Image processing method and apparatus therefor

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• input means for inputting color image data obtained by an input device;
• first calculation means for calculating a first color reproduction range which is independent of devices in accordance with visual characteristics of a human eye;
• second calculation means for calculating a second color reproduction range which is dependent on an output device which reproduces an image;
• conversion means for executing a color space conversion on the color image data so that the converted color image data is within said second color reproduction range, in accordance with said first color reproduction range;
• and
• output means for outputting the color image data on which the color space conversion is executed, to said output device,
• wherein said first calculation means performs the calculation of the most vivid color in each of lightness and hue.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• color gamut storage means for storing color gamuts corresponding to a plurality of output devices;
• input means for inputting color image data of a target image;
• mode setting means for setting an arbitrary color space compression mode from a plurality of modes corresponding to color space compression methods which differ from each other;
• color space compression means for converting color image data into data which is within the color gamut of a prescribed output device which is stored in said color gamut storage means, based upon the color space compression method to which the set mode corresponds;
• and
• transmitting means for transmitting the converted color image data to said prescribed output device.

An image processing method comprising:

• a color gamut storage step of storing color gamuts corresponding to a plurality of output devices;
• an input step of inputting a color image data of a target image;
• a mode setting step of setting an arbitrary color space compression mode from a plurality of modes corresponding to color space compression methods which differ from each other;
• a color space compression step of converting said color image data into data which is within the color gamut of a prescribed output device which is stored at said color gamut storage step, based upon the color space compression method to which the set mode corresponds;
• and
• a transmitting step of transmitting the converted color image data to said prescribed output device.

A color image communication apparatus comprising:

• first determining means for determining a type of a receiving device;
• second determining means for determining whether or not a color space compression processing is performed on input color image data;
• color correction means for performing the color space compression which converts said input color image data into data which is within a color gamut of said receiving device, in accordance with determination results obtained by said first and second determining means;
• and
• transmitting means for transmitting the color-corrected color image data to said receiving device.

A color image communication method comprising:

• a first determining step of determining a type of a receiving device;
• a second determining step of determining whether or not a color space compression processing is performed on input color image data;
• a color correction step of performing the color space compression which converts said input color image data into data which is within a color gamut of said receiving device, in accordance with determination results obtained at said first and second determining steps;
• and
• a transmitting step of transmitting the color-corrected color image data to said receiving device.