Method for mapping colors between imaging sytems and method therefor

Abstract

A method for converting CMYK source device values to CMYK destination device values includes converting the CMYK source device values to a four-color device-independent color space using a source profile with a four-color device-independent color space. The four color device-independent color space is converted to the CMYK destination values using a destination profile with the four color device-independent color space, and three colors of the four color device-independent color space are used to define the color of a combined CMYK values and the remaining device-independent color space color is used to define the color of only a K colorant.

1 . A method for converting CMYK source device values to CMYK destination device values, comprising:
 converting the CMYK source device values to a four color device-independent color space using a source profile with a four color device-independent color space;   converting the four color device-independent color space to the CMYK destination values using a destination profile with the four color device-independent color space; and   wherein three colors of the four color device-independent color space are used to define the color of a combined CMYK values and the remaining device-independent color space color is used to define the color of only a K colorant.   
   
   
       2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the device-independent color space comprises a profile connecting space (PCS) used for converting the coordinates of the source profile to destination profile. 
   
   
       3 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the PCS comprises a Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage L*a*b (CIELAB) color space. 
   
   
       4 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a color map or device profile link that maps colors between the source device and the destination device.   
   
   
       5 . A system for converting CMYK source device values to CMYK destination device values, comprising:
 a source device profile interpreter that converts the CMYK source device values to a four color device-independent color space using a source profile with a four color device-independent color space;   a destination device profile interpreter that converts the four color device-independent color space to the CMYK destination values using a destination profile with the four color device-independent color space; and   wherein three colors of the four color device-independent color space are used to define the color of a combined CMYK values and the remaining device-independent color space color is used to define the color of only a K colorant.   
   
   
       6 . A system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the device-independent color space comprises a profile connecting space (PCS) used for converting the coordinates of a source profile to a destination profile. 
   
   
       7 . A system as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the PCS comprises a Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage L*a*b (CIELAB) color space. 
   
   
       8 . A system as defined in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a color map generator coupled to the source and destination device interpreters for generating a color map or device profile link that maps colors between the source device and the destination device.   
   
   
       9 . A method for converting CMYK source device values to CMYK destination device values, comprising:
 converting CMYK values to a four color profile connecting space (PCS) using a source profile with a four color PCS;   converting the four color PCS to the CMYK destination values using a destination profile with the four color PCS; and   wherein three colors of the four color PCS are used to define the color of a combined CMYK values and the remaining PCS color is used to define the color of only one particular colorant.   
   
   
       10 . A method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the PCS comprises a Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage L*a*b (CIELAB) color space. 
   
   
       11 . A method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the one particular colorant comprises a K colorant.