Image processing method and apparatus for previewing color images

United States Patent

Nishikawa

[19]

US006108009A [ii] Patent Number: 6,108,009 [45] Date of Patent: *Aug. 22,2000

[54] IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND

APPARATUS FOR PREVIEWING COLOR
IMAGES

[75] Inventor: Naoyuki Nishikawa, Yokohama, Japan

[73] Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan

[ * ] Notice: This patent issued on a continued prosecution application filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C. 154(a)(2).

[21] Appl. No.: 08/792,906 [22] Filed: Feb. 7, 1997

Related U.S. Application Data

[63] Continuation of application No. 08/379,754, Jan. 27, 1995, abandoned.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data

Jan. 31, 1994 [JP] Japan 6-009887

[51] Int. C I. G06T 11 40

[52] U.S. CI 345/431; 345/428

[58] Field of Search 395/128, 131,

395/132, 139; 358/500-503, 515, 518-521, 530-540; 345/428, 431, 432, 439

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,081,529 1/1992 Collette 358/80

5,257,097 10/1993 Pineau et al 358/500

5,363,318 11/1994 McCauley 364/571.01

5,377,025 12/1994 Spaulding et al 358/518

5,416,890 5/1995 Berettal 395/131

5,448,381 9/1995 Bohan et al 358/527

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

0534871 3/1993 European Pat. Off. .

0537887 4/1993 European Pat. Off. .

401147777A 6/1989 Japan .

402239957A 9/1990 Japan .

404024771A 1/1992 Japan .

404100376A 4/1992 Japan .

Primary Examiner—Mark K. Zimmerman

Assistant Examiner—Mano Padmanabhan

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper &

Scinto

[57] ABSTRACT

An improved previewing technique of displaying an image on a monitor prior to a printer printing the image. The image signal for driving the monitor is generated based on predetermined printer parameters. The printer parameters include the printer resolution (dots/inch) and/or the number of printable tonal levels or gradations, in addition to the printer color gamut.

17 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets