JP2000253262A - Color information measurement system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color information measurement system by which the color information of a color chart is automatically measured. SOLUTION: The color information measurement system where a photometric sensor element 1 is scanned over a color chart 14 to measure color information of the color chart 14 is provided with a position confirmation sensor element 9 that catches the entire color chart 14 by placing patch elements in pure red, blue, green and black sequentially to the patch group of each corner of the color chart 14 so that the same color is not located adjacent to each other, a measured abject image data processing means 10 that analyzes the image data obtained by the position confirmation sensor element 9 to analyze the arrangement positions and the number of patch elements of the color chart 14, and a photometric sensor element position control means 7 that moves the photometric sensor element 1 on the basis of the arrangement position and the number of the patch elements of the color chart 14 obtained by the measured object image data processing means 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color information measuring system for measuring color information of a color chart, and more particularly, to a method of automatically moving a colorimetric sensor element on the color chart. The present invention relates to a color information measuring system capable of measuring the color information of the color information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, technical research has been actively conducted to eliminate the difference in color appearance between a case where a digital color image is displayed on a display device such as a computer monitor and a case where it is printed with a printing device such as a printer. Is coming. Here, it is important to measure color information of printed matter quickly and accurately.

When measuring the color characteristics of a printing apparatus, a color chart is used. The electronic data of the standard image is output from a computer to the printing device to be measured, a color chart is created, and the color chart is placed on a measuring table. Then, the colorimetric sensor element is aligned with the patch element of the color chart and measured. I do.

[0004] Such a conventional color information measuring system will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional color information measuring system, FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a rough measuring processing procedure in the conventional color information measuring system, and FIG. 14 is a diagram in the conventional color information measuring system. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the entire color chart, and FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing position data on the color chart in a conventional color information measuring system.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a user interface of a position data input unit in the conventional color information measuring system. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an input processing procedure using a moving key of the user interface in the conventional color information measuring system. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an input processing procedure using a storage key of a user interface in the conventional color information measurement system, and FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a data measurement procedure in the conventional color information measurement system.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1 denotes a colorimetric sensor element, 2 denotes a support, 3 denotes a measuring plate, and 4 denotes a color chart as an object to be measured mounted at the center of the measuring plate 3. Is a printed matter output by inputting certain data. Reference numeral 5 denotes an x-axis groove provided on the support 2, reference numeral 6 denotes a y-axis groove provided on the measurement plate 3, reference numeral 7 denotes a colorimetric sensor element position controller, reference numeral 8 denotes a measurement data processor,
2 is a position confirmation marker attached to the colorimetric sensor element 1, and 13 is a position data input unit.

Here, the colorimetric sensor element 1 has a function of converting information on the color of the surface of the object to be measured into an electric signal, and numerical data of a Lab value which is one of absolute values of color measurement. Is output. The sensor element 1 for colorimetry is fixed by arms that protrude from the support 2, and the arms are configured to be movable in the width direction of the support 2 along the x-axis groove 5.

The support 2 can move in the depth direction along the y-axis groove 6 of the measuring plate 3. A motor for moving the arm and a motor for moving the support 2 itself are provided inside the support 2, and these are driven and controlled in accordance with a control signal from the colorimetric sensor element position control unit 7, The measurement unit of the colorimetric sensor element 1 is moved to a desired position on the color chart 4.

At the time of measurement, as shown in FIG. 13, a measurer manually inputs information on the patch elements of the color chart 4 from the position data input unit 13. After inputting all the data, when a measurement start instruction is issued, the position data input unit 13 calculates the data of the positions of all the patches, and determines the position where the colorimetric sensor element 1 measures the data.
After that, the data of the measurement position is sequentially passed to the colorimetric sensor element position control unit 7.

The colorimetric sensor element position controller 7 moves the support 2 in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction based on the received measurement position data. The fact that the preparation for measurement has been completed is transferred to the measurement data processing unit 8 after the movement. The measurement data processing unit 8 receives the instruction and instructs the colorimetric sensor element 1 to perform measurement. And color chart 4
The color information data at the determined position is measured by the colorimetric sensor element 1 and sent to the measurement data processing unit 8.

The measurement data processing section 8 sums up the position data received via the colorimetric sensor element position control section 7 and the colorimetric data received from the colorimetric sensor element 1.
After repeating this for the number of patches, the color chart 4
The colorimetric data for one sheet is output.

Here, the position data of the color chart 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. One picture color chart has m × n patch elements (P (1,
1), P (2, 1),..., P (m, n)), and the size of one unit patch is w × d. Note that the upper left corner of the upper left patch is defined as a base point, and the position of the upper left corner point from the base point is defined as patch position data. It is assumed that a positive value on the x-axis is taken in the right direction and a positive value on the y-axis is taken in the downward direction.

