(19)

*EP002903252B1*
(11) EP 2 903 252 B1
(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.:

of the grant of the patent: H04N 1/46 (2006.01) B41J 2/525 (2006.01)
26.02.2020 Bulletin 2020/09 G06T 1/00 (2006.01) H04N 1/60 (2006.01)
H04N 1/64 (2006.01)
(21) Application number: 13841345.5
(86) International application number:
(22) Date of filing: 12.09.2013 PCT/JP2013/074608

(87) International publication number:

WO 2014/050576 (03.04.2014 Gazette 2014/14)

(54) COLOR CONVERSION DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, AND COLOR CONVERSION METHOD
FARBUMWANDLUNGSVORRICHTUNG, BILDERZEUGENDE VORRICHTUNG UND
FARBUMWANDLUNGSVERFAHREN
DISPOSITIF DE CONVERSION DE COULEUR, DISPOSITIF DE FORMATION D’IMAGE, ET
PROCÉDÉ DE CONVERSION DE COULEUR

(84) Designated Contracting States: • MIZUTANI, Toshiyuki

AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB Tokyo 100-7015 (JP)
GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO
PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR (74) Representative: Gille Hrabal
Brucknerstrasse 20
(30) Priority: 27.09.2012 JP 2012213763 40593 Düsseldorf (DE)

(43) Date of publication of application: (56) References cited:

05.08.2015 Bulletin 2015/32 JP-A- 2005 258 650 JP-A- 2007 166 560
JP-A- 2012 109 884 US-A1- 2003 133 607
(73) Proprietor: Konica Minolta, Inc. US-A1- 2006 039 602 US-A1- 2007 139 675
Tokyo 100-7015 (JP) US-A1- 2011 255 104

(72) Inventors:
• HIRAMOTO, Kenichirou
Tokyo 100-7015 (JP)
EP 2 903 252 B1

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 EP 2 903 252 B1

Description

Technical Field

5 [0001] The present invention relates to a color conversion device, an image forming device and a color conversion
method.

Background Art

10 [0002] There is known an image processing device for color conversion of images. The image processing device has
all lookup tables (LUT) for color conversion provided for respective elements, such as a picture and a character, which
require different types of color conversion, and performs color conversion using an LUT as color conversion information
for an element which is a target of the color conversion (Patent Document 1, for example).

15 Related Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-219191
20
Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

25 [0004] By the way, in recent years, with increase of the speed of image formation performed by an image forming
device, there has also been a demand for a higher speed of color conversion of images is performed in image formation.
[0005] As a general method for speeding up color conversion, there is a method of performing color conversion in
parallel on pixels constituting an image with a plurality of color conversion devices which perform color conversion
provided.
30 [0006] However, a conventional image processing device as described in Patent Document 1 requires a storage area
to store a plurality of LUTs. When a plurality of image processing devices of this type are provided to perform processing
in parallel, the image processing devices each have a plurality of LUTs and therefore requires a storage area having a
massive data capacity (hereinafter simply referred to as a "capacity") .
[0007] On the other hand, when data amounts of LUTs which one image processing device has are reduced in order
35 to reduce the capacity, information amounts of the LUTs decrease, and therefore the accuracy of color conversion with
the LUTs decreases; for example, color gradation after color conversion decreases.
[0008] The document US2007139675A1 discloses an image processing apparatus performing color conversion
processing on an input image including a block pallet conversion unit, a first color converting unit and a restoration unit.
The block pallet conversion unit converts the input image in units of blocks into (i) pallet color information including pallet
40 colors number of which is less than pixels included in one of the blocks and (ii) selection information used to select one
of the pallet colors for each pixel. The first color converting unit performs color conversion on the pallet color information
obtained by the block pallet conversion unit. The restoration unit selects for each pixel, based on the selection information,
one of the pallet colors of the pallet color information, which is color-converted by the first color converting unit, to restores
an image. The document US2003133607A1 discloses a color conversion section 10 having a mode judging section 31
45 that judges a mode in effect: a copy mode or a printer mode, according to a mode judging signal. When the copy mode
is identified, the mode judging section 31 supplied RGB data to a first color conversion process section 32, and the first
color conversion section 32 carries out a first color conversion process in which a transitional color conversion value,
which is color-transited from a precise color conversion value and a memory color conversion value, is set as a color
conversion value with respect to memory color corresponding data. Document US2011255104A1 discloses an image
50 processing apparatus that enables shortening of processing time necessary for performing the whole color conversion.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a color conversion device, an image forming device and a color
conversion method each of which achieves both reduction in the capacity of a storage area to store color conversion
information necessary for color conversion and higher-accuracy color conversion than the one with color conversion
information having an information amount simply reduced.
55
Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The invention is defined by a color conversion device according to claim 1, and a color conversion method

2
 EP 2 903 252 B1

according to claim 10.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

5 [0011] The present invention can achieve both reduction in the capacity of a storage area to store color conversion
information necessary for color conversion and higher-accuracy color conversion than the one with color conversion
information having an information amount simply reduced.

Brief Description of Drawings

10
[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main components of an image forming device as a first embodiment of the
present invention.
15 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main components of an image processing unit.
FIG. 3 is an image figure showing the flow of processing performed by a color conversion unit of the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of pattern information contained in a first color conversion table and a second color
conversion table.
FIG. 5 is an image figure showing an example of the case where reconversion is not performed in the processing
20 performed by the color conversion unit of the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an image figure showing the flow of processing performed by a color conversion unit of a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 shows an example of the case where color conversion is performed in parallel on four pixels contained in a
unit area of (a, b) = (2, 2) by four color converting units.
FIG. 8 shows examples of a correspondence between a combination pattern of types of attribute information set in
25 pixels contained in a unit area, a pixel in the unit area as a target of exchange by a pixel exchange unit, whether to
perform reconversion by a reconversion unit, and positions of pixels to be the same color by reconversion, in the
case where a pixel area containing image data of two rows to be color-converted by two color converting units which
perform color conversion using the second color conversion table is the unit area.

30 Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. Although
various limitations technically preferable for carrying out the present invention are given to the embodiments below, the
scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments or illustrated examples.
35
(First Embodiment)

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main components of an image forming device 1 as a first embodiment
of the present invention.
40 [0015] The image forming device 1 includes a control unit 10, an image processing unit 20, an image forming unit 30
and an operation input unit 40.
[0016] The image forming device 1 obtains image data input from a host device 2 such as a personal computer (PC).
The image forming device 1 performs image processing on the obtained image data with the image processing unit 20.
Then, the image forming device 1 forms images on recording media with the image forming unit 30 on the basis of the
45 image processing-performed image data.
[0017] The control unit 10 includes a CPU 11, a RAM 12, a ROM 13 and a nonvolatile memory 14. The CPU 11 of
the control unit 10 reads various software programs and data from the ROM 13 or the nonvolatile memory 14 according
to contents of processing and executes the read programs, thereby performing various types of processing relevant to
the action of the image forming device 1.
50 [0018] The control unit 10 also includes various interfaces (I/F) . More specifically, the control unit 10 includes: a host
I/F 15 to connect the image forming device 1 to the host device 2; an operation input I/F 16 to connect the control unit
10 to the operation input unit 40; and an engine I/F 17 to connect the control unit 10 to the image forming unit 30. The
control unit 10 obtains image data, for example, from the host device 2 connected thereto through the host I/F 15, thereby
functioning as an image obtaining section.
55 [0019] The image processing unit 20 performs various types of image processing on the image data input into the
image forming device 1.
[0020] More specifically, the image processing unit 20 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a decompressing
unit 21, a color conversion unit 22, a gradation converting unit 23 and a screening unit 24. The image processing unit

