Image processing apparatus and method for performing color converting process

• US 5,926,561 A
• Filed: 10/16/1996
• Issued: 07/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Utagawa, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRINICH, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US08/731,681
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 382/162, 382/164-167, 358/537
• US Class Current: 382/166
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/622 with simulation on a subsidiary picture reproducer

Abstract

An image processing apparatus for previewing an output result to be output by an image output device includes a first color designating device having a plane member on which an original is mountable, the device for inputting coordinate information relating to a color in the original, a second color designating device for designating a color on a preview image, a color converting device for performing a color conversion on the basis of the color designated by the first color designating device or the color designated by the second color designating device, and an operator input device for determining whether or not a preview image showing a processing result of color conversion based on the color designated by the first color designating device is unsuitable to an operator. If the preview image showing a processing result of the color conversion based on the color designated by the first color designating device is unsuitable to an operator, a color is designated by the second color designating device.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus for previewing an output result to be output by an image output means, comprising:

a digitizer for designating a color on the basis of an original image;

color designating means for designating a color on a preview image;

color converting means for performing a color conversion on the basis of the color designated by said digitizer or the color designated by said color designating means; and

operator input means for determining whether or not a preview image showing a processing result of color conversion based on the color designated by said digitizer is unsuitable to an operator,

wherein if the preview image showing a processing result of the color conversion based on the color designated by said digitizer is unsuitable to an operator, a color is designated by said color designating means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said digitizer and said color designating means designate a conversion color included in the original image.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said digitizer and said color designating means designate a post-conversion color.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said post-conversion color is selected from a plurality of colors which have previously been stored.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said digitizer and said color designating means designate the color on said original image or said preview image, thereby designating coordinates of said color.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, further having converting means for converting coordinates on said preview image designated by said color designating means into coordinates on said original image.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising

compressing means for performing a compression to said color converted image data;

and

storing means for storing the compressed data.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, further having display means for displaying a preview image on the basis of said stored image data.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said designating means has:

a digitizer for designating a conversion color on the basis of said original image; and

color designating means for designating a conversion color on said preview image.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, further having a scanner for reading said original image and forming image data.

11. An apparatus according to claim 8, further having image forming means for forming an image onto a recording medium on the basis of said stored image data.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8, further having:

reading means for independently reading out said plurality of different stored image data from said storing means; and

color processing means for independently color processing said plurality of image data.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said reading means independently reads out said plurality of different image data with each of a plurality of image forming units of an image forming means.

14. An image processing apparatus for previewing an output result to be output by an image output means, comprising:

first color designating means having a plane member on which an original is mountable, for inputting coordinate information relating to a color in the original;

second color designating means for designating a color on a preview image;

color converting means for performing a color conversion on the basis of the color designated by said first color designating means or the color designated by said second color designating means; and

operator input means for determining whether or not a preview image showing a processing result of color conversion based on the color designated by said first color designating means is unsuitable to an operator,

wherein if the preview image showing a processing result of the color conversion based on the color designated by said first color designating means is unsuitable to an operator, a color is designated by said second color designating means.