The position data of the patch P (x, y) is represented by I (P
(x, y)), I (P (1,1)) = (0,0), I (P (2,1)) = (w,
0), I (P (3,1)) = (2 * w, 0),..., I (P (m−
1,1)) = ((m−1) * w, 0), I (P (1,2)) = (0, d), I (P (2,2)) = (w,
d), I (P (3,2)) = (2 * w, d),..., I (P (m−
1,2)) = ((m-1) * w, d), I (P (1,3)) = (0,2 * d), I (P (2,3)) =
(w, 2 * d), I (P (3,3)) = (2 * w, 2 * d),.
, I (P (m-1,3)) = ((m-1) * w, 2 * d),
·, I (P (1, n)) = (0, (n−1) * d), I (P (2, n))
= (W, (n-1) * d), I (P (3, n)) = (2 * w, (n
−1) * d),..., I (P (m, n)) = ((m−1) * w,
(n-1) * d), and the patch group is converted from the position data (0, 0) to (m * w,
That is, m * n pieces are laid all the way up to n * d).

Here, the center of the unit patch is set as a measurement position as a point to be measured. (0,0), (w, 0), (0, d),
Since it is surrounded by the four points (w, d), the measurement position is (w / d)
2, d / 2). When the position data of an arbitrary patch on the color chart 4 is (a, b), the measurement position of this patch is (a * w + w / 2, b * d + d / 2). In the case of the lower rightmost patch to be measured last, the measurement position is ((m−
1) * w + w / 2, (n-1) * d + d / 2).

Thus, the position data passed in order when performing the measurement are (w / 2, d / 2), (w + w / 2, d / 2), (2 * w +
w / 2, d / 2), ..., (a * w + w / 2, b * d + d
/ 2), ..., ((m-1) * w + w / 2, (n-1) * d +
d / 2).

To calculate this, it is necessary to: a; the number of patches in the x and y directions (m in the x axis direction)
B, data at the position of the end of the patch group on the color chart 4, that is, four intersections of the boundary line between the patch group and the ground portion ((0, 0) in FIG. 15) , (W, 0), (0, d), (w,
d) (three points), because if the three points are known, the fourth point can be easily obtained by calculation.

Next, an input interface when a measurer manually inputs position data from the position data input section 13 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, as the interface, the number of patches in the x-axis direction, the number of patches in the y-axis direction, the data of the position of the end of the patch group on the color chart 4 (three of them), the x-axis and y-axis values , Each with a total of eight text boxes,
It has a total of seven buttons for instructing movement up and down, right and left, storage, acknowledgment (measurement start), and stop, respectively.

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 17, the colorimetric sensor element 1 is manually moved through the colorimetric sensor element position control unit 7 by key input to the four up, down, right, and left movement buttons. Can be. Also,
By the key input to the storage button, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
, And display the data in a text box on the screen.

A data input method using this interface is as follows. First, the number of patches (m in the x direction and n in the y direction) is input. Next, the user presses the move button to move the colorimetric sensor element 1 in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction.
Is manually moved to bring the marker 12 attached to the colorimetric sensor element 1 to I (P (x, y)) = (0, 0). Then, when the position is found, the user presses the storage button to register the position.

Similarly, I (P (x, y)) = (m, 0),
Register the position of I (P (x, y)) = (m, n), and press the OK (measurement start) button when data is entered in all text boxes. Thereafter, the measurement is performed almost automatically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the colorimetric sensor element 1 is connected to I (P
Move to (x, y)) = (w / 2, d / 2) and measure the data. Next, the colorimetric sensor element 1 is moved by d in the y direction, and when I (P (x, y)) = (w / 2, d + d / 2),
Measure the data. This is calculated as y = (n-1) * d + d / 2.
Repeat until

The colorimetric sensor element 1 is defined as y = d / 2.
And move by w in the x direction, and I (P (x, y)) =
The data is measured at (w + w / 2, d / 2). This is repeated until x = (m-1) * w + w / 2, and I (P
(x, y)) = ((m-1) * w + w / 2, (n-1) * d + d
When the data measurement is completed up to / 2), the process ends.

After the measurement is completed as described above, the measured data processing unit 8 outputs the x-axis value and the y-axis value of the measured patch position and the Lab value measured by the colorimetric sensor element 1. The L value, a value, and b value of the value are output. Note that these values are sequentially output from x = 1, y = 1 to x = m, y = n.

[0024]

However, in the above-described conventional color information measuring system, the size, number, and arrangement order of the patch elements of the color chart 4 are considered for automatically measuring the color information. Therefore, when performing the measurement, it is necessary for the measurer to manually input such information on the patch element in advance, and there is a problem that a great deal of time is required for the measurement.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a color information measuring system capable of automatically measuring color information of a color chart.

