WO2001091101A1 - Image processing device capable of processing image in consideration of visually-handicapped persons, storage medium, object image diagnosing method, and digital color chart file - Google Patents

Abstract

If a reference color to be employed for creating an object is designated, the range of a sub-set (202) of a selectable color with respect to the reference color is exclusively displayed on a color pallet (CP). The creator selects one of a plurality of colors contained in the sub-set (202) as a drawing color (Cp). The sub-set (202) is defined by judging and determining the colors that a visually-handicapped person can easily recognize, for the reference color. Color arrangement can be determined within the chromatic range while ensuring the visibility of a visually handicapped person, so that color arrangement of the object can be highly expressed.

Description

 Description Image processing device, storage medium, object image diagnostic method and digital color chart file capable of processing for the visually impaired

 The present invention enables people with visual impairments such as cataracts to create and verify objects with a faintly visible color scheme, and to meet the barrier-free demands of a welfare society and an aging society. New technologies that can be used. Background art

 With the development of computer network technology, many people are now getting information from websites and other sources. Therefore, visual content expressed on a computer is designed to be cheerful not only for healthy persons but also for visually impaired persons, and it is desirable to respond to the needs of a welfare society and an aging society. In addition, when determining the color of the operation panel and appearance of industrial products such as industrial products, it is necessary to consider the visibility of visually impaired persons.

 In particular, among various types of visual impairment, senile cataract etc. is a visual impairment that many people experience with aging, and with the advent of an aging society, consideration for such visually impaired persons It is no longer a special case.

 However, in the conventional technology for determining the color scheme of visual contents on a network and spatial industrial products (collectively referred to as “objects” in this specification. The detailed definition will be described later), a mode considering the visually impaired is used. However, there is only a mode that generates a monochrome image using only a few monochrome gradation colors. For this reason, the current situation is that the visually impaired must either endure the object for a healthy person who is difficult to see or endure it with an object image with poor expression. Disclosure of the invention

<Object of the invention> The present invention intends to overcome the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology, and provides a technique useful for a visually impaired person to obtain an image of an object that is visually recognizable while making the most of rich expressiveness. It is in.

<Structure and operation of the invention>

 The present invention is directed to an image processing device that supports creation of an image of an object in consideration of visual impairment.

 According to the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes: a color combination rule holding unit that holds a color combination rule that is easily distinguishable from each other under a specific type of visual impairment; Of the one set, a subset consisting of colors that are easily distinguishable from each other with respect to the designated reference color is specified by referring to the color combination rule (111), and each color of the subset is identified by color. A color selection display control means for displaying on a monitor; and a means for specifying a color selected from the subset by the operator so as to be usable as a drawing color.

 According to the present invention, for a specified reference color, a visually impaired person displays a subset of colors that are easily distinguishable from each other, and is configured so that a color to be used next can be selected from the subset. This makes it possible for the visually impaired to determine the color scheme of the object image that is easy for the visually impaired to view, and that the creator and the corrector of the object image have a relatively large choice of colors.

 For this reason, it is possible to obtain objects with rich color expression and barrier-free.

 According to another aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes: a conversion rule that defines a relationship regarding how each color is viewed under a particular type of visual impairment; Conversion rule holding means; and display control means for converting each color of the image of the object according to the conversion rule, and displaying the image on a color monitor using the converted colors. Then, it is possible to confirm in what color state the object is visually recognized under the visual impairment.

According to the present invention, it is possible to objectively simulate how an image of a created or given object is visually recognized by a visually impaired person. Therefore, the present invention is also useful for obtaining objects with rich color expression and barrier-free. is there.

 According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus comprises: a rule corresponding to an inverse conversion of a conversion of how each color is viewed under a particular type of visual impairment; And a reverse conversion means for storing the object image as an inverse conversion rule; and an inverse conversion means for performing an inverse conversion on the image of the object based on the inverse conversion rule. According to the present invention, an image after inverse conversion is obtained by inversely converting an image of an object having a desired color scheme that the visually impaired person wants to look like this. The image after the inverse transformation is viewed with the desired color scheme when viewed by visually impaired persons. For this reason, images for the visually impaired can be easily obtained from images prepared without being aware of the visually impaired. For this reason, it is useful for obtaining objects with rich expressiveness and barrier-free.

 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the specific type of visual disorder is cataract. Object visibility can be improved not only for cataracts caused by diseases but also for people who have cataract symptoms caused by aging.

The present invention also provides a computer program for implementing these devices using a computer.

 The present invention further provides a method for diagnosing a color scheme of an object via a network. According to the present invention, the method comprises: a step of maintaining conversion rules that specify the relationship of each color as being viewed under certain types of visual impairment; A step of taking in an image of the object via the interface; a step of converting each color of the image of the object according to the conversion rule, and displaying the image of the object on a color monitor using the converted color. Determining from the display state of the color monitor whether or not the object is easily recognizable under the specific type of visual impairment to obtain a determination result; and determining the provider of the image of the object with the determination. And a notification step for notifying the result.

According to the present invention, since the diagnosis of the color scheme of an object in consideration of the visually impaired can be performed via a network, the diagnosis can be performed quickly, and the expression of the color is rich and useful for obtaining an object that is free of parliament. This can contribute to the spread of barrier-free objects. Preferably, when the determination result includes a conclusion that it is difficult to view under the specific type of visual impairment, the image of the object is processed into an image that is easily viewable under the specific type of visual impairment. Then, the processed image is returned to the provider of the image of the object. The present invention is particularly useful for disseminating barrier-free objects. The present invention also provides a digital color chart file including digital information in a color array. The color chart file of the present invention is read by a computer to display, on a color monitor, a reference color and a color that is easily distinguishable from the reference color under a specific type of visual impairment. The combinations are displayed in an array as an array of the correspondence between the empty areas.

 With this digital color chart, it is possible to know the color scheme that is easy for the visually impaired to visually recognize, and since the information is digitized, it can be read by image processing software, and the components of each color can be read. The value can be known objectively. Therefore, by using this to create or modify the image of the object, the visibility of the object can be improved. Therefore, the present invention is useful for obtaining a highly expressive and barrier-free object. <Other objects and features of the present invention will be clarified in the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

 FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network system NW including a computer 1 functioning as an image processing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 2 is a functional diagram showing the image processing function of the service computer 1.

 Figure 3 shows an example of the process of collecting basic data using the cataract simulated experience filter. '

 Figure 4 shows an example of a process for collecting basic data using a cataract simulated experience filter.

 FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a situation where a subset of a set of N colors distributed in an RGB color circle (constant saturation) is obtained.

 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of a table that embodies the color combination rules.

Figure 7 shows the process of collecting basic data using the cataract simulated experience filter. It is a figure showing an example.

 FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a process for collecting basic data using the cataract simulation experience file.

 FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a table that embodies the color forward conversion rule and the inverse conversion rule.

 FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the correspondence between the color recognized by a healthy person and the color recognized by a visually impaired person.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a color selection process for a reference color ₍ FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image creation process corresponding to the process of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a color selection process). FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state transition of a color pallet in a process.

 FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the state transition of the color palette in the color selection process.

 FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the state transition of the color palette in the color selection process.

 FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a color selection process in a color palette in which a relatively small number of colors are arranged.

 FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a process of selecting colors in a T color palette in which a relatively small number of colors are arranged.

 FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of color forward conversion and inverse conversion.

 FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern image displayed on a monitor at the time of monitor adjustment.

 FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a menu switching button and an up / down button on the monitor.

 FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the flow of image diagnosis and authentication.

 FIG. 22 is a view showing a color chart in which color combinations that are visually distinguishable to visually impaired persons are arranged and displayed on a color monitor.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of parallel arrangement of images before and after conversion in consideration of visibility due to visual impairment. Definition of terms

 In this specification, "object" refers to image information such as digital images, analog images, physical objects such as industrial products and natural objects, printed materials in DTP (Deskt op Pub lishing), video, broadcast content, etc. This is a term that includes various objects including. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 <System configuration>

 FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network system NW including a computer 1 functioning as an image processing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The main body 2 of the computer 1 includes an arithmetic unit such as an MPU and a storage device such as a semiconductor memory and a hard disk. Software for realizing each function described below is provided in advance by a software such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. It is read from the portable storage medium 7 and installed.

 The computer 2 is connected to a color monitor (display) 3, a keyboard 4, a mouse 5, and a color printer 6. This combination 1 has two functions related to the features of the present invention.

 The first function is to assist the visually impaired in creating an image of an object that is easily visible.

 The second function is to check whether the color scheme of the homepage created by another computer or the color scheme of the color model of the operation panel and appearance of the industrial product is appropriate for the visually impaired. It is a function to diagnose. The result of the diagnosis is notified to the creator of the object, and the object can be authenticated as a barrier-free object for the visually impaired.

 All of these details will be described later, but hereinafter, this computer 1 is referred to as a “service computer” for convenience.

The service computer 1 is connected to the server 11. The server 11 is a component of the network 10, and computers 20 and 30 are connected to the other servers 12 and 13 of the network 10, respectively. One of the computers 20 and 30 is a service computer. It is assumed to be a computer (hereinafter referred to as “user computer”) that browses the homepage created in 10 and registered in server 11. The other computer 30 transfers the image of the object created by the user of the computer 30 to the service computer 1 via the network, and the service computer 1 transmits the image of the object to the service computer 1. It is assumed to be a computer to be diagnosed and authenticated (hereinafter referred to as “client computer”).

 For convenience of illustration, FIG. 1 shows only three computers 1, 20, and 30, but many computers can be connected via the network 10. The network 10 may be a LAN or WAN, or may be the Internet.

 <Overview of functions>

 FIG. 2 is a functional diagram showing the image processing function of the service computer 1. On the computer 1, image processing software 100 (for example, PhotoShop (trademark)) 100 is installed. As a plug-in tool of the image processing software main body 1.0, cataract correspondence software 110 as a preferred embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. The digital authentication software 120 is software for realizing the digital authentication issuing means 121, and can be plugged into the image processing software main body 100 as well. However, the digital authentication software 120 may be provided to the computer 1 only when the administrator of the server 11 and the computer 1 has a predetermined qualification described later.

 Among them, the cataract software 110 implements the following means. Note that the explanation here is directed to visual content on the web, such as images on websites, but in general, images of 3D or 2D color models of physical objects such as industrial products (for example, the operation panel of equipment) It can handle images of various objects, including color schemes and appearance color schemes.

(1) Color selection and display control means 1 1 1a and color provision means 1 1 1b When creating visual content, a plurality of colors C i (i = l to N: where N> 3: Display the N color set {C} consisting of (see Fig. 13). Then, when one of the colors is designated as a reference color C k such as a background color by Kuriyasu, the reference color C among the remaining (N-1) colors By displaying only a subset {sub (Ck)} (see Fig. 14) consisting of Mk colors (Mk <(N—1)) that is easy for a cataract person to see for k, It is a pot-stage that only allows you to select the next color. The subset {sub (C k)} is one in which the reference colors C k differ depending on something, and is predetermined as a selection rule table 1 1 2 that embodies the color combination rules. It is stored as the data evening. The selected color is added to the designated area of the visual content (the area designated by CLIE) by the color assigning means 1 1 1b.

 (2) Color order conversion means 1 1 3

 This software simulates how visual content created by normal color combinations for healthy people looks like a cataract person. For this purpose, the color conversion rules 114 are predetermined and stored in the convenience store. The color conversion rules 114 are also referred to as “color conversion rules” or “forward conversion rules” in order to distinguish them from the following “color conversion rules”.

 (3) Color inversion means 1 1 5

 Conversely, it is necessary to create a color scheme of "I want people with cataracts to look like this" with color images seen by healthy people and to see cataract people as such a blank image However, this function is used to determine what color scheme should be used for the digital image. As will be described in detail later, at this time, a rule which has a relation of inverse conversion with respect to the above-described forward conversion (hereinafter, “color inverse conversion rule” or “inverse conversion rule”) 116 is used.

 The inverse color conversion rule 1 16 may be specified and stored in the convenience store 1 in advance, and the inverse conversion rule 1.16 is generated as an inverse conversion of the color forward conversion rule 1 14. (Conversely, the reverse conversion rule 1 16 may be held, and the forward conversion rule 1 14 may be generated as the reverse conversion.)

 (4) Display control means for pattern images 1 1 7

It is preferable that the color monitor 3 (FIG. 1) be adjusted in color in order to accurately execute and visually recognize each of the above means. For this reason, a plurality of achromatic pattern images (see Fig. 19), which will be described later, are displayed on the monitor 3 so that the viewer can obtain substantially the same viewing conditions on the dark side and the light side. Monitor 3 brightness and control Adjust the last. At this time, the pattern image is displayed by the pattern image display control means 1 17, which gives a command to the monitor adjustment circuit 1 m incorporated in the computer 1 to adjust the display characteristics of the monitor 3.

 (5) Image processing means 1 3 0

 In addition, the cataract software 110 has, as the image processing means 130, a contour emphasizing means 131, a blur processing means 132, and the like, and these means can be used as appropriate. I have.

 The image processing software 100 also has an outline emphasis menu and a blur processing menu as standard, but these come to select parameter values for the degree of outline emphasis and blur from multiple values. I have. On the other hand, the blurring means 1 32 in the cataract software 110 is based on information on how much an image is blurred and visible in the case of an average cataract. The parameter value USV (not shown) of the degree of “blur” is fixedly set to one value. Similarly, the contour enhancement means 13 1 in the cataract software 110 also allows the average cataract person to see how much contour enhancement is performed on the object image created for healthy subjects. In accordance with the information about whether or not to be sharp, a parameter value SPV (not shown) of the degree of contour enhancement is fixedly set to one value in advance.

