Image processing device, image processing method, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: when a decorated image is observed at an observation distance different from that when texture data is generated, the texture data does not appear as supposed, and the texture of metal cannot be sufficiently reproduced, which may reduce a decorative effect.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus holds a plurality of pieces of texture data for applying metallic expression on an image, and the apparatus acquires predetermined information on at least one of an observation distance being the distance between a printed material on which an object area is printed and an observer who observes the printed material, a sheet on which the object area is printed, and an environment for observing the printed material, and selects any one piece of texture data from the plurality of pieces of texture data based on the acquired predetermined information. The apparatus applies the selected texture data to the object area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A decoration technique is known that adds a metallic texture to an object in digital data by adding texture data to the object. Patent Document 1 describes a decoration technique that first acquires information about the light source at the location where the data decorated with the texture data is to be observed. Then, the texture data is corrected to faithfully reproduce the metallic reflection that occurs under the acquired light source, thereby generating data with a realistic texture. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-93287 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above conventional technology, the observation distance when observing the decorated data was not considered. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the frequency response characteristics of human vision, with the horizontal axis representing frequency and the vertical axis representing contrast sensitivity. The frequency response characteristics of vision are sensitivity characteristics indicating the contrast that can be visually recognized by a person at a certain frequency. It is known that this frequency response characteristic of vision changes the peak frequency of contrast sensitivity when the observation distance is different. In FIG. 1, the solid line 101 and the broken line 102 respectively show the visual characteristics at different observation distances L1 and L2 (L1 < L2). Comparing the contrasts perceived at these two observation distances, in the target area having the low-frequency region 103, the solid line 101 > the broken line 102. Therefore, the contrast when observed at the observation distance L1 is perceived stronger than the contrast when observed at the observation distance L2. On the other hand, in the target area having the high-frequency region 104, the solid line 101 < the broken line 102. Therefore, the contrast when observed at the observation distance L2 is perceived stronger than the contrast when observed at the observation distance L1. Thus, there arises a problem that the metallic texture of the decorated texture is perceived differently depending on the observation distance.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the above conventional technology.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to suppress a decrease in the decoration effect by switching and using texture data to be used according to the observation distance of the decorated data.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, An image processing apparatus that holds a plurality of texture data for applying a metallic expression on an image, acquisition means for acquiring at least one of information on the observation distance, which is the distance between a printed matter on which a target area is printed and an observer observing the printed matter, and information on the paper size on which the target area is printed; Tori Obtained Ta a selection means for selecting one of the plurality of texture data based on the information; and applying means for applying the texture data selected by the selecting means to the target area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, by switching the texture data to be used depending on the observation distance of the decorated data, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the decorative effect.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating frequency response characteristics of vision. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the skewness of a histogram. [Figure 3] 1A is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a control unit of the image processing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen when creating decoration data in the UI of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating a texture pattern list stored in a data server corresponding to the texture pattern display area in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6D is a diagram showing an example of a drop-down list button displaying items for selecting observation conditions. [Figure 8] 7 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the process of acquiring texture data according to the observation distance in S604 of FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the texture data application process in S605. [Figure 10] FIG. 10A is a diagram explaining tiling of texture data, and FIG. 10B is a flowchart explaining the printing process of decoration data in S606. [Figure 11] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram explaining the functions of an image processing device and a processing server according to the first variant of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating illumination patterns according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by an image processing device 30 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] 10A is a diagram showing an example of an illumination pattern of a UI according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a flowchart illustrating the details of the texture data application process in S1406. [Figure 16] Functional block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of an image processing device 30 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process of correcting texture data according to the observation distance in S1804. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of calculating a representative value in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] [First embodiment] In the first embodiment, an example is described in which decoration data that reproduces the texture of metal is created by adding texture data to a decoration area to which a metal rendering is applied, and the printed decoration data is observed. The image processing device according to the first embodiment first sets a decoration area to which a metal rendering is applied and acquires at least two or more candidate texture data to be added to the decoration area. Next, predetermined information regarding the distance between the printed decoration data and the observer who observes the printed decoration data, i.e., the observation distance, is acquired. Furthermore, based on the acquired predetermined information regarding the observation distance, texture data with a high degree of distortion of the perceived image at the observation distance (described later) is selected from the acquired plurality of texture data and used for the decoration process. The obtained decoration data is then printed by an output device. The configuration and processing of the first embodiment are described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11 .

[0013] First, image statistics correlated with the level of metallic texture in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] A characteristic of metallic materials is their strong metallic luster, which is generated when the free electrons in the material and the electromagnetic waves of the illuminating light cause plasmon resonance. The perception of this metallic luster is an important factor in humans' perception of the texture of metals.

[0015] The perception of metallic texture based on glossiness is similar to the perception of texture of materials projected onto a two-dimensional image. The human brain is able to perceive the metallic texture of materials projected onto an image using the statistical quantities in the image that are highly correlated with glossiness. Recent research has shown that the skewness of the brightness histogram contributes to the apparent glossiness of materials in an image. This skewness is a statistical quantity that represents the bias of the histogram in an image, and is calculated using the following equation (1) using the number of pixels in the image, n, the pixel values, xi (i = 1, 2, ..., n), the mean value of each pixel, x(-), and the standard deviation, s:

[0016] skewness={n / (n-1)(n-2)}×Σ{((xi-x(-)) / s} 3 ...Formula (1) Here, Σ indicates the sum of i=1 to n.

[0017] In the case of a symmetrical distribution, as shown in Figure 2(B), i.e., a normal distribution, the skewness is 0. In contrast, in the case of a distribution with a long left tail, as shown in Figure 2(A), the skewness is a negative value, and in the case of a distribution with a long right tail, as shown in Figure 2(C), the skewness is a positive value. Motoyoshi, Isamu, et al., "Image statistics and the perception of surface qualities," Nature 447.7141 (2007): 206-209, describes that the more positive the skewness of the brightness histogram in an image (Figure 2(C)), the higher the perceived apparent glossiness.