[0026]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color information measuring system for moving a colorimetric sensor element on a color chart and measuring the color information of the color chart. In the measurement system, a patch group of each corner of the color chart, pure red, blue,
The green and black patch elements are arranged in order so that the same colors are not adjacent to each other, and a position confirmation sensor element that captures the entire color chart and image data obtained by the position confirmation sensor element are analyzed. DUT image data processing means for analyzing the arrangement position and number of the patch elements of the color chart, based on the arrangement position and number of the patch elements of the color chart obtained by the DUT image data processing means, And a colorimetric sensor element position control means for moving the colorimetric sensor element.

Thus, the necessary color information of the color chart can be automatically measured only by giving an instruction to start the measurement, so that the measurement can be automated and labor can be saved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color information measuring system for moving a colorimetric sensor element on a color chart to measure color information of the color chart. In the patch group at each corner of the color chart, pure color red, blue, green, and black patch elements are arranged in order so that the same color is not adjacent to each other.
A patch element is arranged so that the value is reduced, and a sensor element for position confirmation that captures a part of the color chart, and image data based on RGB values obtained by the sensor element for position confirmation are analyzed, and the color chart is analyzed. An object image data processing means for analyzing an arrangement position and a size of the patch element, and the measurement based on the arrangement position and the size of the patch element of the color chart obtained by the object image data processing means. And a colorimetric sensor element position control means for moving the color sensor element.

Thus, the sensor element for colorimetry and the sensor element for position confirmation can be moved in the same positional relationship, so that more accurate position data can be obtained, and the measurement position by the sensor element for colorimetry can be obtained. Accuracy can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color information measuring system for moving a colorimetric sensor element on a color chart and measuring color information of the color chart. In the patch group at each corner of the color chart, pure color red, blue, green, and black patch elements are arranged in order so that the same color is not adjacent to each other.
A colorimetric sensor element data converting means for arranging a patch element so as to reduce the value, converting data obtained by the colorimetric sensor element into image data based on RGB values, and a colorimetric sensor element data converting means Analyzing the image data obtained in the above, the object image data processing means for analyzing the arrangement position and size of the patch element of the color chart, and the color chart obtained by the object image data processing means And a colorimetric sensor element position control means for moving the colorimetric sensor element based on the arrangement position and size of the patch element.

Thus, since the position data can be obtained by the colorimetric sensor element for performing the measurement, the accuracy of the measurement position by the colorimetric sensor element can be further improved.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a color information measuring system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. Omitted. Here, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the upper left portion of the color chart in the color information measuring system of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the entire color chart in the color information measuring system of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a color information measurement system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing image data of an object to be measured when a color chart in the color information measuring system of the present embodiment is captured by the position confirmation sensor element. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the color information measuring system of the present embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram when converting the image data output from the position confirmation sensor element into a data file.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation for obtaining a boundary line between a patch and a ground portion in the color information measuring system of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a patch and ground in the color information measuring system of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a rough measurement processing procedure in the color information measurement system of the present embodiment.

First, a color chart used in the color information measuring system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When creating a color chart for evaluating the color of printed matter, the colors assigned to each patch are RGB
Although it is arbitrarily determined by the value, when this is measured using the colorimetric sensor element 1, the obtained color information differs each time depending on the characteristics of the printing apparatus.

Here, the RGB values of the color assigned to an arbitrary patch P (x, y) are represented by RGB (P (x, y)) = (R (x, y), G (x, y), B
(x, y)), the Lab value obtained when the color of the patch element at an arbitrary point P (x, y) is measured using the colorimetric sensor element 1 is Lab (P (x, y)) ) = (L (x, y), a (x, y), b
(x, y)).

A special color is assigned to the patch elements arranged at each corner. The positions are P (1,1), P (2,1),..., P (m, 1), P (1,1), P (1,2),. , N), P (1, n), P (2, n),..., P (m, n), P (m, 1), P (m, 2),. , N).

The positions of the patch elements located only one inside from the outer peripheral edge of the color chart are P (2,2), P (3,2),..., P (m-1,2), P (2,2), P (2,3), ..., P (2, n-1), P (2, n-1), P (3, n-1), ..., P (m-1, n-1), P (m-1,2), P (m-1,3),..., P (m-1, n-1).

As a color to be placed on each patch element, pure red,
Define blue, green, black and white. These colors are cr, cb, c
g, ck, cw, RGB (cr) = (255,0,0), RGB (cg) = (0,255,0), RGB (cb) = (0,0,255), RGB (ck ) = (255, 255, 255), and RGB (cw) = (0, 0, 0).

Of these, white (cw) is always placed on the ground portion of the color chart where no patch element is placed, and the remaining four colors, red, blue, green, and black (cr,
cb, cg, ck) so that the same color does not adjoin
Arrange them in order.

