Image processing device and image processing program

Abstract

To provide an image processing device and a program that measure bright color reproduction in a highlight portion where metallic toner is present even when the amount of metallic toner in the highlight portion is increased, and give natural impression in color reproduction after color conversion by a profile.SOLUTION: A first color patch when a metallic toner is used and a second color patch when CMYK toners other than the metallic toner are used without using the metallic toner are stored, a third colorimetric value is calculated on the basis of a first colorimetric value obtained by measuring the first color patch and a second colorimetric value obtained by measuring the second color patch, and a profile that converts an input color value to an output color value from the third colorimetric value is created, and when the total amount of CMYK toners color-converted from the input color value by the profile is equal to or less than a threshold value, the third colorimetric value becomes a value between the first colorimetric value and the second colorimetric value, and when the total amount exceeds the threshold value, the third colorimetric value which exceeds the threshold value matches the first colorimetric value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a printing device that performs printing using one or more process color toners and a metallic toner, a normal color conversion means that converts an input color value into an amount of each process color toner according to the color reproduction characteristics of the printing device when printing is performed without using the metallic toner, a metallic toner amount calculation means that calculates, for each metallic degree, an amount of metallic toner corresponding to the metallic degree, a metallic degree designation receiving means that receives a designation of a metallic degree, each amount of each process color toner resulting from color conversion of the input color value according to the metallic degree designated to the metallic degree designation receiving means, and a metallic toner amount calculated by the metallic toner amount calculation means according to the designated metallic degree. The present invention discloses an image processing device comprising: a metallic color conversion means for converting input color values ​​so that the colorimetric values ​​of the print result when printing is performed on the printing device are equivalent to the colorimetric values ​​of the print result when printing is performed on the printing device using the respective amounts of process color toner resulting from the conversion of the input color values ​​by the normal color conversion means; and a print execution means for, when a metallic mode is specified, inputting into the printing device the amounts of the process color toner resulting from the conversion of the input color values ​​by the metallic color conversion means corresponding to the metallic degree specified to the metallic degree specification receiving means, and the amount of metallic toner calculated by the metallic toner amount calculation means in accordance with the metallic degree, and causing the printing device to execute printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5910405 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the amount of metallic toner in highlight areas, where the amount of CMYK toner is low, is increased to improve the metallic feel, the concealing properties of the metallic toner cause the diffused light to become darker, and so contrary to the visual impression, it is not measured brightly by the colorimeter. Under such conditions, there was an issue that color reproduction in the highlight areas would appear unnatural when color conversion is performed using a profile created based on the colorimetric values ​​measured by the colorimeter.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an image processing device and program that, in order to improve the metallic feel of highlights, measures the color reproduction of highlights where metallic toner is present brightly even when the amount of metallic toner in the highlights is increased, and provides a natural-looking color reproduction after color conversion using a profile, compared to when the same color patch is used regardless of the amount of CMYK toner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image processing device according to a first aspect includes a processor that stores a first color patch used when a metallic toner is used and a second color patch used when a metallic toner is not used and a CMYK toner other than the metallic toner is used, receives a first colorimetric value obtained by measuring the first color patch and a second colorimetric value obtained by measuring the second color patch, calculates a third colorimetric value based on the first colorimetric value obtained by measuring the first color patch and the second colorimetric value obtained by measuring the second color patch, and creates a profile from the third colorimetric value to convert an input color value to an output color value, and when the total amount of CMYK toner color-converted from the input color value by the profile is equal to or less than a threshold value, the third colorimetric value is a value between the first colorimetric value and the second colorimetric value, and when the threshold value is exceeded, the third colorimetric value matches the first colorimetric value.

[0007] In the image processing device according to a second aspect, the processor determines the amount of metallic toner based on the total amount of the CMYK toner after the color conversion.

[0008] The image processing device of the third aspect is characterized in that, when the processor calculates the third colorimetric value, if the total amount of the CMYK toners is equal to or less than the threshold value, the third colorimetric value is calculated to be closer to the second colorimetric value when the total amount of the CMYK toners is small, and is calculated to be closer to the first colorimetric value when the total amount of the CMYK toners is large.

