Image reproduction using a particular color space

1. An image reproducing apparatus for reproducing an image based on an image data set including image data and color space identification information that expresses a color space related to the image data, the image data and color space identification information being associated with each other, wherein the color space identification information can indicate which of multiple color spaces including a prescribed standard color space and a particular color space is to be used, the image reproducing apparatus comprising:

a data processor configured to select the image data as processing target image data and to generate reproduction image data by executing processing including color space conversion to the processing target image data; and

an image output device configured to output a visible image in accordance with the reproduction image data,

the data processor including:

a color space determination module configured to determine a color space specified by the color space identification information; and

a color space converter having a basic color space conversion function that performs color space conversion of the processing target image data without using the particular color space, but not having a device-dependent color space conversion function that converts the processing target image data to a device-dependent color space compatible with the image output device using the particular color space, and

the data processor executing:

(i) when the color space specified by the color space identification information is the standard color space, generating the reproduction image data by performing the basic color space conversion to the processing target image data; and

(ii) when the color space specified by the color space identification information is the particular color space, causing the image output apparatus to output a notification indicating that the specified color space is not the standard color space.

2. A method for reproducing images, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an image data set including image data and color space identification information that expresses a color space related to the image data, the image data and color space identification information being associated with each other, wherein the color space identification information indicates which of multiple color spaces including a prescribed standard color space and a particular color space is to be used;

(b) selecting the image data as processing target image data to generate reproduction image data by executing processing including color space conversion to the processing target image data by a processor; and

(c) outputting a visible image based on the reproduction image data, wherein the step (b) includes the steps of:

(b1) determining the color space specified by the color space identification information;

(b2) performing a basic color space conversion of the processing target image data without using the particular color space. but not having a device-dependent color space conversion function that converts the processing target image data to a device-dependent color space compatible with the image output apparatus device using the particular color space.

(b3) when the color space specified by the color space identification information is the standard color space, generating the reproduction image data by carrying out the basic color space conversion to the processing target image data; and

(b4) when the color space specified by the color space identification information is the particular color space, outputting a notification indicating that the specified color space is not the standard color space.

3. A computer program product for reproducing an image based on an image data set including image data and color space identification information that expresses a color space related to the image data, the image data and color space identification information being associated with each other, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable recording medium; and

a computer program stored on the computer-readable recording medium,

wherein the color space identification information can indicate which of multiple color spaces including a prescribed standard color space and a different particular color space is to be used,

the computer program implements on a computer

a data processing function to select the image data as processing target image data and to generate reproduction image data by executing processing including color space conversion to the processing target image data; and

an image output function to output a visible image with an image output device in accordance with the reproduction image data,

the data processing function including:

a color space determination function to determine a color space specified by the color space identification information; and

a color space conversion function having a basic color space conversion function that performs color space conversion of the processing target image data without using the particular color space, but not having a device-dependent color space conversion function that converts the processing target image data to a device-dependent color space compatible with the image output device using the particular color space, and

the data processing function including:

(i) when the color space specified by the color space identification information is the standard color space, generating the reproduction image data by performing the basic color space conversion to the processing target image data; and

(ii) when the color space specified by the color space identification information is the particular color space, causing the image output apparatus to output a notification indicating that the specified color space is not the standard color space.