Image processing device, image processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image processing device, image processing method, and program that enable consistent color reproducibility across multiple output devices and can reduce processing costs up to display on an output device.SOLUTION: An image processing device comprises: an image input unit that receives the input of image data; an image reduction unit that reduces the image data to generate reduced image data; a first generation unit that generates first edge image data from the image data and second edge image data from the reduced image data; an image enlargement unit that enlarges the second edge image data to generate third edge image data; a calculation unit that calculates the matching degree between the first edge image data and the third edge image data; a determination unit that determines which of the image data or the reduced image data is used for preview display based on the matching degree; a matching processing unit that performs color matching processing on the reduced image data when the reduced image data is used; and a display control unit that performs the preview display on the basis of the reduced image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] When converting from the RGB color space on one device to the CMYK color space on another device, special processing is required. Here, the color space indicates the range of colors that can be expressed by specifying colors numerically. In addition, the fact that the color reproduction range differs for each device is known as a device-dependent color space. For example, in the case of a display, there is a color difference for each pixel that expresses RGB, and in the case of an image forming device, there is a color difference for each CMYK toner or ink. Therefore, in the case of different image forming devices, for example, color differences may occur in images printed at C=100[%]. On the other hand, a device-independent color space is a color space that examines human color recognition and determines a device-independent color standard. Examples of device-independent color spaces include the Lab color space and the XYZ color space. A color matching technology is known that converts from a device-dependent color space to a device-independent color space, for example, by associating the RGB color space on the display with the CMYK color space on the image forming device, and matching the color displayed on the display with the color of the printed matter.

[0003] As a color matching technology of this kind, a technology has been disclosed in which the gamut of a virtual device is defined which includes the gamuts of multiple output devices and has a gamut shape closer to that of an output device such as a printer than an input color space such as RGB, representative color data obtained by color compressing input color data is stored within that gamut, and color compression is performed from that representative color data to the gamut of the output device, thereby reproducing colors with the same impression even on different output devices (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Also, in an image processing device that processes digitized images, a technology has been disclosed that has a storage means that separates the image into a plurality of separate images according to partial characteristics and stores them, a reconstruction control means that selects the separate images to be synthesized from among the separate images stored in the storage means in accordance with predetermined conditions, and a synthesis means that synthesizes the separate images selected by the reconstruction control means (for example, Patent Document 2). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, although colors change on a desktop screen, when printing on paper, the color gamut is compressed so that printing is possible, resulting in printed colors that differ from the colors on the desktop screen, and so there is a problem that the colors of the printed matter cannot be displayed on the screen with good reproducibility. Also, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, a separation compression method that separates an image into photographs, text, etc. and selects the optimal compression method for each has a problem that the processing cost until display is high.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an image processing device, an image processing method, and a program that enable color reproduction with the same impression on multiple output devices, and reduce the processing costs up to display on the output device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an image processing device that displays a preview of an image on a display device when printing out, and is characterized in that it comprises an image input unit that inputs image data to be printed, an image reduction unit that reduces the image data to generate reduced image data, a first generation unit that generates first edge image data by edge detection on the image data and generates second edge image data by edge detection on the reduced image data, an image enlargement unit that enlarges the second edge image data to generate third edge image data, a calculation unit that calculates the degree of similarity between the first edge image data and the third edge image data, a determination unit that determines whether the image data or the reduced image data will be used for the preview display based on the degree of similarity, a matching processing unit that performs color matching processing on the reduced image data when the determination unit determines that the reduced image data will be used for the preview display, and a display control unit that displays a preview on the display device based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to the color matching processing. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve color reproduction with the same impression on a plurality of output devices, and to reduce the processing cost up to display on the output device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of functional blocks of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a comparison operation of edge images in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining color space conversion by a profile. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a preview display process in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a preview display process of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of an image processing device, an image processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the components in the following embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the scope of what is called equivalent. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the following embodiments.

[0011] [First embodiment] (Hardware configuration of image forming device) 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0012] 1 is a device (an example of an image processing device) that forms (prints) an image on a recording medium using color materials based on input image data. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming device 1 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

[0013] The controller 910 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, which is the main part of the computer, a MEM-P (system memory) 902, an NB (north bridge) 903, an SB (south bridge) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a MEM-C (local memory) 907, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 908, and an HD 909. Of these, the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0014] The CPU 901 is a calculation device that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0015] The MEM-P902 includes a ROM902a which is a memory for storing programs and data for implementing the various functions of the controller 910, and a RAM902b which is used for developing the programs and data and as a drawing memory during memory printing, etc. The programs stored in the RAM902b may be configured to be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), or a DVD.