[0009] An image processing device according to a fourth aspect is characterized in that, in calculating the third colorimetric value, when the total amount of the CMYK toners is 0%, the third colorimetric value coincides with the second colorimetric value.

[0010] In the image processing device according to a fifth aspect, in determining the amount of metallic toner, the processor determines the amount of metallic toner such that the smaller the total amount of the CMYK toners is, the greater the amount of metallic toner is.

[0011] In an image processing device according to a sixth aspect, when determining the amount of metallic toner, the processor corrects the amount of metallic toner so that when the total amount of CMYK toner is below the threshold value, the amount is increased more than when the total amount of CMYK toner exceeds the threshold value.

[0012] An image processing program according to a seventh aspect causes a computer to function as the image processing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the first aspect, compared to the case where the same color patch is used regardless of the amount of CMYK toner, even if the amount of metallic toner in the highlight area is increased in order to improve the metallic feel in the highlight area, the color reproduction of the highlight area where the metallic toner is present is measured as bright, and the color reproduction after color conversion using the profile gives a natural impression.

[0014] According to the second aspect, there is an effect that color reproduction of highlight portions where metallic toner is present can be improved, compared to a case where the metallic toner amount is determined not based on the total amount of CMYK toners.

[0015] According to the third aspect, there is an effect that the third colorimetric value can be calculated in accordance with the total amount of CMYK toner.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect, when the total amount of CMYK toners is 0%, the third colorimetric value can be calculated from the second colorimetric value.

[0017] According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to improve the color reproduction of the highlight portion in accordance with the total amount of the CMYK toners.

[0018] According to the sixth aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to improve the color reproduction of a highlight area where a metallic toner is present, while maintaining the color reproduction of a shadow area where the total amount of CMYK toner is large.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect, compared to a case where the same color patch is used regardless of the amount of CMYK toner, an image processing program can be provided in which, even if the amount of metallic toner in the highlights is increased to improve the metallic feel in the highlights, the color reproduction of the highlights where metallic toner is present is measured as bright, and the color reproduction after color conversion using a profile gives a natural impression. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of an example of a print engine of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the CMYK toner amount, which is the sum of each component of the color value (C, M, Y, K) of the CMYK color after color conversion using a profile described in the prior art, and the metallic toner amount. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the CMYK toner amount, which is the sum of each component of the color value (C, M, Y, K) of the process color after color conversion by a profile according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the metallic toner amount. [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for creating a profile of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a color conversion process of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 10 is configured by connecting an image processing device 100 and an image forming device 200 to a communication means such as a network N. As described later, various networks such as a LAN (=Local Area Network), a WAN (=Wide Area Network), the Internet, an intranet, and Ethernet (registered trademark) can be applied as the communication means. Although FIG. 1 shows an example of one image processing device 100 and one image forming device 200, the number is not limited to this. Here, the image processing device 100 is a PC (Personal Computer) in this embodiment. Furthermore, the image forming device 200 has various functions such as a print function. Furthermore, the image forming device 200 may have a copy function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and the like in addition to the print function.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0025] 2, the image processing device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a storage 104, an input unit 105, a display unit 106, and a communication unit 107. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 108 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0026] The CPU 101 is a central processing unit, and executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 101 reads a program from the ROM 102 or the storage 104, and executes the program using the RAM 103 as a working area. The CPU 101 controls each of the above components and performs various arithmetic processing according to the program recorded in the ROM 102 or the storage 104. In this embodiment, the program is stored in the ROM 102 or the storage 104.

[0027] The ROM 102 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 103 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 104 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

[0028] The input unit 105 includes a pointing device such as a mouse, and a keyboard, and is used to perform various input operations.

[0029] Display unit 106 is an example of a first device, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display. Display unit 106 displays various information under the control of CPU 101. Display unit 106 may also function as input unit 105 by employing a touch panel system. In this specification, the liquid crystal display will be described as the input device.

[0030] The communication unit 107 is for communicating with the image forming device 200 and other devices such as a server device not shown, and uses standards such as LAN, public lines, the Internet, an intranet, Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0031] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 according to this embodiment.

