
constituting the finally produced profile; and said profile
producing step is a step of producing a profile defining an
association between the first color data and smoothed second color
data via a smoothing step of smoothing the second color data to the
first color data, using the first color data and the second color
data constituting the color association definition obtained in said
color association definition obtaining step.
6. A profile producing method according to claim 1, wherein said
smoothing step is a step of performing a smoothing on a partial
area on a color space.
7. A profile producing method according to claim 6, wherein said
smoothing step is a step of performing a smoothing on a high
density area on a color space.
8. A profile producing apparatus for producing a profile
representative of an association between a first color data
representative of coordinates on a device-dependence color space
dependent on a device mediating between image data including color
data and a color image, and a second color data representative of
coordinates on a common color space independent of devices, said
profile producing apparatus comprising: a color association
definition obtaining section for obtaining a color association
definition defining an association between the first color data
representative of coordinates on the device-dependence color space
and the second color data representative of coordinates on the
common color space; and a profile producing section for producing a
profile defining an association between the first color data
representative of coordinates on the device-dependence color space
and smoothed second color data representative of coordinates on the
common color space, in accordance with the color association
definition obtained in said color association definition obtaining
section, said profile producing section including a smoothing
processing section for smoothing the second color data
representative of coordinates on the common color space to the
first color data representative of coordinates on the
device-dependence color space.
9. A profile producing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said
smoothing processing section receives the color association
definition obtained in said color association definition obtaining
section, and smoothes the second color data constituting the color
association definition to the first color data constituting the
color association definition to produce a new color association
definition defining an association between the first color data and
smoothed second color data, and said profile producing section
further comprises in addition to said smoothing processing section
a profile construction section for constructing a profile in
accordance with the new color association definition obtained in
said smoothing processing section, the profile consisting of pairs
of the first color data and the second color data mutually
associated, wherein the pairs of the first color data and the
second color data are more than the number of pairs of mutually
associated first color data and the smoothed second color data
constituting the new color association definition.
10. A profile producing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
said profile producing section comprises a color association
definition reconstruction section for producing a new color
association definition in accordance with the color association
definition obtained in said color association definition obtaining
section, said new color association definition consisting of pairs
of the first color data and the second color data, wherein the
pairs of the first color data and the second color data are more
than the number of pairs of the mutually associated first color
data and the second color data, constituting the color association
definition, and which are equal in number to pairs of mutually
associated first color data and the second color data constituting
the finally produced profile, and wherein said smoothing processing
section receives the new color association definition obtained in
said color association definition obtaining section, and smoothes
the second color data constituting the new color association
definition to the first color data constituting the new color
association definition obtained in said color association
definition obtaining section, thereby producing a profile defining
an association between the first color data and smoothed second
color data.
11. A profile producing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
said color association definition obtaining section obtains a color
association definition consisting of pairs of the first color data
and the second color data, wherein pairs of the first color data
and the second color data are equal in number to pairs of mutually
associated first color data and the second color data, constituting
the finally produced profile, and said profile producing section
produces a profile defining an association between the first color
data and smoothed second color data in such a manner that the color
association definition obtained in said color association
definition obtaining section is fed to said smoothing processing
section to smooth the second color data constituting the color
association definition to the first color data constituting the
color association definition obtained.
12. A profile producing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
said smoothing processing section performs a smoothing on a partial
area on a color space.
13. A profile producing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
said smoothing processing section performs a smoothing on a high
density area on a color space.
14. A profile producing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
said profile producing apparatus further comprises a handler for
designating an area to be subjected to the smoothing processing,
and said smoothing processing section performs a smoothing on an
area designated in accordance with an operation of said
handler.
15. A profile producing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
said profile producing apparatus further comprises an area display
section for displaying an area for which a smoothing processing is
necessary.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a profile producing method
and a profile producing apparatus for producing a profile
representative of the association between color data representative
of values of for example red (R), green (G) and blue (B), or color
data representative of dot % of cyan (C), magenta (Y) and black
(K), and colors on a color image associated with image data
including the color data, in a device for mediating between image
data including color data and a color image, such as a color
scanner and a color printer.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Hitherto, it is performed that image data is obtained
through reading a recorded original image by a color scanner and
the like, and an image is outputted by a color printer in
accordance with the image data thus obtained, so that an image,
which is very closely similar in a color to the original image, is
obtained, and an image, which is very closely similar in a color to
an image obtained by printing based on the image data obtained by
the color scanner, is outputted by a color printer. To perform a
color matching for providing matching of colors of two images,
there is used a profile defining the association between color data
representative of dot % of CMYK for example, of an output device
such as a color printer, and colors outputted in accordance with
the color data, so that an image represented by a desired color can
be obtained by a conversion of the image data using the profile.
Here, the conversion as to colors is noticed. Hereinafter, such a
conversion is referred to as a color conversion.
[0005] To make up such a profile, a color chart, consisting of sets
of color patches associated with a plurality of sorts of color data
wherein with respect to four colors of CMYK for example, dot % is
sequentially varied as 0%, 40%, 70%, 100%, is outputted by an
output device such as a color printer, and the color patches of the
color chart thus outputted are measured by a colorimeter to obtain
XYZ values defined by XYZ color system or L*a*b* values defined by
CIELAB, so that color data of CMYK are associated with the XYZ
values (or the L*a*b* values). Hereinafter, it is defined that the
XYZ are values defined by the XYZ color system, and the L*a*b* are
values defined by the CIELAB.