[0016] The SB904 is a bridge for connecting the NB903 with a PCI device, a peripheral device, and the like. The ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing purposes having hardware elements for image processing, and plays the role of a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, the PCI bus 922, the HDD controller 908, and the MEM-C907. The ASIC906 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C907, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 via the PCI bus 922. A USB interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface may be connected to the ASIC906.

[0017] The MEM-C 907 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The HD 909 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HDD controller 908 is a controller that controls reading and writing of data from and to the HD 909 under the control of the CPU 901. The HDD controller 908 and the HD 909 may be SSDs (Solid State Drives).

[0018] The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P 902 at high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0019] The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth. The short-range communication circuit 920 is electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via a PCI bus 922. An antenna 920a for wireless communication is connected to the short-range communication circuit 920.

[0020] The engine control unit 930 includes a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. The scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 include image processing functions such as error diffusion and gamma conversion. The scanner unit 931 is a device that reads and processes an image. The printer unit 932 is a device that prints an image on a recording medium using color materials.

[0021] The operation panel 940 is equipped with a panel display unit 940a (display device) such as a touch panel that displays current setting values ​​or a selection screen, etc. and accepts input from the user, and hard keys 940b consisting of a numeric keypad that accepts setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that accepts a copy start instruction.

[0022] The image forming apparatus 1 can successively switch among the document box function, copy function, printer function, and fax function using the application switching key on the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the document box mode is selected, when the copy function is selected, the copy mode is selected, when the printer function is selected, the printer mode is selected, and when the fax function is selected, the fax mode is selected.

[0023] The network I / F 950 is an interface for data communication via a network, and is an interface capable of communication conforming to, for example, Ethernet, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol), etc. The network I / F 950 is electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCI bus 922.

[0024] It should be noted that the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and it is not necessary for the image forming apparatus 1 to include all of the components shown in FIG. 5, or the image forming apparatus 1 may include other components.

[0025] (Configuration and operation of functional blocks of image forming apparatus) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram explaining the comparison operation of edge images in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram explaining the conversion of color space by a profile. The configuration and operation of the functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 910 of the image forming device 1 has an image input unit 101, an image reduction unit 102, an edge image generation unit 103 (first generation unit), an image enlargement unit 104, a calculation unit 105, a judgment unit 106, a color matching processing unit 107 (matching processing unit), a preview image generation unit 108 (second generation unit), and a display control unit 109.

[0027] The image input unit 101 is a functional unit that inputs (receives) image data to be printed via the network I / F 950. An example of image data input by the image input unit 101 is shown in FIG.

[0028] The image reducing unit 102 is a functional unit that performs resolution conversion processing on the image data input by the image input unit 101 to generate reduced image data.

[0029] The edge image generating unit 103 is a functional unit that generates edge image data (first edge image data) by edge detection such as an edge filter for the image data input by the image input unit 101. The edge image generating unit 103 also generates reduced edge image data (second edge image data) that is edge image data by edge detection such as an edge filter for the reduced image data generated by the image reducing unit 102. Fig. 3(b) shows an example of reduced edge image data generated by the edge image generating unit 103 for the reduced image data reduced by the image reducing unit 102 from the image data shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0030] The image enlargement unit 104 is a functional unit that generates reduced and enlarged edge image data (third edge image data) enlarged to the same size as the above-mentioned edge image data (i.e., the same size as the image data) by performing a resolution conversion process on the reduced edge image data generated by the edge image generation unit 103. Fig. 3(c) shows an example of reduced and enlarged edge image data enlarged by the image enlargement unit 104 for the reduced edge image data shown in Fig. 3(b).

[0031] The calculation unit 105 is a functional unit that calculates a matching rate (degree of agreement) indicating the degree of agreement between the edge image data generated by the edge image generation unit 103 and the reduced and enlarged edge image data generated by the image enlargement unit 104. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the calculation unit 105 compares the edge image data generated by the edge image generation unit 103 for the image data shown in Fig. 3(a) with the reduced and enlarged edge image data shown in Fig. 3(c) to calculate the matching rate. In the reduced and enlarged edge image data shown in Fig. 3(c), the "NG" area indicates an area with a low matching rate, and the "OK" area indicates an area with a high matching rate.

[0032] The determination unit 106 is a functional unit that determines whether the image data or the reduced image data is to be used for the preview display by the display control unit 109. Specifically, the determination unit 106 determines whether the matching rate calculated by the calculation unit 105 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and if the matching rate is equal to or greater than the threshold, determines that the reduced image data is to be used for the preview display, and if the matching rate is less than the threshold, determines that the image data is to be used for the preview display.

[0033] The color matching processing unit 107 is a functional unit that performs color matching processing on the image data input by the image input unit 101 or the reduced image data reduced by the image reducing unit 102 according to an output device (here, the panel display unit 940a). Specifically, when the determination unit 106 determines that the matching rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the color matching processing unit 107 performs color matching processing on the reduced image data reduced by the image reducing unit 102 according to an output device. Also, when the determination unit 106 determines that the matching rate is less than a predetermined threshold, the color matching processing unit 107 performs color matching processing on the image data input by the image input unit 101 according to an output device. This enables color reproducibility when previewing on the panel display unit 940a with the same impression as when printed out by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows the concept of a general color matching process. Image data expressed in RGB or CMYK includes the characteristics of the device used, and these characteristics are called color profile. In particular, the profile of the input device is called input profile. This input profile converts the color space dependent on the input device into the XYZ color space or Lab color space of a device-independent color space (Connection color space: PCS (Profile Connection Space)). The connection color space is also called device-independent color space. In this case, since the output device cannot express colors outside the color reproduction range of the output device, color compression is performed to data in a device-independent color space (hereinafter referred to as PCS data) so that all colors fall within the color reproduction range of the output device. Then, the color-compressed PCS data is converted into data in a color space dependent on the output device, such as RGB color space or CMYK color space, by the output profile, which is the profile of the output device.

[0035] The preview image generating unit 108 is a functional unit that generates preview image data by resolution conversion processing for data (image data or reduced image data) that has been color matched by the color matching processing unit 107, in order to display the preview on the panel display unit 940a.

[0036] Display control unit 109 is a functional unit that controls the display operation of panel display unit 940a. For example, display control unit 109 causes preview image data generated by preview image generation unit 108 to be displayed on panel display unit 940a.

[0037] The above-mentioned image input unit 101, image reduction unit 102, edge image generation unit 103, image enlargement unit 104, calculation unit 105, determination unit 106, color matching processing unit 107, preview image generation unit 108, and display control unit 109 are realized by executing a program by the CPU 901 shown in Fig. 1. Note that at least a part of each functional unit of the above-mentioned controller 910 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC.

[0038] Note that the functions of each functional unit of the controller 910 shown in Fig. 2 are conceptually shown, and the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the controller 910 shown in Fig. 2 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, the function of one functional unit in the controller 910 shown in Fig. 2 may be divided into multiple functions and configured as multiple functional units.

[0039] (Preview display process of image forming device) 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a preview display process in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The flow of a preview display process in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] <Step S11> The image input unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 inputs (receives) image data to be printed via the network I / F 950. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0041] <Step S12> Next, the image reducing section 102 of the image forming apparatus 1 generates reduced image data by performing a resolution conversion process on the image data input by the image input section 101. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0042] <Step S13> Next, the edge image generating unit 103 of the image forming apparatus 1 generates edge image data by edge detection such as an edge filter for the image data input by the image input unit 101. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0043] <Step S14> Furthermore, the edge image generating unit 103 generates reduced edge image data by edge detection such as an edge filter for the reduced image data generated by the image reducing unit 102. The order of steps S13 and S14 may be reversed. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0044] <Step S15> Next, the image enlargement unit 104 of the image forming device 1 performs a resolution conversion process on the reduced edge image data generated by the edge image generation unit 103 to generate reduced enlarged edge image data that is enlarged to the same size as the above-mentioned edge image data (i.e., the same size as the image data). Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0045] <Step S16> Next, the calculation unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 calculates a matching rate indicating the degree of match between the edge image data generated by the edge image generation unit 103 and the reduced and enlarged edge image data generated by the image enlargement unit 104. Then, the process proceeds to step S17.

[0046] <Step S17> Next, the determination unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the matching rate calculated by the calculation unit 105 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the matching rate is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (step S17: Yes), the process proceeds to step S18, and if the matching rate is less than the predetermined threshold (step S17: No), the process proceeds to step S20.