3
 EP 2 903 252 B1

20 is constituted of, for example, integrated circuits such as FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) and ASIC (Appli-
cation Specific Integrated Circuit). Functions of the units of the image processing unit 20 are functions implemented on
the integrated circuits.
[0021] The decompressing unit 21 decompresses compressed image data (e.g., CMYK image data).
5 [0022] The color conversion unit 22 converts colors of pixels contained in the image data decompressed by the
decompressing unit 21. The processing performed by the color conversion unit 22 is detailed below.
[0023] The gradation converting unit 23 performs predetermined gradation conversion on individual colors (e.g., cyan
(C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K)) contained in the image data color-converted by the color conversion unit
22. Examples of the predetermined gradation conversion include monochrome bitmap conversion and grayscale con-
10 version.
[0024] The screening unit 24 performs predetermined screening on the image data gradation-converted by the gra-
dation converting unit 23. Examples of the predetermined screening include error diffusion, AM screening and FM
screening (stochastic screening).
[0025] The image forming unit 30 forms images on recording media on the basis of the image data subjected to the
15 image processing by the image processing unit 20. That is, the image forming unit 30 functions as an image forming
section which forms images on the basis of the image data constituted of the pixels having the colors converted by the
color conversion unit 22.
[0026] More specifically, the image forming unit 30 includes: a conveyance unit which takes out and conveys paper
from a paper tray in which the paper is stored as recording media; a head unit having nozzles which discharge inks to
20 the paper being conveyed by the conveyance unit; a drive unit which drives the head unit according to the image data;
an ejection unit which ejects the paper with images formed thereon; a supply unit which supplies inks to the head unit;
and a cleaning unit which cleans the nozzles of the head unit, all of which are not shown.
[0027] The operation input unit 40 makes various inputs relevant to the action of the image forming device 1 in response
to user operations.
25 [0028] More specifically, the operation input unit 40 includes: a touch-panel input display device; an up/down/right/left
movement key to select data, perform scrolling operations, and so forth; and various function keys, and outputs press
signals of keys pressed by a user and/or operation signals of a mouse operated thereby to the CPU 11 of the control unit 10.
[0029] Next, the processing performed by the color conversion unit 22 of the image processing unit 20 is described.
[0030] FIG. 3 is an image figure showing the flow of the processing performed by the color conversion unit 22 of the
30 first embodiment.
[0031] The color conversion unit 22 includes an input unit 221, an input buffer 222, a color converting unit 223, an
intermediate buffer 224, an attribute obtaining unit 225 and a reconversion unit 226.
[0032] The input unit 221 functions as an input section which inputs image data of a predetermined number of rows,
the predetermined number being two or more.
35 [0033] More specifically, the input unit 221 successively extracts image data, for example, from a pixel area of X pixels
3 Y pixels which constitute the image data decompressed by the decompressing unit 21 in units of a pixel area of a
pixels 3 b pixels and writes the extracted image data into the input buffer 222, wherein X ≥ a and Y ≥ b.
[0034] In the pixel area of X pixels 3 Y pixels, a direction along the X direction is a row direction, and a direction along
the Y direction is a column direction. That is, the input unit 221 extracts image data of a pieces arranged in the X direction
40 for b rows and writes the extracted image data into the input buffer 222. In the first embodiment, (a, b) = (1, 4). However,
this is not a limitation but an example.
[0035] In FIG. 3, the position of each pixel in the pixel area of X pixels 3 Y pixels is shown as "m (y) (x)". For example,
the pixel "m11" is a pixel which is the first (y = 1) in the Y direction from the top and the first (x = 1) in the X direction
from the left.
45 [0036] The color converting unit 223 converts colors of pixels contained in the image data corresponding to the pixel
area of a pixels 3 b pixels written into the input buffer 222.
[0037] More specifically, the color converting unit 223 is constituted of a plurality of color converting units provided for
respective rows (b) of the image data input by the input unit 221. In the first embodiment, b = 4. Hence, the color converting
unit 223 has four color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d provided for the respective rows of the image data
50 of four rows. These four color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d function as a plurality of color conversion
sections which perform color conversion in parallel on rows to convert colors of pixels contained in the respective rows
of the image data.
[0038] The color converting unit 223 writes the color-converted image data into the intermediate buffer 224.
[0039] In FIG. 3, a pixel obtained by color conversion on the pixel "m(y) (x)" is shown as "n(y) (x)".
55 [0040] The color conversion sections perform color conversion using color conversion information containing infor-
mation on a correspondence between colors of pixels before color conversion and colors of the pixels after the color
conversion.
[0041] More specifically, the four color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d perform color conversion using

4
 EP 2 903 252 B1

color conversion tables. Each color conversion table is data to correlate colors of pixels before color conversion (first
values) with colors of the pixels after the color conversion (second values). The color conversion table contains, for
example, information (hereinafter "pattern information") indicating the correspondence between first values and second
values with respect to, of all the colors which the pixels before color conversion may have, some colors extracted by
5 sampling. Each of the four color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d calculates second values respectively
corresponding to first values by predetermined interpolation on the basis of the pattern information contained in the color
conversion table. Then, each of the four color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d obtains, on the basis of the
calculation result, second values respectively corresponding to first values written into the input buffer 222.
[0042] Of the color conversion sections, at least one color conversion section performs color conversion using certain
10 color conversion information, and the other color conversion section(s) perform color conversion using other color con-
version information which is different from the certain color conversion information.
[0043] For example, as shown by the number of marks "x" put on a line L1 in FIG. 4, the number of pieces of pattern
information (the number of partitions) on each color contained in the color conversion table (a first color conversion table)
used by the color converting unit 223a is 16, and as shown by the number of black points put on the line L1, the number
15 of partitions on each color contained in the color conversion table (a second color conversion table) used by the color
converting units 223b, 223c and 223d is 6.
[0044] As shown by the line L1, the pattern information contained in the first color conversion table and the pattern
information contained in the second color conversion table are pattern information contained in the same color conversion
pattern. For example, the first color conversion table contains the pattern information for first values of 0, 17, 34, 51, 68,
20 85, 102, 119, 136, 153, 170, 187, 204, 221, 238 and 255 with respect to each color, whereas the second color conversion
table contains the pattern information for first values of 0, 51, 102, 153, 204 and 255 with respect to each color. That is,
the other color conversion information (the second color conversion table) is a portion of the correspondence between
colors of pixels before color conversion and colors of the pixels after the color conversion contained in the certain color
conversion information (the first color conversion table) . Conversely, the first color conversion table contains the entire
25 correspondence between first values and second values contained in the second color conversion table. The number
of gradations of colors in color conversion with a color conversion table corresponds to the number of pieces of pattern
information. Therefore, the first color conversion table has an information amount (the number of gradations of colors
of pixels after color conversion represented by second values) more than that of the second color conversion table.
Conversely, the second color conversion table has an information amount less than that of the first color conversion table.
30 [0045] Although FIG. 4 schematically shows the pattern information on one predetermined color represented by 8 bits
(0 to 255), the actual color conversion table is an LUT having an information amount according to a combination of
pieces of pattern information on a plurality of colors (e.g., cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K)). The information
amount of a color conversion table is proportional to the number of partitions (e.g., 16 or 6) on each color and the number
of colors (e.g., four colors of C, M, Y and K). For example, in the case where color conversion tables are for four colors
35 of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K), the first color conversion table contains an information amount
equivalent to 16 to the power of 4 (16^4 = 65,536 patterns), and the second color conversion table contains an information
amount equivalent to 6 to the power of 4 (6^4 = 1,296 patterns). In FIG. 3, on the color converting unit 223a which
performs color conversion using the first color conversion table containing an information amount equivalent to 16 to
the power of 4, the "16^4 color conversion" is put, and on the color converting units 223b, 223c and 223d which perform
40 color conversion using the second color conversion table containing an information amount equivalent to 6 to the power
of 4, the "6^4 color conversion" is put.
[0046] In the first embodiment, the data size of one piece of pattern information is 4 bytes for four colors with 1 byte
for each color. Hence, the data size D1 of the first color conversion table is represented by the following equation (1),
and the data size D2 of the second color conversion table is represented by the following equation (2).
45

50

[0047] The attribute obtaining unit 225 functions as an obtaining section which obtains attribute information set in each
of the pixels which constitute the image data of the predetermined number of rows.
[0048] More specifically, the attribute obtaining unit 225 reads and obtains attribute information set in each of the
55 pixels which constitute the image data corresponding to the pixel area of a pixels 3 b pixels written into the input buffer 222.
[0049] Herein, the attribute information obtained by the attribute information obtaining unit 225 is described.
[0050] The attribute information is information set in each of the pixels and indicates what image (e.g., a natural image

