JPS60186722A - Simple color discriminating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain fast color discrimination through simple constitution by comparing plural arithmetic results which are obtained from values of plural detected color components of a color sensor by addition or subtraction with plural predetermined reference values. CONSTITUTION:An object 10 of color discrimination is irradiated with light from a light source 31 and its reflected light is detected by the color sensor 12. The sensor 12 has detection parts 13-15 which detect components of red R, green G, and blue B respectively, and detection signals of the detection parts 13-15 are amplified by an amplifier 16. An adding circuit 17 sums up values X, Y, and Z of the components R, G, and B and the sum is inputted to a comparing circuit 21 and also inputted to a differential amplifier 33 to make the illuminance of the light source 31 constant.Subtracting circuits 18-20 calculate X-Y, Y-Z, and Z-X, which are inputted to comparing circuits 22-24. The amplifier 33 compares the input with a reference illuminance signal to control the illuminance of the light source 31. The circuits 21-24 also input reference values from reference value setters 25-30 and output discrimination signals of white, black, red, green, yellow, and blue to output terminals 41-46. Thus, high-speed processing is performed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Frequency of invention The present invention relates to a simple color identification device.

The color identification system extracts a plurality of different color components from the reflected light or transmitted light from the object to be colored, and compares the values of these color components with preset discrimination criteria to identify the object to be colored. It is able to determine color. Generally, three colors are used as color components: red (R), green (G), and blue (B).

The object to be colored is irradiated with light from a light source.

In order to compensate for the intensity fluctuation of the light source, these R, G
, the sum of the values of the B component S −R+ G 1B is calculated,
The ratios R/S, G/S, and B/S of each component to this total are determined, and the relative values of these color components are used as basic data for color identification.

In the conventional color identification device, since the color components are compared in this manner, a dividing line circuit is required, and a plurality of dividing tube circuits are also required. This is one of the factors that leads to multi-layered circuits, larger devices, and higher prices. It also takes a relatively long calculation time, which hinders speeding up color identification. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to simplify the configuration of a color identification device as much as possible, even if the number of types of colors that can be identified is small.

A simple color identification device according to the present invention detects a color representing a plurality of color components of a color recognition object, adds or subtracts between values representing a plurality of detected color components, and obtains a plurality of calculation results. %, and a plurality of comparator circuits that respectively compare the results with a plurality of predetermined reference values and generate color discrimination outputs. 4j 'ell dozuru. Compensate for the illuminance fluctuations of Kuyō! In order to do this, it is preferable to provide a circuit that controls the illuminance of the nine syllables to be kept constant based on the result of the addition operation.

In the color identification device of the present invention, addition and subtraction are sufficient for all calculations, and calculation circuits for multiplication and division are not required. therefore,
It becomes possible to cover the amplification circuit and the addition and subtraction circuits with (C2 to 3), making it possible to simplify the circuit configuration, downsize the circuit, and reduce the cost of the device.In addition, multiplication and division are not necessary. It is possible to increase the speed of color recognition and achieve high-speed color discrimination.

Referring to the explanatory drawings of the embodiments, the light from the light source (31) is directed toward the colored object (1).
0), and the reflected light is detected by the color sensor (12). Light 1 (31) is also incorporated into the color identification device. The color sensor (12) includes detection units (13), (14), and (15) that independently detect a red (R) component, a green (G) component, and a blue (B) component of reflected light. These detection units (13) to (15) include:
Each of the three photoelectric conversion elements has R, G, and
One is equipped with a narrow-band color filter that passes the wavelength of color B, the other is one in which these photoelectric conversion elements and color filters are monolithically fabricated on one substrate, and the other is a filter with three filters each having high sensitivity at the wavelength of each color component. Photoelectric conversion elements and the like are used. In any case, each detection unit (13) to (15)
Each detection signal is amplified by an amplifier (16).

These amplified RlG and B component values or their signals are represented by X, Y, and Z, respectively. Note that in FIG. 1, illustration of optical systems such as lenses is omitted.

Addition circuit (17) C, R, G, B components l1NX, Y,
This circuit (17) adds GJ[
A signal representing the value of [X+Y+Z] is output.

Also, subtraction circuit (differential amplifier) (18), (19),
(20), [X-Y ], [Y-Zl,
[Z-X] is calculated and output. The calculation results of these calculation circuits (17) to (20) serve as basic data for color identification. The outputs of circuits (17) to (20) are input to comparison circuits (21) to (24), respectively.