[0047] <Step S18> The color matching processing unit 107 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs color matching processing in accordance with the output device on the reduced image data reduced by the image reducing unit 102. Then, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0048] <Step S19> Next, preview image generation unit 108 of image forming apparatus 1 generates preview image data by resolution conversion processing for the reduced image data that has been color matched by color matching processing unit 107, in order to display a preview on panel display unit 940a. Then, display control unit 109 of image forming apparatus 1 causes panel display unit 940a to display the preview image data generated by preview image generation unit 108. This completes the preview display processing of image forming apparatus 1.

[0049] <Step S20> The color matching processing unit 107 performs color matching processing according to the output device on the image data input by the image input unit 101. Then, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0050] <Step S21> Next, preview image generation unit 108 generates preview image data by resolution conversion processing for the image data that has been subjected to color matching processing by color matching processing unit 107, in order to display a preview on panel display unit 940a. Then, display control unit 109 causes panel display unit 940a to display the preview image data generated by preview image generation unit 108. This completes the preview display processing of image forming apparatus 1.

[0051] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the image input unit 101 inputs image data to be printed, the image reduction unit 102 reduces the image data to generate reduced image data, the edge image generation unit 103 generates edge image data by edge detection on the image data, and generates reduced edge image data by edge detection on the reduced image data, the image enlargement unit 104 enlarges the reduced edge image data to generate reduced-enlarged edge image data, the calculation unit 105 calculates the matching rate between the edge image data and the reduced-enlarged edge image data, the determination unit 106 determines whether the image data or the reduced image data is to be used for the preview display based on the matching rate, the color matching processing unit 107 performs color matching processing on the reduced image data when the determination unit 106 determines that the reduced image data is to be used for the preview display, and the display control unit 109 performs a preview display on the panel display unit 940a based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to the color matching processing. In this way, the color matching processing ensures color reproducibility with the same impression, and the processing cost can be reduced because the color matching processing and preview display are performed on the reduced image data reduced from the original image data. That is, it is possible to achieve color reproduction with the same impression on a plurality of output devices, and it is also possible to reduce the processing cost up to display on the output device.

[0052] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, when the determination unit 106 determines that the image data should be used for the preview display, the color matching processing unit 107 performs color matching processing on the image data, and the display control unit 109 performs a preview display on the panel display unit 940a based on the image data that has been subjected to the color matching processing. As a result, when the color reproducibility cannot be ensured as a result of the determination of the matching rate for the reduced image data, the color reproducibility can be ensured by performing a preview display using the original image data.

[0053] [Second embodiment] The image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, an operation was described in which, when the determination unit 106 determines that the matching rate is less than a predetermined threshold, a preview display derived from image data is performed without using reduced image data, with priority given to color reproducibility. In this embodiment, an operation will be described in which, even when the determination unit 106 determines that the matching rate is less than a predetermined threshold, a preview display derived from reduced image data is first performed, thereby ensuring a reduction in the processing cost up to the display, and increasing the resolution over time to realize color reproducibility. Note that the hardware configuration and the configuration of the functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0054] (Preview display process of image forming device) 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a preview display process in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. The flow of the preview display process in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0055] <Steps S31 to S36> The processes in steps S31 to S36 are similar to the processes in steps S11 to S16 shown in Fig. 5. Then, the process proceeds to step S37.

[0056] <Step S37> Next, the determination unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the matching rate calculated by the calculation unit 105 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the matching rate is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (step S37: Yes), the process proceeds to step S38, and if the matching rate is less than the predetermined threshold (step S37: No), the process proceeds to step S40.

[0057] <Steps S38 and S39> The processes in steps S38 and S39 are similar to the processes in steps S18 and S19 shown in Fig. 5. This completes the preview display process in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0058] <Step S40> The color matching processing unit 107 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs color matching processing in accordance with the output device on the reduced image data reduced by the image reducing unit 102. Then, the process proceeds to step S41.

[0059] <Step S41> Next, preview image generating unit 108 of image forming apparatus 1 generates preview image data by resolution conversion processing for the reduced image data that has been color-matched by color matching processing unit 107, in order to display the preview on panel display unit 940a. Then, display control unit 109 of image forming apparatus 1 causes panel display unit 940a to display the preview image data generated by preview image generating unit 108. As a result, even if determination unit 106 determines that the matching rate is less than a predetermined threshold, a preview based on reduced image data with low resolution is first displayed, thereby ensuring a reduction in processing costs up to display. Then, the process proceeds to step S42.

[0060] <Step S42> Next, the color matching processing unit 107 performs color matching processing according to the output device on the image data input by the image input unit 101. Then, the process proceeds to step S43.

