Output data generating image processing

Abstract

An image processing device generates output data used when an image displayed on a display device is to be output by an output device. The image processing device includes an output execution instruction input unit and a color space converter. The output execution instruction input unit inputs an instruction to execute image output via the output device. The color space converter carries out a first conversion process and a second conversion process. The first conversion process converts first device-dependent image data that expresses an image in a first device-dependent color space handled by the display device into device-independent image data that expresses the image in a device-independent color space. The second conversion process converts the device-independent image data into second device-dependent image data as the output data that expresses the image in a second device-dependent color space handled by the output device. The color space converter initiates the first conversion process prior to an input of an instruction to execute output by the output execution instruction input unit. The color space converter initiates the second conversion process in response to the input of an instruction to execute output by the output execution instruction unit.

1 . An image processing device for generating output data used when an image displayed on a display device is to be output by an output device, the image processing device comprising:
 an output execution instruction input unit configured to input an instruction to execute image output via the output device; and   a color space converter configured to carry out (i) a first conversion process that converts first device-dependent image data that expresses an image in a first device-dependent color space handled by the display device into device-independent image data that expresses the image in a device-independent color space, and (ii) a second conversion process that converts the device-independent image data into second device-dependent image data as the output data that expresses the image in a second device-dependent color space handled by the output device,   wherein the color space converter initiates the first conversion process prior to an input of an instruction to execute output by the output execution instruction input unit, and initiates the second conversion process in response to the input of an instruction to execute output by the output execution instruction unit.   
   
   
       2 . The image processing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a correction processor configured to correct image data,   wherein the first device-dependent image data is image data resulting from correction processing by the correction processor, and   the color space converter initiates the first conversion process in response to the completion of correction processing by the correction processor.   
   
   
       3 . The image processing device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the correction processor can execute various types of correction processes, and   the color space converter initiates the first conversion processing in response to the completion of a specified type of correction process among the various types of correction processes executed by the correction processor.   
   
   
       4 . The image processing device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the correction processor can execute various types of correction processes, and   the color space converter has a first conversion mode in which the color space converter initiates the first conversion process in response to the completion of any type of correction process by the correction processor and a second conversion mode in which the color space converter initiates the first conversion process in response to the completion of a specified type of correction process among the various types of correction processes executed by the correction processor.   
   
   
       5 . The image processing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a correction processor configured to perform various types of correction processes to image data;   a correction type selection instruction input unit configured to input a correction type selection instruction by which a desired type of correction process among the correction processes executed by the correction processor is selected; and   a correction type selection completion instruction input unit configured to input a correction type selection completion instruction that ends the state in which correction type selection is carried out,   wherein the color space converter initiates the first conversion process in response to an input of a correction type selection completion instruction via the correction type selection completion instruction input unit.   
   
   
       6 . The image processing device according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the color space converter initiates the first conversion process in response to the input of the correction type selection completion instruction pertaining to a specified type of correction process among the correction processes executed by the correction processor.   
   
   
       7 . The image processing device according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the color space converter has a first conversion mode in which the color space converter initiates the first conversion process in response to the input of the correction type selection completion instruction pertaining to any type of correction process executed by the correction processor and a second conversion mode in which the color space converter initiates the first conversion process in response to the input of the correction type selection completion instruction pertaining to a specified type of correction process executed by the correction processor.   
   
   
       8 . The image processing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an output selection instruction input unit configured to input an output selection instruction for commencing the making of various settings for the output of the image by the output device,   wherein the color space converter initiates the first conversion process in response to an input of an output selection instruction by the output selection instruction input unit.   
   
   
       9 . The image processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the output device is a printer, and   the output execution instruction is an instruction to execute printing issued via a print setting screen.   
   
   
       10 . An image processing method for generating output data used when an image displayed on a display device is to be output by an output device, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) inputting an instruction to execute image output via the output device;   (b) converting first device-dependent image data that expresses an image in a first device-dependent color space handled by the display device into device-independent image data that expresses the image in a device-independent color space; and   (c) converting the device-independent image data into second device-dependent image data as the output data that expresses the image in a second device-dependent color space handled by the output device,   wherein the step (b) is initiated prior to an input of an instruction to execute output in the step (a), and   the step (c) is initiated in response to the input of an instruction to execute output in the step (a).   
   
   
       11 . A computer program product for generating output data used when an image displayed on a display device is to be output by an output device, the computer program product comprising:
 a computer readable medium; and   a computer program stored on the computer readable medium, the computer program comprising:   a first program for causing a computer to input an instruction to execute image output via the output device; and   a second program for causing a computer to carry out (i) a first conversion process that converts first device-dependent image data that expresses an image in a first device-dependent color space handled by the display device into device-independent image data that expresses the image in a device-independent color space, and (ii) a second conversion process that converts the device-independent image data into second device-dependent image data as the output data that expresses the image in a second device-dependent color space handled by the output device,   wherein the second program is a program for causing a computer to initiate the first conversion process prior to an input of an instruction to execute output, and initiate the second conversion process in response to the input of an instruction to execute output.