5
 EP 2 903 252 B1

such as a picture, a character in a font or the like, or a contour which is a boundary of these) the pixel constitutes in the
image data. More specifically, the attribute information is set in each of the pixels as information indicating that the pixel
is either for an "edge (E)" or for an "image (I)". The attribute information of the "edge (E)" is attribute information which
indicates a pixel constituting the contour of an image, and is set in a pixel having a predetermined difference or more in
5 color value from any of its adjacent pixels. The attribute information of the "image (I)" is attribute information which
indicates a pixel constituting a natural image and is set in a pixel having the predetermined difference or more in color
value from none of its adjacent pixels.
[0051] FIG. 3 shows, as an example, that the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set in all the pixels (m11, m21,
m31, m41) contained in the pixel area of (a, b) = (1, 4) written into the input buffer 222.
10 [0052] The reconversion unit 226 functions as a reconversion section which reconverts the pixels contained in the
image data of the predetermined number of rows color-converted by the color conversion sections (e.g., the four color
converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d) when the attribute information obtained by the attribute obtaining unit 225
is predetermined attribute information.
[0053] More specifically, for example, when the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set in all the pixels contained
15 in a predetermined pixel area (a pixel area of c pixels 3 d pixels), the reconversion unit 226 replaces, of the pixels
contained in the predetermined pixel area, the pixels color-converted with the second color conversion table by the pixel
color-converted with the first color conversion table in the predetermined pixel area.
[0054] In the case shown in FIG. 3, the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set in all the four pixels (m11, m21,
m31, m41) contained in the pixel area of (c, d) = (1, 4). In this case, the reconversion unit 226 performs replacement to
20 replace the pixels (n21, n31, n41) color-converted with the second color conversion table by the pixel (n11) color-
converted by the color converting unit 223a using the first color conversion table. Thus, through reconversion by the
reconversion unit 226, the colors of all the four pixels (m11, m21, m31, m41) become the color of the pixel (n11) color-
converted with the first color conversion table. A pixel where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set is more
gradual in color change from its surrounding pixel(s) than a pixel which constitutes an image contour or a character
25 image, whereas gradation is important for the pixel. Hence, the pixel is replaced by the value of its neighboring pixel
subjected to gradation-focused color conversion (e.g., color conversion with the first color conversion table).
[0055] Thus, on the basis of the pixel color-converted with the certain color conversion information (e.g., the first color
conversion table) in the predetermined pixel area (e.g., the pixel area of c pixels 3 d pixels) contained in the image data
of the predetermined number of rows (e.g., the image data corresponding to the pixel area of a pixels 3 b pixels), the
30 reconversion unit 226 converts the pixels color-converted with the other color conversion information (e.g., the second
color conversion table) in the predetermined pixel area.
[0056] On the other hand, when the attribute information of the "edge (E)" is set in one or more pixels contained in
the predetermined pixel area (e.g., the pixel area of c pixels 3 d pixels), the reconversion unit 226 does not perform
reconversion on the predetermined pixel area.
35 [0057] In the case shown in FIG. 5, the attribute information of the "edge (E)" is set in one pixel (m12) of the four pixels
(m12, m22, m32, m42) contained in the pixel area of (c, d) = (1, 4) . In this case, the reconversion unit 226 does not
perform reconversion on the pixel area. Therefore, the colors of the four pixels (m12, m22, m32, m42) are the colors of
the pixels (n12, n22, n32, n42) respectively color-converted by the four color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d.
[0058] When performing reconversion, the reconversion unit 226 outputs image data corresponding to the reconverted
40 pixel area of a pixels 3 b pixels to the gradation converting unit 23. On the other hand, when not performing reconversion,
the reconversion unit 226 outputs image data corresponding to the pixel area of a pixels 3 b pixels written into the
intermediate buffer 224 as it is to the gradation converting unit 23.
[0059] As described above, according to the image forming device 1 of the first embodiment, when the attribute
information on pixels obtained by the attribute obtaining unit 225 is the natural image information, the reconversion unit
45 226 converts, using the pixel color-converted with the certain conversion information (e.g., the first color conversion
table) in the predetermined pixel area contained in the image data of the predetermined number of rows, the pixels color-
converted with the other conversion information (e.g., the second color conversion table) in the predetermined pixel
area. Consequently, the pixel color-converted with the certain color conversion information is applicable to the pixels
color-converted by the color conversion sections not using the certain color conversion information. Therefore, the
50 difference between the color conversion results generated by the different color conversion information amounts used
for color conversion can be eliminated by reconversion by the reconversion section. That is, without storing multiple
types of color conversion information (e.g., a plurality of LUTs for color conversion) in each of the color conversion
sections, on the basis of the color of the pixel obtained by color conversion with the certain color conversion information
stored in any of the color conversion sections, the pixels contained in the image data of the predetermined number of
55 rows can be reconverted. Therefore, it is unnecessary for each of the color conversion sections to have the certain color
conversion information, and accordingly, as compared with the case where each of the color conversion sections has
the certain color conversion information, the capacity to store color conversion information can be reduced. Further, the
pixels contained in the image data of the predetermined number of rows can be color-converted with the accuracy of

6
 EP 2 903 252 B1

color conversion, the accuracy being obtained with the certain color conversion information. Thus, the image forming
device 1 of the first embodiment can achieve both reduction in the capacity of the storage area to store color conversion
information necessary for color conversion and that accuracy of color conversion.
[0060] For example, in the first embodiment, the total of the data sizes of the color conversion tables, which are
5 represented by the equations (1) and (2), is D1 + 3 3 D2 = 277,696 bytes. If each of the four color converting units 223a,
223b, 223c and 223d has the first color conversion table, the total of the data sizes is 1,048,576 bytes. That is, the data
size of the color conversion tables which the color conversion unit 22 of the first embodiment has is about 26% as
compared with the case where it is designed that each of the four color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d
uses the first color conversion table, so that the capacity required to store color conversion tables is reduced. Meanwhile,
10 the image forming device 1 of the first embodiment can ensure gradation of colors of the pixels contained in the rows
of the image data to be color-converted by the color converting units 223b, 223c and 223d not using the first color
conversion table too by reconversion by the reconversion unit 226. Therefore, the image forming device 1 of the first
embodiment can achieve both reduction in the capacity of the storage area to store color conversion information necessary
for color conversion and the accuracy of color conversion.
15 [0061] Further, when the attribute information including the natural image information (e.g., the attribute information
of the "image (I)") is set in all the pixels contained in the predetermined pixel area (the pixel area of c pixels 3 d pixels),
the reconversion unit 226 replaces, by the pixel color-converted with the certain color conversion information (e.g., the
first color conversion table) having a larger information amount, the pixels color-converted with the other color conversion
information (e.g., the second color conversion table) which is different from the certain color conversion information.
20 Consequently, to all the pixels in the predetermined pixel area, the result of color conversion with the certain color
conversion information, by which the result of color conversion with a larger number of gradations is obtained, is applicable.
Hence, without storing the certain color conversion information in each of the color conversion sections, the pixels of
the rows respectively color-converted by the color conversion sections can be reconverted on the basis of the result of
color conversion with a larger number of gradations. Therefore, both reduction in the capacity of the storage area to
25 store color conversion information necessary for color conversion and the accuracy of color conversion can be achieved.
[0062] Further, when the attribute information including the edge information (e.g., the attribute information of the
"edge (E) ") is set in one or more pixels contained in the predetermined pixel area, the reconversion unit 226 does not
perform reconversion on the predetermined pixel area. Consequently, the color (s) of the pixel (s) which constitutes an
image contour can be maintained. It is more important for the pixel which constitutes an image contour to have a clear
30 difference in color from its adjacent pixel (s) where another type of the attribute information is set, and therefore for the
pixel, resolution is more important than gradation. Hence, when the pixel where the attribute information including the
edge information is set is contained in the predetermined pixel area, reconversion is not performed on the predetermined
pixel area, so that the difference in color between the pixel where the edge information is set and the above-described
pixel adjacent to the pixel can be maintained, and the accuracy of color conversion can be ensured for the pixel area
35 containing the pixel which constitutes an image contour.
[0063] Further, the other color conversion information (the second color conversion table) is a portion of the corre-
spondence between colors of pixels before color conversion and colors of the pixels after the color conversion, the
correspondence being contained in the certain color conversion information (the first color conversion table). Hence,
the other color conversion information can be obtained by thinning out a portion of the correspondence between colors
40 of pixels before color conversion and colors of the pixels after the color conversion contained in the certain color conversion
information. Therefore, multiple types of color conversion information can be created by preparing only the correspond-
ence between colors of pixels before color conversion and colors of the pixels after the color conversion necessary for
the certain color conversion information, and accordingly time and effort for creation of color conversion information can
be reduced.
45
(Second Embodiment)

[0064] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. The image forming device of the second
embodiment is the same as the image forming device 1 of the first embodiment in configuration, except for details of
50 color conversion performed by the color conversion unit 22. Hence, other than the color conversion unit 22, descriptions
are omitted. In addition, in the descriptions of the color conversion unit 22 of the second embodiment, the components
the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numbers as those in the first embodiment and
their descriptions are omitted.
[0065] FIG. 6 is an image figure showing the flow of processing performed by the color conversion unit 22 of the
55 second embodiment.
[0066] The color conversion unit 22 of the second embodiment includes a pixel exchange unit 227, an exchange
information storage unit 228 and a re-exchange unit 229 in addition to the input unit 221, the input buffer 222, the color
converting unit 223, the intermediate buffer 224, the attribute obtaining unit 225 and the reconversion unit 226 which

7
 EP 2 903 252 B1

are described in the first embodiment.

