Image analyzer

Abstract

To provide a technique that allows a user to grasp used ink information and print image quality information based on the used ink information before printing in an image analyzer.SOLUTION: An image analyzer includes a usage ink information determination unit that determines the type of ink used for printing and the amount of ink for each type of ink used for printing as usage ink information according to a preset condition using image data, a print image quality information acquisition unit that acquires at least one piece of print image quality information regarding a predetermined image quality when the image data is printed using the determined usage ink information, and a display unit that displays at least one of the usage ink information and the print image quality information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image analysis apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an image analysis apparatus that represents granularity information indicating the granularity of a colorant according to the coordinate values of a color space in a color space image (for example, Patent Document 1). In this image analysis apparatus, by changing and displaying the granularity information in association with a change in the amount of colorant used, it is possible to adjust the amount of colorant used while checking the granularity before printing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technology, it is not possible to check the change in image quality with respect to a change in the type of colorant used before printing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image analysis apparatus. The image analysis apparatus includes: a used ink information determination unit that uses image data to determine, as used ink information, the type of ink used for printing and the amount of ink for each type of ink used for printing according to preset conditions; a print image quality information acquisition unit that acquires at least one print image quality information regarding a predetermined image quality when printing the image data using the determined used ink information; and a display unit that displays at least one of the used ink information and the print image quality information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the configuration of an image analysis device as a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A flowchart illustrating the image analysis process performed by the image analysis device of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] An explanatory diagram showing an example of image data. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram showing the conditions setting screen. [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram showing the results of the color reproduction assessment as print quality information. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram showing the calculation results for the number of inks. [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram showing the calculation results of ink volume for each type of ink. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between the number of inks and image data. [Figure 9] An explanatory diagram showing the table after the first condition change by the user. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram showing the results of the color reproduction evaluation after the first condition change. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram showing the table after the user has made a second setting change. [Figure 12] An explanatory diagram showing the evaluation results of color reproduction after the second setting change. [Figure 13] An explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between ink volume and image data. [Figure 14] A block diagram showing the configuration of the image analysis device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] A flowchart illustrating the image analysis process performed by the image analysis device of the second embodiment. [Figure 16] An explanatory diagram showing how the priority order of print quality information is obtained by the priority item acquisition unit. [Figure 17] An explanatory diagram showing the results of the granularity determination. [Figure 18] An explanatory diagram showing the evaluation results of ink quantity for each ink type based on the conditions specified in the individual setting area and priority designation section. [Figure 19] Explanatory diagram showing the priority order of print image quality information after condition change. [Figure 20] Explanatory diagram showing the determination result of granularity after condition change. [Figure 21] Explanatory diagram showing the evaluation result of ink amount for each ink type after condition change. [Figure 22] Explanatory diagram showing the setting method of individual setting areas in other embodiments.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] A. First Embodiment: FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image analysis apparatus 100 as the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The image analysis apparatus 100 acquires and displays usage ink information indicating the ink types used for printing and the ink amount for each ink type, and print image quality information regarding the image quality when printing image data using the usage ink information. A virtual printed image when printing image data using the usage ink information is also referred to as a "scheduled printed image". For example, a user can check the usage ink information and the print image quality information before printing image data by using the image analysis apparatus 100. The user can refer to the evaluation result of the image analysis apparatus 100, perform printing if it is the desired content, and check the usage ink information and the print image quality information after making condition changes if it is not the desired content. In the present embodiment, the image analysis apparatus 100 acquires color reproducibility as the print image quality information. "Color reproducibility" means a determination result as to whether the color value of the image data is within the gamut of the printing apparatus and the color can be reproduced, or whether it is outside the gamut and the color cannot be reproduced. "Image data" means dot matrix data that defines the color of each pixel by tone-expressing each RGB color component. In the present embodiment, the pixel value of each pixel of the image data is 256 gradations for each color and is data adopting a color system according to the sRGB standard. However, the image data is not limited to RGB data, and various data such as JPEG image data adopting the YCbCr color system or data adopting the CMYK color system can be adopted.

[0009] The image analysis device 100 is a computer including a CPU 60, a storage device 70, and an input / output I / F 80. The CPU 60, the storage device 70, and the input / output I / F 80 are connected so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally via an internal bus. An operation input device 50 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display 40 for screen display, and a printer 200 are connected to the image analysis device 100 via the input / output I / F 80.

[0010] By executing a control program pre-stored in the storage device 70, the CPU 60 functions as a used ink information determination unit 62, a print image quality information acquisition unit 64, and a medium information acquisition unit 66. The used ink information determination unit 62 calculates, as used ink information, the ink types to be used for printing and the ink amount for each ink type according to preset conditions using the pixel values of the image data. The print image quality information acquisition unit 64 acquires print image quality information when printing the image data using the acquired used ink information. In the present embodiment, the print image quality information acquisition unit 64 acquires the color reproducibility of the planned print image. The medium information acquisition unit 66 acquires information on the print medium input by the user.

[0011] The storage device 70 includes ROM, RAM, and EEPROM. The storage device 70 stores various programs for realizing the functions provided in this embodiment, as well as a color prediction model 72 and profile data 74. The profile data 74 is a profile for converting RGB data into image color values. In this embodiment, the profile data 74 converts the sRGB color space to the L*a*b* color space. The color prediction model 72 obtains predicted values ​​of the spectral reflectance of a printed material when printing is performed using combinations of ink amounts of inks used in the printer 200. By using the color prediction model 72, when converting RGB data from image color values ​​to ink amount data, it is possible to convert it in a way that reproduces the spectral reflectance of the image indicated by the input image color values. The color prediction model 72 can be created, for example, by actually printing a color chart for multiple representative points in the ink amount space represented by the color system of ink colors, obtaining the spectral reflectance, and performing training on a neural network using the correspondence between the ink amount sets and spectral reflectance as training data.

[0012] The printer 200 is equipped with a mechanism that allows for the attachment and detachment of ink cartridges for each color, each containing multiple colors of ink. In addition to common ink colors such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), the printer 200 is equipped with cartridges for special color inks such as red (Rd), green (Gr), blue (Bl), violet (Vi), orange (Or), fluorescent yellow (FY), and fluorescent magenta (FM). Furthermore, ink colors such as light cyan (Lc) and light magenta (Lm) may also be included. The printer 200 is capable of ejecting ink from nozzles formed on the carriage while performing primary scanning of the carriage and secondary scanning using paper feed rollers. By combining each ink color, it forms a number of colors, thereby forming a color image on the printing medium. In this embodiment, the printer 200 is an inkjet printer, but various other printers, such as laser printers, can also be used.

[0013] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the image analysis process performed by the image analysis device 100 of the first embodiment. This flowchart is initiated, for example, when the image analysis device 100 receives an operation from the user to perform image analysis processing on image data. This flowchart may also be executed, for example, when instructing the printer 200 to print.

[0014] In step S10, the ink usage information determination unit 62 uses profile data 74 to calculate image color values ​​(L*a*b*) from sRGB data as image data. In step S20, the ink usage information determination unit 62 uses a color prediction model 72 to convert the image color values ​​into ink quantity data that reproduces the spectral reflectance of the image indicated by the input image color values. At this time, the ink usage information determination unit 62 converts to ink quantity data according to conditions set in advance by the user, such as the ink types permitted for use and the duty cycle limits for the ink types. "Duty cycle limit" means the upper limit of the total amount of ink that can be ejected per unit area of ​​the printing medium. By setting a duty cycle limit, it is possible to suppress or prevent problems such as ink bleeding caused by excessive ink ejection per unit area by the inkjet printer. In addition to a duty cycle limit for a single color, a duty cycle limit for the sum of multiple colors can be specified. For example, it is possible to set duty cycle limits for single colors from 0% to 100% of the ink volume, duty cycle limits for combinations of two inks from 0% to 200% of the ink volume, and total duty cycle limits for any other combination of colors from 0% to 100% of the ink type.