[0018] As mentioned above, the glossiness of a material is a very important factor in perceiving a metallic texture. In other words, using texture data in which the skewness of the brightness histogram in the image is large positively leads to an improvement in the apparent glossiness, i.e., an improvement in the perceived metallic texture.

[0019] 3A is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system to which an image processing device 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 3A, the image processing device 30 according to the first embodiment is connected to a data server 31 and an output device 32.

[0020] The data server 31 stores texture data that the user uses for decoration processing that reproduces a metallic texture. This texture data is input from the data server 31 to the image processing device 30.

[0021] The image processing device 30 acquires data from the data server 31, issues control instructions to the output device 32, and transfers necessary information and data. The storage unit 302 stores and manages the OS, the system program according to this embodiment, various application software, and parameter data required for various processes. The storage unit 302 can be configured with a storage device such as a hard disk or flash ROM. The control unit 301 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit 310 (FIG. 3B)) and executes software stored in the storage unit 302 by loading it into a working memory 304 such as RAM. The hardware configuration of the control unit 301 is shown in FIG. 3B, and its functional configuration will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. The operation unit (hereinafter also referred to as "UI") 303, which serves as a user interface, processes user input and displays for the user regarding the execution of processes in the image processing device 30, and includes input devices such as a keyboard and a pointing device, and display devices such as a monitor.

[0022] The output device 32 is a printing device such as an inkjet printer, and includes a data transfer unit, a printer control unit, a printing unit, etc. The output device 32 prints the decoration data acquired from the image processing device 30 using an inkjet recording method. In the embodiment, the output device 32 is an inkjet printer, but the output device 32 may also be an electrophotographic printer. It may also be a display or a projector.

[0023] FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the control unit 301 of the image processing device 30 according to the embodiment.

[0024] The CPU 310 executes programs loaded in a RAM 312, which corresponds to the above-mentioned working memory 304, and manages the control processing by the control unit 301. The ROM 311 stores programs, various data, and the like. The RAM 312 provides a work area for storing various data and the like when the CPU 310 is operating, and is also used as an area for loading programs. An input / output interface (I / F) 313 controls the interface between the control unit 301 and the UI 303, a network, and the like. An HDD (hard disk drive) 314 also functions as the storage unit 314 in FIG. 3(A) and stores programs and various data.

[0025] Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of the image processing device 30 according to the first embodiment. Note that each function shown in Fig. 4 is realized by the CPU 310 loading software stored in the storage unit 302 into the working memory 304 (RAM 312) and executing the software.

[0026] The target area setting unit 401 sets an area to which a decoration process that reproduces a metallic texture is to be applied. The texture data acquisition unit 402 acquires texture data input from the data server 31 to the image processing device 30. The observation distance acquisition unit 403 acquires information regarding the observation distance when observing the decoration data to which the decoration process has been applied (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the "observation distance"). The texture data selection unit 404 selects texture data to be used for the decoration process from the texture data acquired by the texture data acquisition unit 402, based on the observation distance acquired by the observation distance acquisition unit 403. The texture data application unit 405 creates decoration data by placing the texture data selected by the texture data selection unit 404 in the area set by the target area setting unit 401. The output control unit 406 performs output control to output the created decoration data to the output device 32. Note that, although these functions are described here as being implemented by the CPU 310 executing a program, some or all of the functions of the components of these functional blocks may be implemented using dedicated circuits. In addition, some or all of the functions of the components of these functional blocks may be realized using a cloud computer.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen when creating decoration data on the UI 303 of the image processing device 30 according to the first embodiment.

[0028] The UI 303 according to the first embodiment includes a texture pattern display area 505 displaying user-selectable texture patterns 506 and an edited data display area 501 displaying decoration data 502. The user specifies an application object 503 to which the user wants to apply gold or silver decoration from the decoration data 502. Then, by selecting a desired texture pattern 506 from the texture pattern display area 505, the user can apply the selected texture pattern to a decoration target area 504 in the application object 503, thereby applying metallic decoration to the area. The UI 303 also includes an observation distance input box 507 for observing the printed decoration data. Furthermore, the UI 303 includes a drop-down list 508 for selecting a paper size and a drop-down list 509 for selecting a print resolution, which are used to set print settings. Pressing a print button 510 initiates printing of the decoration data 502 based on the print settings configured on this screen. The UI shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and the UI according to the embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0029] 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the image processing device 30 according to the first embodiment. In the embodiment, an example is shown in which the image processing device 30 is located outside the output device 32, but it may of course be located inside the output device 32. The processing shown in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 310 executing a program loaded in the RAM 312.

[0030] First, in step S601, the CPU 310 functions as the target area setting unit 401, sets a decoration target area (e.g., 503 in FIG. 5 ) to which texture data is to be applied, and outputs it to the texture data application unit 402. One example of a method for setting this decoration target area is to set an object designated by the user on the UI 303 as the application object, and set the text in the application object 503 as the decoration target area 504, as shown in FIG. 5 . The application object and decoration target area do not have to be text objects; for example, they may be graphic objects such as circles or diamonds. They may also be clip art such as medals or trophies. Instead of designating an object, the user may designate two points—the start point and the end point of a rectangle that are diagonal corners—on the decoration data, and set the rectangular area encompassing these two points as the decoration target area. For example, the entire background of the decoration data may be set as the decoration target area. While FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which only one application object 503 is designated as the application object, multiple objects may also be designated.

[0031] Furthermore, this decoration target area may be set automatically rather than by the user. For example, when an automatic gold and silver decoration button (not shown) is pressed, the text area with the largest font size in the decoration data may be automatically set as the decoration target area. Alternatively, a highly eye-catching area in the decoration data detected by a known saliency detection technique may be set as the decoration target area. This makes it possible to create gold and silver decoration data without the user having to go through the trouble of selecting a decoration area. Furthermore, even users with little design experience can effectively perform gold and silver decoration processing.