[0006] Basically, the profile is produced in the manner as
mentioned above. However, the number of color, patches constituting
the color chart is not so large number that the number of color
patches corresponds to that of the profile on a basis of
one-to-one. Accordingly, it is performed to increase the number of
pairs of the association between CMYK data and XYZ data (or L*a*b*
data) by the interpolation operation and the like in accordance
with a color association definition (here, the finally completed
one is referred to as a "profile", and the non-completed one is
referred to as a "color association definition") defining the
association between CMYK data and XYZ data (or L*a*b* data), which
are obtained by a colorimetry of the color chart in the manner as
mentioned above, and finally a desired profile is produced.
[0007] In the event that it is intended to obtain an output image
by a color printer in accordance with image data obtained by a
color scanner, color data included in the image data is modified
using the profile produced in the manner as mentioned above, but
not using the image data obtained by the color scanner, so that a
desired color of image is outputted in accordance with the modified
color data.
[0008] By the way, according to the above-mentioned method of
producing a profile, it happens that the produced profile may
include noises destroying monotonicity of variations of XYZ data or
L*a*b* data to variations of color data of any of C, M, Y, K owing
to measurement errors by a colorimeter, and characteristics of a
device of an object of the profile to be produced, for example,
characteristics of a color printer outputting of the color chart
(for example, in some characteristics of the color printer, even if
a color patch based on the same color data is concerned, it happens
that colors of color patches are mutually different between a case
where the color patch is recorded on the center of a paper and a
case where the color patch is recorded on the edge of the paper).
In the event that the produced profile includes such a noise, when
the color conversion is performed using the profile, a jump in
color density and a fluctuation in a hue direction will occur on a
portion of gradation wherein density of a color is continuously
varied, in a color image outputted based on image data after the
color conversion, and thus there is a possibility that it is
difficult to output a color image having an image quality which is
high in color. Further, in the event that an inversion profile,
wherein CMYK data is determined from XYZ data (or L*a*b* data) in
accordance with the produced profile, is determined by a
computation, there is a possibility that noises included in the
profile become a main cause of errors of the computation, so that
it is difficult to exactly determine the inversion profile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a profile with great accuracy in which the
noises as mentioned above are removed.
[0010] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention
provides a profile producing method of producing a profile
representative of an association between a first color data
representative of coordinates on a device-dependence color space
dependent on a device mediating between image data including color
data and a color image, and a second color data representative of
coordinates on a common color space independent of devices, said
profile producing method comprising:
[0011] a color association definition obtaining step of obtaining a
color association definition defining an association between the
first color data representative of coordinates on the
device-dependence color space and the second color data
representative of coordinates on the common color space; and
[0012] a profile producing step of producing a profile defining an
association between the first color data representative of
coordinates on the device-dependence color space and smoothed
second color data representative of coordinates on the common color
space, in accordance with the color association definition obtained
in said color association definition obtaining step, via a
smoothing step of smoothing the second color data representative of
coordinates on the common color space to the first color data
representative of coordinates on the device-dependence color
space.
[0013] Here, the device-dependence color space implies for example
a color space defined by CMYK four colors in a case where the
device is an output device outputting an image in accordance with
color data of CMYK four colors, or a color space defined by RGB
three colors in a case where the device is an input device
obtaining color data of RGB three colors from the device. On the
other hand, the common color space independent of devices implies a
color space defined by for example XYZ independent of a specified
device, or a color space defined by L*a*b*.
[0014] The profile producing method of the present invention
comprises the color association definition obtaining step and the
profile producing step. The profile producing step has the
smoothing step. The profile producing step produces a profile
defining an association between the first color data representative
of coordinates on the device-dependence color space and smoothed
second color data representative of coordinates on the common color
space, in accordance with the color association definition obtained
in said color association definition obtaining step, via the
smoothing step. This feature makes it possible to produce a profile
with great accuracy suppressing noises.
[0015] In the profile producing method according to the present
invention as mentioned above, it is acceptable that said color
association definition obtaining step comprises:
[0016] a color chart producing step of causing an output device to
output a color chart composed of a plurality of color patches
associated with a plurality of first color data; and
[0017] a color chart colorimetry step of measuring a plurality of
color patches constituting the color chart obtained in said color
chart producing step to determine the second color data for the
color patches,
[0018] wherein the color association definition is obtained through
said color chart producing step and said color chart colorimetry
step.
[0019] Further, in the profile producing method according to the
present invention as mentioned above, it is acceptable that said
profile producing step comprises:
[0020] a smoothing step of smoothing the second color data to the
first color data using the first color data and the second color
data constituting the color association definition obtained in said
color association definition obtaining step to determine a new
color association definition defining an association between the
first color data and smoothed second color data; and
[0021] a profile construction step of constructing a profile in
accordance with the new color association definition obtained in
said smoothing step, the profile consisting of pairs of the first
color data and the second color data mutually associated, which are
more than the number of pairs of the mutually associated first
color data and the smoothed second color data, constituting the new
color association definition.
[0022] Or alternatively, it is acceptable that said profile
producing step comprises:
[0023] a color association definition reconstruction step of
producing a new color association definition in accordance with the
color association definition obtained in said color association
definition obtaining step, said new color association definition
consisting of pairs of the first color data and the second color
data, which are more than the number of pairs of the mutually
associated first color data and the second color data, constituting
the color association definition, and which are equal in number to
pairs of the mutually associated first color data and the second
color data, constituting the finally produced profile; and
[0024] a smoothing step of smoothing the second color data to the
first color data using the first color data and the second color
data constituting the color association definition obtained in said
color association definition obtaining step,
[0025] whereby said profile producing step produces a profile
defining an association between the first color data and smoothed
second color data.