[0061] <Step S43> Next, preview image generating unit 108 generates preview image data by resolution conversion processing for the image data that has been color matched by color matching processing unit 107, in order to display a preview on panel display unit 940a. Then, display control unit 109 switches the state in which the preview image data of step S41 is displayed on panel display unit 940a to the display of preview image data generated by preview image generating unit 108 as described above as time passes. In this way, color reproducibility can be achieved by switching from the display state of the preview image data of step S41 to the display of preview image data with increased resolution. This is the end of the preview display process of image forming apparatus 1.

[0062] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the determination unit 106 determines that image data is to be used for preview display, the color matching processing unit 107 first performs color matching processing on the reduced image data, and the display control unit 109 performs preview display on the panel display unit 940a based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to color matching processing, and then the color matching processing unit 107 performs color matching processing on the image data, and the display control unit 109 switches the state of preview display based on the reduced image data on the panel display unit 940a to preview display based on the image data that has been subjected to color matching processing over time. In this way, even when the determination unit 106 determines that image data is to be used for preview display, a preview display derived from reduced image data with low resolution is first performed, thereby ensuring reduction in processing costs up to display. Furthermore, color reproducibility can be achieved by switching the display state of preview image data derived from reduced image data to the display of preview image data with increased resolution.

[0063] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when at least one of the functional units of the image forming apparatus 1 is realized by executing a program, the program is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like. In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) in an installable or executable format file. In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 has a modular configuration including at least one of the functional units described above, and as actual hardware, the CPU 901 reads out the program from the above-mentioned storage device (for example, the HD 909, etc.) and executes it, so that the above-mentioned functional units are loaded onto the main storage device and generated.

[0064] The aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> An image processing device that displays a preview of an image on a display device when printing out the image, an image input unit for inputting image data to be printed; an image reducing unit that reduces the image data to generate reduced image data; a first generation unit that generates first edge image data by performing edge detection on the image data and generates second edge image data by performing edge detection on the reduced image data; an image enlargement unit that enlarges the second edge image data to generate third edge image data; a calculation unit that calculates a degree of coincidence between the first edge image data and the third edge image data; a determination unit that determines whether the image data or the reduced image data is to be used for a preview display based on the degree of coincidence; a matching processing unit that performs color matching processing on the reduced image data when the determination unit determines that the reduced image data is to be used for preview display; a display control unit that performs a preview display on the display device based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to the color matching process; The image processing device includes: <2> the matching processing unit performs the color matching process on the image data when the determination unit determines that the image data is to be used for preview display; The display control unit performs a preview display on the display device based on the image data that has been subjected to the color matching process. <1> The image processing device according to the present invention is <3> the matching processing unit performs the color matching process on the reduced image data when the determination unit determines that the image data is to be used for preview display; the display control unit performs a preview display on the display device based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to the color matching process; The matching processing unit performs the color matching processing on the image data, the display control unit switches, as time passes, a state of a preview display based on the reduced image data on the display device to a preview display based on the image data on which the color matching process has been performed. <1> The image processing device according to the present invention is <4> The color matching process further includes a second generation unit that generates preview image data for preview display by performing a resolution conversion process on the reduced image data, The display control unit displays a preview of the preview image data on the display device. <1> ~ <3> 1 is an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. <5> The determination unit is determining whether the degree of match is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; When the degree of agreement is equal to or greater than the threshold, it is determined that the reduced image data is used for preview display, and when the degree of agreement is less than the threshold, it is determined that the image data is used for preview display. <1> ~ <4> 1 is an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. <6> the matching processing unit converts a color space of the reduced image data into a device independent color space by an input profile, and converts the device independent color space into a color space dependent on the display device by an output profile of the display device, as the color matching process. <1> ~ <4> 1 is an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. <7> An image processing method for displaying a preview of an image on a display device when printing, comprising: an image input step of inputting image data of a print target; an image reducing step of reducing the image data to generate reduced image data; a generating step of generating first edge image data by edge detection on the image data, and generating second edge image data by edge detection on the reduced image data; an image enlarging step of enlarging the second edge image data to generate third edge image data; a calculation step of calculating a degree of coincidence between the first edge image data and the third edge image data; a determining step of determining whether the image data or the reduced image data is to be used for preview display based on the degree of coincidence; a matching processing step of performing color matching processing on the reduced image data when it is determined that the reduced image data is used for preview display; a display control step of performing a preview display on the display device based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to the color matching process; The image processing method includes the steps of: <8> On the computer, an image input step of inputting image data of a print target; an image reducing step of reducing the image data to generate reduced image data; a generating step of generating first edge image data by edge detection on the image data, and generating second edge image data by edge detection on the reduced image data; an image enlarging step of enlarging the second edge image data to generate third edge image data; a calculation step of calculating a degree of coincidence between the first edge image data and the third edge image data; a determining step of determining whether the image data or the reduced image data is to be used for preview display based on the degree of coincidence; a matching processing step of performing color matching processing on the reduced image data when it is determined that the reduced image data is used for preview display; a display control step of performing a preview display on a display device based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to the color matching process; This is a program for executing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Image forming device 101 Image input unit 102 Image reduction section 103 Edge image generation unit 104 Image enlargement section 105 Calculation section 106 Judgment section 107 Color matching processing section 108 Preview image generator 109 Display control section 901 CPU 902 MEM-P 902a ROM 902b RAM 903 NB 904SB 906 ASIC 907 MEM-C 908 HDD Controller 909 HD 910 Controller 920 Near field communication circuit 920a Antenna 921 AGP Bus 922 PCI bus 930 Engine control unit 931 Scanner section 932 Printer section 940 Operation Panel 940a Panel display 940b Hard Key 950 Network Interface [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0066] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-093735 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-217379 A