[0032] Next, the process proceeds to S602, where the CPU 310 functions as the texture data acquisition unit 402 and acquires at least two or more pieces of texture data input from the data server 31 to the image processing device 30. The acquired texture data is then output to the texture data selection unit 404. This texture data is not limited to the texture pattern displayed in the texture pattern display area 505.

[0033] 7(A) to 7(C) are diagrams for explaining a texture pattern list held in the data server 31, corresponding to the texture pattern display area 505 in FIG.

[0034] 7(A) to 7(C), texture pattern lists 701 to 703 corresponding to the respective texture patterns displayed in the texture pattern display area 505 of Fig. 5 are stored in the data server 31. Then, a plurality of texture data associated with the texture pattern selected by the user from the texture pattern display area 505 may be acquired in S602. Also, in the embodiment, an example has been shown in which texture data is acquired directly from the data server 31, but these texture pattern lists may also be saved in the storage unit 302 of the image processing device 30, and the texture data may be acquired from there.

[0035] Next, the process proceeds to S603, where the CPU 310 functions as the observation distance acquisition unit 403, acquires information about the observation distance at which the decoration data is observed, and outputs the information to the texture data selection unit 404. For example, the information about this observation distance can be acquired based on a numerical value input by the user via the observation distance input box 507 in Fig. 5. Also, instead of acquiring the information about the observation distance from a numerical value input by the user, it is also possible to provide the UI 303 with a drop-down list button 710 that displays items for selecting observation conditions, as shown in Fig. 7(D), and acquire information about the corresponding observation distance based on an item selected by the user.

[0036] FIG. 7D is a diagram showing an example of a drop-down list button for selecting a viewing condition, displayed on the UI 303 of the image processing device 30 according to the first embodiment.

[0037] In this case, information about the observation distance is acquired based on the correspondence between the observation conditions and the observation distance stored in advance in the storage unit 302. For example, the observation distance may be set in stages, such as 30 cm for the observation condition "flyer," 1 m for "indoor display," and 3 m for "outdoor display." It is generally known that there is a relationship between the print paper size and the distance (environment) at which the printed material is viewed. This allows for simple setting of the observation distance without the user having to specify it directly. In this case, the correspondence between the print paper size and the observation distance may be stored in advance in the storage unit 302, and information about the observation distance may be acquired based on the paper size selected in the drop-down list 508 for selecting the print paper size. For example, the length of either the short side or the long side of the print paper size may be acquired as a reference, and the correspondence between the paper size and the observation distance may be determined proportionally. Furthermore, the observation distance may be set for when the printed material is held in the hand (e.g., smaller than A3) and when it is posted on a wall (e.g., A3 or larger). In any case, any method is acceptable as long as it allows for acquisition of information about the observation distance for the decoration data. Although the embodiment has been described in which a value corresponding to the observation distance is ultimately obtained from the paper size and other information input by the user, this is not limiting. That is, information indicating the paper size and the length of the short or long side of the paper size may be obtained by accepting user input, but a value corresponding to the observation distance may not be obtained based on the information. In this embodiment, when the user inputs a paper size, information indicating the length of the short or long side of the paper size may be obtained based on the input paper size. Furthermore, when selecting texture data, as described below, the value corresponding to the observation distance itself may not be referenced, but rather the paper size input by the user, the length of the short or long side of the paper size input by the user, and the like may be referenced. In this embodiment, a custom size, which is a size arbitrarily determined by the user, may also be set as the paper size.For custom sizes, the user determines and inputs the length of the short side and / or the long side of the size, and the image processing device 30 acquires this information. On the other hand, for standard sizes such as A4, the length of the short side and / or the long side of the size is recognized in advance by the program that displays the UI 303, and the image processing device 30 acquires this information recognized by the program.

[0038] Next, the process proceeds to S604, where the CPU 310 functions as a texture data selection unit 404, simulating perceptual luminance contrast data (described below) for the multiple texture data acquired by the texture data acquisition unit 402, based on the information about the observation distance acquired by the observation distance acquisition unit 403. The CPU 310 calculates the skewness of the luminance histogram for the simulated perceptual luminance contrast data. The CPU 310 then selects texture data with a high degree of skewness from the multiple texture data, and outputs the selected texture data to the texture data application unit 405.

[0039] This perceived luminance contrast data is data that simulates the luminance contrast data perceived by humans, taking into account the frequency response characteristics of vision.

[0040] First, the texture data is converted into brightness contrast data. If the input texture data is RGB data, it can be converted into YCbCr using the following equations (2) to (4). The conversion equations from RGB to YCbCr are just an example, and other conversion equations may also be used.

[0041] Y=0.299·R+0.587·G+0.114·B …Formula (2) Cb=-0.169·R-0.331·G+0.5·B …Formula (3) Cr=0.5·R-0.419·G-0.081·B…Formula (4) Next, a method for simulating perceived luminance contrast data by applying the frequency response characteristics of vision according to the viewing distance to the luminance contrast data will be described.

[0042] For the visual frequency response characteristic (VTF), for example, the Dooley approximation formula shown in the following formula (5) can be used.

[0043] VTF=5.05×exp(-0.138×πLf / 180)×(1-exp(-0.1×πLf / 180)) …Equation (5) Here, L is the observation distance [mm], and f is the frequency [cycle / mm]. In S604, the observation distance obtained in S603 is used. Although the above example shows the use of the Dooley approximation formula, the frequency response characteristic of vision is not limited to this. Any sensitivity characteristic that shows contrast that can be visually recognized by humans according to frequency is acceptable.

[0044] The brightness contrast data is then converted into frequency data. Conversion to frequency data can be performed using known techniques such as two-dimensional Fourier transform (FFT: Fast Fourier Transform). The frequencies contained in the data can be calculated based on the number of pixels in the texture data and the size after printing. For example, the highest frequency f [cycle / mm] contained in texture data with a printed size of s [mm] can be calculated using the following equation (6), where n [pix] is the number of pixels in the texture data.

[0045] f=n / 2s…Equation (6) As described above, each frequency in the texture data calculated based on the number of pixels in the texture data and the size after printing is multiplied by the visual frequency response characteristics. The obtained frequency data is then inversely converted into luminance contrast data, thereby calculating perceived luminance contrast data that simulates the contrast perceived by humans. While this first embodiment assumes, as an example, that the texture data is rectangular, texture data is not necessarily rectangular. In such cases, the frequency in the texture data may be calculated based on, for example, the width or the height, depending on the shape of the texture data. Alternatively, the frequency in the texture data may be calculated based on the average of the width and height.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the process of S604 in FIG.

[0047] In S801, the CPU 310 calculates luminance contrast data for the texture data acquired in S602 using equations (2) to (4). Next, the process proceeds to S802, where the CPU 310 simulates perceptual luminance contrast data for the luminance contrast data calculated in S801 based on the observation distance acquired by the observation distance acquisition unit 403. Next, the process proceeds to S803, where the CPU 310 calculates distortion for the perceptual luminance contrast data calculated in S802 using equation (1). Then, the process proceeds to S804, where the CPU 310 determines whether processing has been applied to all texture data acquired in S602. If processing has been completed for all texture data, the process proceeds to S805; if not, the process proceeds to S801, where the above-described processing is repeated. Then, in S805, the CPU 130 selects texture data to be used for the gold and silver decoration processing based on the distortion calculated in S803. At this time, for example, the texture data with the highest distortion calculated in S803 may be selected.

[0048] 7(A) to 7(C), reference texture data may be determined in advance, and texture data showing a higher distortion than the distortion calculated from the reference texture data may be selected. The reference texture data may be, for example, texture data selected by the user in the texture pattern display area 505. Furthermore, if the observation distance is changed after applying gold and silver decoration, the texture data that was set before the change in observation distance may be used as the reference texture data.

[0049] Furthermore, when multiple texture data are candidates, it is possible to select the texture data with the closest average luminance to the reference texture data, or to select the texture data with the closest hue, saturation, etc. Essentially, it is sufficient to select texture data that shows a higher distortion than the distortion calculated from the reference texture data. In this way, by selecting texture data with a high distortion based on perceptual data that simulates actual appearance, it is possible to select texture data that has a high metallic feel at the expected observation distance.

[0050] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which texture data is selected by executing S801 to S805 after information about the observation distance is acquired in S603. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the processes of S801 to S805 may be applied in advance to each piece of retained texture data according to the expected observation distance. That is, a correspondence table of appropriate texture data according to the observation distance may be stored in advance in the storage unit 302, and appropriate texture data may be selected by referring to the correspondence table according to the observation distance acquired in S603. This allows some of the processing related to texture data selection to be omitted, thereby reducing processing time. As described above, appropriate texture data may be selected not based on the value indicating the observation distance itself, but based on the paper size entered by the user or the length of the short or long side of the paper size entered by the user. For example, if the long side of the paper size entered by the user is long, the observation distance is treated as long, and if the long side of the paper size entered by the user is short, the observation distance is treated as short.

[0051] 6 again, in S605, the CPU 310 functions as the texture data application unit 405, applies the texture data selected by the texture data selection unit 404 to the decoration target area set by the target area setting unit 401, and creates decoration data with gold and silver decoration.The decoration data is then output to the output control unit 406.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the texture data application process in S605.

[0053] In S901, the CPU 310 determines whether the size of the texture data selected in S604 is equal to or greater than the size of the application object. If it is determined that the size of the texture data is equal to or greater than the size of the application object, the process proceeds to S903; if it is determined that the size is not equal to or greater than the size of the application object, the process proceeds to S902. The size comparison here refers to a comparison of the long and short sides of the texture data with the long and short sides of the application object. If the size of either the long or short side of the texture data is smaller than the size of the application object, the process proceeds to S902.

[0054] In S902, the CPU 310 tiles the texture data 1001, for example, as shown in Fig. 10(A). This tiling process is performed until the respective sizes of the short and long sides of the tiled texture data are equal to or larger than the respective sizes of the short and long sides of the application object 503. When performing this tiling process, the tiling may be performed so that the texture data do not overlap, or may be performed while allowing some overlap.

[0055] In S903, the CPU 310 aligns the texture data acquired in S901 or S902 with the application object, and then clips the texture data to fit the shape of the decoration target area. The gold and silver decoration is applied by superimposing or replacing the clipped texture data on the decoration target area.

[0056] Alignment to the application object can be achieved, for example, by using the top left positions of the texture data and application object as reference points. Of course, alignment can also be achieved without using the top left position as reference point. In short, any method is acceptable as long as alignment is performed so that the texture data is present over the entire area to be decorated. The aligned texture data is then clipped to fit the shape of the area to be decorated. This clipping method can involve, for example, generating a mask image of the area to be decorated using RGB values ​​as a threshold and applying this to the texture data. Furthermore, if the application object is data in SVG format, the SVG clippath function can also be used. In short, any method is acceptable as long as it allows texture data to be clipped to fit the shape of the area to be decorated.

[0057] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which texture data is used by tiling without being enlarged or reduced. However, if the resolution assumed when the texture data was designed differs from the resolution at the time the decoration data was created, the texture data may be enlarged or reduced. For example, if the texture data was created assuming 300 dpi (dots per inch) and the decoration data was created at 600 dpi, the area of ​​the texture data can be enlarged four times and steps S901 to S903 above can be executed. This allows the appearance of the texture data in the decoration data to match the appearance at the time the texture data was created.

[0058] Returning to FIG. 6 again, in S606, the CPU 310 functions as the output control unit 406 and performs print control processing for outputting the decoration data created in S605 from the output device 32.