 By doing so, it is possible to perform image processing for visually impaired persons without hesitation in selecting these image processing parameter values U SV and S PV.

 <Basic data preparation process>

 Among these, the functions of color selection, forward conversion, and inverse conversion, and image processing functions fixed to specific parameters for visually impaired persons (hereinafter referred to as “visual impairment function”) In order to achieve this, it is necessary to specify in advance the rules for how a set of colors selected for healthy individuals can be viewed by cataracts.

 However, even if a person has cataracts, the degree of the symptoms varies, and the results of color observation are easily subjectivity, so that individual tests with individual cataracts are less objective. Therefore, basic data for these visual impairment response functions will be collected using a cataract simulated experience filter that simulates the average cataract symptoms.

Such a cataract simulated experience filter is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-111916. 3 and 4 show an example of a process for collecting basic data using such a filter.

 First, as shown in FIG. 3, a color monitor 51 is prepared, and the left half of the screen of the monitor 51 is set to be taken by the video camera 53. The computer 52 generates a color signal that causes the left half of the screen of the monitor 51 to display a color pattern P1 composed of a pair of unit patterns 61a and 62a of different colors. In the unit pattern 61a, the character of the second color COj is drawn in the background of the first color COi, and in the other unit pattern 62a, the character of the second color COj is drawn in the background of the second color COj. One color COi characters are drawn. For example, when assuming the creation and diagnosis of contents on the Web, it is preferable that the size of these characters be about 10 to 14 points, which are frequently used on homepages. The image output of the color pattern P1 by the video camera 53 is displayed on the right half of the screen of the monitor 51 as a color pattern Plm (== 61b, 62b). Actually, the left half image signal and the right half image signal of the screen are combined as the image signal of each scanning line of the image signal to the monitor 51. The flow of the image signal of the right half of the display image is indicated by a broken line.

 With this configuration, the color pattern P1 and the corresponding color pattern Plm are displayed in parallel on the screen of the monitor 51. In this color pattern P lm, the colors C0i and COj in the original color pattern P1 are displayed as colors Ci and Cj. This is due to the influence of the imaging characteristics of the video camera 53 and the like. Then, the BGR component values (or component values in another color system) of the colors Ci and Cj in the color pattern Plm are specified using the color component analysis function of the computer 52. The component values of the colors Ci and Cj may be used to numerically specify the color component values of the screen of the monitor 51 using a colorimeter or the like.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, a cataract simulation filter 50 is placed in front of the imaging lens of the video camera 53. Then, the left half of the monitor 51 remains the same as the original color pattern P1, and the right half displays the color pattern P2 (61c, 62c). Due to the influence of the cataract simulating experience filter 50, the first force Cai and the second color Ca] 'in the color pattern P2 are respectively changed to the first color Ci and the first color Ci in the color pattern Plm in FIG. The color is shifted from the second color Cj. Figure 3 By using the color pattern P2, it is possible to see what colors Cai and Caj appear when a cataract person visually recognizes the colors Ci and Cj included in the color Plm. Since the imaging characteristics of the video camera 53 are common to the color patterns P lm and P 2, the influence of characteristics inherent to the imaging system and the signal processing system on the correlation between the color patterns P lm and P 2 Is already compensated.

 Then, the data collector (healthy person) visually recognizes the color pattern P2 on the screen of the monitor 51, and feels that the characters of the second color Caj in the first color Cai are difficult to recognize, or that the second color C a] ', if the characters of the first color Cai in the color are difficult to recognize, the first color Ci and the second color C]' that make up the color pattern P lm are cataracts. This pair should not be used for visual content intended for people with disabilities, and if the color difference is perceived to be easy to recognize, the first color Ci and the second color Cj should be used for people with cataracts. You can see that the pair can be used for visual content.

 Therefore, if the first color Ci is fixed and the second color Cj is variously changed among the remaining (N-1) colors, and the same judgment is performed, the first color Ci is When specified as a reference color, you can know what colors can be used in combination with the reference color. Then, the subset of colors for the first color (reference color) Ci is specified by such a set of identifiable colors. When a color other than the color Ci is used as the reference color, the subset can be specified in the same manner. The process of changing the colors Ci and Cj is actually achieved by changing the colors C0i and COj on which the colors Ci and Cj are based. Figure 5 shows a set of N colors distributed in an RGB color cycle (constant saturation), and shows the situation in which a subset for each color is obtained using the methods in Figures 3 and 4. It is. The center side of this circle is the low brightness area, the outer circumference side is the high brightness side, and the angle around the center indicates the hue. However, not all color points that are equidistant from the center of the cycle have the same lightness because the lightness scale varies with the hue. Also, for simplicity, only 13 color points are shown for the color set.

For example, when the color 71 in FIG. 5 is adopted as the first color (reference color) Ci, the remaining colors 72, 73, 74, 75,. , The cataract person identifies one of these colors 72, 73, 74, 75, etc. that is easily distinguishable from the reference color 71, and identifies a subset of the reference color 71. Set. The same test is also performed when the colors 72, 73, 74, 75 ... are individually adopted as reference colors. As a result, the table shown in Fig. 6 is completed. However, C1, C2, C3 and "'CN indicate each color included in the original color set.

 As a result of the actual color test performed by the inventor of the present invention, the following facts were found.

 (1) The distinction from the reference color does not depend much on the hue difference between the reference color and the main factor that determines whether it is easy to distinguish from the reference color is the brightness between the color and the reference color. In difference. In the case of an average degree of cataract, the threshold value Th of the lightness difference can be determined to be, for example, about Th = 30 in the Lab color system.

 (2) The dependence of the threshold value (threshold value) on the hue of how much lightness difference is required to easily distinguish two colors from each other is relatively small, and this limit value can be approximated by an almost constant value. it can.

 Based on such a result, in the apparatus of this preferred embodiment, the rules corresponding to FIG. 6 are tabulated and stored as the selection rule table 112 in FIG. If the original N colors are combinations that are mutually identifiable to healthy individuals, then for each reference color, the subset of colors that are identifiable by a cataractist will contain little (or no) colors. The number of colors for the reference color is significantly less than (N-1).

 However, as described above, the main factor of color identification is lightness difference, and its threshold value Th does not depend much on hue.Therefore, the color combination rule specifies the standard color instead of the table format. Then, the brightness difference from the other color reference colors is calculated by the calculating means, and a set of colors whose brightness difference △ L from the reference color is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Th is determined as It may be a subset. In this case, the brightness calculation means for calculating the brightness of each color, the brightness difference calculation means for calculating the brightness difference, and the comparison means for comparing the brightness difference with the threshold value Th are implemented by software. This is a configuration that can be realized in a practical manner.

