Image processor and colorimetric system converting method

An image processing apparatus that converts a first image having a plurality of pixels and expressed in a first calorimetric system constituted of a plurality of color components with each of the pixels corresponding to one of the color components to a second image expressed in a second calorimetric system constituted of a plurality of color components which are different from the first calorimetric system, comprising:

• a new component generating device that generates color information representing at least one of the color components constituting the second calorimetric system for a pixel in the second image corresponding to a processing object pixel in the first image by assigning a positive weighting coefficient to color information present in a central area containing the processing object pixel and at least one pixel adjacent to the processing object pixel in the first image, assigning a negative weighting coefficient to color information present in an area containing at least one pixel adjacent to the central area and executing a weighted addition of the plurality of sets of color information.

A calorimetric system conversion method for converting a first image having a plurality of pixels and expressed in a first calorimetric system constituted of a plurality of color components with each of the pixels corresponding to one of the color components to a second image expressed in a second calorimetric system constituted of a plurality of color components which are different from the first calorimetric system, comprising:

• determining levels of similarity manifesting at a processing object pixel along a plurality of directions in the first image;
• and
• generating color information representing at least one of the color components constituting the second calorimetric system for a pixel in the second image corresponding to the processing object pixel through a weighted addition executed by using predetermined coefficients to add together a plurality of sets of color information selected from color information present at the processing object pixel and color information present at pixels near the processing object pixel, based upon results of a decision made with regard to the levels of similarity.

A computer-readable computer program product containing a calorimetric system conversion program for converting a first image having a plurality of pixels and expressed in a first colorimetric system constituted of a plurality of color components with each of the pixels corresponding to one of the color components to a second image represented in a second calorimetric system constituted of a plurality of color components which are different from the first calorimetric system, the calorimetric system conversion program comprising:

• an instruction code for determining levels of similarity manifesting at a processing object pixel along a plurality of directions in the first image;
• and
• an instruction code for generating color information representing at least one of the color components constituting the second calorimetric system for a pixel in the second image corresponding to the processing object pixel through a weighted addition executed by using predetermined coefficients to add together a plurality of sets of color information selected from color information present at the processing object pixel and color information present at pixels near the processing object pixel, based upon results of a decision made with regard to the levels of similarity.