In FIG. 1, ck is assigned to P (1,1), cr is assigned to P (2,1), and c is assigned to P (3,1).
b,..., c (g), P (m, 1), ck, P (1,1), cg, P (1,3), c (g), P (1,3) To c
b,..., cr at P (1, n-1), ck at P (1, n), cb at P (2, n), P (3, n) To c
g,..., cr for P (m-1, n), ck for P (m, n), ck for P (m, 1), cb for P (m, 2), P (m, 3) To c
r,..., c (g) for P (m, n−1) and ck for P (m, n).

FIG. 2 shows the overall structure of the above-described picture color chart. Assuming that the patch element at the center of the color chart is P (cx, cy), cx = m / 2 or cx = m / 2 + 1, and cy = n / 2 or cy = n / 2 + 1.

The patch elements arranged near the center are P (cx-2, cy-2), P (cx-2, cy-1), P (cx-2, cy-1).
(cx−2, cy), P (cx−2, cy + 1), P (cx
−2, cy + 2), P (cx-1, cy-2), P (cx−
1, cy-1), P (cx-1, cy), P (cx-1, c
y + 1), P (cx-1, cy + 2), P (cx, cy-
2), P (cx, cy-1), P (cx, cy), P (cx,
cy + 1), P (cx, cy + 2), P (cx + 1, cy-
2), P (cx + 1, cy-1), P (cx + 1, cy),
P (cx + 1, cy + 1), P (cx + 1, cy + 2), P
(cx + 2, cy-2), P (cx + 2, cy-1), P
(cx + 2, cy), P (cx + 2, cy + 1), P (cx
+2, cy + 2).

P (cx, cy), P (cx-1, cy-1), P (cx) for the patch elements from the center of the color chart toward the four corners and only one inside from the outermost end. −
2, cy-2),..., P (3,3), P (2,2) P (cx, cy), P (cx + 1, cy-1), P (cx +
, P (3, n-2), P (2, n-1) P (cx, cy), P (cx-1, cy + 1), P (cx-
2, cy + 2),..., P (m−2, 3), P (m−1, 2) P (cx, cy), P (cx + 1, cy + 1), P (cx +
2, cy + 2),..., P (m−2, n−2), P (m−
1, n-1) and the patch elements are arranged such that the RGB values of the colors of the patch elements become smaller.

That is, RGB (P (cx, cy)) ≧ RGB (P (cx−1, cy−)
1)), RGB (P (cx-1, cy-1)) ≧ RGB (P (c
x−2, cy−2)),..., RGB (P (3,3)) ≧ RG
B (P (2,2)) RGB (P (cx, cy)) ≧ RGB (P (cx + 1, cy−
1)), RGB (P (cx + 1, cy-1)) ≧ RGB (P (c
x + 2, cy-2)),..., RGB (P (3, n-2)) ≧
RGB (P (2, n-1)) RGB (P (cx, cy)) ≧ RGB (P (cx-1, cy +
1)), RGB (P (cx−1, cy + 1)) ≧ RGB (P (c
x−2, cy + 2)),..., RGB (P (m−2, 3)) ≧
RGB (P (m−1,2)) RGB (P (cx, cy)) ≧ RGB (P (cx + 1, cy +
1)), RGB (P (cx + 1, cy + 1)) ≧ RGB (P (c
x + 2, cy + 2)),..., RGB (P (m−2, n−)
2)) ≧ RGB (P (m−1, n−1)).

Incidentally, the patch element P (x1, y
1) and P (x2, y2), RGB (P (x1, y
1)) ≧ RGB (P (x2, y2)) is R (x1, y1) ≧ R (x2, y2) or G (x1, y
1) ≧ G (x2, y2) or B (x1, y1) ≧ B (x2,
Synonymous with y2).

Next, FIG. 3 shows a color information measuring system for measuring color information using the above-described color chart. In the present embodiment, in addition to the conventional example described above with reference to FIG. 12, in order to capture the entire color chart 14 to be measured, information of the object to be measured is converted into an electric signal.
RG of color used when processing by computer etc.
The DUT image data processing unit 1 uses the B value as image data.
A position confirmation sensor element 9 that outputs 0 is added.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the entire image data of the color chart 14 captured by the position confirmation sensor element 9. By analyzing the image data by the DUT image data processing unit 10, all the boundary lines between the portion where the patch group is placed and the ground portion can be obtained. In addition, since the boundaries between batches are also obtained, the number of batches can be obtained.

Further, although the size of the unit batch can be obtained, the size of the batch may be significantly reduced on the image data. Therefore, this data is not used in this embodiment.