On the other hand, the systems shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. Not only can it be used to determine mutual recognition, but it can also be used to identify single-color conversion rules and how to convert them back to how each color is viewed by a cataract. In this case, in the system shown in Fig. 3, only the single color CO i is displayed on the left half of the monitor 5.1 screen as shown in Fig. 7 and the right half is captured by the video camera 53 as shown in Fig. 7. To display the color of Ci. The color component value of color Ci in this state is specified using the color analysis function of computer 52.

 Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, a cataract simulation filter 50 is placed in front of the imaging lens of the video camera 53. Then, the color Cai when the person with the cataract visually recognizes the single color color Ci displayed on the right half of the monitor 51 in FIG. 7 is displayed on the right half of the monitor 51 in the state of FIG. Then, the RGB value of the color Cai is specified by using the color analysis function of the computer 52, and the conversion relationship (Ci: Cai) between the original color Ci and the color Cai seen by the person with cataract is obtained. As another method, the conversion relationship (Ci: Cai) may be specified by measuring the color of the screen of each monitor 51 with a colorimeter.

 By performing such a work while using all colors included in a predetermined color set as reference colors, a set of the conversion relations {(Ci: Cai)}, (where i = l, 2 ,..., N). By this color correspondence rule, the forward conversion rule 114 in FIG. 2 is obtained. Also, the inverse transformation rule 1 16 is obtained as the corresponding rule {(Cai: Ci)} seen from the Cai side. .

 Such a color forward conversion rule 114 and an inverse conversion rule 116 may be stored as a numerical table as shown in FIG. However, Fig. 9 (a) is a table for forward conversion, and is a look-up table whose address is the color Ci recognized by a healthy person. FIG. 9 (b) is a table for inverse transformation, and is a look-up table with the color Cai recognized by the visually impaired as an address.

Note that in FIG. 9 (b), the order of the colors Cai is not i = 1, 2, 3,..., For example, when the colors are arranged in a table in the order of the size of the RGB components. In this case, the order of the magnitude of the color components seen by a healthy person and the order of the magnitude of the color components seen by a visually impaired person are generally not the same. However, when viewed as a whole color set, the color set {Ci} seen by a healthy person and the color set {Cai} seen by a visually impaired person are the same as a set of colors. It has been confirmed by the inventor of the present invention that each element has a one-to-one correspondence (see FIG. 10; however, each square in FIG. 10 indicates a color).

 Because of such a one-to-one correspondence rule, these forward conversion rule 114 and inverse conversion rule 116 are not stored in a table, but are written in the form of forward conversion formula and inverse conversion formula. In this preferred embodiment, such a conversion formula and an inverse conversion formula are used.

 In other words, by performing a multiple regression analysis on the numerical relationship between the color set {Ci} and the color set {Cai}, the RBG component display of the color recognized by a healthy person:

Ci = (Ri, Gi, B i)… Equation 1

And, the RBG component display of the color recognized by the cataract person:

 Cai = (Rai, Gai, Bai) Equation 2

Relationship to:

 Rai = a11Ri + a12Gi + a13Bi + d1

 Gai = a21Ri + a22Gi + a23Bi + d2

 Bai = a 31Ri + a32Gi + a33Bi + d3

 • The coefficients (all to a33, dl to d3) in Equation 3 can be specified. Here, dl to d3 are offset components.

 According to the actual measurement and calculation by the inventor of the present invention, the approximate values of the coefficients (all to a33, dl to (! 3) of the forward transform are as shown in Expression 4.

a 12 = + 7 X 10 -3 a 13 = One 1 X 10-2 a21 = One 8 X 10 -4

 a23 = 1 1 X 1 0 -2 a31 = -2

 One 1 X 1 0

 a32 = + 4 X -3

 Ten

a33 = + 1 X 1 0 0 dl = + 4 X 1 0 °

d2 = + 4 X 1 O " ¹

 d3 =-2 X 1 0 °… Equation 4

 When a matrix A having components (all to a33) as components and a vector D having components (dl 'd3) as components, an inverse transformation formula is obtained:

 Ra = t 11-Rai + t 12-Gai + t 13Bai + e 1

 Ga = t 21Rai + t 22-Gai + t 23Bai + e 2

 Ba = t 31-Rai + t 32-Gai + t 33Bai + e 3

 … Formula 5

The coefficients (tll to t33, e1 to e3) at

 T = A (-1)

 E = -A (-l) · D… Equation 6 where

 3 = 3 matrix with A = (a ij)

 A (-1) = inverse matrix of A

 3 x 3 matrix with T = (t ij)

 D = 3D vector with (di) as component

 3D vector with E = (e i)

The specific approximate value is as shown in Equation 7, t 11 = + 1 X 0

 Ten

 -2

 t 12 = one 1 X 1 0

 t 13 = one 5 X -3

 Ten

 -2

 t 21 =-1 X 1 0

 0

 t 22 = + 1 X 10

 -3

 t 23 =-5 X 10

 t 31 = + 2 X -3

 Ten

 -2

 t 32 = 1 1 X 1 0

 X-1

 t 33 = + 1 1 0

 e 1 = + 3 X 0

Ten e 2 = + 5 X 1 0 ⁰

e 3 = + 7 X 1 0 ⁰ … Equation 7

 When using these forward conversion formulas and inverse conversion formulas, the coefficients (all to a33, dl to d3) are used as the data of the forward conversion rule 1 14 in FIG. : 33, el to e 3) are stored in the storage device of computer 1 in Fig. 1 as data of inverse conversion rule 1 16 in Fig. 2.

 The systems shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can also be used to determine the parameter values U SV of the contour enhancement means 13 1 and the blur processing means 13 2 of FIG. That is, in the color pattern P2 in FIG. 4, the characters (in the illustrated example, actually) are affected by the cataract symptom simulated by the cataract simulated experience filter 50.

The outline of the letter “A” is blurred (the blurred state is not shown in the figure for convenience). Thus, the sharpness value of the contour in each of the color patterns Plm and P2 is specified by the computer 52, and the two are compared with each other to determine the degree of the blurring effect. Then, the effect is set as a parameter overnight value U SV of the blur processing means 13 2. In addition, a degree of contour enhancement for substantially compensating for such blurring is obtained as a parameter value SPV, and is set in the contour enhancing means 13 1. These parameter values U SV and SP V can be expressed as the size of the digital filter (mask) and the coefficient value of each pixel.

 <Color selection function>

 Under the above preparations, first, the specific contents and usage of the color selection function will be described using a case where a simple digital color illustration is created as an example.