[0059] FIG. 10B is a flowchart illustrating the printing process of decoration data in S606.

[0060] First, in S1001, the CPU 310 inputs an RGB image of the decoration data. Next, the process proceeds to S1002, where the CPU 310 performs color correction processing to convert the RGB colors of the decoration data into RGB values ​​suitable for printing. This color correction processing may use any known suitable processing. Next, the process proceeds to S1003, where the CPU 310 performs color separation processing to convert the RGB values ​​into the amounts of ink used by the recording head of the output device 32. This color separation processing may use any known suitable processing. The inks assumed here may be color separation processing into CMYK inks, or color separation processing into inks containing special color inks such as metallic inks.

[0061] Next, the process proceeds to S1004, where the CPU 310 performs a quantization process to convert the data into the presence or absence of dots that will actually be printed by the print head corresponding to each color. This quantization process can use any method, such as known error diffusion or dithering. Once the quantized dot data is sent to the print head and preparation of one scan's worth of dot data is complete, actual printing is performed on paper using the print head. Then, in S1005, the CPU 310 determines whether printing has been completed for all pixels of the input decoration data. If printing has been completed, the process ends. If not, the process returns to S1001 and continues processing the decoration data. Thereafter, the processes from S1001 to S1005 are repeated until printing of the decoration data is completed, thereby printing the decoration data by the image processing device 30.

[0062] As described above, according to the first embodiment, information regarding the observation distance when observing data with metal decoration is acquired, and texture data with a high degree of distortion at that observation distance is selected from the acquired multiple texture data. This makes it possible to use texture data with a high degree of gloss at that observation distance. In other words, it is possible to reproduce the texture of the metal according to the observation distance, and to suppress a decrease in the decorative effect.

[0063] [First Modification of First Embodiment] In the above-described first embodiment, the functional modules 401 to 406 shown in Fig. 4 are implemented by the image processing device 30. However, some of the functions of these functional modules 401 to 406 may be implemented outside the image processing device, for example, by a processing server 110 as shown in Fig. 11(A).

[0064] FIG. 11A is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system according to a first modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] The processing server 110 may be, for example, an on-premise physical server or a virtual server configured on a cloud service. Of course, the data server 31 may be included in the processing server 110.

[0066] An example in which part of the configuration of the functional blocks is performed by the processing server 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 11(B).

[0067] 11(B) is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of the image processing device 30 and the processing server 110 according to the first modified example of the first embodiment. Note that parts common to those in FIG. 4 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0068] In this image processing system, a target area setting unit 401, an observation distance acquisition unit 403, and an output control unit 406 exist on the image processing device 30, and a texture data acquisition unit 402, a texture data selection unit 404, and a texture data application unit 405 exist on the processing server 110.

[0069] 6, for example, the texture data acquisition unit 402 of the processing server 110 receives information about the texture pattern selected in the texture pattern display area 505 and acquires the corresponding texture data. In S601 and S603, the acquired information about the decoration target area and observation distance is output to the texture data selection unit 404 and texture data application unit 405 on the processing server 110, respectively, and S604 and S605 are executed by the processing server 110. In S606, the decoration data created in S605 is received by the output control unit 406 of the image processing device 30, and printing control is performed by the image processing device 30.

[0070] The method for realizing the functional block configuration in the image processing device 30 and the processing server 110 is not limited to this. The texture data acquisition unit 402 and the texture data selection unit 404 may be realized on the image processing device 30, and the selected texture data may be output to the texture data application unit 405 of the processing server 110.

[0071] According to the first modified example of the first embodiment, when the volume of decoration data is very large (for example, A0 size decoration data), processing can be sped up by configuring part of the functional blocks with a high processing load on a processing server with higher processing power than the image processing device. Also, since only the functional blocks with a low processing load can be performed by the image processing device 30, the processing power of the image processing device 30 can be lower than that of the processing server 110. In other words, operation using an image processing device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal becomes possible, making it easy to create decoration data by remote operation.

[0072] [Second Modification of First Embodiment] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which decoration data to be output to an inkjet printer is created. In contrast, when the created decoration data is displayed on a display, i.e., when a preview is displayed, the texture data may be switched according to the observation distance set in the observation distance input box 507. Furthermore, a separate observation distance for viewing the preview image displayed on the display may be set separately from the observation distance for the printed decoration data set in the observation distance input box 507. In this case, the texture data for the preview image may be switched according to the observation distance set for the preview image. This makes it possible to create decoration data while checking the metallic texture that will be reproduced in the texture data after printing.

[0073] Furthermore, the texture data used for the decoration data for preview display may have a different resolution than the decoration data to be printed. For example, when comparing the resolution of a display used for preview display with the resolution of an output device such as an inkjet printer, the display resolution is often lower. Therefore, sufficient image quality may be achieved even if the decoration data used for preview display has a lower resolution than the texture data used for the decoration data to be printed. In this way, switching the texture data used during printing and preview reduces the processing load and enables faster processing. Furthermore, by switching the decoration data between preview display and printing in this way, it is possible to make the metallic texture of the decoration area visible during preview display more similar to the impression it gives when viewed from an appropriate viewing distance.

[0074] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, appropriate texture data was selected from the acquired plurality of texture data according to the observation distance and used for the decoration processing. In contrast, an image processing device according to the second embodiment acquires an illumination pattern in addition to the texture data, and combines the acquired illumination pattern with the texture data for use in the decoration processing. The obtained decoration data is then output to an output device. The configuration and processing of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16. Note that the system configuration and the hardware configuration of the image processing device 30 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] The illumination pattern refers to a gradation pattern that mimics the intensity distribution of the reflected light component when the texture data is illuminated.