[0067] The pixel exchange unit 227 functions as an exchange section which exchanges, of the image data of the
predetermined number of rows, the pixels of the different rows of the image data before the color conversion sections
(e.g., the four color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d) perform color conversion.
5 [0068] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the pixel exchange unit 227 performs exchange to exchange, of the eight
pixels written into the input buffer 222, the color of the pixel (e.g., m12) of the row for the color converting unit 223a with
the color of the pixel (e.g., m31) of the row for the color converting unit 223c.
[0069] The exchange by the pixel exchange unit 227 is performed before color conversion, so that the exchanged two
pixels are respectively color-converted by the color conversion sections which are for the rows of the exchanged pixels.
10 Hence, as shown in FIG. 6, the pixel "m31" which is, before exchange, the pixel of the row for the color converting unit
223c is color-converted by the color converting unit 223a using the first color conversion table, whereby the "n31" is
obtained, whereas the pixel "m12" which is, before exchange, the pixel of the row for the color converting unit 223a is
color-converted by the color converting unit 223c using the second color conversion table, whereby the "n12" is obtained.
Thus, of the image data of different rows, the pixels of which are exchanged by the pixel exchange unit 227, the image
15 data of one row (e.g., m31) is color-converted with the first color conversion table, whereas the image data of the other
row (e.g., m12) is color-converted with the second color conversion table.
[0070] In the second embodiment, the input buffer 222 is provided to store image data of two of a pixels 3 b pixels
for the pixel exchange unit 227 to perform exchange before the input buffer 222 provides the data to the color converting
unit 223. In this case, the pixel exchange unit 227 performs exchange, of the image data of two of a pixels 3 b pixels
20 stored in the input buffer, on the image data of one of a pixels 3 b pixels which is input earlier, and at the same timing
as the exchange, the input unit 221 writes image data of another one of a pixels 3 b pixels into the input buffer. This
configuration of the input buffer 222 is not a limitation but an example. Hence, for example, FIFO may be adopted to
configure the input buffer.
[0071] Further, in the second embodiment, the attribute obtaining unit 225 obtains the attribute information on each
25 of the pixels contained in the pixel area of a pixels 3 b pixels read by the pixel exchange unit 227.
[0072] The exchange information storage unit 228 stores a correspondence between the pixels exchanged by the
pixel exchange unit 227. More specifically, the exchange information storage unit 228 includes a not-shown register and
stores therein information indicating the pixels exchanged by the pixel exchange unit 227.
[0073] The exchange information storage unit 228 is detailed as the one having the above-described configuration.
30 However, in the case where the correspondence between the positions of the pixels exchanged by the pixel exchange
unit 227 and the positions of the pixels input into the re-exchange unit 229 is managed in advance, for example, in the
case where specific pixel positions (the pixels "m12" and "m31" in the above) in the predetermined pixel area are always
determined and act as exchange target positions, the re-exchange unit 229 can perform exchange without referring to
the information in the exchange information storage unit 228.
35 [0074] The re-exchange unit 229 functions as a re-exchange section which re-exchanges the pixels having the colors
exchanged by the pixel exchange unit 227 according to the correspondence stored in the exchange information storage
unit 228 after the color converting sections (e.g., the four color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d) perform
color conversion but before the reconversion unit 226 performs reconversion.
[0075] More specifically, the re-exchange unit 229 performs re-exchange to return two pixels correlated by the corre-
40 spondence stored in the exchange information storage unit 228, namely, color-converted pixels corresponding to the
two pixels exchanged by the pixel exchange unit 227, to the positions corresponding to the positions before exchange
by the pixel exchange unit 227. The two pixels to re-exchange are color-converted pixels. Therefore, for example, in the
case where the pixels exchanged by exchange are the pixels "m31" and "m12", the pixels to re-exchange are, as shown
in FIG. 6, the pixels "n31" and "n12" which are obtained by color conversion on the pixels "m31" and "m12". In this case,
45 through re-exchange, the pixel "n31" returns to the position corresponding to the row for the color converting unit 223c,
and the pixel "n12" returns to the position corresponding to the row for the color converting unit 223a.
[0076] Further, the re-exchange unit 229 is provided, for example, between the intermediate buffer 224 and the re-
conversion unit 226, and reads the color-converted pixel area of a pixels 3 b pixels from the intermediate buffer 224,
performs re-exchange on the read pixel area, and sends the re-exchanged pixel area of a pixels 3 b pixels to the
50 reconversion unit 226. That is, in the second embodiment, the reconversion unit 226 performs processing on each of
the pixels contained in the image data corresponding to the pixel area of a pixels 3 b pixels re-exchanged by the re-
exchange unit 229.
[0077] In the second embodiment, when the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set in all the pixels contained in
the predetermined pixel area (a pixel area of e pixels 3 f pixels) which is different from that of the first embodiment, the
55 reconversion unit 226 replaces, of the pixels contained in the predetermined pixel area, the pixels color-converted with
the second color conversion table by the pixel color-converted with the first color conversion table in the predetermined
pixel area.
[0078] In the case shown in FIG. 6, the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set in all the four pixels (m31, m41,

8
 EP 2 903 252 B1

m32, m42) contained in the pixel area of (e, f) = (2, 2). In this case, the reconversion unit 226 performs replacement to
replace the pixels (n41, n32, n42) color-converted with the second color conversion table by the pixel (n31) color-
converted by the color converting unit 223a using the first color conversion table. Thus, through reconversion by the
reconversion unit 226, the colors of all the four pixels (m31, m41, m32, m42) become the color of the pixel (n31) color-
5 converted with the first color conversion table.
[0079] Further, in the second embodiment, when the attribute information of the "edge (E)" is set in one or more pixels
contained in the predetermined pixel area (the pixel area of e pixels 3 f pixels) which is different from that of the first
embodiment, the reconversion unit 226 does not perform reconversion on the predetermined pixel area.
[0080] In the case shown in FIG. 6, the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set in two pixels (m11, m12) of the
10 four pixels (m11, m21, m12, m22) contained in the pixel area of (e, f) = (2, 2). In this case, the reconversion unit 226
does not perform reconversion on the pixel area. Hence, the colors of the four pixels (m11, m21, m12, m22) are the
colors of the pixels (n11, n21, n12, n22) color-converted by the color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d,
respectively.
[0081] In other words, the reconversion unit 226 of the second embodiment performs the same processing as the
15 reconversion unit 226 of the first embodiment, except that the predetermined pixel area as a batch for reconversion is
different therebetween.
[0082] As described above, according to the image forming device of the second embodiment, of the image data of
different rows, the pixels of which are exchanged by the pixel exchange unit 227, the image data of one row is color-
converted with certain color conversion information (e.g., the first color conversion table), and the image data of the
20 other row is color-converted with other color conversion information (e.g., the second color conversion table). Conse-
quently, the pixel to be color-converted with the other color conversion information unless exchange is performed can
be color-converted with the certain color conversion information. Further, the re-exchange unit 229 re-exchanges the
pixels having the colors exchanged by the pixel exchange unit 227. Consequently, the color of the pixel color-converted
by a color conversion section (e.g., the color converting unit 223a) using the certain color conversion information is
25 applicable to the row(s) for another color conversion section(s) (e.g., the color converting unit 223c) which performs
color conversion using the other color conversion information. Thus, according to the image forming device of the second
embodiment, the result of color conversion with the certain color conversion information is applicable to a plurality of
rows. Consequently, the result of the certain color conversion is more uniformly applicable to the entire pixel area
contained in the image data, and more optimum color conversion can be two-dimensionally performed on the image data.
30 [0083] For example, through reconversion in the first embodiment, the colors of the pixels (e.g., m11, m21, m31, m41)
of one column extending four rows become the same color, so that the resolution of the image in the Y direction becomes
1/4 as compared with before reconversion. Meanwhile, in the second embodiment, the resolution in the vertical direction
can be 1/2 as compared with before reconversion. For example, when the resolution of image data before color conversion
is 1200 dpi 3 1200 dpi, the resolution of the reconverted predetermined pixel area is 1200 dpi 3 300 dpi in the first
35 embodiment, whereas the resolution of the reconverted predetermined pixel area is 600 dpi 3 600 dpi in the second
embodiment. Thus, a reconversion result vertically and horizontally more uniform can be obtained in the second em-
bodiment. In each of the first and second embodiments, the resolution of the predetermined pixel area containing the
pixel (s) where the attribute information of the "edge (E)" is set is 1200 dpi 3 1200 dpi. Thus, the original resolution can
be maintained without decrease.
40 [0084] The embodiments of the present invention, namely, the embodiments described herein, are examples in every
aspect and hence should not be regarded as limitations. The scope of the present invention is shown by not the above
descriptions but the scope of claims and is intended to include equivalents to the scope of claims and all modifications
made within the scope thereof.
[0085] For example, the pixel exchange unit 227 of the second embodiment may determine pixels to exchange their
45 colors on the basis of the attribute information on each of pixels contained in a unit area, the pixels being contained in
the image data of the predetermined number of rows (e.g., the image data corresponding to the pixel area of a pixels
3 b pixels).
[0086] More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the pixel exchange unit 227 takes a pixel area containing
image data of two rows written into the input buffer 222 as the unit area and determines pixels to exchange their colors
50 on the basis of the attribute information on each of the pixels contained in the unit area.
[0087] FIG. 7 shows an example of the case where the four color converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d perform
color conversion in parallel on four pixels (m11, m21, m12, m22) contained in a unit area of (a, b) = (2, 2). The four color
converting units 223a, 223b, 223c and 223d perform color conversion on the upper left, the lower left, the upper right
and the lower right in the unit area, respectively.
55 [0088] If the pixel exchange unit 227 does not exchange pixels, the color converting unit 223a performs color conversion
(16^4 color conversion) on the pixel "m11" at the upper left in the unit area shown in FIG. 7. The attribute information
set in the pixel "m11" is the attribute information of the "edge (E)". Meanwhile, in the unit area, there are pixels where
the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set, such as the "m21" and the "m22". In this case, the pixel exchange unit