Actually, the image data here is used after being converted into a data file and has a data storage format as shown in FIG. That is, the entire image is quantized in units of dots, and the RGB values R, G, B of each dot are
Are stored in the array in order. At the head of the data, a header including the data length of the value is added.

Here, a method of determining the boundary between patches will be described with reference to FIG. To simplify the explanation,
The z-th patch in the x-axis direction from the upper left is pure red,
The case where the ground portion is pure white and the boundary line between the patch and the ground portion is determined will be considered.

The RGB value of the patch in which pure red is placed is RGB (P (z, w)) = (255,0,0). Since the ground portion is pure white, the RGB value at that position is The value is RGB (P (z, −w) = (255,255,255).

In order to examine the boundary line of this portion, the position confirmation sensor element 9 is moved in the y-axis direction, and the RGB values at that time are examined. If I (P (z, 0)) = (u, v), u = w / 2 and v = ((z−1) * d + d / 2).

Here, when u is fixed and the position confirmation sensor element 9 is moved from u = −w / 2 to u = w / 2, each of the obtained RGB values is represented by R (u, v), G
(u, v) and B (u, v),-(w / 2 <u <0, R (u, v) = 255, G (u, v)
= 255, B (u, v) = 255, 0 <u <w / 2, R (u, v) = 255, G (u, v) =
0, B (u, v) = 0.

Any of the RGB values (in this case, G
(u, v), B (u, v)) at a position where the value suddenly changes from 255 to 0 or from 0 to 255 (in this case,
The position u = 0) is the boundary between the patch to be obtained and the ground portion.

Therefore, the algorithm used in this embodiment is as follows. First, start the survey from any point. That is, the value of the x-axis is changed while keeping the value of the y-axis of the position data constant, and the values of the RGB values are recorded in an array. Then, the amount of change from the previous recorded value is calculated and separately recorded in a file.

Further, when any one of the RGB values greatly changes, the position data is stored, and the data of points linearly located before and after the position are extracted from the array. Then, a is determined as to whether any of the RGB values has changed significantly, or b; whether the RGB values have been constant in several measurements before and after the data has changed. If both are met,
The RGB values before and after the boundary are recorded as the boundary.

As a specific example, FIG. 7 shows an algorithm for reading a dot on a boundary line and five dots before and after the boundary line and determining whether or not it is a boundary value. In this case, the RGB value, the x coordinate and the y coordinate of the dot position, and the RG
An 8 × 11 array for storing a difference value from the B value is prepared.

Data is sequentially read from the image data file for each dot, and a difference value is obtained and stored in an array. As the conditions for the determination, for the value of H (5) in the middle of the array, a: the difference between the preceding and following values is large (255); b: the difference value is small in other parts (0); If the condition is satisfied, the coordinates of H (5) and the RGB values of the dots before and after H (5) are output.

In the above description, the method for obtaining the x-axis boundary line is described. The same applies to the method for obtaining the y-axis boundary line. In addition, although the patch has been described for pure red, the boundary between the pure blue, green, and black batches and the ground portion can be obtained in the same manner. Further, the boundary between the pure red, blue, green, and black patches at the corners of the patch elements arranged at the corners of the color chart 14 is also determined using the same method. By collecting this data, the position of the patch group is specified.

Strictly speaking, the data sent to the printing device when the color chart 14 is created and the color chart 1
4 differs from color information obtained when the color information 4 is measured using the colorimetric sensor element 1 depending on the characteristics of the printing apparatus.

Further, since the image data captured by the position confirmation sensor element 9 is added to the characteristics of the position confirmation sensor element 9, the color information obtained from this image data is further different. However, the above-mentioned method can be used with almost no hindrance depending on the color arranged first, so that the boundary of each patch element can be easily determined.

The patch element P obtained by analyzing the image data of the color chart 14 as an object to be measured
The RGB values of (x, y) are represented by RGB "(P (x, y)) = (R" (x, y), G "(x, y),
B "(x, y)), RGB" (P (1,1)) ≥RGB "(P (2,1)), RGB"
(P (2,1)) ≧ RGB ”(P (3,1)),..., RGB” (P
(m-1, 1)) ≥RGB "(P (m, 1)) RGB" (P (1,1)) ≥RGB "(P (1,2)), RGB"
(P (1,2)) ≧ RGB ”(P (1,3)),..., RGB” (P
(1, n-1)) ≥RGB (P (1, n)) RGB "(P (m, 1)) ≥RGB" (P (m, 2)), RGB "
(P (m, 2)) ≧ RGB ”(P (m, 3)),..., RGB” (P
(m, n−1)) ≧ RGB ”(P (m, n)) RGB” (P (1, n)) ≧ RGB ”(P (2, n)), RGB”
(P (2, n)) ≥RGB "(P (3, n)), ..., RGB" (P
(m-1, n)) ≥RGB "(P (m, n)).