[0032] 3, the image forming apparatus 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a storage 204, an input unit 205, a display unit 206, a document reading unit 207, a print engine 208, and a communication unit 209. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 210 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0033] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit, and executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 201 reads a program from the ROM 202 or the storage 204, and executes the program using the RAM 203 as a working area. The CPU 201 controls each of the above components and performs various arithmetic processing according to the program recorded in the ROM 202 or the storage 204. In this embodiment, the program is stored in the ROM 202 or the storage 204.

[0034] The ROM 202 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 203 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 204 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

[0035] The input unit 205 includes a pointing device such as a mouse, and a keyboard, and is used to perform various input operations.

[0036] The display unit 206 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit 206 displays various information under the control of the CPU 201. The display unit 206 may also function as the input unit 205 by adopting a touch panel system.

[0037] The document reading unit 207 takes in documents placed on a paper feed tray of an automatic feeder (not shown) provided on the top of the image forming apparatus 200, one sheet at a time, and optically reads the documents to obtain image information. Alternatively, the document reading unit 207 optically reads a document placed on a tray such as a platen glass to obtain image information.

[0038] The print engine 208 forms, that is, prints, an image based on the image information obtained from the image processing device 100 or image information obtained by reading using the document reading unit 207, on a recording medium such as paper.

[0039] The communication unit 209 is for communicating with the image processing device 100 and other devices such as a server device not shown, and uses standards such as LAN, public lines, the Internet, an intranet, Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0040] A communication unit 209 connects the image forming apparatus 200 to a public line, and transmits and receives image information obtained by reading with the document reading unit 207 to and from other image forming apparatuses having a FAX (Facsimile) function.

[0041] 4 shows a schematic configuration of an example of the print engine 208 included in the image forming apparatus 200 of this embodiment. The print engine 208 of this example is an electrophotographic full-color print engine of an intermediate transfer body type, and uses toners of each color as color materials. The print engine 208 also has a tandem-type photoconductor arrangement. This photoconductor arrangement has a photoconductor 220 for metallic toner Mt for adding a metallic feel downstream of a photoconductor 220 for CMYK toners consisting of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black).

[0042] The metallic feel referred to here refers to a metallic shine, and is a general term for the metallic luster caused by the regular reflection of light from a smooth metal surface, and the sparkle feel that appears to shine brightly in response to changes in the direction of incident light from fine facets of metal or a collection of small metal flakes oriented in various directions.

[0043] In the example of FIG. 4, the toner images formed on the photoconductors 220 are aligned and transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 224 in the order of Y, M, C, K, and Mt from upstream to downstream along the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 224. As a result, a full-color toner image including a layer of each of the YMCK toners under a layer of the metallic toner Mt is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 224. This full-color toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) by the secondary transfer unit 228 to a printing medium (e.g., a sheet of paper) conveyed by the medium conveying system 226. As a result, a full-color toner image including a layer of the metallic toner Mt under a layer of each of the YMCK toners is formed on the surface of the printing medium 5, and this full-color toner image is fixed to the printing medium by the fixing unit 229.

[0044] 4, the arrangement order of the photoconductors 220 for CMYK toners from the upstream side is Y, M, C, K, but this is merely an example. Also, it does not exclude the arrangement of the photoconductor 220 for metallic toner Mt upstream of the photoconductors 220 for YMCK.

[0045] The metallic toner Mt includes silver toner (Si) and gold toner (G), but in this embodiment, a case where silver toner (Si) is used will be described.

[0046] The image processing device 100 uses the above hardware resources to realize various functions. The functional configuration realized by the image processing device 100 will be described below.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image processing device 100. As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing device 100 has, as its functional components, a color patch creation unit 120, a color measurement value reception unit 130, a profile creation unit 140, and a color conversion unit 150. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 101 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 102 or the storage 104.