9
 EP 2 903 252 B1

227 obtains the attribute information on each of the pixels in the unit area from the attribute obtaining unit 225 and
exchange pixels in such a way that the color converting unit 223a performs color conversion on a pixel where the attribute
information of the "image (I)" is set. More specifically, the pixel exchange unit 227 exchanges, for example, the pixel
"m11" with the pixel "m21".
5 [0089] Further, when a positional relationship of pixels where the attribute information of the "edge (E)" is set and
pixels where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set in a unit area is a specific positional relationship, the
reconversion unit 226 performs reconversion on a predetermined pixel area even when the attribute information of the
"edge (E) " is set in one or more pixels contained in the predetermined pixel area.
[0090] More specifically, when pixels where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set are adjacent to one another
10 in the row direction or the column direction, the reconversion unit 226 performs reconversion. In the case shown in FIG.
7, the pixels "m21" and "m22" where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set are adjacent to each other in the
row direction. In this case, the reconversion unit 226 replaces the pixel "m22" by the pixel "m21" color-converted by the
color converting unit 223a. Consequently, the accuracy of color conversion by the color conversion unit 22 can be further
increased.
15 [0091] The pixel exchange in the unit area and the reconversion shown in FIG. 7 are not limitations but examples.
Other examples are described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0092] FIG. 8 shows combination patterns of types of attribute information set in pixels contained in a unit area, and
so forth in the case where a pixel area containing image data of two rows color-converted by two color converting units
223c and 223d which perform color conversion using the second color conversion table is the unit area.
20 [0093] For example, when the attribute information on a pixel at a predetermined position is not the attribute information
of the "image (I)", pixel exchange may be performed. More specifically, when, as shown in patterns P2, P7, P9, P10 and
P12 to P14 in FIG. 8, the attribute information set in a pixel at a predetermined position (e.g., the pixel "m11" at the
upper left in the unit area shown in FIG. 7) to be color-converted with the color conversion information having a larger
information amount (e.g., 16^4 color conversion) unless pixel exchange is performed is not the attribute information of
25 the "image (I)", but the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set in any of the other pixels in the unit area, the pixel
exchange unit 227 may take one of the pixels where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set as an exchange
target pixel and exchanges the pixel at the predetermined position with this pixel.
[0094] Further, when the attribute information set in the pixel at the predetermined position is the attribute information
of the "image (I)" as shown in patterns P3 to P6, P8, P11 and P15 in FIG. 8, the pixel exchange unit 227 may perform
30 no pixel exchange or may exchange the pixel at the predetermined position with any one of the pixels where the attribute
information of the "image (I)" is set. Further, when the attribute information of the "image (I) is set in all the pixels as
shown in a pattern P1 in FIG. 8, or when there is no pixel where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set in the
unit area as shown in a pattern P16 in FIG. 8, the pixel exchange unit 227 may perform no pixel exchange.
[0095] Thus, on the basis of the attribute information on each of the pixels contained in the unit area, the pixels being
35 contained in the image data of the predetermined number of rows (e.g., the pixel area containing image data of two rows
written into the input buffer 222), the color-exchange target pixel is determined. Thereby, on the basis of the attribute
information, a pixel which is more desired to be color-converted with the certain color conversion information (e.g., a
certain color conversion table) can be made to be the color-exchange target pixel. Consequently, the accuracy of color
conversion can be further increased.
40 [0096] Further, the reconversion unit 226 may determine whether to perform reconversion on the basis of the positional
relationship of pixels where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set and pixels where the attribute information
of the "edge (E)" is set in a unit area.
[0097] More specifically, for example, when, in the same unit area as above (see FIG. 8), two or more pixels where
the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set are adjacent to one another, the reconversion unit 226 may replace, by
45 the one pixel color-converted with the first color conversion table of the two or more pixels where the attribute information
of the "image (I)" is set, the other pixel (s) where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set.
[0098] For example, in the case of, of the patterns shown in FIG. 8, the patterns (patterns P1 to P15) containing the
pixel(s) where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set, the color converting unit 223a performs, using the first
color conversion table, color conversion on one pixel of the pixels where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is
50 set after the pixel exchange unit 227 performs exchange.
[0099] When, as shown in the pattern P1, all the four pixels in the unit area are the pixels where the attribute information
of the "image (I)" is set, it is assumed that the pixel area in the unit area is a pixel area contained in a natural image
which is not divided by a contour or the like and is a continuous pixel area where pixels having the same color or similar
colors are arranged. In this case, the reconversion unit 226 replaces, by the one pixel color-converted by the color
55 converting unit 223a using the first color conversion table, the other three pixels.
[0100] Further, when, as shown in the patterns P2 to P5, there are three pixels where the attribute information of the
"image (I)" is set in the unit area, as with the pattern P1, it is assumed that these three pixels are of a pixel area contained
in a natural image which is not divided by a contour or the like. In this case, the reconversion unit 226 replaces, by the

10
 EP 2 903 252 B1

one pixel color-converted by the color converting unit 223a using the first color conversion table, the other two pixels.
[0101] Further, when, as shown in the patterns P8 to P11, there are two pixels where the attribute information of the
"image (I)" is set and two pixels where the attribute information of the "edge (E)" is set in the unit area, and the two pixels
where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set are adjacent to each other in the X direction or the Y direction,
5 as with the patterns P1 to P5, it is assumed that these two pixels are of a pixel area contained in a natural image which
is not divided by a contour or the like. In this case, the reconversion unit 226 replaces, by the one pixel color-converted
by the color converting unit 223a using the first color conversion table, the other one pixel.
[0102] On the other hand, when, as shown in the patterns P6 and P7, there are two pixels where the attribute information
of the "image (I)" is set and two pixels where the attribute information of the "edge (E)" is set in the unit area, and the
10 two pixels where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set are not adjacent to each other in either the X direction
or the Y direction, it is assumed that these two pixels are of a pixel area which is divided by a contour or the like. Hence,
it is possible that these two pixels where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set are completely different from
each other in color. In this case, the reconversion unit 226 does not perform reconversion and leaves the colors obtained
by color conversion performed on the pixels as they are.
15 [0103] Further, when, as shown in the patterns P12 to P15, there is one pixel where the attribute information of the
"image (I)" is set in the unit area, the color converting unit 223a performs color conversion on this one pixel using the
first color conversion table, but there is no other pixel (pixel where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set) to
be replaced by this one pixel. In this case, the reconversion unit 226 does not perform reconversion and leaves the
colors obtained by color conversion performed on the pixels as they are.
20 [0104] Further, when, as shown in the pattern P16, there is no pixel where the attribute information of the "image (I)"
is set in the unit area, the consideration to be given to the pixels where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set
and for which gradation is more important is unnecessary. In this case, the reconversion unit 226 does not perform
reconversion and leaves the colors obtained by color conversion performed on the pixels as they are.
[0105] Thus, whether to perform reconversion is determined on the basis of the positional relationship of pixels where
25 the attribute information including the edge information (e.g., the attribute information of the "edge (E) ") is set and pixels
where the attribute information including the natural image information (e.g., the attribute information of the "image (I)")
is set in a unit area. Thereby, whether to perform reconversion can be determined in consideration of whether pixels
where the attribute information including the natural image information is set continuously exist in a unit area. Conse-
quently, the accuracy of color conversion by the color conversion unit 22 can be further increased.
30 [0106] When the systems to determine the exchange target pixel, to determine whether to perform reconversion, and
so forth described with reference to FIG. 8 are adopted, these systems are pre-incorporated as routines of the processing
performed by the color conversion unit 22.
[0107] The cases shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are not limitations but examples. Hence, for example, in the cases shown
in FIGS. 7 and 8, the attribute information on the image data of two rows color-converted by the color converting units
35 223c and 223d in the first and second embodiments is not used for pixel exchange. However, the exchange target pixel
and/or whether to perform reconversion may be determined in consideration of the attribute information on the image
data of these two rows too.
[0108] Further, when, as shown in the patterns P2 to P5 in FIG. 8, the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set in
three pixels adjacent to one another in the unit area, the pixel having the largest number of adjacent pixels where the
40 attribute information of the "image (I)" is set may be taken as the exchange target pixel. That is, in the case of the patterns
P2 to P5 in FIG. 8, of the three pixels where the attribute information of the "image (I)" is set and which are continuously
arranged in such a way as to draw the letter "L", the pixel at the corner of the letter "L" may be taken as the exchange
target pixel. In this case, of the pixels which constitute a natural image, by the color of the pixel closest to the center
thereof, the other pixel (s) can be replaced. Consequently, the colors before and after replacement by the reconversion
45 unit 226 can be made more similar to each other, and the accuracy of color conversion can be further increased.
[0109] Besides, in the above embodiments, the first color conversion table contains the entire pattern information
contained in the second color conversion table. However, this is not a limitation but an example. Hence, for example,
of the pieces of pattern information contained in the second color conversion table, there may be some pieces which
are not contained in the first color conversion table.
50 [0110] Further, in the above embodiments, as different types of color conversion information, multiple types of color
conversion information different in the information amount are used. However, this is not a limitation but an example.
Hence, for example, multiple types of color conversion information corresponding to multiple color reproduction char-
acteristics (a gradation-focused color conversion characteristic suitable for reproduction of a natural image, a color
reproduction characteristic suitable for reproduction of a character, etc., to be specific) and being different in the infor-
55 mation amount may be used. In this case, the color conversion information having a smaller information amount is used
as the other color conversion information.
[0111] Further, the types of color conversion information used by the color conversion sections may correspond to
the types of attribute information on pixels. For example, there may be used: color conversion information for color