However, the patch element P (x1,
y1) and P (x2, y2), RGB "(P (x1, y
1)) ≥RGB "(P (x2, y2)) is R" (x1, y1) ≥R "(x2, y2) or G" (x1,
y1) ≥G "(x2, y2) or B" (x1, y1) ≥B "
It is synonymous with (x2, y2).

In this way, by identifying the boundaries of the patch elements arranged at each corner of the color chart 14, the positions of the patch elements placed at the four corners of the color chart 14 and the outermost The number of patch elements arranged is recognized, and the position of the color chart 14 and the number of patch elements are calculated. This data is sent to the colorimetric sensor element position control unit 7, and this data is used as position data when the colorimetric sensor element 1 is moved on the color chart 14.

FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing in this embodiment after the measurement start instruction is input to the DUT image data processing unit 10. First, the DUT image data processing unit 10
Extracts image data from the position confirmation sensor element 9 and creates a data file. Next, the data file is analyzed to calculate and obtain the data of the position of the patch, and the position at which the colorimetric sensor element 1 measures the data is determined. After that, the data of the measurement position is sequentially passed to the colorimetric sensor element position control unit 7.

The colorimetric sensor element position control unit 7 moves the support 2 in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction based on the received measurement position data. The fact that the preparation for measurement has been completed is transferred to the measurement data processing unit 8 after the movement. The measurement data processing unit 8 receives the instruction and instructs the colorimetric sensor element 1 to perform measurement. And color chart 1
The color information data at the determined position of No. 4 is measured by the colorimetric sensor element 1 and sent to the measurement data processing unit 8.

The measurement data processing section 8 sums up the position data received via the colorimetric sensor element position control section 7 and the colorimetric data received from the colorimetric sensor element 1.
After repeating this for the number of patches, the measurement data processing unit 8 outputs colorimetric data for one color chart 14.

In the above embodiment, since the position confirmation sensor element 9 only needs to have a resolution enough to recognize the boundary of the patch element of the color chart 14 to be measured, a camera element for photographing a still image is used. Can be diverted. However, since the position of the colorimetric sensor element 1 is constantly moving, precision is required for the mechanism of the movement of the support base 2 so that the generation of the position data and the movement of the colorimetric sensor element 1 do not shift. Can be

Further, at the time of data measurement, image data representing the entire view of the color chart 14 is output from the DUT image data processing unit 10, and this is output to a separate display device (not shown). By doing so, it is possible to easily confirm the measurement results.

Next, the second embodiment of the color information measuring system of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10,
The same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Here, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the color information measuring system of the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 is an image to be measured when a color chart in the color information measuring system of the present embodiment is captured by the position confirmation sensor element. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of data.

In the present embodiment, a sensor element 19 for position confirmation for capturing a part of the color chart 14 is provided at the tip of the sensor element 1 for colorimetry. That is, the positional relationship between the sensor element 19 for position confirmation and the sensor element 1 for color measurement is always constant.

FIG. 10 shows an example of image data of the color chart 14 captured by the position confirmation sensor element 19. Since this is a part of the color chart 14, it is not known whether the position where the image data was obtained is the center part or the end part of the color chart 14 at the time when the data is obtained once.
Therefore, by analyzing the image data in the captured range,
The boundary between the batches is determined, and the size of the unit patch is determined.

However, in order to obtain the data necessary for the measurement, it is necessary to determine the boundary line between the place where the patch group is placed and the ground portion at least at the four corners. Analysis is performed by storing a plurality of image data.

At this time, it is necessary to move the position where the image data is obtained. In order to quickly obtain the data of the boundary between the place where the necessary four corner patch groups are placed and the ground, the inner patch is used. It is necessary to decide the arrangement of still,
The number of batches is calculated from the obtained two types of data.

In this case, as a procedure, first, the colorimetric sensor element 1 is moved to an arbitrary point to perform provisional measurement, and then the position confirming sensor element 19 is located at a corner of the patch element arranged at each corner. Move gently until the boundary between the object and the part of the ground where the patch element is not located is identified.

At this time, the color chart 14 is arranged such that the RGB values of the colors of the patch elements from the center position toward the four corners of the color chart 14 from the outermost periphery to the inside by one are reduced. Since it is configured, for parts other than the outermost patch group, the RGB value data obtained from the position confirmation sensor element 19 is
The comparison is made in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, and it is determined that the direction in which the value decreases is the center direction of the color chart 14.

Further, the colorimetric sensor element 1 is moved in a direction opposite to the above, and this is continued until the boundary portion of the patch is determined. As described above, when the position of the patch element placed at one corner of the color chart 14 has been specified, the colorimetric sensor element 1
Are moved in the x-axis direction and in the y-axis direction. In the same manner as described above, the position confirmation sensor element 19 is used to determine whether the patch elements located at the corners and the areas where the patch elements are not placed are located at the corners. Identify the border with the part. Thus, the positions of the patch elements placed at the four corners of the color chart 14 are specified.