[0015] In step S30, the print quality information acquisition unit 64 acquires the color reproducibility of the planned print image. More specifically, the print quality information acquisition unit 64 calculates a gamut from the image color values ​​of the image data and determines whether the image color values ​​of the image data are within the gamut. If the image color values ​​are within the gamut, the print quality information acquisition unit 64 determines that the colors of the image data can be reproduced, and if the image color values ​​are not within the gamut, it determines that the colors of the image data cannot be reproduced. The print quality information acquisition unit 64 makes a determination on the color reproducibility for each pixel of the image data. In this embodiment, the print quality information acquisition unit 64 generates a determination result image that associates the determination result of color reproducibility with each pixel of the image data.

[0016] In step S40, the print quality information acquisition unit 64 outputs and displays the acquired ink usage information and the color reproduction judgment result image on the display 40. In step S50, the user refers to the display result on the display 40 and decides whether or not to print. The image analysis device 100, which has determined whether or not the ink usage information and color reproduction meet predetermined conditions, may send a print command signal to the printer 200. If printing is to be done (S50: YES), the user proceeds to step S60 by, for example, operating the print button displayed on the display 40, and the printer 200 prints the image data.

[0017] If printing is not performed (S50: NO), the process proceeds to step S52 to change the conditions. If the user is not satisfied with the results, for example, the ink usage information and color reproduction, they can proceed to step S52 by operating the condition change button displayed on the display 40. Once the condition change is complete, the process returns to step S20, and the ink usage information determination unit 62 acquires the ink usage information according to the changed conditions.

[0018] Figures 3 to 13 will be used to explain the details of the image analysis process performed by the image analysis device 100. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of image data PT1. The following explanation describes an example of acquiring ink usage information and print quality information using the image data PT1 shown in Figure 3.

[0019] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the condition setting screen. Figure 4 shows an example of conditions pre-set by the user. For example, the user can specify the ink type to be used for printing by checking the checkbox on the far left of Table TB1 using the operation input device 50, and set the duty cycle limit for each ink type by entering a numerical value in the duty cycle limit field on the far right. In the example in Figure 4, the user has permitted the use of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), red (Rd), green (Gr), blue (Bl), violet (Vi), and orange (Or), excluding fluorescent yellow (FY) and fluorescent magenta (FM). Note that the duty cycle limit is set lower only for black (K) from the perspective of granularity index.

[0020] As shown in the bottom row of Figure 4, in this embodiment, Table TB1 is further provided with a media information input section for inputting information about the printing medium. Figure 4 shows an example where "photographic paper" is selected as the printing medium, but it is not limited to printing paper; various paper media such as plain paper, as well as any type of media such as resin film and fabric can be specified. The media information entered into the media information input section is acquired by the media information acquisition unit 66 and used for acquiring ink usage information by the ink usage information determination unit 62, and for calculating print quality information by the print quality information acquisition unit 64.

[0021] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the color reproducibility determination result as print quality information. The determination result image PT2 shown in Figure 5 shows the color reproducibility determination result when the image data PT1 shown in Figure 3 is printed using the setting conditions shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the determination result image PT2 is a binary image generated by associating the color reproducibility determination result with each pixel of the image data PT1. In the example in Figure 5, the determination result image PT2 is generated with pixels corresponding to pixels that the print quality information acquisition unit 64 determined to be able to reproduce the color of the image data PT1 set to black, and pixels corresponding to pixels that the print quality information acquisition unit 64 determined to be unable to reproduce the color of the image data PT1 set to white. In the example in Figure 5, regions P1 to P3 containing pixels that were determined to be unable to reproduce the color are shown. The determination result image PT2 is displayed on the display 40, and the user can visually confirm the color reproducibility determination result via the display 40. By using a binary image associated with the image data PT1, the user can easily grasp the positional relationship between the position of the image data PT1 and the color reproducibility. To facilitate user comparison between image data PT1 and the judgment result image PT2, it is preferable that image data PT1 and the judgment result image PT2 be displayed side by side.