[0048] (Color patch creation unit 120) The CPU 101 of the image processing device 100 stores a first color patch that is used when a metallic toner is used, and a second color patch that is used when no metallic toner is used and a CMYK toner other than the metallic toner is used. Specifically, a first color patch is created for any combination of each CMYK toner of the image forming apparatus 200 and the metallic toner Mt, and printed by the image forming apparatus 200. A second color patch is created for any combination of each CMYK toner other than the metallic toner Mt of the image forming apparatus 200, and printed by the image forming apparatus 200. A colorimeter (not shown) is used to measure the first color patch to obtain a first colorimetric value (L*a*b*), and a second colorimetric value (L*a*b*) is obtained by measuring the second color patch. In this embodiment, the first colorimetric value and the second colorimetric value are obtained as values ​​of a device-independent color system of CIE L*a*b. In this embodiment, the color patch is measured by the colorimeter in a diffusion direction (45°) from the illumination. Note that the measurement is not limited to the case of measuring from the diffusion direction (45°) from the illumination, and may be measured at other angles or from multiple angles.

[0049] (Colorimetric value reception unit 130) The colorimetric value receiving unit 130 receives a first colorimetric value (L*a*b*) obtained by measuring a first color patch with a colorimeter, and a second colorimetric value (L*a*b*) obtained by measuring a second color patch.

[0050] (Profile creation unit 140) The profile creation unit 140 calculates third colorimetric values ​​based on first colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring a first color patch using metallic toner Mt and second colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring a second color patch that does not use metallic toner Mt, and creates a profile that converts input color values ​​to output color values ​​from the third colorimetric values.

[0051] The profile creation unit 140 creates a profile from the colorimetric values ​​using a known method. For example, a set of C, M, Y, K and L*a*b* is obtained by measuring the color patches for the combination of each toner of CMYK, which is the output color value, and acquiring the colorimetric value L*a*b*. This set is used to obtain a function (L*, a*, b*)=f(C, M, Y, K), which can be used to create a profile using a known method. This profile can be used to obtain the output color value CMYK from the input color value L*a*b*. Note that the function used when creating this profile can be a general function such as a multiple regression equation, a neural network, or an interpolation using a direct lookup table. The profile is a color conversion parameter for a known color conversion method represented by an ICC profile. Specifically, a direct lookup table that outputs the output color value CMYK from the input color value L*a*b* is typically used, but the color conversion method is not limited to the direct lookup table and may be other methods such as matrix conversion.

[0052] Furthermore, the profile creation unit 140 creates a profile from a third colorimetric value calculated based on the first and second colorimetric values. The profile is a profile that calculates output color values ​​(C, M, Y, K) from input color values ​​(L*a*b*).

[0053] The third color measurement value will now be described in detail. The third colorimetric value Lab3 is calculated by the following formula 1 when the CMYK toner amount, which is the total amount of the CMYK toner amounts after profile conversion, is equal to or smaller than the first threshold value. Lab3 =(1.0 - rate) * Lab2 + rate * Lab1 Here, rate is the CMYK toner amount / first threshold value. Lab1 is the first colorimetric value using metallic toner Mt, and Lab2 is the second colorimetric value not using metallic toner Mt. The first threshold value is a threshold value for setting a highlight portion where the first colorimetric value when metallic toner Mt is used is measured darkly by a colorimeter, and is 100% in this embodiment. The first threshold value is not limited to 100%, but is preferably in the range of 50% to 150%, for example.

[0054] In other words, in the case of highlight areas where the CMYK toner amount is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the colorimeter measures the color dark due to the influence of the metallic toner Mt, so the first colorimetric value is calculated using the first colorimetric value which uses the metallic toner Mt, which is measured dark, and the second colorimetric value which does not use the metallic toner Mt, which appears bright, when the CMYK toner amount is 0%, the second colorimetric value is calculated, and when the CMYK toner amount is the first threshold value, the first colorimetric value is calculated, and when the CMYK toner amount is greater than 0% and equal to or less than the first threshold value, the third colorimetric value is calculated by linearly interpolating from the first colorimetric value to the second colorimetric value.