Claims

1. An image processing device that displays a preview of an image on a display device when printing out the image, an image input unit for inputting image data to be printed; an image reducing unit that reduces the image data to generate reduced image data; a first generation unit that generates first edge image data by performing edge detection on the image data and generates second edge image data by performing edge detection on the reduced image data; an image enlargement unit that enlarges the second edge image data to generate third edge image data; a calculation unit that calculates a degree of coincidence between the first edge image data and the third edge image data; a determination unit that determines whether the image data or the reduced image data is to be used for a preview display based on the degree of coincidence; a matching processing unit that performs color matching processing on the reduced image data when the determination unit determines that the reduced image data is to be used for preview display; a display control unit that performs a preview display on the display device based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to the color matching process; An image processing device comprising:

2. the matching processing unit performs the color matching process on the image data when the determination unit determines that the image data is to be used for preview display; The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit performs a preview display on the display device based on the image data that has been subjected to the color matching process.

3. the matching processing unit performs the color matching process on the reduced image data when the determination unit determines that the image data is to be used for preview display; the display control unit performs a preview display on the display device based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to the color matching process; The matching processing unit performs the color matching processing on the image data, The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit switches, over time, a state of preview display based on the reduced image data on the display device to a preview display based on the image data that has been subjected to the color matching process.

4. a second generation unit that generates preview image data for preview display by performing a resolution conversion process on the reduced image data in the color matching process, 4. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a preview of the preview image data on the display device.

5. The determination unit is determining whether the degree of match is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; An image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein if the degree of similarity is greater than or equal to the threshold, it is determined that the reduced image data is to be used for preview display, and if the degree of similarity is less than the threshold, it is determined that the image data is to be used for preview display.

6. The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the matching processing unit converts the color space of the reduced image data into a device-independent color space using an input profile as the color matching process, and converts the device-independent color space into a color space dependent on the display device using an output profile of the display device.

7. An image processing method for displaying a preview of an image on a display device when printing, comprising: an image input step of inputting image data of a print target; an image reducing step of reducing the image data to generate reduced image data; a generating step of generating first edge image data by edge detection on the image data, and generating second edge image data by edge detection on the reduced image data; an image enlarging step of enlarging the second edge image data to generate third edge image data; a calculation step of calculating a degree of coincidence between the first edge image data and the third edge image data; a determining step of determining whether the image data or the reduced image data is to be used for preview display based on the degree of coincidence; a matching processing step of performing color matching processing on the reduced image data when it is determined that the reduced image data is used for preview display; a display control step of performing a preview display on the display device based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to the color matching process; An image processing method comprising the steps of:

8. On the computer, an image input step of inputting image data of a print target; an image reducing step of reducing the image data to generate reduced image data; a generating step of generating first edge image data by edge detection on the image data, and generating second edge image data by edge detection on the reduced image data; an image enlarging step of enlarging the second edge image data to generate third edge image data; a calculation step of calculating a degree of coincidence between the first edge image data and the third edge image data; a determining step of determining whether the image data or the reduced image data is to be used for preview display based on the degree of coincidence; a matching processing step of performing color matching processing on the reduced image data when it is determined that the reduced image data is used for preview display; a display control step of performing a preview display on a display device based on the reduced image data that has been subjected to the color matching process; A program for executing the above.

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