[0022] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the calculation results of the ink count. The ink count refers to the number of ink types used per pixel. The judgment results in Figure 6 are displayed on the display 40 along with print quality information such as color reproduction shown in Figure 5. The horizontal axis of Figure 6 shows the ink count, and the vertical axis shows the percentage of the total ink used for each ink count. From the judgment results in Figure 6, the user can understand whether the number of inks used for printing the image data PT1 is appropriate. In the example in Figure 6, it can be understood that there are pixels with an ink count of 1, and that there is no excessive use of ink types with an ink count of 6 or more. In the example in Figure 6, the ink type is displayed by a callout for each location with an ink count of 1. This allows the user to easily recognize that the corresponding ink type is orange. The colors of the graph may be matched to the colors of the corresponding ink types to display the breakdown of ink types included in the ink count in an identifiable manner.

[0023] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the calculation results of the amount of ink used for each ink type. The judgment results in Figure 7 are displayed on the display 40 along with print quality information such as color reproducibility shown in Figure 5. The horizontal axis of Figure 7 represents the ink type, and the vertical axis represents the ratio of each ink type to the total used when printing the image data PT1. For example, from the ink usage information shown in Figure 7, the user can understand that blue, purple, and orange spot inks are hardly used. In addition, from the judgment results in Figure 7, the user can understand, for example, the amount of each color ink used before printing, and can consider print quality information such as color reproducibility and printing costs before printing.

[0024] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between the number of inks and the image data PT1. The judgment result image PT3 shown in Figure 8 is an image that associates the number of inks shown in Figure 6 with each pixel of the image data PT1. The judgment result image PT3 can be described as a so-called ink count heatmap, which visualizes the number of inks for each position in the image data PT1. The region BR exemplified in Figure 8 is a region in the image data PT1 that uses a small number of inks and is actually shown in blue. The region RR is a region that uses a large number of inks and is actually shown in red. Other regions without a label show the number of inks in stages according to the number of inks, for example, using light blue, green, yellow, etc. By using a heatmap that associates the image data PT1 with the number of inks, users can judge the appropriateness of the type and number of inks to be used in relation to the characteristics of the image data PT1.

[0025] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing Table TB1 after the first condition change by the user. Figure 9 shows an example where the user changes the conditions to exclude ink types that are used in small quantities, such as orange, from the ink usage information shown in Figures 6 and 7, with the aim of reducing the types of ink used from the perspective of cost reduction. Following the user's condition change, the ink usage information determination unit 62 calculates the ink usage information according to the changed conditions, and the print quality information acquisition unit 64 evaluates the color reproducibility using the ink usage information calculated according to the changed conditions.

[0026] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the color reproducibility judgment results after the first condition change. As shown in Figure 10, the color reproducibility after the condition change includes areas P1 to P3, which contain areas where color reproducibility was deemed impossible, similar to Figure 5. By checking the judgment result image PT4 in Figure 10, the user can understand that, for example, even if the number of ink types used is reduced by changing the conditions, the same color reproducibility as before the condition change shown in Figure 5 can be obtained, and recognize that the impact on image quality from reducing the number of ink types is small.

[0027] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing Table TB1 after the user's second setting change. Figure 11 shows an example where the user changed the conditions to allow the use of fluorescent yellow, for example, with the aim of improving color reproducibility, based on the judgment result image PT4 shown in Figure 10. The user can understand that the ink type necessary to obtain good color reproducibility is, for example, fluorescent yellow, from the relationship between the regions P1 to P3, which contain many areas where color reproducibility is not possible, and the color of the image data PT1 contained in regions P1 to P3. Upon the user's change of conditions, the ink usage information determination unit 62 calculates the ink usage information according to the changed conditions, and the print quality information acquisition unit 64 evaluates the color reproducibility using the ink usage information calculated according to the changed conditions.

[0028] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the evaluation results of color reproducibility after the second setting change. As shown in Figure 12, in the color reproducibility evaluation results after the condition change, the regions P1 to P3, where color reproducibility was impossible, have disappeared. By checking the judgment result image PT5, the user can understand that, for example, by allowing the use of fluorescent yellow through a condition change, high color reproducibility can be obtained throughout the image data PT1.