In the flowchart of FIG. 11, first, the image processing software is started in the computer 1 of FIG. 1 (step S 1). After completing the basic settings such as setting the canvas size of the visual content, a dialog including a color palette is displayed on the screen of the monitor 3 (step S2). An example of a color pallet at this time is shown in FIG. 13 as a color pallet CP. In this example, the color palette CP is a circular color wheel, and for a specified high, medium, or low saturation, all colors in the color set 2 0 1 (chromatic and non-color) Is displayed). Actually, each section in this empty pallet CP is separate The center of the color wheel is a low-brightness color. The color set color palette CP can be switched between high, medium, and low saturations. However, for simplicity, it is assumed that only the color with high saturation is used. The total number of colors on the color palette CP at this time is N (for example, N = 2 16).

 Next, Kuriya uses the mouse 5 in Fig. 1 to select an arbitrary background color from these N colors, and specifies the background color by clicking “〇K” in the dialog ( Step S3). If the background color specified here is Ck, this background color Ck is displayed in the background color box. This background color Ck can be used for drawing the background area 301 of the target range in the canvas shown in FIG. 12A. In addition, the MPU refers to the selection rule table 1 12 shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 to specify a color subset {sub (Ck)} having the specified background color Ck as a reference color ( Step S 4). Then, of the color palette CP, only colors in the range belonging to this subset {sub (Ck)} can be selected, and other colors are masked in gray to indicate the colors used for the next drawing. Limit the selection to only the subset {sub (Ck)} (step S5). The state at this time is illustrated in FIG. 14, in which a color selectable range (subset) 202 of a drawing color and a non-selectable range 203 are distinguished. In FIG. 14, each color region of the non-selectable range 203 is shown in white, but the actual display color of the non-selectable range 203 is a gray inactive color. When the color is limited by calculation based on the brightness difference instead of the selection rule table 1 1 2, the brightness difference from the background color Ck is calculated for each of the (N-1) colors excluding the background color Ck, and the brightness difference is calculated. Only those above the threshold Th (for example, Th = 30) are displayed as subset {sub (Ck)}.

Next, the clicker selects an arbitrary drawing color Cp with the mouse 5 from the area 202 corresponding to the subset {sub (Ck)}, and clicks "OK" in the dialog (step S6). This drawing color Cp is displayed in the drawing color box. Then, the operator draws an arbitrary area 302 in the background area 301 as shown in FIG. 12B using this drawing color Cp (step S7). This drawing is performed by passing the information of the drawing color Cp to the drawing or painting operation. One providing means 1 1 1b has this function.

 When the user wants to draw another color in the area 302, the user sets the current drawing color Cp as the background color in the evening (steps S8 to S3). In response, the MPU references the selection rule table 112 again to identify the subset {sub (Cp)} for the new reference color Cp. Then, as shown in Fig. 15, each color range on the color palette CP is distinguished between the selected area 204 corresponding to the new subset {sub (C)} and the other non-selectable areas. Is done. Kuriyasu selects a drawing color C t from this new subset {sub (C)} and draws the region 303 using the drawing color C t as shown in Fig. 12 (c). Is performed (step S7). By repeating these operations and completing the required illustration, you can exit the routine shown in Fig. 11.

 Although an example of a very simple image has been described here, it is also possible to perform complicated operations such as modifying an image once created. The background color can also be set by a function that extracts the color components of the drawn area (so-called spoid function).

 In this way, the color range that is easy for a cataract person or the like to see is automatically specified with respect to the reference color specified by the creator (generally, the operator) (the reference color already used for the image). The next available color can be selected only from that color range. For this reason, barrier-free visual content can be created easily and reliably.

 In addition, although the range of colors used in combination with the reference color is limited, it is a limitation that enables selection in a range including chromatic colors. Therefore, the image expression becomes much richer than a technology that simply renders in monochrome for the visually impaired.

 The visual content created in this way is further activated by activating the contour emphasizing means 13 1 shown in Fig. 2 and performing contour emphasizing processing (sharpness processing) with a preset parameter value SPV. Images with high visibility by persons with disabilities are obtained.

The color palette may be a color palette 205 as shown in FIG. 16 in which a smaller number of colors (for example, 64 colors) are arranged in a matrix. In this case, when the reference color (background color) is selected, the color selection rule table 1 1 2 As shown in Fig. 17, only a subset of the colors for the background color is displayed in an array as a range of colors 206 that can be selected as the drawing color, and colors that are difficult to distinguish from the background color are selected. Removed from subject.

 Although only the correlation between two colors is considered here, a rule that considers a correlation of three colors or more may be used. When considering three-color correlation, when two colors (for example, C k and C t) are specified as reference colors, a subset of colors that can be easily identified for both of them is specified in advance. Will be.

 <Color forward conversion means (Fig. 18 (a))>

 Next, the operation of the color order conversion means 113 will be described.

 By using this method, it is possible to confirm whether visual content (in general, the color scheme of various objects) created without being aware of the visually impaired is easy for the visually impaired to see. can do.

 Examples of such objects include visual contents created without using a device corresponding to the present invention, and natural images such as photographs. In other words, the image read by a digital camera or scanner has no natural color for the subject, and no processing is performed for the visually impaired. Therefore, it is necessary to check how the image is viewed by visually impaired persons.

 When a model such as an industrial product is used as an object, it is preferable to check whether switches and the like on the operation panel have a color scheme that is easy for a visually impaired person to see. At this time, the object can be directly observed with the naked eye through the cataract simulated experience filter 50 shown in Fig. 3, but the cataract simulated experience filter 50 is expensive, and the observation result is preserved with the naked eye observation. And it is difficult to communicate objectively to others.

 On the other hand, the use of the color-sequential conversion means 113 included in the apparatus of the present invention makes it possible to objectively simulate and grasp the impression of the image of the object as seen by a cataract person. .

Furthermore, the color selection restriction function in the example described above considers only the discriminant correlation between two colors, so the discriminability of areas where three or more colors are adjacent to each other is not It is preferable to convert the content into an image viewed by a visually impaired person and actually check it. In the specific operation of the color order conversion means 113 used for this purpose, first, the color order conversion means 113 implemented as plug-in software of the image processing software main body 100 is started. Specify the visual content file to be converted. Then, the MPU refers to the color forward conversion rule 1 1 4 (the table of FIG. 9 (a) or the conversion formula given by Equations 3 and 4 described above), and determines the color scheme included in the visual content. Automatically converts to the color scheme seen by people with cataracts.

 Then, the operator observes the converted image through the monitor 3, and if there is a combination of colors that are difficult to identify, the operator changes the original color of the area to another color. Then, the corrected image is forward-transformed, and the color recognizability is confirmed again. When a combination of colors with high discrimination is obtained, the image before forward conversion at that time is used as the completed version of the visual content.

 In addition, in the case of modeling a color scheme of an operation panel of an industrial product, when a color image of an original object is forward-converted by the apparatus of the preferred embodiment, there is a color combination that is difficult to recognize. If so, change the color of the object's model to make it more visually-impaired.