11
 EP 2 903 252 B1

conversion on pixels where the attribute information including the natural image information is set; and color conversion
information for color conversion on pixels where the attribute information including the edge information is set. In this
case, for example, of the color conversion sections, at least one color conversion section (e.g., the color converting unit
223a) may use the color conversion information for color conversion on pixels where the attribute information including
5 the natural image information is set, and the other color conversion section(s) (e.g., the color converting units 223b,
223c and 223d) may use the color conversion information for color conversion on pixels where the attribute information
including the edge information is set. Further, pixel exchange may be performed in such a way that the at least one color
conversion section performs color conversion on a pixel(s) where the attribute information including the natural image
information is set.
10 [0112] Further, instead of the attribute information including the edge information (e.g., the attribute information of the
"edge (E)"), the attribute information including character information (e.g., attribute information of a "character (C)")
indicating a pixel (s) which constitutes a character image may be used. Alternatively, the edge information and the
character information may coexist in one embodiment. In this case, for example, of the color conversion sections, at
least one color conversion section (e.g., the color converting unit 223a) may use the color conversion information for
15 color conversion on pixels where the attribute information including the natural image information is set, a color conversion
section (s) (e.g., the color converting unit 223b) different from the at least one color conversion section may use the
color conversion information for color conversion on pixels where the attribute information including the edge information
is set, and the other color conversion section(s) (e.g., the color converting units 223c and 223d) may use the color
conversion information for color conversion on pixels where the attribute information including the character information
20 is set. Further, pixel exchange may be performed in such a way that the at least one color conversion section performs
color conversion on pixels where the attribute information including the natural image information is set, the color con-
version section(s) different from the at least one color conversion unit performs color conversion on pixels where the
attribute information including the edge information is set, and the other color conversion section(s) performs color
conversion on pixels where the attribute information including the character information is set.
25 [0113] Further, the color conversion sections may use color conversion information to determine the discharge amount
of ink in image formation. More specifically, for example, there may be used color conversion information created in
consideration of the limits of the discharge amount of ink set to control absorbability of ink discharged on recording
media, curing time of the ink, thickness of an ink layer formed on the recording media by discharging the ink thereon,
and so forth.
30 [0114] Further, the various details described in the above embodiments are examples and can be appropriately mod-
ified.
[0115] For example, the specific values of the (a, b), (c, d) and (e, f) in the embodiments can also be appropriately
modified. Similarly, the various detailed contents, such as the number of color conversion sections, the total number of
types of color conversion information used by the color conversion sections, the number of pieces of pattern information
35 which each of the color conversion sections has, the number of colors and the color space used in image formation,
and the specific system for image formation by the image forming unit 30, can be appropriately modified without departing
from the scope of the features of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability
40
[0116] The present invention is applicable to a color conversion device and an image forming device each of which
performs color conversion of images performed in image formation.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

45
[0117]

1 Image Forming Device

10 Control Unit (Image Obtaining Section)
50 20 Image Processing Unit
22 Color Conversion Unit (Color Conversion Device)
30 Image Forming Unit (Image Forming Section)
221 Input Unit (Input Section)
222 Input Buffer
55 223, 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d Color Converting Unit (Color Conversion Section)
224 Intermediate Buffer
225 Attribute Obtaining Unit (Obtaining Section)
226 Reconversion Unit (Reconversion Section)

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 EP 2 903 252 B1

227 Pixel Exchange Unit (Exchange Section)

229 Re-exchange Unit (Re-exchange Section)

5 Claims

1. A color conversion device (22) comprising:

an input section (221) which inputs image data of a predetermined number of rows, the predetermined number
10 being two or more;
a plurality of color conversion sections (223, 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d) which perform color conversion in parallel
to convert colors of pixels contained in the image data of the predetermined number of rows;
an obtaining section (225) which obtains attribute information set in each of the pixels constituting the image
data of the predetermined number of rows, the attribute information indicating an attribute of each of the pixels;
15 and
a reconversion section (226) which determines, on the basis of the attribute information, whether to perform
reconversion to reconvert a pixel contained in the image data of the predetermined number of rows color-
converted by the color conversion sections, and performs the reconversion, wherein
the attribute information includes natural image information which indicates a pixel constituting a natural image,
20 each of the color conversion sections performs the color conversion using color conversion information including
information on a correspondence between colors of pixels before color conversion and colors of the pixels after
the color conversion, and
of the color conversion sections, at least one color conversion section (223a) performs the color conversion
using certain color conversion information, and the other color conversion section (223b, 223c, 223d) performs
25 the color conversion using other color conversion information having an information amount less than an infor-
mation amount of the certain color conversion information, characterised in that
when the attribute information is predetermined attribute information, the reconversion section converts, using
a pixel color-converted with the certain color conversion information in a predetermined pixel area contained in
the image data of the predetermined number of rows, another pixel color-converted with the other color con-
30 version information in the predetermined pixel area, so that the value of the pixel color-converted with the certain
color conversion information is applied to the other pixel color-converted with the other color conversion infor-
mation.

2. The color conversion device (22) according to claim 1, wherein

35 when the attribute information including the natural image information is set as the predetermined attribute information
in all the pixels contained in the predetermined pixel area, the reconversion section replaces, by the pixel color-
converted with the certain color conversion information, the another pixel color-converted with the other color con-
version information.

40 3. The color conversion device (22) according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising:

an exchange section (227) which exchanges pixels which are a plurality of pixels contained in the image data
of the predetermined number of rows before the color conversion sections perform the color conversion; and
a re-exchange section (229) which re-exchanges the pixels having colors exchanged by the exchange section
45 according to a correspondence between the pixels having the colors exchanged by the exchange section after
the color conversion sections perform the color conversion but before the reconversion section performs the
reconversion, wherein
of the pixels exchanged by the exchange section (227), one pixel is color-converted with the certain color
conversion information, and the other pixel is color-converted with the other color conversion information.
50
4. The color conversion device (22) according to claim 3, wherein the exchange section (227) determines the pixels
to exchange on the basis of the attribute information on each of pixels contained in a unit area, the pixels being
contained in the image data of the predetermined number of rows.

55 5. The color conversion device (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the attribute information includes: either edge information which indicates a pixel constituting an image contour or
character information which indicates a pixel constituting a character image; and the natural image information, and
when the attribute information including the edge information or the character information is set in one or more pixels

13
 EP 2 903 252 B1

contained in the predetermined pixel area, the reconversion section does not perform the reconversion on the
predetermined pixel area.

6. The color conversion device (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
5 the attribute information includes: at least one of edge information which indicates a pixel constituting an image
contour and character information which indicates a pixel constituting a character image; and the natural image
information, and
even when the attribute information including the edge information or the character information is set in one or more
pixels contained in the predetermined pixel area, the reconversion section performs the reconversion on the pre-
10 determined pixel area when a positional relationship of a pixel where the attribute information including the edge
information or the character information is set and a pixel where the attribute information including the natural image
information is set is a specific positional relationship.

7. The color conversion device (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information on the correspondence
15 between colors of pixels before color conversion and colors of the pixels after the color conversion contained in the
other color conversion information is a portion of the information on the correspondence between colors of pixels
before color conversion and colors of the pixels after the color conversion contained in the certain color conversion
information.

20 8. The color conversion device (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the color conversion sections
perform the color conversion in parallel on rows to convert the colors of the pixels contained in the rows of the image
data of the predetermined number of rows by performing the color conversion on a part of the image data of the
predetermined number of rows using the certain color conversion information and performing the color conversion
on a rest of the image data of the predetermined number of rows using the other color conversion information.
25
9. An image forming device (1) comprising:

an image obtaining section (10) which obtains image data of the predetermined number or more of rows;
the color conversion device (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 which converts colors of pixels contained
30 in the image data obtained by the image obtaining section; and
an image forming section (30) which forms an image on the basis of the image data constituted of the pixels
having the colors converted by the color conversion device (22).

10. A color conversion method of a color conversion device (22) comprising:

35
an input step of inputting image data of a predetermined number of rows, the predetermined number being two
or more;
a color conversion step of performing color conversion in parallel to convert colors of pixels contained in the
image data of the predetermined number of rows;
40 an obtaining step of obtaining attribute information set in each of the pixels constituting the image data of the
predetermined number of rows, the attribute information indicating an attribute of each of the pixels; and
a reconversion step of determining, on the basis of the attribute information, whether to perform reconversion
to reconvert a pixel contained in the image data of the predetermined number of rows color-converted in the
color conversion step, and performing the reconversion, wherein
45 the attribute information includes natural image information which indicates a pixel constituting a natural image,
in the color conversion step, the color conversion is performed using color conversion information including
information on a correspondence between colors of pixels before color conversion and colors of the pixels after
the color conversion, and
of the color conversion performed in parallel in the color conversion step, at least one color conversion is
50 performed using certain color conversion information, and the other color conversion is performed using other
color conversion information having an information amount less than an information amount of the certain color
conversion information,
characterised in that
in the reconversion step, when the attribute information is predetermined attribute information, using a pixel
55 color-converted with the certain color conversion information in a predetermined pixel area contained in the
image data of the predetermined number of rows, another pixel color-converted with the other color conversion
information in the predetermined pixel area is converted, so that the value of the pixel color-converted with the
certain color conversion information is applied to the other pixel color-converted with the other color conversion

14
 EP 2 903 252 B1

information.