[0055] Furthermore, when the CMYK toner amounts exceed the first threshold value, the third colorimetric value is generated by the following Equation 2. Lab3=Lab1 That is, when the CMYK toner amount exceeds the first threshold value, the first colorimetric value using the metallic toner Mt is used as is as the third colorimetric value. When the first threshold value is exceeded, the first colorimetric value is used to determine a profile, so that the effect of the metallic toner Mt on color reproduction can be corrected with the CMYK toner amount, making it possible to obtain color reproduction close to the input color value.

[0056] Then, a profile is created using a known method using the third color measurement value Lab3 calculated based on the above-mentioned formulas 1 and 2.

[0057] (Color conversion unit 150) The color conversion unit 150 first generates image data in four colors, CMYK, by converting image data, such as RGB, to be printed by the image forming apparatus 200 into the CMYK color space of the four printing primary colors.

[0058] Furthermore, when printing using metallic toner Mt, the color conversion unit 150 converts the color values ​​into the profile color values ​​(C, M, Y, K) by converting the color values ​​using the profile, and calculates the metallic toner amount for the CMYK toner amount described later from the color values ​​(C, M, Y, K) converted using the profile.

[0059] Each component of the color value (C, M, Y, K, Mt) of each process color after conversion by the color conversion unit 150 corresponds to the density (toner amount per pixel) of each color toner of C, M, Y, K, Mt.

[0060] The color values ​​(C, M, Y, K, Mt) of each pixel calculated by the color conversion unit 150 are output to the print engine 208, and an image is formed by controlling the exposure of the corresponding photoconductor 2 according to C, M, Y, K, Mt.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows an example of the relationship between the CMYK toner amount, which is the sum of each component of the color values ​​(C, M, Y, K) of the CMYK colors after color conversion in the profile described in the prior art, and the metallic toner amount. In the illustrated function, when the CMYK toner amount is in the range of 0 to 100%, the metallic toner amount increases linearly from 0% to 100%, which is an example of the first threshold value, when the CMYK toner amount is in the range of 100 to 150%, which is an example of the second threshold value, the metallic toner amount is a constant value of 100%, and when the CMYK toner amount is in the range of 150 to 260%, the metallic toner amount decreases linearly from 100% to 0%. In this way, by reducing the metallic toner amount from the first threshold value to 0%, the colorimetric value of the highlight part is measured as a bright value close to the appearance, so even if a profile is created using only the first colorimetric value using the metallic toner Mt, the color reproduction of the highlight part gives a natural impression. However, in FIG. 6, there is a problem that the metallic feeling of the highlight part is weakened due to the small metallic toner amount in the highlight part. The relationship between the CMYK toner amounts and the metallic toner amounts is not limited to the amounts shown in FIG. 6, so long as the correlation is as shown in FIG.

[0062] 7 shows an example of the relationship between the CMYK toner amount, which is the sum of each component of the color value (C, M, Y, K) of the process color after color conversion using the profile of the present invention, and the metallic toner amount. In the illustrated relationship, when the CMYK toner amount is in the range of 0 to 150%, the metallic toner amount is a constant value of 100%, and when the CMYK toner amount is in the range of 150 to 260%, the metallic toner amount falls linearly from 100% to 0%. The relationship between the CMYK toner amounts and the metallic toner amounts is not limited to the amounts shown in FIG. 7, so long as the correlation is as shown in FIG.

[0063] In Fig. 7, by using a profile created using the first and second colorimetric values, the colorimetric values ​​in the areas where the CMYK toner amount is small relative to the first threshold value are corrected to values ​​close to the second colorimetric values ​​that do not use the metallic toner Mt. As a result of the correction, even if the metallic toner amount is increased in the highlight areas where the CMYK toner amount is small, the colorimetric values ​​are not measured as dark, and natural color reproduction is obtained by color conversion using the profile. Also, in Fig. 7, the metallic toner amount in the area where the CMYK toner amount is from 0% to the first threshold value is greater than in Fig. 6, so a strong metallic feel is obtained in the highlight areas.

[0064] 6 and 7, the amount of metallic toner is gradually reduced as the amount of CMYK toner increases in the range where the amount of CMYK toner exceeds the second threshold value of 150%, in order to ensure color reproducibility in shadow areas. In shadow areas with a large amount of CMYK toner, if the amount of metallic toner is increased, dark color reproduction cannot be obtained due to the influence of the metallic toner, but by reducing the amount of metallic toner in shadow areas with a large amount of CMYK toner, dark color reproduction can be obtained.

