Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium storing image processing program for color conversion of image data

An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for color conversion of image data, comprising:

• sending the image data obtained by an application unit of the image processing apparatus to a color conversion unit of the image processing apparatus;
• obtaining at least CMY data from input color space coordinate data of the image data by the color conversion unit;
• and
• generating output data of CMYK data using the CMY data outputted by the color conversion unit;
• wherein said obtaining at least the CMY data includes:
• determining whether a full color image reproducing mode is selected or a full color image reproduction by a reducing color material using amount mode is selected;
• referring to an optimum color reproducing data structure which provides at least CMY data to obtain an optimally-color-reproduced full color image based on the input color space coordinate data when the full color image optimally reproducing mode is selected;
• and
• referring to a color material using amount reducing data structure which provides at least CMY data to output a full color image for the input color space coordinate data in which a color material using amount lower than a reference value is used, the reference value being a color material using amount for outputting a monochrome image obtained from NTSC conversion of the input color space coordinate data of the image data,
• wherein the color material using amount is increased from the reference value for a first hue of an output image that gives a first psychological effect, and the color material using amount is decreased from the reference value for a second hue of the output image that gives a second psychological effect not as great as the first psychological effect when the full color image reproduction by the reducing color material using amount mode is selected.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing an image processing program in an image processing apparatus which, when the program is executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for color conversion of image data, the method comprising:

• sending the image data obtained by an application unit of the image processing apparatus to a color conversion unit of the image processing apparatus;
• obtaining at least CMY data from input color space coordinate data of the image data by the color conversion unit;
• and
• generating output data of CMYK data using the CMY data outputted by the color conversion unit;
• wherein said obtaining at least the CMY data includes:
• determining whether a full color image reproducing mode is selected or a full color image reproduction by a reducing color material using amount mode is selected;
• referring to a an optimum color reproducing data structure which provides at least CMY data to obtain an optimally-color-reproduced full color image based on the input color space coordinate data when the full color image optimally reproducing mode is selected;
• and
• referring to a color material using amount reducing data structure which provides at least CMY data to output a full color image for the input color space coordinate data in which a color material using amount lower than a reference value is used, the reference value being a color material using amount for outputting a monochrome image obtained from NTSC conversion of the input color space coordinate data of the image data,
• wherein the color material using amount is increased from the reference value for a first hue of an output image that gives a first psychological effect, and the color material using amount is decreased from the reference value for a second hue of the output image that gives a second psychological effect not as great as the first psychological effect when the full color image reproduction by the reducing color material using amount mode is selected.