[0029] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between ink volume and image data PT1. Image D1, shown on the right side of Figure 13, is an image that associates the ink volume shown in Figure 7 with each pixel of the image data PT1. Image D1 is a grayscale image; for example, areas with the highest ink volume are shown in black, and areas with the lowest ink volume are shown in white. The user selects, for example, the ink type for which they wish to check the ink volume from Table TB2 shown on the left side of Figure 13. The ink usage information determination unit 62 refers to the acquired ink usage information and generates image D1 that associates the ink volume of the specified ink type with each pixel of the image data PT1. By using image D1, the user can more easily consider the appropriateness of the ink usage information settings by understanding the appropriateness of the ink volume of the ink type, which affects image quality such as granularity and cost, in relation to the image data PT1.

[0030] As described above, the image analysis device 100 of this embodiment includes an ink usage information determination unit 62 that uses image data PT1 to determine the type of ink to be used for printing and the amount of ink for each ink type used as ink usage information according to preset conditions, a print quality information acquisition unit 64 that acquires print quality information when the image data PT1 is printed using the determined ink usage information, and a display 40 as a display unit that displays the ink usage information and print quality information. Therefore, the user can grasp the ink usage information and the print quality information based on said ink usage information before printing. By checking the ink usage information and print quality information before printing and changing the conditions, the user can obtain a print image suitable for their needs.

[0031] According to the image analysis device 100 of this embodiment, the print quality information acquisition unit 64 acquires color reproducibility as print quality information. By understanding the color reproducibility before printing and changing the conditions, the user can obtain a printed image with suitable color reproducibility.

[0032] The image analysis device 100 of this embodiment has a media information acquisition unit 66 for acquiring information about the medium used for printing. Therefore, the user can set appropriate conditions for each printing medium and obtain a printed image with optimal image quality for each printing medium.

[0033] B. Second Embodiment: Figure 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image analysis device 100b according to the second embodiment. The image analysis device 100b of the second embodiment differs from the image analysis device 100 of the first embodiment in that it further includes a priority item acquisition unit 68 and a region designation unit 69, and the print quality information acquisition unit 64 acquires gradation and granularity index as print quality information in addition to color reproducibility. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the image analysis device 100 of the first embodiment. The priority item acquisition unit 68 acquires the priority order of print quality information entered by the user. The region designation unit 69 acquires individual setting areas for individually setting conditions.

[0034] For evaluating gradation, an index can be used that assesses the degree of smoothness of the arrangement of grid points corresponding to the sample color within a predetermined color space. For example, the difference in color information between adjacent pixels of image data PT1 is calculated, and this difference is compared with a threshold to calculate the location and amount of gradation jumps in the image. Furthermore, the cumulative value of the obtained gradation jump amounts across the entire image is calculated as the gradation evaluation value. By smoothing the arrangement of grid points corresponding to the sample color within a predetermined color space, the occurrence of tone jumps can be suppressed, and printed materials with smoothly changing gradations can be obtained.

[0035] The granularity index is the degree of graininess or noise that a user perceives when viewing a printed material. For example, a granularity index that simulates the recording state of ink dots in a virtual patch and evaluates the spatial frequency of the simulation result can be used. In this embodiment, the print quality information acquisition unit 64 calculates the granularity index GI using the following equation (1). The smaller the granularity index GI, the less graininess the user perceives.

[0036]

number

[0037] In equation (1), aL is a brightness correction term with average density as the variable to correct the difference between density and the brightness perceived by humans, WS(u) is the Wiener spectrum of the image shown by the halftone data, VTF is the spatial frequency characteristics of vision, and u is the spatial frequency. Although equation (1) is shown in one dimension, the spatial frequency of a two-dimensional image may be calculated as a function of spatial frequencies u and v. However, the granularity index is not limited to the above equation (1), but any index that evaluates the granularity when the image is printed may be used, and other formulas may also be used.