 These color corrections may be performed by trial and error, but it is preferable to use the color selection display control means 111a described above. That is, when there is a combination of colors that are easy to identify, one of the colors is designated as the reference color, and the correction color of the color of the adjacent area is selected from the corresponding subset. In this way, it is guaranteed that the color of the region of interest is changed to a color that makes it easier for a person with a cataract to identify the surrounding color, and complicated trial and error can be avoided.

 Also, preferably, in the color forward conversion, the blur processing means 13 2 in FIG. 2 is also activated, and a blur effect is given to the image by the parameter overnight value U SV. In the case of cataracts, not only the discriminating power of the color is reduced, but also the discriminating power of the contour is often reduced. Therefore, the phenomenon can be simulated by using the blurring means 103.

 Full inverse conversion function (Fig. 18 (b))>

On the other hand, in order to determine the image seen by the visually impaired person first and to specify the corresponding image data, the inverse transform means 1 15 (FIG. 2) is used. That is, the inverse conversion means 115 realized as plug-in software of the image processing software main body 100 is activated. When the MPU operates and specifies the file of the visual content to be inverse-converted, the MPU refers to the color inverse conversion rule 1 16 (the conversion formula given by Equations 5 to 7 described above), and colors the visual content. Is inversely transformed. The image obtained in this way (the image after inverse transformation) has a visually faint color scheme when viewed by a visually impaired person. That is, if the forward transform of an image is written as F (X) and the inverse transform is written as f (X), the forward transform changes the color scheme XI to F (XI). Therefore, if the desired color scheme to be visually recognized by the visually impaired is X2, the color scheme is inversely transformed into a color scheme f (X2), and if the web content having this color scheme f (X2) is provided, the visual When a person with a disability sees,

 F (f (X 2)) = X 2

Therefore, the desired color scheme X2 is obtained.

 In this case, the inversely transformed image deviates from a desirable color scheme for a healthy person. However, even in the case of visually impaired people, the overall color scheme does not look completely different and it is difficult to distinguish between colors and the contrast is reduced. Has only a comparatively strong effect on color and contrast for healthy people. Therefore, making the color scheme easy to see for the visually impaired does not significantly reduce the visibility of healthy people in return.

 Conversely, even if it is easy for a healthy person to see, if the color scheme is inappropriate, the visually impaired person will not be able to distinguish characters, etc., which has the essential effect. Therefore, an image that considers only a healthy person may cause a problem for a visually impaired person. However, when the inverse transformation of this preferred embodiment is performed in consideration of a visually impaired person, The image can be used by both the person and the visually impaired.

 In this inverse conversion, it is preferable to simultaneously activate the contour emphasizing means 13 1 shown in FIG. 2 and perform contour emphasis with the parameter value S PV. In this way, the blurring effect that occurs when a cataract person views this content can be compensated, and the content can be viewed with a moderate edge intensity.

 <Monitor adjustment>

In order to properly execute each of the above functions, it is preferable to adjust the display characteristics of monitor 3 in advance so that the color display of monitor 3 in Fig. 1 is appropriate. No.

 FIG. 19 shows an example of a pattern image 300 displayed on the monitor 3 during such monitor adjustment. In the pattern image 300, two achromatic regions 3001 and 302 having different lightness on the dark side are displayed adjacent to each other, and two achromatic regions having different lightness on the light side are displayed. 303 and 304 are arranged adjacent to each other. As shown in FIG. 20, the monitor 3 is provided with a menu switching button 35 1 and an up-down button 35 2. When the brightness adjustment is selected by the menu switching button 35 1, the up-down button 3 52 Can adjust the brightness of the display on monitor 3. When contrast adjustment is selected by the menu switch button 351, the contrast of the display on the monitor 3 can be adjusted by the up / down button 352.

 Before the creation or modification of the visual content, the display control means 1 17 (FIG. 2) for displaying the pattern image 300 of FIG. 19 is started. Then, in the display of the pattern image 300, it is possible to clearly distinguish both of the one color region pair 301 and 302 and the other color region pair 310 The brightness and contrast of the monitor 3 should be changed by using the menu switch button 35 1 and the up / down button 35 so that the visual distinction between the three and the 304 can be clearly made. Use and adjust.

 As a result, the difference in lightness between the dark side and the light side can be accurately displayed on the monitor 3, and more appropriate visual content can be created and corrected.

 <Server registration and browsing from the network>

 The visual content created by the service-side computer 1 in FIG. 1 as described above is incorporated into a homepage on the web and registered in the server 1 in FIG. The user computer 30 can access the server 11 via the network 10 and display and view the registered visual contents on the screen.

 This visual content is particularly useful as barrier-free content because its color is easy to see for people with cataracts.

In addition, once the visual content for healthy people is completed, each color is compulsory. Rather than changing it, there is plenty of room for color choices by the artist, so it doesn't kill the aesthetic creativity of visual content too much with emphasis on visibility. Therefore, the image is natural and easy to see for healthy people.

 Furthermore, by using the color forward and reverse conversion functions, the visual content can be placed on a network after the color adjustment of the visual content has been sufficiently verified, so that there are few errors in creation.

 <Diagnosis and certification>

 Next, create visual content to determine whether objects such as web content are easy to see for visually impaired people such as cataracts, in other words, whether they can be said to be barrier-free objects. This section describes services that are intensively checked at a specific service center via the network, not by the user. The authentication service for performing such a check is to authenticate that the object is an object that has been created by using the visual impairment function software as in the preferred embodiment, and that function is sufficiently developed. Therefore, for objects created using only other software, if the images are not easy to see for the visually impaired, authentication will only be given if they are modified with the software for the visually impaired.

 The premise of such authentication is that

 (1) When the user does not have the visual impairment function software,

 (2) When the user himself owns the visual impairment function software,

There are two embodiments, which are described in detail below. In addition, as a person who can perform this service, a qualified person who has been certified by a predetermined organization as having the ability to judge whether or not the object is a barrier-free object while using the device of the present invention and the like. It can also be limited to only.

 (1) If the user does not have visual impairment function software:

In this case, in a specific procedure, first, it is assumed that the visual content 401 is created by the client computer 30 shown in FIG. This visual content 401 is created without using the color selection display control means 111a of the present invention, and is hereinafter referred to as "primary content". · On the other hand, the homepage HP that accepts the verification of barrier-freeness of the primary content 401 is registered in the server 11 in FIG. The creator (client) of the primary content 401 on the web transfers the primary content 401 via the network 10 to the homepage HP on the server 11 and requests verification. Is written on this website HP.

 The service-side computer 1 downloads the primary content 401 from the server 11 in a timely manner, and converts the primary content 401 into an image viewed from a cataract person using the above-described color sequential conversion means 113. I do. The inspector in charge of the service computer 1 visually checks the converted image on a monitor and determines whether or not a combination of colors that are difficult to see is used. This determination may be made by visual inspection, extracting a plurality of colors adjacent to each other in the image, and assigning the plurality of colors to each combination registered in the selection rule table 112 (FIG. 2). Whether it is included may be automatically determined.