After storing the recognized location, the colorimetric sensor element 1 is slowly moved in the x-axis direction, and
The size of one patch element is calculated by gently moving it in the axial direction and recognizing the boundary with the next patch element.

Here, since the positional relationship between the sensor element 19 for position confirmation and the sensor element 1 for color measurement is always constant, it is possible to obtain data when the sensor element 1 for color measurement is moved. . That is, the position of the patch element at this corner and the size of one patch element become data and are sent to the colorimetric sensor element position control unit 7,
It is used as position data when the colorimetric sensor element 1 is moved on the color chart 14.

In this embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, as the position confirmation sensor element 19, an image pickup element capable of recognizing the boundary of the patch element of the color chart 14 to be measured in close-up photographing is obtained. However, since it is necessary to use the image sensor, the cost is slightly increased. However, since the colorimetric sensor element 1 and the position confirmation sensor element 19 move in the same positional relationship, the generation of position data and the There is little difference from the movement, and the accuracy of the position when measuring is increased.

At the time of data measurement, the device under test image data processing unit 10 obtains a plurality of image data representing a part of the color chart 14 and outputs this to a display device (not shown) separately. This makes it possible to easily confirm the measurement progress.

Further, a third embodiment of the color information measuring system of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 11, but the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Here, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the color information measurement system of the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, a colorimetric sensor element data converter 11 for converting Lab value data obtained from the colorimetric sensor element 1 into RGB values is added.
After calculating based on this data, it is sent to the colorimetric sensor element position control unit 7 to control the movement of the colorimetric sensor element 1 on the color chart 14.

The colorimetric sensor element data converter 11 converts Lab value data obtained from the colorimetric sensor element 1 into RGB values. Lab value Lab (P (x, y)) = (L (x, y), obtained when the color of the patch element at an arbitrary point P (x, y) is measured using the sensor element 1 for colorimetry. a (x, y), b
(x, y)) is an RGB value of the patch element P (x, y) RGB (P (x, y)) = (R (x, y), G (x, y), B
(x, y)).

The data file created by the conversion is the same as the data file obtained by extracting the image data from the position confirmation sensor element 19 in the second embodiment and converting it into a data file. Almost the same method as in the second embodiment can be used.

In this case, as a procedure, first, the colorimetric sensor element 1 is moved to an arbitrary point and a temporary measurement is performed.
Of the patch elements arranged at each corner on the color chart 14, the patch element is gently moved until the boundary between the corner element and the ground portion where the patch element is not placed is identified.

At this time, the color chart 14 is configured by arranging the patch elements such that the RGB values of the colors of the patch elements from the center position toward the four corners of the paper from the outermost end to the inside by one are reduced. Therefore, for portions other than the outermost patch group, the RGB value data obtained by the colorimetric sensor element data converter 11 are compared in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, and the direction in which the value decreases becomes smaller. Is in the center direction of the color chart 14.

Further, the colorimetric sensor element 1 is moved in the direction opposite to the above, and this is continued until the boundary of the patch is determined. As described above, when the position of the patch element placed at one corner of the color chart 14 has been specified, the colorimetric sensor element 1
Are moved in the x-axis direction and in the y-axis direction, and the RGB value obtained by converting the Lab value data obtained from the colorimetric sensor element 1 by the colorimetric sensor element data conversion unit 11 in the same manner as described above. Based on the value, the boundary between the patch element located at the corner and the ground portion where the patch element is not placed is identified. Thus, the positions of the patch elements placed at the four corners of the color chart 14 are specified.

After storing the recognized location, the colorimetric sensor element 1 is slowly moved in the x-axis direction, and
The size of one patch element is calculated by gently moving it in the axial direction and recognizing the boundary with the next patch element.

Thus, using the measurement data of the colorimetric sensor element 1, data for moving the colorimetric sensor element 1 can be obtained. In other words, the position of the patch element at this corner and the size of one patch element become data and are sent to the colorimetric sensor element position control unit 7 to move the colorimetric sensor element 1 on the color chart 14. Can be controlled.

As described above, in the color information measurement system of the present invention, since the patches arranged at the ends of the color chart 14 are clearly defined, the boundary between the patches and the patch group are defined. It is possible to easily detect the boundary line between the portion where is placed and the ground portion, and it is possible to reliably determine the number of patches, the size of the unit patch, and the like from them.

Therefore, the operator does not need to manually input the position data of the patch. The operator simply places the color chart 14 on the measuring device and gives an instruction to start the measurement, and the position of the patch on the color chart 14 can be determined. By automatically discriminating and moving the colorimetric sensor elements 9 and 19, color information can be measured.

