US Patent 7843600 Information processing apparatus

In an information processing method, input color data indicating a plurality of color components including a black color component is converted into output color data that indicates a plurality of color components including a black color component. A relationship between lightness levels and simple black colors is determined for an output device based on the characteristics of the output device. When input color data indicates a simple black color, output color data for the simple black color having a lightness level equivalent to the lightness level of the input color data is determined based on the relationship between lightness levels and simple black colors.