[0038] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the image analysis process performed by the image analysis device 100b of the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the flow of the first embodiment in that it includes step S32 instead of step S30, but the other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. In step S32, the print quality information acquisition unit 64 acquires color reproducibility as print quality information, similar to step S30, and also acquires the granularity index GI and gradation.

[0039] Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram showing how the priority of print quality information is obtained by the priority item acquisition unit 68. Table TB3 shown in Figure 16 is an example of an image displayed on the display 40. The priority item acquisition unit 68 accepts the input result of Table TB3 entered by the user as a condition setting for the priority of print quality information. In this embodiment, the user sets a priority for which of the multiple print quality information items—color reproducibility, granularity, and gradation—should be prioritized when acquiring ink usage information. At the left end of Table TB3, there are checkboxes to determine whether or not to consider each print quality information. In the example in Figure 16, all checkboxes are checked in order to obtain ink usage information that considers the three print quality information items: color reproducibility, granularity, and gradation. At the right end of Table TB3, there are three priority levels (high, medium, and low) to determine the priority of the three print quality information items. In the example in Figure 16, the priority of color reproducibility is the highest, the priority of granularity is the lowest, and the priority of gradation is set between granularity and color reproducibility. By setting a high priority, for example, the ink information used will be selected that yields the best results based on the high-priority print quality information.

[0040] Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the granularity judgment results. The judgment result image PT6 shown in Figure 17 shows the granularity index GI judgment result when image data PT1 is printed using the ink usage information calculated according to the priority shown in Figure 16. The judgment result image PT6 associated with image data PT1 makes it easier for the user to recognize which locations in image data PT1 have a high granularity index GI. The user can visually confirm the granularity evaluation results through the judgment result image PT6. In the example in Figure 17, the judgment result image PT6 is a grayscale image, with the areas with the highest granularity index GI shown in white and the areas with the lowest granularity index GI shown in black. As shown in Figure 17, the regions P4 to P6 containing areas with a high granularity index GI can be identified from the judgment result image PT6. In the following explanation, an example is used in which the user prioritizes improving the granularity index GI of regions P4 to P6 using individually set regions.

[0041] Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the evaluation results of the ink quantity for each ink type based on the conditions specified by the individual setting area and priority designation section. The configuration of the graph shown in Figure 18 is the same as the configuration of the graph in Figure 7, so an explanation is omitted. From the judgment results in Figures 18 and 17, the user can determine before printing whether the ink usage information and print quality information match the desired content. In this embodiment, the user checks the evaluation results of granularity shown in Figure 17 and the ink usage information shown in Figure 18, and decides to prioritize improving granularity. The user sets the individual setting area by drawing circles around areas P4 to P6 using, for example, cursor operations on the screen with an input device 50 such as a mouse, while referring to the judgment result image PT6.

[0042] Figure 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the priority order of print quality information after the conditions have been changed. Figure 19 shows the result of the user changing the initial priority settings shown in Figure 16. As shown in Figure 19, the user has set the priority of granularity to the highest level and has set the color reproducibility not to be considered in the calculation of ink usage information. The ink usage information determination unit 62 acquires the ink usage information according to the conditions of the priority order acquired by the priority item acquisition unit 68 and the individual setting areas P4 to P6 acquired by the area specification unit 69.

[0043] Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the granularity judgment results after the conditions were changed. Figure 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the evaluation results of the ink amount for each ink type after the conditions were changed. The structure of the graph shown in Figure 21 is the same as the structure of the graph in Figure 7, so the explanation is omitted. According to the judgment result image PT7 shown in Figure 20, it can be confirmed that the areas with high granularity have disappeared as a result of the priority of the granularity index GI in the user-specified area P4 to P6 being increased. Also, as shown in Figure 21, it can be confirmed that the amount of black and the special color inks red and blue used has decreased, and in their place the amount of fluorescent yellow and fluorescent magenta ink has increased. For example, the user will start printing if the print quality information and the ink usage information in the judgment result image PT7 match the desired content.