The output of the adder circuit (11) is also input to a differential amplifier (33). A signal representing the reference illuminance is input from the illuminance reference value setting circuit (34) to the differential intensifier (33), and the sum of this reference value and the measured value [X1- Y -1-
Z] is compared, and a signal corresponding to the difference is sent to the light source (31
) is sent to the drive circuit (32). To this chaste woman,
Therefore, the illuminance of the light source (31) is always constant, and the drive current, voltage, etc. of the light source (31) are controlled. In this invention, only the calculation result of the sum or difference of color component values is used for color identification, and these values are directly affected by the illuminance fluctuation of the light source (31). 31
) It is necessary to always keep the illuminance constant. Since the illuminance is controlled based on the sum of the outputs of the detection units (13) to (15), there is no need to separately provide a sensor for detecting the illuminance of the light source (31).

Table 1 shows the R, G, and B component values measured for six standard color samples (red, yellow, green, blue, white, and black) ×
Y, Z, their addition value [X+Y+Z], subtraction value [X-
Yl, [Y-Z], [Z-X, ] are shown. Based on such data, discrimination conditions and reference values for color identification are determined.

The maximum value of the sum [X+Y+Z] is 855 for white, and the second largest value is 730 for yellow. Taking a value approximately in the middle of these values, c, X −i−Y + Z ] >8
00 is used as a discrimination condition for identifying white, and 800 is used as a reference value. Also, the minimum value of the sum [X+Y+71 is black's 76
, and the second t smaller one shift is 192.8 for blue. Taking a value approximately in the middle of these numbers, EX+Y+21
<140 is the discrimination condition for identifying black, and 14
Let 0 be the I ttL value.

Table 1 These standard values of 140.800 are each based on the base tIV (
Itj setting devices (25) (26) are set, and the comparison circuit (21) is manually inputted from the setting devices (25) (26). The comparison circuit (21) outputs a white identification signal to the output terminal (41) when the white discrimination condition is satisfied. Also,
When the black discrimination condition is satisfied, a black discrimination signal is output to the output terminal (42).

Similarly, the difference [at X-Yl, 216 for red and 152 for yellow
Discrimination condition for identifying red using [X-Yl>1
84 and a reference value 184 are created. Also [X-Yl
Only -6 for green has a negative value, and the value closest to it is 7.7 for blue. Therefore, these values are used to identify the discrimination condition [X-Yl<O and criteria (#
f O is created. These reference values Q and 184 are respectively set in the setting device (27H28).
2) is the terminal (43) when the red discrimination condition is satisfied.
Then, when the green discrimination condition is satisfied, identification signals for these colors are outputted to the terminals (44).

Similarly, according to the data regarding the difference [Y-Zl,
A discrimination condition [Y-Z] 20 for identifying yellow is created, and a reference value 20 is set (29). The comparison circuit (23) outputs a yellow identification signal to the terminal (45) when this condition is met.

Roughly speaking, [Z-X]>20 is taken as the discrimination condition for blue, and g$
The IFIi 20 is set in the setting device (30). The comparison circuit (24) outputs a portrait identification signal to the terminal (46) when this condition is satisfied.

As described above, color identification is possible using only data of addition and subtraction between color components x, y, and z. Needless to say, it is possible to set discrimination conditions and I quasi-values for any color, and to discriminate colors using these, not only for colors that can be expressed using existing means such as red and blue in the example above. Nor.

Two or more discrimination conditions may be set to identify one color.

Table 2 shows the measured values when using other color 4 non-pulls.
, Y', Z, calculated value [X -1-Y + Z, [x-
Y], []Y-, 7][7-X] and discrimination conditions are shown. In this way, it is sufficient to create the discrimination condition according to the identified color ripple and set it in the LS Q'=m setting device. Therefore, it is preferable that the group t4''-1i1f setter is capable of setting the group 11k (174) externally.

(Left space below) Table 2 Although the circuit of the above embodiment is an analog circuit, the present invention can also be implemented using a digital circuit. In this case, each output of the amplifier (16) or the amplifier circuit (17)
) to (20) will be converted into digital signals by the AD conversion circuit.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawing is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention. (10)... Colored identification object, (12)... Color sensor 1
(13) to (15)...color component detection section, (17)
... Addition circuit, (18) to (20) ... Subtraction circuit,
(21) to (24)...comparison circuit, (25) to (3
0)...Reference + i setting device, (31)...Light source, (3
2)...Drive circuit, (33)...Differential amplifier 11] device,
(34)...Reference illuminance setting device. Mui”-

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A color sensor that detects values representing multiple color components of a color-identifying object, an arithmetic circuit that adds or subtracts between values representing the detected multiple color components, and outputs multiple calculation results; A simple color identification device line including a plurality of comparison circuits that respectively compare a plurality of calculation results with a plurality of predetermined reference values and generate a color identification output. (2) The simplified color identification device according to claim (1), comprising a circuit that controls the illuminance of the light source based on the calculation result of the addition.