Method and apparatus for data adjustment

#To improve the accuracy of color reproduction between devices, the International Color Consortium (ICC) has developed a technique for the conversion of color data between devices making use of different types of color spaces. The technique includes the designation of an intermediate color space used between a source device and a destination device. The intermediate color space permits conversion between the source color space and the destination color space without the source device having information about the destination color space and without the destination device having information about the source color space. However, the source device and the destination device have information that permits conversion, respectively, to the intermediate color space and from the intermediate color space.

#By handling the color space conversion between the source device and the destination device in this manner, color space conversion can be accurately accomplished between devices configured to perform conversion to or from (as appropriate) the intermediate color space. The intermediate color space defines a profile connection space (PCS). The intermediate color space forming the PCS can include, for example, the CIE XYZ color space or the CIE L*a*b* color space.

#Human visual perception is capable of detecting shifts away from the neutral gray color that are small in magnitude relative to the magnitude of shifts of color that are necessary to be detectable in other regions of the color gamut. What is regarded as the desirable gray varies between individuals. Some prefer that the gray is slightly bluish so that the desired gray is shifted in color from the neutral gray (which corresponds to the luminance axis in an L*a*b* color space). The conversion from the intermediate color space to the destination color space can be done through an interpolation process. Errors in the conversion of color data, corresponding to colors in the gray region of the color gamut, from the source device to the destination device can impact the perceived quality of an image formed on media.

#A more thorough understanding of embodiments of the data adjustment method and embodiments of the data adjustment apparatus may be had from consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

#Shown in FIG. 1A is a high level block diagram of a first system that can make use of embodiments of the data adjustment system to form images on media.

#Shown in FIG. 1B is a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of a computer.

#Although embodiments of the data adjustment system will be discussed in the context of an imaging device such as an inkjet printer, it should be recognized that embodiments of the data adjustment system could be used with other types of imaging devices, such as electrophotographic printers, copiers, facsimile machines or the like. In general, embodiments of the data adjustment system may be usefully applied to any type of imaging device that forms images by the placement of colorant onto media.

#Shown in FIG. 1A is a high level block diagram of a first embodiment of an imaging system that can form images on media. The imaging system includes an embodiment of a data adjustment system that can be used to adjust values used in performing a color space conversion. Source device 100 corresponds to a system or device that can send data corresponding to an image that includes color over communication channel 102 to an embodiment of an imaging system, imaging system 104. Communication channel 102 could include a network, such as a local area network or a wide area network, or a wireless link. Source device 100 could include, for example, a computing device, such as a computer a portable computing device, server, wireless device, or the like, that executes an application program to generate data corresponding to an image or retrieves data corresponding to an image from a storage device. The application program may perform various operations upon the data generated or retrieved, such as image enhancement, prior to sending the data to imaging system 104. Using the data provided by source device 100, imaging device 106 includes a configuration to place colorant onto media corresponding to the data received from source device 100. In the embodiment of the data adjustment system included within imaging system 104, a computing device, such as computer 108, performs adjustment upon information used to perform a color space conversion to the color space used by imaging device 106.

#The adjustment of the information is performed by an embodiment of the data adjustment method operating on computer 108. The information used in the color space conversion includes tables of values used to accomplish the color space conversion through interpolation. The color space conversion from the color space used by source device 100 to the color space used by imaging system 104 is accomplished by conversion to an intermediate color space from the source device color space and then conversion from the intermediate color space to the imaging device color space.