[0044] According to the image analysis device 100b of this embodiment, the print quality information acquisition unit 64 acquires the granularity index GI as print quality information. Therefore, the user can obtain a printed image with a suitable granularity index GI by understanding the granularity index GI before printing and changing the conditions accordingly.

[0045] The image analysis device 100b of this embodiment includes a priority item acquisition unit 68 for specifying the priority order for which of multiple print quality information should be prioritized when acquiring ink usage information. The ink usage information determination unit 62 acquires the ink usage information according to the specified priority order. Therefore, by setting the priority order of multiple print quality information, a print image with the desired image quality can be obtained in a simple manner.

[0046] According to the image analysis device 100b of this embodiment, the priority item acquisition unit specifies the priority order for multiple print quality information items, namely color reproducibility, granularity index, and gradation. By using multiple print quality information items, which are important factors in determining the quality of a color image, the likelihood of the user obtaining a printed image with the desired color image quality can be increased.

[0047] The image analysis device 100b of this embodiment further includes a region designation unit 69 for designating individual setting regions in the image data PT1 for individually setting conditions. The ink usage information determination unit 62 acquires ink usage information in the individual setting region according to the individually set conditions. Therefore, the user can set conditions in more detail than when uniformly changing the conditions for the entire image data PT1, and can obtain more suitable image quality and ink usage information.

[0048] C. Other embodiments: (C1) In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which color reproducibility as print quality information was displayed using images associated with image data PT1, for example, using the judgment result images PT2, PT4, and PT5 shown in Figures 5, 10, and 12. In contrast, print quality information does not have to be displayed in association with image data PT1, and may be displayed only by numerical values, for example, the percentage of pixels in which color reproducibility is not possible out of all pixels.

[0049] (C2) In the second embodiment described above, the region designation unit was shown to designate a region by the user's cursor operation on the judgment result image PT6, for example, using a mouse. In contrast, the region designation unit is not limited to operations on the image by the user, but may also be set using, for example, numerical values ​​of print quality information or ink usage information.

[0050] Figure 22 is an explanatory diagram showing how to set individual setting areas in another embodiment. Table TB4 on the left side of Figure 22 shows a window for specifying a threshold for the granularity index GI as print quality information. In the example in Figure 22, the individual setting areas are specified using the evaluation result of the granularity index GI as print quality information. More specifically, pixels exhibiting a granularity index GI of a value greater than or equal to the specified threshold are set as individual setting areas.

[0051] Image D2 on the right side of Figure 22 shows the individually configured areas specified based on the input values ​​in Table TB4. In the example in Figure 22, the individually configured areas are shown in white, and areas outside of the individually configured areas are shown in black. Users can accurately specify areas with poor granularity index (GI) by numerically specifying those areas, compared to specifying areas by visual inspection via an image.

[0052] D. Other forms: This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

[0053] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an image analysis device is provided. This image analysis device includes: an ink usage information determination unit that uses image data to determine the type of ink to be used for printing and the amount of ink for each type of ink to be used for printing as ink usage information according to preset conditions; a print quality information acquisition unit that acquires at least one print quality information relating to a predetermined image quality when the image data is printed using the determined ink usage information; and a display unit that displays at least one of the ink usage information and the print quality information. According to this embodiment of the image analysis device, the user can grasp the ink usage information and the print quality information based on the ink usage information before printing.

[0054] (2) In the image analysis device of the above configuration, the print quality information acquisition unit may acquire color reproducibility as print quality information. With this configuration of the image analysis device, the user can understand the color reproducibility before printing.

[0055] (3) In the image analysis device of the above configuration, the print quality information acquisition unit may acquire the granularity index as print quality information. With this configuration of the image analysis device, the user can determine the granularity index before printing.

[0056] (4) The image analysis device of the above configuration may be provided with a priority item acquisition unit for acquiring a specified priority order for which of the multiple print quality information pieces of print quality information should be prioritized when acquiring the ink used information. The ink used information determination unit may acquire the ink used information according to the acquired priority order. With this configuration of the image analysis device, the user can obtain a printed image with the desired image quality in a simple manner by setting the priority order of multiple print quality information pieces.