Patentansprüche
5
1. Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22), umfassend:

einen Eingabeabschnitt (221), der Bilddaten einer vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen eingibt, wobei die vorge-
gebene Anzahl zwei oder mehr beträgt;
10 eine Mehrzahl von Farbumwandlungsabschnitten (223, 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d), die parallel Farbumwandlung
durchführen, um Farben von Pixeln umzuwandeln, die in den Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen
enthalten sind;
einen Erfassungsabschnitt (225), der Attributinformation erfasst, die in jedem der Pixel festgelegt ist, die die
Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen bilden, wobei die Attributinformation ein Attribut jedes der Pixel
15 anzeigt; und
einen Wiederurnwandlungsabschnitt (226), der auf der Basis der Attributinformation bestimmt, ob er eine Wie-
derumwandlung durchführen soll, um ein Pixel, das in den Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen
enthalten ist, die durch die Farbumwandlungsabschnitten farbumgewandelt werden, wieder umzuwandeln, und
die Wiederumwandlung durchführt, wobei
20 die Attributinformation Natürliches-Bild-Information umfasst, die ein Pixel anzeigt, das ein natürliches Bild bildet,
jeder der Farbumwandlungsabschnitte die Farbumwandlung unter Verwendung von Farbumwandlungsinfor-
mation durchführt, die Information über eine Entsprechung zwischen Farben von Pixeln vor der Farbumwandlung
und Farben der Pixel nach der Farbumwandlung umfasst, und
von den Farbumwandlungsabschnitten zumindest ein Farbumwandlungsabschnitt (223a) die Farbumwandlung
25 unter Verwendung gewisser Farbumwandlungsinformation durchführt, und der andere Farbumwandlungsab-
schnitt (223b, 223c, 223d) die Farbumwandlung unter Verwendung anderer Farbumwandlungsinformation
durchführt, die eine Informationsmenge aufweist, die kleiner als eine Informationsmenge der gewissen Far-
bumwandlungsinformation ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass,
wenn die Attributinformation vorgegebene Attributinformation ist, der Wiederumwandiungsabschnitt unter Ver-
30 wendung eines Pixels, das mit der gewissen Farbumwandlungsinformation in einem vorgegebenen Pixelbereich
farbumgewandell wurde, der in den Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen enthalten ist, ein anderes
Pixel umwandelt, das mit der anderen Farbumwandlungsinformation in dem vorgegebenen Pixelbereich far-
bumgewandelt wurde, so dass der Wert des mit der gewissen Farbumwandlungsinformation farbumgewandel-
ten Pixels auf das andere mit der anderen Farbumwandlungsinformation farbumgewandelte Pixel angewendet
35 wird.

2. Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22) nach Anspruch 1, wobei wenn die Attributinformation, die die Natürliches-Bild-
Information umfasst, als die vorgegebene Attributinformation in allen Pixeln, die in dem vorgegebenen Pixelbereich
enthalten sind, festgelegt wird, der Wiederumwandlungsabschnitt das andere Pixel, das mit der anderen Farbum-
40 wandlungsinformation farbumgewandelt wurde, durch das Pixel ersetzt, das mit der gewissen Farbumwandlungs-
information farbumgewandelt wurde.

3. Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, des Weiteren umfassend:

45 einen Austauschabschnitt (227), der Pixel, die eine Mehrzahl von Pixeln sind, die in den Bilddaten der vorge-
gebenen Anzahl von Zeilen enthalten sind, austauscht, bevor die Farbumwandlungsabschnitte die Farbum-
wandlung durchführen; und
einen Wiederaustauschabschnitt (229), der die Pixel, die durch den Austauschabschnitt ausgetauschte Farben
aufweisen, gemäß einer Entsprechung zwischen den Pixeln wieder austauscht, die die durch den Austauschab-
50 schnitt ausgetauschten Farben aufweisen, nachdem die Farbumwandlungsabschnitte die Farbumwandlung
durchführen, aber bevor der Wiederumwandlungsabschnitt die Wiederumwandlung durchführt, wobei
von den Pixeln, die durch den Austauschabschnitt (227) ausgetauscht werden, ein Pixel mit der gewissen
Farbumwandlungsinformation farbumgewandelt wird und das andere Pixel mit der anderen Forbumwandlungs-
information farbumgewandelt wird.
55
4. Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22) nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Austauschabschnitt (227) die auszutauschenden
Pixel auf der Basis der Attributinformation über jedes der Pixel bestimmt, die in einer Flächeneinheit enthalten sind,
wobei die Pixel in den Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen enthalten sind.

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5. Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei

die Attributinformation umfasst: entweder Kanteninformation, die ein Pixel anzeigt, das eine Bildkontur bildet, oder
Zeicheninformation, die ein Pixel anzeigt, das ein Zeichenbild bildet; und die Natürliches-Bild-Information, und,
wenn die Attributinformation, die die Kanteninformation oder die Zeicheninformation umfasst, in einem oder mehr
5 Pixeln, die in dem vorgegebenen Pixelbereich enthalten sind, festgelegt wird, der Wiederumwandlungsabschnitt
die Wiederumwandlung an dem vorgegebenen Pixelbereich nicht durchführt.

6. Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei

die Attributinformation umfasst: zumindest eines von Kanteninformation, die ein Pixel anzeigt, das eine Bildkontur
10 bildet, und Zeicheninformation, die ein Pixel anzeigt, das ein Zeichenbild bildet; und die Natürliches-Bild-Information,
und,
auch wenn die Attributinformation, die die Kanteninformation oder die Zeicheninformation umfasst, in einem oder
mehr Pixeln, die in dem vorgegebenen Pixelbereich enthalten sind, festgelegt wird, der Wiederumwandlungsab-
schnitt die Wiederumwandlung an dem vorgegebenen Pixelbereich durchführt, wenn eine Positionsbeziehung eines
15 Pixels, wo die Attributinformation, die die Kanteninformation oder die Zeicheninformation umfasst, festgelegt ist,
und eines Pixels, wo die Attributinformation, die die Natürliches-Bild-Information umfasst, festgelegt ist, eine spe-
zifische Positionsbeziehung ist.

7. Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei die Information über die Entsprechung
20 zwischen Farben von Pixeln vor der Farbumwandlung und Farben der Pixel nach der Farbumwandlung, die in der
anderen Farbumwandlungsinformation enthalten ist, ein Teil der Information über die Entsprechung zwischen Farben
von Pixeln vor der Farbumwandlung und Farben der Pixel nach der Farbumwandlung ist, die in der gewissen
Farbumwandlungsinformation enthalten ist.

25 8. Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei die Farbumwandlungsabschnitte die
Farbumwandlung parallel an Zeilen durchführt, um die Farben der Pixel, die in den Zeilen der Bilddaten der vorge-
gebenen Anzahl von Zeilen enthalten sind, umzuwandeln, indem sie die Farbumwandlung an einem Teil der Bild-
daten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen unter Verwendung der gewissen Farbumwandlungsinformation durch-
führt und die Farbumwandlung an einem Rest der Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen unter Verwendung
30 der anderen Farbumwandlungsinformation durchführt,

9. Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung (1), umfassend:

einen Bilderfassungsabschnitt (10), der Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl oder mehr von Zeilen erfasst;
35 die Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, die Farben von Pixeln umwandelt,
die in den Bilddaten enthalten sind, die durch den Bilderfassungsabschnitt erfasst wurden; und
ein Bilderzeugungsabschnitt (30), der ein Bild auf der Basis der Bilddaten erzeugt, die aus den Pixeln gebildet
sind, die die Farben aufweisen, die durch die Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22) umgewandelt werden.

40 10. Farbumwandlungsverfahren einer Farbumwandlungsvorrichtung (22), umfassend:

einen Eingabeschritt des Eingebens von Bilddaten einer vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen, wobei die vorgege-
bene Anzahl zwei oder mehr beträgt;
einen Farbumwandlungsschritt des parallelen Durchführens von Farbumwandlung, um Farben von Pixeln um-
45 zuwandeln, die in den Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen enthalten sind;
einen Erfassungsschritt des Erfassens von Attributinformation, die in jedem der Pixel festgelegt ist, die die
Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen bilden, wobei die Attributinformation ein Attribut jedes der Pixel
anzeigt; und
einen Wiederumwandlungsschritt des Bestimmens, auf der Basis der Attributinformation, ob eine Wiederum-
50 wandlung durchgeführt werden soll, um ein Pixel, das in den Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen
enthalten ist, die im Farbumwandlungsschritt farbumgewandelt werden, wieder umzuwandeln, und des Durch-
führens der Wiederumwandlung, wobei
die Attributinformation Natürliches-Bild-Information umfasst, die ein Pixel anzeigt, das ein natürliches Bild bildet,
im Farbumwandlungsschritt die Farbumwandlung unter Verwendung von Farbumwandlungsinformation durch-
55 geführt wird, die Information über eine Entsprechung zwischen Farben von Pixeln vor der Farbumwandlung
und Farben von Pixeln nach der Farbumwandlung umfasst, und
von der Farbumwandlung, die parallel im Farbumwandlungsschritt durchgeführt wird, zumindest eine Farbum-
wandlung unter Verwendung gewisser Farbumwandlungsinformation durchgeführt wird, und die andere Far-

16
 EP 2 903 252 B1

bumwandlung unter Verwendung anderer Farbumwandlungsinformation durchgeführt wird, die eine Informati-
onsmenge aufweist, die kleiner als eine Informationsmenge der gewissen Farbumwandlungsinformation ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
im Wiederumwandlungsschritt, wenn die Attributinformation vorgegebene Attributinformation ist, unter Verwen-
5 dung eines Pixels, das mit der gewissen Farbumwandlungsinformation in einem vorgegebenen Pixelbereich
farbumgewandelt wurde, der in den Bilddaten der vorgegebenen Anzahl von Zeilen enthalten ist, ein anderes
Pixel umgewandelt wird, das mit der anderen Farbumwandlungsinformation in dem vorgegebenen Pixelbereich
farbumgewandelt wurde, so dass der Wert des mit der gewissen Farbumwandlungsinformation farbumgewan-
delten Pixels auf das andere mit der anderen Farbumwandlungsinformation farbumgewandelte Pixel angewen-
10 del wird.