[0026] Inclusion of such a large number of color patches that it
meets an amount of data finally necessary as a profile into the
color chart makes it difficult to do works such as colorimetry and
the like. It is usual that an amount of data for a color
association definition produced through a colorimetry of the color
chart is extremely less as compared with an amount of data for the
profile. In this case, it is acceptable that as mentioned above,
the smoothing is performed at the stage of the color association
definition which is less in an amount of data, and thereafter an
amount of data is increased by the interpolation operation for
example, or alternatively an amount of data is increased from the
color association definition which is less in an amount of data to
an amount of data same as an amount of data for a profile finally
produced, and thereafter the smoothing is performed.
[0027] Further in the profile producing method according to the
present invention as mentioned above, it is acceptable that said
color association definition obtaining step is a step of obtaining
a color association definition consisting of pairs of the first
color data and the second color data, which are equal in number to
pairs of the mutually associated first color data and the second
color data, constituting the finally produced profile; and
[0028] said profile producing step is a step of producing a profile
defining an association between the first color data and smoothed
second color data via a smoothing step of smoothing the second
color data to the first color data using the first color data and
the second color data constituting the color association definition
obtained in said color association definition obtaining step.
[0029] It is acceptable that for example in the event that there
exists a profile already produced as to the device of interest, the
existing profile is obtained and is subjected to the smoothing and
thereby reducing noises destroying monotonicity.
[0030] In the above-mentioned profile producing method, it is
acceptable that said smoothing step is a step of performing a
smoothing on a partial area on a color space. In this case, it is
preferable that said smoothing step is a step of performing a
smoothing on a high density area on a color space.
[0031] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention
provides a profile producing apparatus for producing a profile
representative of an association between a first color data
representative of coordinates on a device-dependence color space
dependent on a device mediating between image data including color
data and a color image, and a second color data representative of
coordinates on a common color space independent of devices, said
profile producing apparatus comprising:
[0032] a color association definition obtaining section for
obtaining a color association definition defining an association
between the first color data representative of coordinates on the
device-dependence color space and the second color data
representative of coordinates on the common color space; and
[0033] a profile producing section for producing a profile defining
an association between the first color data representative of
coordinates on the device-dependence color space and smoothed
second color data representative of coordinates on the common color
space, in accordance with the color association definition obtained
in said color association definition obtaining section, said
profile producing section including a smoothing processing section
for smoothing the second color data representative of coordinates
on the common color space to the first color data representative of
coordinates on the device-dependence color space.
[0034] In the profile producing apparatus according to the present
invention as mentioned above, it is acceptable that said smoothing
processing section receives the color association definition
obtained in said color association definition obtaining section,
and smoothes the second color data constituting the color
association definition to the first color data constituting the
color association definition to produce a new color association
definition defining an association between the first color data and
smoothed second color data, and
[0035] said profile producing section further comprises in addition
to said smoothing processing section a profile construction section
for constructing a profile in accordance with the new color
association definition obtained in said smoothing processing
section, the profile consisting of pairs of the first color data
and the second color data mutually associated, which are more than
the number of pairs of the mutually associated first color data and
the smoothed second color data, constituting the new color
association definition.
[0036] Or alternatively it is acceptable that said profile
producing section comprises
[0037] a color association definition reconstruction section for
producing a new color association definition in accordance with the
color association definition obtained in said color association
definition obtaining section, said new color association definition
consisting of pairs of the first color data and the second color
data, which are more than the number of pairs of the mutually
associated first color data and the second color data, constituting
the color association definition, and which are equal in number to
pairs of the mutually associated first color data and the second
color data, constituting the finally produced profile, and
wherein
[0038] said smoothing processing section receives the new color
association definition obtained in said color association
definition obtaining section, and smoothes the second color data
constituting the new color association definition to the first
color data constituting the new color association definition
obtained in said color association definition obtaining section,
thereby producing a profile defining an association between the
first color data and smoothed second color data.
[0039] Further alternatively it is acceptable that said color
association definition obtaining section obtains a color
association definition consisting of pairs of the first color data
and the second color data, which are equal in number to pairs of
the mutually associated first color data and the second color data,
constituting the finally produced profile, and
[0040] said profile producing section produces a profile defining
an association between the first color data and smoothed second
color data in such a manner that the color association definition
obtained in said color association definition obtaining section is
fed to said smoothing processing section to smooth the second color
data constituting the color association definition to the first
color data constituting the color association definition
obtained.
[0041] In the profile producing apparatus as mentioned above, it is
acceptable that said smoothing processing section performs a
smoothing on a partial area on a color space. In this case, it is
preferable that said smoothing processing section performs a
smoothing on a high density area on a color space.
[0042] Further, in the profile producing apparatus according to the
present invention as mentioned above, it is acceptable that said
profile producing apparatus further comprises a handler for
designating an area to be subjected to the smoothing processing,
and said smoothing processing section performs a smoothing on an
area designated in accordance with an operation of said handler.
And it is also acceptable that said profile producing apparatus
further comprises an area display section for displaying an area
for which a smoothing processing is necessary.
[0043] An application of the smoothing processing through
communication with an operator makes it possible to perform a fine
processing excellent in operability and satisfied by the
operator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic constitution view of an image
input-color conversion-image output system.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a personal computer shown in
FIG. 1.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a hardware structural view of the personal
computer.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a conceptual view of an input profile.
[0048] FIG. 5 is a conceptual view of an output profile.
[0049] FIG. 6 is a conceptual view of a color conversion definition
consisting of an input profile and an output profile.
[0050] FIG. 7 is a flowchart useful for understanding a procedure
of a profile producing method according to the present
invention.
[0051] FIG. 8 is a view showing data of a color association
definition and a profile by way of example.
[0052] FIG. 9 is a flowchart useful for understanding an example of
a color association definition obtaining process of step a1 of FIG.