 If it is determined that the content is difficult to see for visually impaired people, one of the following two actions is taken.

 The first is to notify the client via the network that the primary content 401 does not satisfy the barrier-free condition. This notification is shown as e-mail 403 in FIG.

 The second is to create secondary content for the web in which the inappropriate color combination is changed to the appropriate color combination on the service computer 1 and send it back to the client via the network 10. is there. Then, the client confirms this secondary content, and if it accepts it, the secondary content will be used as barrier-free visual content, and if it does not agree, the client will independently create the primary content 401. Make corrections and ask for verification again.

For the secondary content 402, the service-side computer 1 gives the content a digital certificate indicating that the content is barrier-free. Then, as conceptually shown in FIG. 21, the content 402 to which the digital authentication 405 is attached is transferred to the client computer 30 via the network 10. The client registers the authenticated content 402 in an arbitrary server and uses it for general users. As a result, the user of the user computer 20 in FIG. It can be seen that the authenticated content 402 is barrier-free. Similar notification and certification are possible when the object is a model such as an industrial product. Such authentication may be a visible mark, or may be authentication using coded authentication information or digital watermark technology. Also, for authentication, a prescribed fee can be collected by online payment using a credit card or the like.

 (2) If the user owns the software for the visual impairment:

 If the user has visual impairment function software, the primary content 401 is created using the visual impairment function. For this reason, this primary content 401 is easy for the visually impaired to see, but if the primary content 401 is transferred to the service computer 1 in the same manner as above, the verifier will Can be certified. In this case, the verifier uses the forward conversion function to forward-convert the primary content 401 and visually confirms it. If it has a color scheme that is easy for the visually impaired to see, Digital authentication is given to the primary content 401, and the content is returned to the user. In this case, the reply secondary content 402 in FIG. 21 is replaced with the content obtained by authenticating the primary content 401. If there is a partial insufficiency in the color scheme of the primary content 401, the verification personnel modify the primary content 401 using the visual impairment function software on the service computer 1. Reply as secondary content 402 with authentication.

In order to enable only users who use the visual impairment function software to authenticate the primary content 401 as described above, the visual impairment function software includes an authentication application website HP URL is linked, so that you can jump to that URL. On this website HP, the primary content 401 application application form requires the user ID information for each package of the user's visual impairment response function software. When the primary content is sent to the homepage HP from the visual impairment function software, the digital signal of that ID is sent to the form on the homepage HP and automatically entered. Only when the ID of the homepage HP is automatically confirmed as a legitimate user of the visually impaired function software by the creator of the homepage 1 Authentication of the next content 40 1 is accepted. In addition, the number of times that the authentication of the primary content 401 is performed free of charge may be limited, and thereafter, the authentication of the primary content 401 may be accepted only when a fee is paid by online payment.

 <Color chart file>

 FIG. 22 is a color chart CLC in which color combinations that are visually distinguishable to visually impaired persons are arranged and displayed on a color monitor. In the data for displaying this color chart, a combination of colors corresponding to the table in FIG. 6 is recorded in a digital file, which is converted into a digital color file DCF of a media MDA such as a CD-ROM. Offered in form. By reading this file DCF by computer-COM, in the example of Fig. 22, for example, for color C1, a subset of colors {C2, C4, C8-} is displayed on the color monitor MT screen. I have. In the row below, for each of the other colors, the respective subsets are displayed in an array. By scrolling the screen, you can see the array of the subsets for each of the N colors.

 The above-mentioned package of the visual impairment function software incorporates the information corresponding to the color chart CL C as the selection function described above, but the digital color chart file DCF contains It is provided as a single general-purpose image file specifying the sequence, for example, a GIF format image file, or an HTML file containing such an image. For this reason, even if the computer does not have the visual impairment function software installed, if this file DCF is opened with any image processing software, any colors can be combined with one standard color. To see if they can be used. By displaying this color chart on a color monitor and pointing to any color area included in such a color combination (for example, the area of the color C2 included in the subset of the reference color C1), the color chart is displayed. The color component values of the color area can be transferred to the drawing means in the image processing software.

 Such a digital color chart file DCF can be fixedly distributed on the media MDA, but can also be distributed via a network.

 <Modified example>

For forward or reverse conversion, the entire image of the object is not converted, Only the specified partial area may be converted. Also, as shown in Fig. 23, if the images 501 and 502 before and after the conversion are displayed in parallel on the screen of MO: E3, they can be compared visually. In this case, preferably, the images 501 and 502 before and after the conversion are linked to each other, and when the color scheme of one image 501 (502) is changed on the screen, the change is made to the other image 50102. It is preferable to provide a program that implements a dynamic link means that includes both forward conversion and inverse conversion functions so that the color scheme 2 (501) is reflected almost in real time.

 In the preferred embodiment described above, the selection rule is determined based on the mutual discrimination between two colors in the mutually adjacent regions. However, as described above, the selection rule is determined in consideration of the correlation between three or more adjacent colors. May be. However, since four colors can cover all situations when the areas are painted separately, there is little need to consider the correlation of five or more colors except in special situations. However, when many colors are mixed like a natural image, or when it is necessary to consider not only the areas adjacent to each other but also the color arrangement of a more distant area, increase the number of colors as variables in the selection rule. You can also.

 The main cause of discrimination of a pair in the case of cataracts is lightness difference, but differences in hue can be considered to define a more precise relationship. In this case, a hue element can be included in a table that defines a subset of the colors described above, or in an arithmetic expression such as a conversion expression * inversion expression. In the case where the color scheme is determined in more detail in consideration of the visual characteristics of the visually impaired, as in the application of the present invention to DT II, the dependence of such hues and other color factors should be included. preferable.

 The present invention is not only for creating web contents and modeling industrial products, but also for image information obtained by reading analog images with a color scanner, appearance of natural objects, DTP Image such as the color scheme for creating and arranging each part in the video, the color scheme for video (particularly, animation, etc., where the color of each part can be specified for each area), the image content for digital broadcasting and analog broadcasting (NTSC, PAL, etc.) Creation of images of various objects including information-modification and verification can be targeted.

Among these functions, the functions of the present invention can be provided as plug-ins of respective image processing software, for example, for correction of a digital image obtained by reading an analog image, and creation of a DTP and a moving image. Its basic configuration is the same as that of the preferred embodiment. You.

 Also, in the case of digital broadcasting, by incorporating the converter having the inverse conversion function of the preferred embodiment described above in the STB (Set Top Box), images of broadcast content for healthy persons can be read in almost real time in the The image can be converted to an image for display on a color monitor. After inverse conversion is performed in advance by the broadcasting station, it can be broadcast on a specific channel as a broadcast for the visually impaired.