[0065] Next, the operation of the image processing device 100 will be described.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device 100 when creating a profile.

[0067] In step S100, CPU 101 (color patch creating unit 120) creates a first color patch and a second color patch, and prints them with image forming apparatus 200 for which a profile is to be created. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S101.

[0068] In step S101, the CPU 101 (colorimetric value receiving unit 130) receives the results (first and second colorimetric values) of measuring the color patch printed in step S100 with a colorimeter. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S102.

[0069] In step S102, CPU 101 (profile creation unit 140) creates and stores profiles (first profile, second profile, and third profile) based on the colorimetric values ​​received in step S101, and then ends the process.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device 100 when performing color conversion using the created profile.

[0071] In step S200, data (image) to be printed is accepted. Note that the data to be printed is not limited to being accepted by image processing device 100, and data to be printed may be created. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S201.

[0072] In step S201, the profile created and stored in step S102 in Fig. 8 is used to perform color conversion of the data to be printed, and each color component (C', M', Y', K', Si) is calculated. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S202.

[0073] In step S202, printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 200 according to each color component (C', M', Y', K', Si) color-converted in step S201. Then, the process ends.

[0074] In the above embodiments, the image processing program is stored (installed) in advance in the ROM 102 or the storage 104, but the present invention is not limited to this. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The program may also be downloaded from an external device via the network N.

[0075] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0076] For example, the function of the color conversion unit 150 of the image processing device 100 may be performed by the CPU 201 of the image forming device 200 .

[0077] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0078] In addition, the operations of the processor in the above-mentioned embodiments may be performed not only by one processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 100 Image processing device 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Storage 105 Input section 106 Display section 107 Communications Department 108 Bus 120 Color patch creation section 130 Color measurement value reception unit 140 Profile Creation Department 150 Color conversion unit 200 Image forming device 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 Storage 205 Input section 206 Display section 207 Document Reading Department 208 Print Engine 209 Communications Department 210 Bus 220 Photoreceptor 224 Intermediate transfer belt 226 Media transport system 228 Secondary transfer section 229 Fixing part

Claims

1. A processor is provided. The processor, storing a first color patch used when a metallic toner is used, and a second color patch used when no metallic toner is used and a CMYK toner other than the metallic toner is used; receiving a first colorimetric value obtained by measuring the first color patch and a second colorimetric value obtained by measuring the second color patch; calculating a third colorimetric value based on a first colorimetric value obtained by measuring the first color patch and a second colorimetric value obtained by measuring the second color patch, and creating a profile that converts an input color value into an output color value from the third colorimetric value; An image processing device characterized in that when the total amount of CMYK toner color converted from the input color value by the profile is equal to or less than a threshold value, the third colorimetric value is a value between the first colorimetric value and the second colorimetric value, and when the total amount exceeds the threshold value, the third colorimetric value coincides with the first colorimetric value.

2. The processor, 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an amount of metallic toner is determined based on a total amount of the CMYK toners after the color conversion.

3. The processor, 3. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein in calculating the third colorimetric value, when the total amount of the CMYK toners is equal to or less than the threshold value, the third colorimetric value is calculated to be closer to the second colorimetric value when the total amount of the CMYK toners is small, and is calculated to be closer to the first colorimetric value when the total amount of the CMYK toners is large.

4. The processor, 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in the calculation of the third colorimetric value, when the total amount of the CMYK toners is 0%, the third colorimetric value coincides with the second colorimetric value.

5. The processor, The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein, in determining the amount of metallic toner, in a range in which the total amount of CMYK toner exceeds the threshold value, the metallic toner amount is reduced as the total amount of CMYK toner increases.

6. The processor, 3 . The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein, in determining the metallic toner amount, when the total amount of the CMYK toners is within the threshold value or less, the metallic toner amount is corrected to be greater than when the total amount of the CMYK toners exceeds the threshold value.

7. An image processing program for causing a computer to function as the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images