7.
[0053] FIG. 10 is a flowchart useful for understanding a first
example of a profile producing process of step b1 of FIG. 7.
[0054] FIG. 11 is a flowchart useful for understanding a second
example of a profile producing process of step b1 of FIG. 7.
[0055] FIG. 12 is a flowchart useful for understanding a third
example of a profile producing process of step b1 of FIG. 7.
[0056] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a profile producing
apparatus of the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a first example of
a profile producing section.
[0058] FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of a second example of
a profile producing section.
[0059] FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of a third example of
a profile producing section.
[0060] FIG. 17 is a view useful for understanding a first example
of a smoothing processing.
[0061] FIG. 18 is a view useful for understanding a second example
of a smoothing processing.
[0062] FIG. 19 is a view useful for understanding a third example
of a smoothing processing.
[0063] FIG. 20 is a view showing a CMY space where K=0.
[0064] FIG. 21 is a view showing a CMY space where K=0.
[0065] FIG. 22 is a view showing a first example of a display
screen displayed on an area display section of the profile
producing apparatus showing in FIG. 13.
[0066] FIG. 23 is a view showing a second example of a display
screen displayed on an area display section of the profile
producing apparatus showing in FIG. 13.
[0067] FIG. 24 is a view showing a third example of a display
screen displayed on an area display section of the profile
producing apparatus showing in FIG. 13.
[0068] FIG. 25 is a view showing a fourth example of a display
screen displayed on an area display section of the profile
producing apparatus showing in FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0069] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0070] FIG. 1 is a schematic constitution view of an image
input-color conversion-image output system.
[0071] A color scanner 10 reads an original image 11 and produces
image data of RGB three colors. The image data of the RGB three
colors is fed to a personal computer 20. The personal computer 20
converts the image data obtained by the color scanner 10 into image
data of CMYK four colors for an image output suitable for a color
printer 30 which will be described later. The image data for the
image output is fed to the color printer 30. The color printer 30
performs a print output in accordance with the entered image data
so that a print image 31 is formed.
[0072] The personal computer 20 serves as an embodiment of a
profile producing apparatus of the present embodiment, and produces
a profile beforehand. When the image data obtained by the color
scanner 10 is converted into the image data for the color printer
30, the profile thus produced is referred to. The profile and a
method of producing the profile will be described later.
[0073] In the system shown in FIG. 1, while the color scanner for
reading an original image to produce image data is shown as an
example of an input device for receiving an image to obtain image
data, any one is acceptable, as the input device, which is a system
in which for example, an image is recorded on a reversal film by a
digital still camera (DSC) and a photography using the reversal
film, and the recorded image is read by a color scanner to derive
image data, or alternatively one in which an image is received to
derive image data.
[0074] Further, in the system shown in FIG. 1, while the color
printer 30 is shown as an example of an output device for
outputting an image based on the image data, any one is acceptable,
as the output device, which is a color printer according to an
electrophotographic scheme, a color printer according to an ink jet
scheme, or a printer according to a system in which a printing
paper is exposed with a modulated laser beam and the exposed
printing paper is developed, and it doesn't matter as to the
printing scheme and the printing system. Further, as the output
device, it is not restricted to a printer, and any one is
acceptable which is a printing machine, or alternatively an image
display device such as a CRT display unit for displaying an image
on a display screen, and a plasma display unit.
[0075] Here, however, there will be described a system having the
color scanner 10 and the color printer 30 by way on examples of the
input device and the output device, respectively.
[0076] An aspect as an embodiment of the present invention in the
system shown in FIG. 1 resides in processing contents to be
executed inside the personal computer 20. Hereinafter, there will
be described the personal computer 20.
[0077] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the personal computer 20
shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a hardware structural view of the
personal computer 20.
[0078] The personal computer 20 comprises, on an external
appearance, a main frame unit 21, an image display unit 22 for
displaying an image on a display screen 22a in accordance with an
instruction from the main frame unit 21, a keyboard 23 for
inputting various sorts of information to the main frame unit 21 in
accordance with a key operation, and a mouse 24 for inputting an
instruction according to, for example, an icon and the like,
through designation of an optional position on the display screen
22a, the icon and the like being displayed on the position on the
display screen 22a. The main frame unit 21 has a floppy disk
mounting slot 21a for mounting a floppy disk, and a CD-ROM mounting
slot 21b for mounting a CD-ROM.
[0079] The main frame unit 21 comprises, as shown in FIG. 3, a CPU
211 for executing a various types of program, a main memory 212 in
which a program stored in a hard disk unit 213 is read out and
developed for execution by the CPU 211, the hard disk unit 213 for
saving various types of programs and data, an FD drive 214 for
accessing a floppy disk 100 mounted thereon, a CD-ROM drive 215 for
accessing a CD-ROM 110 mounted thereon, an input interface 216
connected to the color scanner 10 (cf. FIG. 1), to receive image
data from the color scanner 10, and an output interface 217
connected to the color printer 30 (cf. FIG. 1) to transmit image
data to the color printer 30. These various types of elements are
connected via a bus 25 to the image display unit 22, the keyboard
23 and the mouse 24.
[0080] The CD-ROM 110 stores therein a program for causing the
personal computer 20 to operate as a profile producing apparatus.
The CD-ROM 110 is mounted on the CD-ROM drive 215 so that the
program, which is stored in the CD-ROM 110, is up-loaded on the
personal computer 20 and is stored in the hard disk unit 213.
[0081] Next, there will be described a method of producing a
profile.
[0082] FIG. 4 is a conceptual view of an input profile.
[0083] When the input profile is available from a maker and the
like of the color scanner 10, it is unnecessary to newly produce
the input profile. Here, there will be described a fundamental
producing method of the input profile.