[0094]

The color information measuring system according to the first aspect of the present invention has the above-described configuration.
The necessary measurement of the color information of the color chart can be automatically performed only by giving an instruction to start the measurement, so that the measurement can be automated and labor can be saved.

Further, since a sensor element capable of recognizing a boundary of a patch element of a color chart to be measured can be used as a sensor element for position confirmation, a camera element for photographing a still image can be used. It is possible to implement automation at the time of measurement relatively inexpensively.

In the color information measuring system according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the colorimetric sensor element and the position confirming sensor element can be moved in the same positional relationship, more accurate positional data can be obtained. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the measurement position by the colorimetric sensor element.

In the color information measuring system according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the position data can be obtained by the colorimetric sensor element for performing the measurement, the measurement position by the colorimetric sensor element can be obtained. Can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an upper left portion of a color chart in a first embodiment of a color information measurement system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the entire color chart in the first embodiment of the color information measurement system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of a color information measurement system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing object image data when the color chart in the first embodiment of the color information measurement system of the present invention is captured by the position confirmation sensor element.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram when image data output from a position confirmation sensor element is converted into a data file in the first embodiment of the color information measurement system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation for obtaining a boundary between a patch and a ground portion in the first embodiment of the color information measurement system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation for obtaining a boundary between a patch and a ground portion in the first embodiment of the color information measurement system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a rough measurement processing procedure in the first embodiment of the color information measurement system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the color information measuring system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of measured image data when a color chart is captured by a position confirmation sensor element in a second embodiment of the color information measurement system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a third embodiment of the color information measurement system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional color information measurement system.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a rough measurement processing procedure in a conventional color information measurement system.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire color chart in a conventional color information measurement system.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing position data on a color chart in a conventional color information measurement system.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a user interface of a position data input unit in a conventional color information measurement system.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an input processing procedure using a movement key of a user interface in a conventional color information measurement system.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an input processing procedure using a storage key of a user interface in a conventional color information measurement system.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure of data measurement in a conventional color information measurement system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 sensor element for color measurement 2 support 3 fixing plate 5 y-axis groove 6 x-axis groove 7 sensor element position control section for color measurement 8 measurement data processing section 9 sensor element for position confirmation 10 object image data processing section 11 measurement Color sensor element data converter 14 Color chart 19 Position confirmation sensor element

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hajime Shimizu 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi BC16 BC23 CA12 CA15 CB09 CB12 5C079 HB01 HB08 HB12 JA03 JA21 LA01 LA10 MA10 NA18

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A color information measuring system for measuring a color information of a color chart by moving a sensor element for color measurement on a color chart, wherein a pure red color is added to a patch group at each corner of the color chart. , Blue, green, and black patch elements are arranged in order so that the same colors are not adjacent to each other, and a position confirmation sensor element that captures the entire color chart and image data obtained by the position confirmation sensor element are analyzed. Then, an object image data processing means for analyzing the arrangement position and number of the patch elements of the color chart, and the arrangement position and number of the patch elements of the color chart obtained by the object image data processing means A color information sensor element position control means for moving the colorimetric sensor element based on the color information sensor element. 2. A color information measuring system for measuring a color information of a color chart by moving a sensor element for color measurement on a color chart, wherein a patch group of pure color is added to a patch group at each corner of the color chart. , Blue, green, and black patch elements are arranged in order so that the same colors are not adjacent to each other, and the patch elements are arranged from the center position to the four corners so that the RGB values of the patch colors become smaller. A position confirmation sensor element that captures a part of the color chart, and an object to be measured that analyzes image data based on RGB values obtained by the position confirmation sensor element to analyze the arrangement position and size of the patch element in the color chart. Image data processing means, based on the arrangement position and size of the patch element of the color chart obtained by the measured object image data processing means,
A color information measuring system, comprising: a colorimetric sensor element position control means for moving the colorimetric sensor element. 3. A color information measuring system for measuring a color information of a color chart by moving a sensor element for color measurement on a color chart, wherein a pure red color is added to a patch group at each corner of the color chart. , Blue, green, and black patch elements are arranged in order so that the same colors are not adjacent to each other, and the patch elements are arranged so that the RGB values of the patch colors become smaller from the center position toward the four corners. Colorimetric sensor element data conversion means for converting data obtained by the color sensor element into image data based on RGB values; analyzing the image data obtained by the colorimetric sensor element data conversion means; DUT image data processing means for analyzing the arrangement position and size of the patch element, and a patch of the color chart obtained by the DUT image data processing means. Based on the position and size of the device,
A color information measuring system, comprising: a colorimetric sensor element position control means for moving the colorimetric sensor element.