[0076] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an illumination pattern according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Here, white areas represent areas that are illuminated and strongly reflecting light, while black areas represent shadow areas. For example, illumination pattern 1201 is an illumination pattern that simulates a situation where light is shining from the upper left. Illumination pattern 1202 is a pattern that strongly reflects light in the vertical direction, evoking a situation where a cylindrical object is illuminated by light. Illumination pattern 1203 features two strong reflected light beams at an angle, evoking a more complex shape than illumination pattern 1202. The illumination pattern variations are not limited to these. It is also possible to store variations so that they can be switched according to the shape of the object to which they are applied, assuming that they will be applied to decoration data. For example, when applying decoration processing to text, a lighting pattern that reduces the brightness near the character outlines may be stored, since strong reflection components near the character outlines may reduce visibility. By devising the lighting pattern, it is possible to reproduce the glossiness of reflected light without reducing the visibility of the decoration target area. The illumination pattern may be in the form of vector data or raster data.

[0078] In the second embodiment, the above-mentioned illumination pattern is stored separately from the texture data, and is synthesized with the texture data in the processing described below, thereby reproducing reflected light that matches the lighting conditions and the virtual shape. In other words, it is possible to reproduce a more realistic metallic texture. Here, the configuration of the image processing system to which the image processing device according to the second embodiment is applied is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] 13 is a functional block diagram illustrating the functions of an image processing device 30 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The functions of a target area setting unit 401, a texture data acquisition unit 402, an observation distance acquisition unit 403, a texture data selection unit 404, and an output control unit 406 according to the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Only the differences from FIG. 4 will be described below.

[0080] The illumination pattern acquisition unit 1301 acquires an illumination pattern input to the image processing device 30 from the data server 31. The texture data application unit 1302 synthesizes the illumination pattern with the texture data selected by the texture data selection unit 404 and places it in the application area to create decoration data.

[0081] 14 is a flowchart illustrating the processing executed by the image processing device 30 according to the second embodiment. Steps S1401, S1402, S1404, S1405, and S1407 are similar to steps S601, S602, S603, S604, and S606 in FIG. 6 according to the first embodiment, respectively, and therefore their description will be omitted. Only the differences from the flowchart in FIG. 6 will be described below.

[0082] In S1403, the CPU 310 functions as an illumination pattern acquisition unit 1601 and acquires an illumination pattern input from the data server 31 to the image processing device 30. Then, the CPU 310 outputs the acquired illumination pattern to the texture data application unit 1602.

[0083] For this illumination pattern, an illumination pattern selection list, such as that shown in FIG. 15A, may be provided on the UI 303, and the illumination pattern selected by the user may be acquired. Alternatively, an illumination pattern setting bar (not shown) may be provided for specifying the start point, end point, and their respective intensity values, and a gradation pattern may be dynamically generated and used as the illumination pattern. Dynamic generation in this manner enables more detailed control tailored to the user's preferences. Alternatively, the UI 303 may not provide an illumination pattern selection list or illumination pattern setting bar, and illumination patterns previously associated with each piece of texture data displayed in the texture pattern selection list 505 may be acquired. This eliminates the user's need to select an illumination pattern, and allows the illumination pattern appropriate for the texture data to be automatically selected.

[0084] In the second embodiment, an example is shown in which an illumination pattern is directly acquired from the data server 31, but it is of course possible to acquire an illumination pattern that has been previously stored in the storage unit 302.

[0085] In S1406, the CPU 310 functions as a texture data application unit 1602, and combines the texture data selected by the texture data selection unit 404 with the illumination pattern acquired by the illumination pattern acquisition unit 1601. The texture data thus combined is applied to the decoration target area set by the target area setting unit 401, and decoration data with gold and silver decoration is created. The decoration data is then output to the output control unit 406.

[0086] 15B is a flowchart illustrating the details of the texture data application process of S1406. S1501, S1502, and S1504 perform the same processes as S901, S902, and S903 in the first embodiment, respectively, and therefore their explanation will be omitted. Only the differences from the flowchart in FIG. 9 will be explained below.

[0087] In S1503, an illumination pattern is synthesized with the texture data acquired in S1501 or S1502.

[0088] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the processing in S1503.

[0089] First, a scaling process is applied to the illumination pattern to match its size with the texture data. This scaling process can be performed using known techniques, such as scaling using bicubic interpolation or bilinear interpolation. In this way, by scaling the illumination pattern to match the size of the texture data, it is possible to control the glossiness according to the size of the texture data.

[0090] Next, the illumination pattern to which the scaling process has been applied and the texture data are aligned and combined. The alignment process can use the method described in S903 of FIG. 9. This combination process can use known layer combination processes. For example, the texture data and illumination pattern can be combined using layer combination processes such as soft light or overlay. In this way, the processing of the image processing device 30 according to the second embodiment is performed.

[0091] As described above, according to the second embodiment, by acquiring an illumination pattern and combining it with selected texture data, it is possible to reproduce the high specular reflection characteristics that are characteristic of metal. In other words, it is possible to create decoration data that reproduces a more realistic metallic texture. Furthermore, by storing the texture data and the illumination pattern separately and scaling and combining the illumination pattern according to the size of the decoration target area, it is possible to reproduce a metallic texture that gives a substantially identical impression even for decoration target areas of different sizes.

[0092] [Third embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, appropriate texture data was selected from the acquired plurality of texture data according to the observation distance and used for the decoration processing. In contrast, an image processing device according to a third embodiment acquires one piece of texture data, corrects the texture data according to the observation distance of the decoration data, and uses the corrected texture data for the decoration processing. The decoration data thus obtained is then output to an output device. The configuration and processing of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20. Note that the configuration of an image processing system to which the image processing device according to the third embodiment is applied is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0093] Fig. 17 is a functional block diagram for explaining the functions of an image processing device 30 according to the third embodiment. In Fig. 17, parts common to those in Fig. 4 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted. Only the parts different from Fig. 4 will be explained below.

[0094] The texture data correction unit 1701 corrects the texture data acquired by the texture data acquisition unit 402 based on information regarding the observation distance acquired by the observation distance acquisition unit 403 so that, when the distance between a printed matter on which the texture data is printed and an observer observing the printed matter is the observation distance, the perceived metallic texture is enhanced when observed by an observer at that observation distance.