[0084] A color chart composed of a large number of color patches,
instead of the original image 11 shown in FIG. 1, is prepared, and
an image of the color chart is read by the color scanner 10 to
obtain a first color data for each color patch on an RGB space (an
example of the device-dependence color space referred to in the
present invention), while the original image is measured by a
colorimeter to obtain a second color data for each color patch,
representative of coordinate points on an XYZ space which is an
example of a common color space. A detailed explanation of the
common color space will be described later.
[0085] In this manner, there is obtained a color association
definition defining the association between a coordinate point on
the RGB color space and a coordinate point on the XYZ color space.
This color association definition depends on an input device,
varying in accordance with a sort of the color scanner 10, and
generally in accordance with a sort of the input device.
[0086] The color association definition thus obtained simply
defines the association between the RGB color data and the XYZ data
as to the coordinate points at extremely rough intervals on the RGB
color space, since there is a limit in the number of color patches
constituting the color chart. For this reason, after the color
association definition is obtained, the interpolation operation and
the like are applied to the color association definition to produce
an input profile defining the association as to the coordinate
points at desired fine intervals on the RGB color space. The input
profile thus produced depends on the input device, since the
associated color association definition depends on the input
device.
[0087] An application of a smoothing processing in the process of
producing the input profile in accordance with the color
association definition makes it possible to produce an input
profile with great accuracy in which noises are reduced. The
smoothing processing will be described later in conjunction with an
output profile which will be described hereinafter.
[0088] FIG. 5 is a conceptual view of an output profile.
[0089] The personal computer 20 shown in FIG. 1 generates color
data, as color data of CMYK four colors, in which values of C, M,
Y, K are sequentially varied, and prints and outputs the color
chart based on the color data thus generated. The printed image 31
shown in FIG. 1 is not representative of the color chart. It is
assumed, however, that the color chart is printed out instead of
the printed image 31, and the color patches constituting the color
chart are measured by a colorimeter. In this manner, there is
produced a color association definition representative of the
association between a coordinate value on the color space of CMYK
four colors (this also corresponds to an example of the
device-dependence color space referred to in the present invention)
and a coordinate value on the common color space (here XYZ color
space). This color association definition depends on an output
device, varying in accordance with a sort of the output device.
[0090] The color association definition thus obtained simply
defines the association between the CMYK color data and the XYZ
data as to the coordinate points at extremely rough intervals on
the CMYK color space, since there is a limit in the number of color
patches constituting the color chart, in a similar fashion to that
of producing the input profile. For this reason, after the color
association definition is obtained, the interpolation operation is
applied to the color association definition to produce an output
profile defining the association as to the coordinate points at
desired fine intervals on the CMYK color space. In the process of
producing the output profile in accordance with the color
association definition, a smoothing processing as well as the
interpolation operation are carried out, and thus it is possible to
produce an output profile with great accuracy in which noises
disturbing are removed.
[0091] FIG. 6 is a conceptual view of a color conversion definition
consisting of an input profile and an output profile.
[0092] The input profile and the output profile, which are
explained referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, are stored in
the personal computer 20 shown in FIG. 1. The image data of RGB
obtained by the color scanner 10 is converted, as shown in FIG. 6,
temporarily into image data on the XYZ space by the input profile,
and the image data on the XYZ space is converted into the image
data of CMYK by the output profile and then transferred to a color
printer. Thus, the color printer 30 can obtain the printed image 31
in which a color representation of the original image 11 is
reproduced.
[0093] Here, there will be described the common color space. With
respect to the common color space, while it is explained in the
above that the XYZ color space is an example of the common color
space, there is no need that the common color space is the XYZ
color space. Any one is acceptable, as the common color space,
which is defined in such a manner that it is independent of a
specified input device or a specified output device. For example,
it is acceptable that the common color space is L*a*b* color
spaces, or alternatively it is acceptable that the common color
space is a coordinate system clearly defined in such a manner that
coordinate points on the color spaces are associated with the color
spaces one by one. As an example of such a coordinate system, there
is a standard RGB signal defined as follows. [ R sRGB G sRGB B sRGB
] = [ 3.2410 - 1.5374 - 0.4986 - 0.9692 1.8760 0.0416 0.0556 -
0.2040 1.0570 ] .function. [ X Y Z ] ##EQU1##
[0094] Assuming that R.sub.8bit denotes one wherein R.sub.SRGB is
expressed by 8 bits, the following expression is given.
R.sub.8bit=255.times.12.92R.sub.SRGB(0<R.sub.SRGB<0.00304)
R.sub.8bit=255.times.1.055R.sub.SRGB.sup.(1.0/2.4)-0.055(0.00304.ltoreq.R-
.sub.SRGB.ltoreq.1)
[0095] Also as to G.sub.8bit and B.sub.8bit wherein G.sub.SRGB and
B.sub.SRGB are expressed by 8 bits, respectively, similarly,
G.sub.8bit and B.sub.8bit can be converted from G.sub.SRGB and
B.sub.SRGB, respectively.
[0096] Alternatively, it is acceptable that a color space defined
by cmy density of a reversal film is adopted as the common color
space. A definition of the common color space makes it possible to
clearly define a color representation area in the common color
space.
[0097] In the above, there has been explained a basic method of
producing the input profile and the output profile. Hereinafter,
there will be described various embodiments of a profile producing
method of the present invention, taking by way of example a method
of producing the output profile.
[0098] FIG. 7 is a flowchart useful for understanding a procedure
of a profile producing method according to the present
invention.
[0099] FIG. 7 shows a color association definition obtaining
process (step a1) and a profile producing process (step b1). The
profile producing process (step b1) contains a smoothing
process.