 In any case, it can be stored and distributed as a software program on a storage medium.

 The visual impairments envisioned by the present invention include not only cataracts but also other visual impairments such as color blindness. In the case of red-green color blindness, use a color selection rule that avoids green when the red color is selected as the reference color and conversely avoids the red color when the green color is selected as the reference color. I just need.

 The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiment, but is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. An image processing device that supports creation of an image of an object in consideration of visual impairment,

 A color combination rule holding means for holding color combination rules which are easily distinguishable from each other under a certain kind of visual impairment in a predetermined color set;

 A subset (C2, C4, C8-) consisting of colors that are easily distinguishable from the specified reference color (C1) in the color set is used as the color combination rule.

(1 1 2), by referring to (1 1 2), a color selection display control means (1 1 1 a) for displaying each color of the subset on a color monitor,

 Means for specifying a color selected from the subset by the operator as usable as a drawing color;

An image processing apparatus comprising:

2. In the apparatus according to claim 1,

 An image processing apparatus, wherein the subset is constituted by a plurality of colors (C2, C4, C8,...) Having a lightness difference greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value with respect to the reference color.

3. An image processing device capable of converting an object image in consideration of visual impairment,

 A conversion rule holding means for holding a conversion rule (1 14) that specifies a relationship of how each color is viewed under a particular type of visual impairment; and each color of an image of an object. Is converted by the conversion rule, and display control means for displaying the image on a color monitor using the converted color,

With

 An image processing device capable of confirming in what color state the object is visually recognized under the visual impairment.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

At the time of the conversion, the image of the object is blurred to Blur processing means to be displayed in the evening (1 32),

An image processing apparatus further comprising:

5. An image processing device capable of image conversion of an object in consideration of visual impairment,

 Inversion rule holding means that holds, as an inverse conversion rule (1 16), a rule corresponding to the inverse conversion of the conversion of how each color is viewed under a particular type of visual impairment. When,

 Inverse transformation means (1 15) for inversely transforming the image of the object based on the inverse transformation rule;

An image processing apparatus comprising:

6. In the apparatus according to claim 1,

 An image processing apparatus in which a cataract is targeted as the specific type of visual disorder.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1,

 Pattern image display control means (1 17) for displaying a pattern image on the color monitor;

 Display characteristic adjusting means (lm) for adjusting the display characteristics of the color monitor in response to an input from the operating means operated while viewing the pattern image;

An image processing apparatus further comprising:

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

 The image processing device, wherein the object is visual content to be provided on a network.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

 The image processing device, wherein the object is a color model of an industrial product.

1 0. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein An image processing apparatus, wherein the object is a printed matter relating to DTP.

1 1. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

 An image processing device in which the object is a moving image.

1 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

 An image processing device, wherein the object is a content included in a broadcast.

1 3. By being installed on a computer, the computer

 A color combination rule holding means for holding a color combination rule (1 1 2) which is easily distinguishable from each other under a certain kind of visual impairment in a predetermined color set;

 From the color set, a subset (C2, C4, C8-) consisting of colors that are easily distinguishable from the specified reference color (C1) is specified by referring to the color combination rules. A color selection display control means (111a) for displaying each color of the subset on a color monitor;

 Means for specifying a color selected from the subset by the operator as usable as a drawing color;

A storage medium storing a program for causing the image processing apparatus to operate as an image processing apparatus.

14. By being installed on a computer, the

 A color combination rule holding means for holding a color combination rule (1 1 2) which is easily distinguishable from each other under a particular type of visual impairment in a predetermined color set;

 By referring to the color combination rules, a subset (C2, C4, C8-) composed of colors that are easily distinguishable from the designated reference color (C1) in the color set is referred to. A color selection display control means (111) for identifying and displaying each color of the subset on a color monitor;

The color selected from the subset by the operator can be used as the drawing color Means to identify

For operating as an image processing apparatus including

15 5. By being installed in a computer, the computer

 A conversion rule holding means for holding a conversion rule (114) that defines a relationship of each color as being viewed under a particular type of visual impairment; and a color rule for each color of the image of the object. Display control means for converting the image according to the conversion rule, and displaying the image on a color monitor using the color after the conversion;

With

 A storage medium storing a program for operating as an image processing device capable of confirming in what color state the object is visually recognized under the visual impairment.

1 6. By installing it on a computer,

 A conversion rule holding means for holding a conversion rule (1 14) that specifies a relationship of each color as a color under a particular type of visual impairment; Is converted by the conversion rule, and display control means for displaying the image on a color monitor using the color after the conversion,

With

 A program for operating as an image processing device capable of confirming in what color the object is visually recognized under the visual impairment.

1 7. By being installed in the computer, the computer

 Inversion rule holding means for holding, as an inversion rule (1 16), a rule corresponding to an inversion of the conversion of how each color is viewed under a particular kind of visual impairment. When,

Inverse transform means for inversely transforming the image of the object based on the inverse transform rule (1) 1 5)

A storage medium storing a program for causing the image processing apparatus to operate as an image processing apparatus.

1 8. By being installed on the computer, the computer

 Retains the inverse conversion rule (1 16) that holds the rule that corresponds to the inverse conversion of the conversion of how each color is viewed under a particular type of visual impairment. Means,

 Inverse transformation means (1 15) for inversely transforming the image of the object based on the inverse transformation rule;

For operating as an image processing apparatus including

1 9. A method for diagnosing the color scheme of an object via a network, in which each color has a conversion rule (1) that defines the relationship between what color is viewed under a particular type of visual impairment. 14) holding

 A capture step for capturing an image of the object (40 1) via the network,

 Converting each color of the image of the object according to the conversion rule (114), and displaying the image of the object on a color monitor using the converted color;

 A determination step of determining whether the object is easily visible under the specific type of visual impairment from the display state of the color monitor to obtain a determination result;

 A notification step (403) of notifying a provider of the image of the object of the determination result;

An image diagnostic method comprising:

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

When the determination result includes a conclusion that it is difficult to view under the specific type of visual impairment, the image of the object is easily viewable under the specific type of visual impairment. Processing the image into an image, and returning the processed image (402) to a provider of the image of the object;

An image diagnostic method comprising:

2 1. In the method of claim 20,

 Providing predetermined authentication information (405) to the object when the determination result includes a conclusion that the object is easily visible under the specific type of visual impairment;

An image diagnostic method comprising:

2 2. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein:

 An image diagnostic method in which a cataract is targeted as the specific type of visual disorder.

2 3. A digital color chart file (DCF) containing an array of digital information, which is read into a computer (COM) to display it on a color monitor (MT).

 The reference color (C1),

 A color (C 2, C 4, C 8,...) That is easily distinguishable from the reference color under a particular type of visual impairment;

A digital color chart file that displays the combinations of as an array as a color area correspondence array (CLC).