[0057] (5) In the image analysis device of the above configuration, the priority item acquisition unit may specify the priority order for color reproducibility, granularity index, and gradation as a plurality of print quality information. With this configuration of the image analysis device, by using a plurality of print quality information that are important factors in determining the quality of a color image, the likelihood of the user obtaining a printed image with the desired color image quality can be increased.

[0058] (6) In the image analysis device of the above form, the device may further include a region designation unit for designating individual setting regions in the image data for individually setting the conditions. The ink usage information determination unit may acquire the ink usage information in the individual setting region according to the individually set conditions. With this form of image analysis device, the user can set conditions in more detail than when the conditions are uniformly changed for the entire image data, and can obtain more suitable image quality and ink usage information.

[0059] (7) The image analysis device of the above form may further include a media information acquisition unit for acquiring information about the medium used for printing. With this form of image analysis device, the user can set appropriate conditions for each printing medium and obtain a printed image with suitable image quality for each printing medium.

[0060] This disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than image analysis devices. For example, it can be implemented in the form of a printing device, an image analysis method, a printing method, a control method for an image analysis device, a control method for a printing device, a user interface used in a printing device, a computer program for realizing the functions of these methods or devices, a recording medium on which the computer program is stored, a data signal containing the computer program and embodied in a carrier wave, and so on.

[0061] In each of the embodiments described above, some of the configurations implemented by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, some of the configurations implemented by software may be replaced with hardware. Furthermore, if some or all of the functions of this disclosure are implemented by software, that software (computer program) may be provided in the form of being stored on a computer-readable recording medium. In this disclosure, "computer-readable recording medium" is not limited to portable recording media such as flexible disks and CD-ROMs, but also includes various internal storage devices within a computer, such as RAM and ROM, and external storage devices fixed to a computer, such as hard disks. In other words, "computer-readable recording medium" has a broad meaning that includes any recording medium to which data can be fixed rather than temporary. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 40…Display, 50…Operation input device, 60…CPU, 62…Ink usage information determination unit, 64…Print quality information acquisition unit, 66…Media information acquisition unit, 68…Priority item acquisition unit, 69…Area specification unit, 70…Storage device, 72…Color prediction model, 74…Profile data, 80…Input / output I / F, 100, 100b…Image analysis device, 200…Printer, D1~D2…Image, PT1…Image data, PT2~PT7…Judgment result image, TB1~TB4…Table

Claims

1. An image analysis device, an ink use information determination unit that determines ink use information, including the type of ink to be used for printing and the amount of ink for each ink type to be used for printing, in accordance with preset conditions using image data; a print image quality information acquisition unit that acquires at least one piece of print image quality information relating to a predetermined image quality when the image data is printed using the determined ink use information; a display unit that displays at least one of the ink usage information and the print image quality information, Image analysis device.

2. 2. The image analysis device according to claim 1, the print image quality information acquisition unit acquires color reproducibility as the print image quality information; Image analysis device.

3. 2. The image analysis device according to claim 1, the print image quality information acquisition unit acquires a graininess index as the print image quality information; Image analysis device.

4. 2. The image analysis device according to claim 1, a priority item acquisition unit for acquiring a designated priority order as to which of the plurality of pieces of print image quality information should be given priority in acquiring the ink usage information, the ink use information determination unit acquires the ink use information in accordance with the acquired priority order; Image analysis device.

5. 5. The image analysis device according to claim 4, the priority item acquisition unit specifies the priorities for color reproducibility, graininess index, and gradation as the plurality of pieces of print image quality information; Image analysis device.

6. 2. The image analysis device according to claim 1, Further, an area designation unit is provided for designating an individual setting area in the image data for individually setting the conditions, the ink use information determination unit acquires the ink use information in accordance with conditions individually set in the individual setting area; Image analysis device.

7. 2. The image analysis device according to claim 1, Further, a medium information acquisition unit is provided to acquire information about a medium to be used for printing. Image analysis device.

Images