[0100] The color association definition obtaining process of the
step a1 is a process of obtaining a color association definition
defining the association between a first color data (here, color
data representative of dot % of CMYK; hereinafter, in some case it
happens that the first color data is referred to as CMYK data)
representative of coordinates on a device-dependence color space
(the RGB space dependent on the color scanner and the CMYK space
dependent on the color printer; here, the CMYK space dependent on
the color printer, since this is the explanation raising the color
printer by way of example), and a second color data (here, color
data representative of XYZ values; hereinafter, in some case it
happens that the second color data is referred to as XYZ data)
representative of coordinates on the common color space (here, the
XYZ space).
[0101] FIG. 8 is a view showing data of a color association
definition and a profile by way of example.
[0102] The color association definition defines, as shown in part
(A) of FIG. 8, the association between the CMYK data and the XYZ
data on coordinate points at rough intervals on the CMYK space,
wherein dot % on each of C, M, Y, K roughly varies as 0%, 40%, 70%
. . . . On the other hand, the profile defines, as shown in part
(B) of FIG. 8, the association between dot % data of CMYK and the
XYZ data on coordinate points at relatively fine intervals (10%
intervals) on the CMYK color space, wherein dot % on each of C, M,
Y, K roughly varies as 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% . . . .
[0103] In the color association definition obtaining process (step
a1) shown in FIG. 7, for example, there is obtained a color
association definition, which is relatively few in data quantity,
as shown in part (A) of FIG. 8.
[0104] In the profile producing process (step b1) shown in FIG. 7,
there is produced a profile, which is relatively much in data
quantity, as shown in part (B) of FIG. 8, in accordance with the
color association definition obtaining process of the step a1, via
a smoothing process of smoothing the second color data (XYZ data)
to the first color data (CMYK data). The profile thus produced is
subjected to the smoothing process, and defines the association
between the first data and the second data after smoothing, so that
a profile is produced with great accuracy in which noises
destroying monotonicity are suppressed. The smoothing processing
will be described later.
[0105] FIG. 9 is a flowchart useful for understanding an example of
a color association definition obtaining process of step a1 of FIG.
7.
[0106] The color association definition obtaining process comprises
a color chart producing process (step a11) and a color chart
colorimetry process (step a12). In the color chart producing
process (step a11), the personal computer 20 shown in FIG. 1
generates a plurality of sorts of color data of CMYK to be fed to
the color printer 30, so that the color printer 30 outputs a color
chart composed of sets of patches associated with color data. In
the color chart colorimetry process (step a12), the color patches
constituting the color chart outputted from the color printer 30
are measured by a colorimeter to obtain XYZ values of the color
patches.
[0107] Thus, it is possible to obtain the color association
definition as shown in part (A) of FIG. 8 through the color chart
producing process (step a11) and the color chart colorimetry
process (step a12).
[0108] FIG. 10 is a flowchart useful for understanding a first
example of the profile producing process of the step b1 of FIG.
7.
[0109] First, a smoothing process (step b11) is placed, and then a
profile construction process (step b12) is placed.
[0110] In the smoothing process of the step b11, the first color
data (CMYK data) constituting the color association definition as
shown in part (A) of FIG. 8, which is obtained in the color
association definition obtaining process of FIG. 9, and the second
color data (XYZ data) are used to smooth the second color data (XYZ
data) to the first color data (CMYK data), so that a new color
association definition defining the association between the first
color data and the smoothed second color data is determined.
[0111] Next, in the profile construction process of the step b12,
interpolation operations are used to construct a profile in
accordance with the new color association definition obtained in
the smoothing process of the step b11, the profile consisting of
pairs of the first color data and the second color data mutually
associated, which are more than the number of pairs (for example,
the part (A) of FIG. 8 shows exemplarily three pairs) of the
mutually associated first color data and the smoothed second color
data, constituting the new color association definition, that is,
the profile consisting of a large number of pairs for example, as
shown in the part (B) of FIG. 8.
[0112] FIG. 11 is a flowchart useful for understanding a second
example of the profile producing process of step b1 of FIG. 7.
[0113] First, a color association definition reconstruction process
(step b13) is placed, and then a smoothing process (step b14) is
placed.
[0114] In the color association definition reconstruction process
of the step b13, interpolation operations are used to construct a
new color association definition in accordance with the color
association definition, as shown in the part (A) of FIG. 8,
obtained in the color association definition obtaining process of
FIG. 9, the new color association definition consisting of pairs of
the first color data (CMYK data) and the second color data (XYZ
data), which are more than the number of pairs of the mutually
associated first color data (CMYK data) and the second color data
(XYZ data), constituting the color association definition, and
which are equal in number to pairs of the mutually associated first
color data (CMYK data) and the second color data (XYZ data),
constituting the finally produced profile.
[0115] Next, in the smoothing process of the step b14, the first
color data constituting the new color association definition, which
is obtained in the color association definition reconstruction
process of the step b13, and the second color data are used to
smooth the second color data to the first color data, so that a
profile defining the association between the first color data and
the smoothed second color data is produced.
[0116] Thus, in the profile processing process, it is acceptable
that the color association definition less in data amount as shown
in the part (A) of FIG. 8, which is obtained in the color
association definition obtaining process (the step a1 in FIG. 7),
is first subjected to the smoothing processing, and then an amount
of data is increased by the interpolation operation to produce the
profile. Or alternatively, it is acceptable that a new color
association definition, which is much in an amount of data, is
first produced by interpolation operations, from the color
association definition less in an amount of data as shown in the
part (A) of FIG. 8, and then the new color association definition
thus produced is subjected to the smoothing processing to produce
the profile.
