JPS63199394A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image processing device that performs color image processing.

[Prior Art] Generally, when drawing a picture in an image processing device that performs color image processing, a tablet 2 that can detect coordinates by electromagnetism and its attached ben 3 are used, as shown in Fig. 4. . The coordinates on tablet 2 correspond to the coordinates on cathode tube display (CRT) 1, which functions as a monitor for image processing, and when the operator moves Ben 3 on tablet 2, the results can be displayed on the CRTI. You can proceed with drawing while checking.

When coloring a picture, use the CRTI shown in Figure 5.
A palette 5 is displayed in a palette display area 6 on the monitor screen. One of the colors was selected using Tablet 2 and Ben 3 to determine the color of the picture for coloring.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, such an image processing apparatus has various problems as shown below.

(1) When a part of the monitor is used as a palette, the number of colors that can be displayed at one time is limited, and selecting a desired color requires changing the colors in the palette many times.

This kind of work is extremely tedious for the workers;
This is one of the causes of significantly reducing work efficiency.

(2) Also, one set of palettes cannot be compared with another set of palettes at the same time, and the total number of colors is small, so
This is often difficult, such as when you want to select slightly different colors.

(3) Having a large number of color information as palettes on the memory in the image processing device requires a large memory, which is not practical.

(4) In the image processing apparatus, the output result is often requested as a hard copy by an output device (not shown) such as a color printer as the final output. Further, confirmation of the processing process and processing results is performed using CRTI. Therefore, ideally, it is desirable that the colors on the CRTI match the corresponding colors on the hard copy. However, in reality, CR
T is a light emitter, there are differences in the contrast ratio that can be expressed by CRTI and hard copy output, differences in linearity indicating the relationship between CRT and hard copy output, and differences in color reproduction range. Due to differences in observation conditions, such as the observation of hard copies in dark places and hard copies in bright places, it is impossible to perfectly match the colors of the two. For this reason, there is a problem in that the obtained hard copy output often differs from the image the designer had in mind.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks of the above-mentioned conventional example,
To provide an image processing device that allows a worker to easily and quickly select a desired color and reproduce it on a desired monitor.

[Means for solving the problem] In order to achieve such an object, the present invention inputs a desired color in a color sample recorded in advance on a color recording medium,
An input means that generates a color signal corresponding to the input color, an output means that outputs a color corresponding to the color signal, and an output means that matches the color output by the output means with the desired color in the color sample. The method further comprises: an adjustment means for adjusting at least one of the black level and the white level of the color signal; and a correction means for performing gamma correction on the adjusted color signal. Features.

[Function] In the present invention, the black level and white level can be adjusted by the adjustment means according to the reflectance of the color recording medium, and the correction means performs gamma correction on the color signal, so that the color of the color sample on the color recording medium can be adjusted. and the color output to the output means can be matched. Furthermore, since a desired color is input from the color sample of the recording medium using the input means, a large number of colors can be input, and the input operation can be performed quickly.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, numeral 7 represents a signal processing section that performs image processing calculations, stores processed images, controls the entire system, and serves as an interface for each device. Reference numeral 8 denotes a monitor, and the monitor 8 has a display portion 8' that displays the color of the pen currently in use in order to visually confirm the result of image processing or the state during image processing. Reference numeral 9 denotes a tablet and a pen that send position information corresponding to the position on the monitor 8 to the signal processing section.

9' is a keyboard for inputting various commands and data, and 10 is a color sample book in which color patches of each color are lined up. Reference numeral 11 denotes a color reading device that reads color information of a color sample through photoelectric conversion. Reference numeral 12 denotes a color signal amplifier that can perform various corrections on the signals read by the color reading device.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the color reading device 11 in the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numerals 13 to 15 are imaging lenses for forming an image of reflected light from the color batch onto photoelectric conversion elements 20 to 22 such as photodiodes. 16 is a light source 23
This is a projection lens for projecting light from a color onto a color patch. 17-19 are color separation filters, 20-22
is a photoelectric conversion element that converts the intensity of light into an electrical signal.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the color signal amplifier 12 in the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, 23 to 25 are photoelectric conversion elements 20 to 22.
This is a preamplifier that amplifies the signal from the source to the level required for signal processing. 26 to 28 are gain adjustment circuits, and 29
-31 are setup adjustment circuits. 32 to 34 are amplifiers, and 35 is a non-adding circuit for extracting the peak value of each input signal.

38 to 39 are control voltage setting amplifiers, and 40 and 41 are peak detection circuits. 42 is a manual setup control volume, 43 is a manual gain control volume, 44
．． 45 is a manual/automatic changeover switch. 46-4
8 is a gamma correction circuit. Note that the gain adjustment circuit 26~
28. Setup circuits 29-31. The non-adder circuit 35 is well known and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

The operator first selects the color sample input mode from the tablet 9. Next, select any color from the color sample book 10, and
The color input device 11 shown in the figure is used to lightly scan over the selected color patch.

The color signal read there is sent to the color signal amplifier 1 shown in the second diagram.
2 and sent to the signal processing section 7. The signal processing section 7 A/D converts the signal, displays the selected color in the selected color display area 8' on the monitor, and also displays the R, G, and B values at the same time. Then, with the R, G, and B values of the selected color, the tablet pen 9
The color to be used is determined and control is transferred to the tablet 9. The worker can freely draw a picture in the selected color using the tablet and pen 9 while looking at the monitor 8. As a result, the R, G, and B images in the signal processing section 7 (for example, 512 x
The value of 512 pixels x 8 bits) is also rewritten with the R, G, and B values of the designated color.