Revendications

15 1. Dispositif de conversion de couleur (22) comprenant :

une section d’entrée (221), qui entre des données d’image d’un nombre prédéterminé de rangées, le nombre
prédéterminé étant deux ou plus ;
une pluralité de sections de conversion de couleur (223, 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d), qui effectuent une conversion
20 de couleur en parallèle pour convertir des couleurs de pixels contenus dans les données d’image du nombre
prédéterminé de rangées ;
une section de réception (225), qui reçoit un jeu d’informations de caractéristique dans chacun des pixels
constituant les données d’image du nombre prédéterminé de rangées, les informations de caractéristique in-
diquant une caractéristique de chacun des pixels ; et
25 une section de reconversion (226), qui détermine sur la base des informations de caractéristique s’il faut effectuer
une reconversion pour reconvertir un pixel contenu dans les données d’image du nombre prédéterminé de
rangées converties en couleur par les sections de conversion de couleur et qui effectue la reconversion, dans
lequel
l’information de caractéristique comprend des informations d’image naturelle, qui indiquent un pixel, qui constitue
30 une image naturelle,
chacune des sections de conversion de couleur effectue la conversion de couleur en utilisant des informations
de conversion de couler comprenant des informations sur une correspondance entre des couleurs de pixels
avant la conversion de couleur et des couleurs des pixels après la conversion de couleur, et
au moins une section de conversion de couleur (223a) parmi les sections de conversion de couleur effectue la
35 conversion de couleur en utilisant des informations particulières de conversion de couleur, et l’autre section de
conversion de couleur (223b, 223c, 223d) effectue la conversion de couleur en utilisant d’autres informations
de conversion de couleur, qui ont une quantité d’informations plus faible que la quantité d’informations des
informations particulières de conversion de couleur, caractérisé en ce que
si les informations de caractéristique sont des informations de caractéristique prédéterminées, la section de
40 reconversion effectue la conversion, en utilisant un pixel, dont la couleur a été convertie avec les informations
particulières de conversion de couleur, dans une zone de pixels prédéterminée et contenue dans les données
d’image du nombre prédéterminé de rangées, d’un autre pixel, dont la couleur a été convertie avec les autres
informations de conversion de couleur dans la zone de pixels prédéterminée, de sorte que la valeur du pixel,
dont la couleur a été convertie avec les informations particulières de conversion de couleur, est appliquée à
45 l’autre pixel, dont la couleur a été convertie avec les autres informations de conversion de couleur.

2. Dispositif de conversion de couleur (22) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel si les informations de caractéristique
comprenant des informations d’image naturelle sont établies comme des informations de caractéristique prédéter-
minées dans tous les pixels contenus dans la zone de pixels prédéterminée, la section de reconversion remplace
50 l’autre pixel, dont la couleur a été convertie avec les autres informations de conversion de couleur, par le pixel, dont
la couleur a été convertie avec les informations particulières de conversion de couleur.

3. Dispositif de conversion de couleur (22) selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, comprenant en outre :

55 une section d’échange (227), qui échange des pixels, qui sont une pluralité de pixels contenue dans les données
d’image du nombre de rangées prédéterminé, avant que les sections de conversion de couleur aient effectué
la conversion de couleur ; et
une section de rechange (229), qui rechange les pixels, qui comprennent des couleurs échangées par la section

17
 EP 2 903 252 B1

d’échange, selon une correspondance entre les pixels, dont les couleurs ont été échangées par la section
d’échange après que les sections de conversion de couleur aient effectué la conversion de couleur, mais avant
que la section de reconversion ait effectué la reconversion, dans lequel
un pixel parmi les pixels échangés par la section d’échange (227) est converti en couleur avec les informations
5 particulières de conversion de couleur, et l’autre pixel est converti en couleur avec les autres informations de
conversion de couleur.

4. Dispositif de conversion de couleur (22) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel la section d’échange (227) détermine
les pixels à échanger sur la base des informations de caractéristique sur chacun des pixels contenus dans une
10 unité de surface, les pixels étant contenus dans les données d’image du nombre de rangées prédéterminé.

5. Dispositif de conversion de couleur (22) selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel
les informations de caractéristique comprennent : des informations de bord, qui indiquent un pixel, qui constitue un
contour d’image, ou des informations de caractère, qui indiquent un pixel, qui constitue une image de caractère ;
15 et les informations d’image naturelle, et
si les informations de caractéristique comprenant les informations de bord et les informations de caractère sont
fixées dans un ou plusieurs pixels contenus dans la zone de pixels prédéterminée, la section de reconversion
n’effectuera pas la reconversion dans la zone de pixels prédéterminée.

20 6. Dispositif de conversion de couleur (22) selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel
les informations de caractéristique comprennent ; au moins une information parmi des informations de bord, qui
indiquent un pixel, qui constitue un contour d’image, et des informations de caractère, qui indiquent un pixel, qui
constitue une image de caractère ; et les informations d’image naturelle, et
même si les informations de caractéristique comprenant les informations de bord ou les informations de caractère
25 sont fixées dans un ou plusieurs pixels contenus dans la zone de pixels prédéterminée, la section de reconversion
effectuera la reconversion dans la zone de pixels prédéterminée, si une relation de position d’un pixel, dans lequel
les informations de caractéristique comprenant les informations de bord ou les informations de caractère sont fixées,
et d’un pixel, dans lequel les informations de caractéristique comprenant les informations d’image naturelle sont
fixées, est une relation de position spécifique.
30
7. Dispositif de conversion de couleur (22) selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel les informations
sur la correspondance entre des couleurs de pixels avant la conversion de couleur et des couleurs de pixels après
la conversion de couleur, qui sont contenues dans les autres informations de conversion de couleur, sont une partie
des informations sur la correspondance entre des couleurs de pixels avant la conversion de couleur et des couleurs
35 de pixels après la conversion de couleur, qui sont contenues dans les informations particulières de conversion de
couleur.

8. Dispositif de conversion de couleur (22) selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel les sections
de conversion de couleur effectuent la conversion de couleur parallèlement sur des rangées pour convertir les
40 couleurs des pixels contenus dans les rangées des données d’image du nombre prédéterminé de rangées en
effectuant la conversion de couleur sur une partie des données d’image du nombre prédéterminé de rangées en
utilisant les informations particulières de conversion de couleur et en effectuant la conversion de couleur sur un
reste des données d’image du nombre prédéterminé de rangées en utilisant les autres informations de conversion
de couleur.
45
9. Dispositif de formation d’images (1) comprenant :

une section de réception d’image (10), qui reçoit des données d’image du nombre prédéterminé de rangées
ou de plus de rangées ;
50 le dispositif de conversion de couleur (22) selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, qui convertit des
couleurs des pixels contenus dans les données d’image reçues par la section de réception d’image ; et
une section de formation d’images (30), qui forme une image sur la base des données d’image constituées des
pixels ayant les couleurs converties par le dispositif de conversion de couleur (22).

55 10. Procédé de conversion de couleur d’un dispositif de conversion de couleur (22) comprenant :

une étape d’entrée destinée à entrer des données d’image d’un nombre prédéterminé de rangées, le nombre
prédéterminé étant deux ou plus ;

18
 EP 2 903 252 B1

une étape de conversion de couleur destinée à effectuer une conversion de couleur en parallèle pour convertir
des couleurs de pixels contenus dans les données d’image du nombre prédéterminé de rangées ;
une étape de réception destinée à recevoir un jeu d’informations de caractéristique dans chacun des pixels
constituant les données d’image du nombre prédéterminé de rangées, les informations de caractéristique in-
5 diquant une caractéristique de chacun des pixels ; et
une étape de reconversion destinée à déterminer sur la base des informations de caractéristique s’il faut effectuer
une reconversion pour reconvertir un pixel contenu dans les données d’image du nombre prédéterminé de
rangées converties en couleur dans l’étape de conversion de couleur et à effectuer la reconversion, dans lequel
l’information de caractéristique comprend des informations d’image naturelle, qui indiquent un pixel, qui constitue
10 une image naturelle,
dans l’étape de conversion de couleur, la conversion de couleur est effectuée en utilisant des informations de
conversion de couler comprenant des informations sur une correspondance entre des couleurs de pixels avant
la conversion de couleur et des couleurs des pixels après la conversion de couleur, et
au moins une conversion de couleur parmi les conversions de couleur effectuées en parallèle dans l’étape de
15 conversion de couleur est effectuée en utilisant des informations particulières de conversion de couleur, et
l’autre conversion de couleur est effectuée en utilisant d’autres informations de conversion de couleur, qui ont
une quantité d’informations plus faible que la quantité d’informations des informations particulières de conversion
de couleur,
caractérisé en ce que
20 si dans l’étape de reconversion les informations de caractéristique sont des informations de caractéristique
prédéterminées, la conversion est effectuée en utilisant un pixel, dont la couleur a été convertie avec les
informations particulières de conversion de couleur, dans une zone de pixels prédéterminée et contenue dans
les données d’image du nombre prédéterminé de rangées, pour convertir un autre pixel, dont la couleur a été
convertie avec les autres informations de conversion de couleur dans la zone de pixels prédéterminée, de sorte
25 que la valeur du pixel, dont la couleur a été convertie avec les informations particulières de conversion de
couleur, est appliquée à l’autre pixel, dont la couleur a été convertie avec les autres informations de conversion
de couleur.

30

35

40

45

50

55

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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• JP 2003219191 A [0003] • US 2003133607 A1 [0008]

• US 2007139675 A1 [0008] • US 2011255104 A1 [0008]

27