[0117] FIG. 12 is a flowchart useful for understanding a third
example of the profile producing process of step b1 of FIG. 7.
[0118] In the profile producing process shown in FIG. 12, it is
supposed that in the color association definition obtaining process
of the step a1 of FIG. 7, the color association definition
consisting of pairs of the mutually associated first color data and
the second color data, which are equal in number to pairs of the
mutually associated first color data and the second color data,
constituting the finally produced profile, is obtained. Corresponds
to this for example, a case where an existing profile, which has
been produced in accordance with the conventional method, is
obtained as the color association definition.
[0119] In this case, it is sufficient for the profile producing
process to simply apply the smoothing process to the obtained color
association definition, as shown in FIG. 12.
[0120] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a profile producing
apparatus of the present invention.
[0121] A profile producing apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 13 is
implemented by a combination of a hardware of the personal computer
20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and a software to be executed by the
personal computer 20.
[0122] The profile producing apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 13
comprises a color association definition obtaining section 310, a
profile producing section 320 including a smoothing processing
section, an operating section 330, and an area display section
340.
[0123] The color association definition obtaining section 310
serves to input a color association definition to the profile
producing apparatus 300. When the color association definition is
received through a communication, the interface 216 shown in FIG. 3
corresponds to the color association definition obtaining section
310. When the color association definition produced in the manner
as mentioned referring to FIG. 9 is inputted by an operator through
the keyboard 23 shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard 23 corresponds to the
color association definition obtaining section 310. When the color
association definition thus produced is stored in the floppy disk
100 (cf. FIG. 3) and the color association definition stored in the
floppy disk 100 is inputted to the profile producing apparatus 300
(the personal computer 20), the FD drive 214 shown in FIG. 3
corresponds to the color association definition obtaining section
310.
[0124] The profile producing section 320 of the profile producing
apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to a combination of the
CPU 211 shown in FIG. 3 and the program including the smoothing
processing, for producing the profile, which is executed by the CPU
211.
[0125] With respect to the operating section 330, on a hardware
basis, the keyboard 23 and the mouse 24 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3
correspond to the operating section 330.
[0126] With respect to the area display section 340, on a hardware
basis, the image display unit 22 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 corresponds
to the area display section 340.
[0127] FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a first example of
a profile producing section. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram
of a second example of a profile producing section. FIG. 16 is a
functional block diagram of a third example of a profile producing
section.
[0128] The profile producing section shown in FIG. 14 comprises a
smoothing processing section 321 and a profile construction section
322. The smoothing processing section 321 performs a processing
corresponding to the smoothing process of the step b11 in the
profile producing process shown in FIG. 10. The profile
construction section 322 performs a processing corresponding to the
profile construction process of the step b12 in the profile
producing process shown in FIG. 10. Redundant description will be
omitted.
[0129] The profile producing section shown in FIG. 15 comprises a
color association definition reconstruction section 323 and a
smoothing processing section 324. In the color association
definition reconstruction section 323 and the smoothing processing
section 324, processings, which correspond to the color association
definition reconstruction process (step b13) and the smoothing
process (step b14), respectively, in the profile producing process
shown in FIG. 11, are performed. In a similar fashion to that of
FIG. 14, redundant description will be omitted.
[0130] The profile producing section shown in FIG. 16 comprises
only a smoothing processing section 325.
[0131] This is given, in a similar to that of the profile producing
process shown in FIG. 12, on the assumption that the color
association definition, which is the same data scale as the profile
finally produced in the color association definition obtaining
section 310, is obtained. Redundant description will be
omitted.
[0132] FIG. 17 is a view useful for understanding a first example
of a smoothing processing. The horizontal axis denotes dot % values
of any one of C, M, Y, K, and the vertical axis denotes
chromaticity values of any one of XYZ. Here, while only one is
typically shown, with respect to combinations of the dot % values
of CMYK and the chromaticity values of XYZ, the smoothing
processing, which will be described below, is applied thereto.
[0133] White circles denote data before the smoothing processing.
The data before the smoothing processing are approximated by a
polynomial of degree n (for example, degree seven), and as
illustrated with circles of hatching, the data are moved on a curve
of the polynomial of degree n.
[0134] With respect to the smoothing processing, in a similar
fashion to that of for example, the smoothing process in the step
b11 of FIG. 10 and the smoothing processing in the smoothing
processing section 321 of FIG. 14, but different in number of data
and in density, it is acceptable that the smoothing processing is
carried out before the amount of data is increased by interpolation
operations, or alternatively it is acceptable that the smoothing
processing is carried out after the amount of data is increased by
interpolation operations, as in the smoothing processing in the
smoothing process in the step b14 of FIG. 11 and the smoothing
processing section 324 of FIG. 15. This is also applicable to other
smoothing processing methods which will be described
hereinafter.
[0135] FIG. 18 is a view useful for understanding a second example
of the smoothing processing. Meaning of the horizontal axis, the
vertical axis, the white circles, and the circles of the hatching
are same as those of FIG. 17.
[0136] Here, there is shown a smoothing processing by a moving
average. That is, for example, data X2' and X3' after the smoothing
processing are subjected to moving averages as set forth below
using data X1, X2, X3, X4 before the smoothing processing.
X2'=(X1+X2+X3)/3 X3'=(X2+X3+X4)/3 And the smoothing processing is
carried out. Alternatively, it is acceptable that W1, W2 and W3 are
adopted as weight, and a weighted moving average is performed in
accordance with the following formulas.