A detailed explanation will be given with reference to FIG.

Light from the light source 23 is projected onto the color sample by the lens 16. The reflected light is imaged onto photodiodes 20-22 by lenses 13-15. At that time, each tip is divided into three colors, for example, R (red) and G (
green) and B (blue).

Each signal is then sent to the color signal amplifier 12.

RGB signals are at the level required for signal processing (0.5 to 0.7
V) by amplifiers 23 to 25 and sent to control unit 100. Gain control and its setup are performed here.

To perform setup, select black from the color sample book and set the color input device 11 on black.

Then, momentarily connect the switch 44 to the auto-setup side. Setup is now complete and switch 44 is disconnected from the autosetup.

Gain control is also performed in a similar manner. The operator selects and inputs white from the color sample book using the pen 9, and momentarily connects the gain control switch 45 to complete the gain control.

That is, at this time, the RGB signals are amplified by the amplifiers 32 to 34, and NAM (non additive mixing)
) is added to circuit 35. The peak detection circuits 40 and 41 extract the peak value on the white side and the peak value on the black side as output signals, and feed them back as a gain control signal.

In this way, the lowest output level of the input signal is set by inputting the black information, and the highest level of the input signal is set by inputting the white information, so that black and white are set at appropriate signal levels.

Therefore, even when using color sample books with different reflectances, the black and white levels of the color signal are set according to the black and white color of the color sample book, so it depends on the blackness and whiteness of the color sample book. You can make the most of the density range of the color sample.

Furthermore, since the lighting conditions are always constant in any case, it is possible to always keep the white balance correct. Gamma correction circuits 46 to 48 are connected to sensors 20 to 22
Considering the gamma characteristics of the monitor and the gamma characteristics of the monitor, set the gamma characteristics of the entire system to be "l".

With such a configuration, appropriate gradation reproduction can be obtained on the monitor. Therefore, any color sample book 10 can be input, and color sample books sold by printing companies and ink companies that are often used by designers on a daily basis can also be used as color sample books, and can be used for existing design work. It is possible to draw a picture using an image processing device without feeling any discomfort.

In addition, the barcodes recorded in the color sample book include R, G,
For example, if the value of B is R-201, G-20, B-80, a bar code corresponding to a 9-digit number in RGB order such as 201020080 is written, but enter that value from the keyboard 9'. The signal processing unit then receives the signal and can determine the color of the paint.

In addition, in this example, color separation is R (red), G (green), B (
Although three-color separation is performed using a blue (blue) filter, it is also possible to use Y (yellow), 1M (magenta), and C (cyan) filters, or use a dichroic mirror to perform color separation.
The effect is similar.

Further, although a photodiode is used as a photoelectric conversion element for color input, a solid-state image sensor (CCD) or an image pickup tube may be used.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, (1) a worker using a paint system can freely select a color from a color sample book as in the case of conventional design work; You can select colors and use the paint system without any discomfort.

(2) In the case of conventional paint systems, the number of colors in the internal palette was small, and the range of color selection by the operator was extremely limited, but by using a color sample book, Increases the number of colors that can be selected.

(3) In addition, even if the paint system has the same number of colors as the color sample book in memory, the number of colors that can be displayed at the same time is limited, and the colors in the palette must be changed many times. However, according to the present invention, color selection can be performed quickly.

(4) In the case of conventional paint systems, the number of colors that can be compared at the same time is limited, so it is difficult to select slightly different colors, but this can be easily done with the present invention.

(5) There is no need to store palette color information in the memory in the signal processing unit, which saves memory.

([i) Appropriate gradation reproduction can be obtained on the monitor regardless of the type of color sample book.

This effect can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a color reading device 11 in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a color signal signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the amplifier 12, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional example, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a monitor screen of the conventional example. 1... Monitor (CRT), 2... Tablet, 3... Tablet Bench, 4... Paint work confirmation area on monitor, 5... Palette in memory, 6... Palette display area, 7... Signal processing unit, 8... Monitor (CRT), 8'... Selected color display unit, 9... Tablet, 9'... Keyboard, 10... Color sample book, 11. ... Color reading device, 12 ... Color signal amplifier, 13 - 15 ... Imaging lens, 16 ... Projection lens, 17 - 19 ... Color separation filter, 20 - 22 ... Photoelectric conversion element , 23-25... Preamplifier, 26-28... Gain adjustment circuit, 29-31... Set-up adjustment circuit, 32-34.
... Amplifier, 35... Non-adding circuit, 38-39... Control voltage setting amplifier, 40-41.
...Peak detection circuit, 42...Manual setup control volume, 43...
・Manual gain adjustment volume, 44-45... Means automatic changeover switch, 46-4
8... Gamma correction circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Input means for inputting a desired color in a color sample recorded in advance on a color recording medium and generating a color signal corresponding to the input color; and outputting a color corresponding to the color signal. output means for outputting, and at least one of the black level and white level of the color signal so that the color output by the output means matches the desired color in the color sample. An image processing apparatus comprising: an adjustment means for adjusting the color signal; and a correction means for performing gamma correction on the adjusted color signal.