[0095] Fig. 18 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the image processing device 30 according to the third embodiment. Note that S1801, S1803, S1805, and S1806 in Fig. 18 perform processing similar to S601, S603, S605, and S606 in Fig. 6 according to the first embodiment, respectively, and therefore their description will be omitted. Only the differences from the flowchart in Fig. 6 will be described below.

[0096] In S1802, the CPU 310 functions as the texture data acquisition unit 402 and acquires texture data input from the data server 31 to the image processing device 30. The acquired texture data is then output to the texture data correction unit 1701. Specifically, one piece of texture data associated with the texture pattern selected by the user in the texture pattern selection list 505 on the UI 303 of Fig. 5 is acquired. In the third embodiment, an example has been shown in which texture data is acquired directly from the data server 31, but it is of course also possible to acquire texture data that has been acquired in advance in the storage unit 302.

[0097] Then, in S1804, the CPU 310 functions as the texture data corrector 2101, and corrects the texture data acquired by the texture data acquisition unit 402 so as to increase the skewness of the luminance histogram in the perceptual luminance contrast data, based on the information related to the observation distance acquired by the observation distance acquisition unit 403. Then, in S1805, the CPU 310 outputs the texture data corrected in this manner to the texture data application unit 405.

[0098] 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process of correcting texture data according to the observation distance in S1804. S1901 and S1902 perform the same processes as S801 and S802 in FIG. 8, respectively, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0099] In S1903, the CPU 310 calculates a representative value of the perceptual luminance contrast data calculated in S1901. This representative value is, for example, the mode or the average value.

[0100] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of calculating a representative value in the third embodiment.

[0101] Here, the representative value is the mode 2001. A histogram 2002 shows a histogram of the perceived luminance contrast data.

[0102] In S1904, the CPU 310 corrects pixel values ​​equal to or greater than the mode 2001 (the representative value) calculated in S1903. Specifically, the correction is performed so that the maximum dynamic range 2004 of the mode 2001 and the histogram 2002 of the perceptual luminance contrast data becomes larger. Note that the maximum dynamic range 2004 is the range of the histogram equal to or greater than the mode 2001. For example, the maximum value of the perceptual luminance contrast data is corrected so that it becomes the maximum value that the perceptual luminance contrast data can take. This correction method may involve, for example, multiplying pixel values ​​equal to or greater than the mode included in the perceptual luminance contrast data by a positive coefficient. Alternatively, known histogram flattening processing may be used on pixel values ​​included in the dynamic range 2004 to increase the dynamic range.

[0103] 20 shows an example of a histogram after correction. In this histogram 2003, the maximum dynamic range 2005 for the mode (representative value) 2001 is larger than the pre-correction dynamic range 2004. In other words, the histogram is more biased, and the skewness is greater.

[0104] Next, in S1905, the CPU 310 converts the corrected perceived luminance contrast data into distortion-corrected luminance contrast data by canceling out changes in contrast perceived due to the frequency response characteristics of vision. In S1902, the luminance contrast data was converted into frequency data and multiplied by the frequency response characteristics of vision at the observation distance to simulate the perceived data. Therefore, in S1905, the corrected perceived luminance contrast data is divided by the frequency response characteristics of vision at the observation distance in frequency space to obtain corrected luminance contrast data.

[0105] Next, the process proceeds to S1906, where the CPU 310 replaces the brightness contrast data of the texture data input in S1901 with the corrected brightness contrast data acquired in S1905. In this way, the texture data after distortion correction is acquired. Conversion from YCbCr to RGB can be performed using equations (7) to (9).

[0106] R=Y+1.402·Cr …Equation (7) G=Y-0.344·Cb-0.714·Cr…Formula (8) B=Y+1.772·Cb …Equation (9) By performing the correction process on the texture data as described above, the decoration data can be corrected so that the degree of distortion of the perceived luminance contrast data at the observation distance becomes higher.

[0107] The method for correcting texture data is not limited to the above. For example, texture data may be corrected by a scaling process. Alternatively, if a viewing distance was assumed when the texture data was designed, the assumed viewing distance L0 is stored in the data server 31 or the storage unit 302 in association with the texture data. For example, if the display viewing distance when the texture data was designed was 60 cm and the texture data was designed to have a high metallic texture under these conditions, the assumed viewing distance L0 is set to 60 cm. Then, in S1802 of FIG. 18, the assumed viewing distance L0 is acquired in addition to the texture data. Then, in S1906, the scaling factor M is determined using equation (10) based on the ratio between the assumed viewing distance L0 and the viewing distance L entered in the viewing distance input box 507.

[0108] M=L / L0…Formula (10) The texture data is enlarged or reduced based on the scaling factor M calculated in this way. By scaling the texture data in this way, the appearance of the texture data in the decoration data can be adjusted to match the appearance at the time the texture data was created. That is, the skewness of the luminance histogram of the perceptual luminance contrast data of the decoration data corresponding to the actual observation distance can be corrected to be approximately equal to the skewness of the perceptual luminance contrast data corresponding to the observation distance at the time the texture data was created. Note that the method of correcting the texture data is not limited to the above correction method, as long as it increases the skewness of the luminance histogram of the perceptual luminance contrast data perceived when a printout on which the texture data is printed is viewed by an observer at a distance. The processing of the image processing device 30 according to the third embodiment is performed as described above.

[0109] As described above, according to the third embodiment, previously acquired reference texture data is corrected and used so that the skewness of the brightness histogram is high in the image perceived when an observer at a distance from a printed material on which the texture data is printed is observed. This makes it possible to generate texture data that has a high glossiness when observed at a distance. In other words, it becomes possible to create decoration data that has a high metallic texture. Furthermore, because it is sufficient to store the reference texture data, processing can be performed with less memory than if multiple texture data were stored.