X2'=(W1.times.X1+W2.times.X2+W3.times.X3)/(W1+W2+W3)
X3'=(W1.times.X2+W2.times.X3+W3.times.X4)/(W1+W2+W3)
[0137] FIG. 19 is a view useful for understanding a third example
of the smoothing processing.
[0138] Meaning of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis is the
same as those of FIGS. 17 and 18.
[0139] Here, points contrary to a monotonicity of a variation of
chromaticity values to a variation of dot % values are individually
moved to positions wherein the monotonicity is satisfied. It is
acceptable that the smoothing is performed in accordance with the
manner as mentioned above.
[0140] FIG. 20 is a view showing a CMY space where K=0. Hatching is
applied to a partial area of the whole area of a cube wherein dot %
values of C, M, Y are 0% to 100%. Here, it means that the smoothing
processing, which is explained referring to FIGS. 17 to 19, is
carried out with respect to only the partial area of hatching. In
this manner, the restriction of the smoothing processing to be
carried out to the partial area makes it possible to reduce a
computation time. Further, avoiding of a smoothing processing for
an area other than an area for which the smoothing processing is
needed makes it possible to avoid such a matter that an accuracy is
partially degraded owing to the unnecessary smoothing
processing.
[0141] FIG. 21 is a view showing a CMY space where K=0, similar to
FIG. 20. It means that the smoothing processing is carried out with
respect to only a partial area of the high density side of
hatching, of an area of a cube wherein dot % values of C, M, Y are
0% to 100%.
[0142] A noise is easy to be mixed into the high density area at
the time of colorimetry. Accordingly, an application of the
smoothing processing to only the high density area makes it
possible to expect not only a merit of a reduction of the
computation time explained referring to FIG. 20, but also an
effective suppression of a large noise on the area to which the
noise is easily mixed.
[0143] FIG. 22 is a view showing a first example of the display
screen displayed on the area display section 340 (on the hardware,
the image display unit 22) of the profile producing apparatus
showing in FIG. 13.
[0144] FIG. 22 shows a smoothing range designation screen. An
operator operates the keyboard 23 shown in FIG. 2 to enter the
respective ranges (% to %) for C, M, Y, K into the frames on the
screen. The profile producing section 320 performs the smoothing
processing for the designated partial area according to such an
entry.
[0145] FIG. 23 is a view showing a second example of a display
screen displayed on the area display section 340 of the profile
producing apparatus showing in FIG. 13.
[0146] FIG. 23 shows a*-b* plane, a*-L* plane and b*-L* plane in
L*a*b* space. An operator operates the mouse 24 shown in FIG. 2 (in
FIG. 23, the mouse cursor is shown with a circle) to graphically
designate a partial area in L*a*b* space. Thus, when the partial
area is designated, in a similar to that of the numerical value
designation in FIG. 22, the profile producing section 320 shown in
FIG. 13 performs the smoothing processing for the designated
partial area.
[0147] In this manner, it is acceptable that an operator designates
a partial area to be subjected to the smoothing processing through
a man-machine interface.
[0148] FIG. 24 is a view showing a third example of a display
screen displayed on the area display section 340 of the profile
producing apparatus showing in FIG. 13.
[0149] FIG. 24 shows a screen in which a range of the smoothing and
a system of the smoothing are selected. An operator operates the
mouse shown in FIG. 2 to select the range of the smoothing and the
system of the smoothing. The selection of the range of the
smoothing and the system of the smoothing by the operator make it
possible to freely select the smoothing processing taking into
consideration the computation time and the accuracy.
[0150] FIG. 25 is a view showing a fourth example of a display
screen displayed on the area display section 340 of the profile
producing apparatus showing in FIG. 13.
[0151] FIG. 25 shows, in a similar fashion to that of FIG. 23,
partial areas on a*-b* plane, a*-L* plane and b*-L* plane in L*a*b*
space.
[0152] The partial areas here indicated are not areas designated by
an operator, but are areas displayed in such a manner that a
profile producing apparatus automatically determines areas
necessary for the smoothing. As the base of the automatic
determination of the areas necessary for the smoothing, in the
profile producing apparatus, for example, it is acceptable that an
operator enters for example a name and a type of the color printer
30 (cf. FIG. 1) which is intended to be used for producing a
profile, and such information is used. It is possible some color
printer to have areas necessary for the smoothing according to its
"habit" beforehand in form of a table. When information such as
types of the printer which is intended to be used for producing a
profile is inputted, areas necessary for the smoothing are
displayed referring to the table.
[0153] Alternatively, by way of another example, it is acceptable
that as a color chart to be outputted by a color printer, there is
used a color chart in which a plurality of color patches based on
the same color data are disposed on a distribution basis, a
variation width of colorimetry values of the color patches produced
based on the same color data, constituting the color chart, is
checked, an area which is large in the variation width is detected,
and such an area is displayed as an area for which the smoothing is
necessary.
[0154] An arrangement wherein an area for which the smoothing is
necessary is automatically determined and displayed in the
apparatus side in the manner as mentioned above makes it possible
for an operator to easily grasp as to what area is to be subjected
to the smoothing.
[0155] It is acceptable that such an automatic display and the
mouse operation by an operator explained referring to FIG. 23 are
used together so that the operator can change an area automatically
displayed once. Incidentally, according to the above-mentioned
embodiments, there is explained the smoothing of a profile of the
color printer (the output device) by way of example. However, it is
acceptable that also in producing an input profile, the same
smoothing is carried out so that the input profile is produced with
great accuracy.
[0156] As mentioned above, according to the present invention, the
smoothing makes it possible to produce a profile with great
accuracy suppressing noises destroying monotonicity.
[0157] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to
be restricted by those embodiments but only by the appended claims.
It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or
modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and sprit
of the present invention.
* * * * *