[0110] In the third embodiment described above, an example was shown in which texture data was created by correcting acquired texture data so that the skewness of the brightness histogram would be high in an image perceived by an observer at a distance from a printed material on which the texture data is printed. In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, an illumination pattern may be stored separately from the texture data and combined with the corrected texture data. This makes it possible to reproduce the high specular reflectivity characteristic of metal, enabling the creation of decoration data that reproduces a more realistic metallic texture.

[0111] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0112] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 30...image processing device, 31...data server, 32...output device

Claims

1. An image processing device that holds a plurality of texture data for applying a metal representation on an image, an acquisition means for acquiring at least one of information regarding a viewing distance, which is the distance between a printed matter on which a target area is printed and a viewer who views the printed matter, and information regarding a paper size on which the target area is printed; a selection means for selecting one of the plurality of texture data based on the acquired information; applying means for applying the texture data selected by the selecting means to the target region; 1. An image processing device comprising:

2. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the selection means selects one of the plurality of texture data based on the skewness of a histogram of luminance contrast data perceived when the observer observes the texture data from a distance based on the acquired information.

3. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the selection means selects texture data in which the skewness of a histogram of brightness contrast data perceived when the observer observes a printed matter on which the texture data is printed from a viewing distance corresponding to the acquired information exhibits a positive value.

4. 3. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the selection means further selects texture data that has the highest skewness in the histogram of luminance contrast data perceived when the observer, at a viewing distance corresponding to the acquired information, views a printed material on which the target area to which the texture data has been applied is printed.

5. a third acquiring means for acquiring reference texture data from the plurality of texture data; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the selection means selects texture data in which the skewness of a histogram of brightness contrast data perceived when the observer, from a viewing distance corresponding to the acquired information, observes a printed matter on which the target area to which the texture data has been applied is greater than the skewness of a histogram of brightness contrast data perceived when the observer, from a viewing distance corresponding to the acquired information, observes a printed matter on which the target area to which the reference texture data has been applied is printed.

6. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said selection means further selects texture data having a color closest to that of said reference texture data.

7. 7. The image processing device according to claim 6, wherein the color includes at least one of hue and saturation.

8. further comprising an illumination pattern acquisition means for acquiring an illumination pattern; 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the applying means further combines the illumination pattern with the texture data selected by the selecting means and applies the combined data to the target area.

9. 9. The image processing device according to claim 8, wherein the applying means scales the illumination pattern to match the size of the texture data selected by the selecting means, aligns and combines the scaled illumination pattern and the texture data, and applies the texture data to the target area.

10. a setting means for setting a target area on the image to which a metal representation is to be applied; a first acquisition means for acquiring one piece of texture data; a second acquisition means for acquiring information about an observation distance, which is a distance between a printed matter on which the target area is printed and a viewer who views the printed matter; a correction means for correcting the texture data acquired by the first acquisition means based on the acquired information; an application means for applying the texture data corrected by the correction means to the target area; 1. An image processing device comprising:

11. 11. The image processing device according to claim 10, wherein the correction means corrects the texture data acquired by the first acquisition means so that the skewness of the histogram of brightness contrast data perceived when a printed matter on which the target area to which the texture data has been applied is printed is increased when the printed matter is observed at an observation distance based on the acquired information.

12. 11. The image processing device according to claim 10, wherein the correction means corrects the dynamic range of a histogram of brightness contrast data perceived when the observer observes the texture data from a distance corresponding to the acquired information, so as to increase the dynamic range of the histogram above its representative value.

13. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the representative value is either an average value or a mode value of the luminance contrast data.

14. Further, a fourth acquisition means for acquiring information on an assumed observation distance, which is an observation distance assumed when the texture data was designed, is included, 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the correction means changes the magnification of the texture data based on the ratio between the observation distance and the assumed observation distance.

15. further comprising an illumination pattern acquisition means for acquiring an illumination pattern; 15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the applying means further combines the illumination pattern with the texture data corrected by the correcting means and applies the combined data to the target area.

16. 16. The image processing device according to claim 15, wherein the application means scales the illumination pattern to match the size of the texture data corrected by the correction means, aligns and combines the scaled illumination pattern and the texture data, and applies the texture data to the target area.

17. 17. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information about the observation distance is information that represents the distance as a numerical value.

18. 10. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the paper size on which the target area is to be printed is information indicating the length of a short side or a long side of the paper size used to print the decoration data obtained by applying the texture data to the target area.

19. 10. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the luminance contrast data perceived when the observer observes texture data from a distance based on the acquired information is obtained by converting the texture data into luminance contrast data, multiplying a frequency based on the number of pixels of the texture data and its size after printing by a visual frequency response characteristic corresponding to the observation distance, and then inversely converting the frequency data of the luminance contrast data back into the luminance contrast data.

20. 20. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an output unit configured to output an image including the target region to which the texture data has been applied by the application unit.

21. 1. An image processing method for holding a plurality of texture data for applying a metal appearance on an image, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring at least one piece of information regarding a viewing distance, which is the distance between a printed matter on which a target area is printed and a viewer who views the printed matter, and information regarding a paper size on which the target area is printed; a selection step of selecting one of the plurality of texture data based on the acquired information; an applying step of applying the texture data selected by the selecting step to the target region; An image processing method comprising:

22. 1. An image processing method for holding a plurality of texture data for applying a metal appearance on an image, comprising: A setting step of setting a target area on the image to which a metal representation is to be applied; a first acquisition step of acquiring one piece of texture data; a second acquisition means for acquiring information about an observation distance, which is a distance between a printed matter on which the target area is printed and a viewer who views the printed matter; a correction step of correcting the texture data acquired in the first acquisition step based on the acquired information; an applying step of applying the texture data corrected by the correcting step to the target area; An image processing method comprising:

23. A program for causing a computer to execute all of the steps of the image processing method according to claim 21 or 22.

Images