JP2689717B2 - Color system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Outline] The present invention is directed to determining an approximate range of a color so as to match a human visual sense regardless of a value (for example, a luminance value) of information constituting the color. To aim. A first aspect of the present invention is a color system for determining whether a first color and a second color are similar to each other, and an upper limit value indicating a range of approximation for each of a plurality of basic colors forming the first color. And setting means for setting the lower limit value, and based on the setting contents, it is determined whether the value of each basic color forming the second color is within the approximate range of each basic color of the first color. , And a determination unit that determines whether the first color and the second color are similar to each other. The second aspect of the present invention is, in a color system that performs color display in accordance with a plurality of color information registered on the color palette, for each color information on the color palette,
A table that stores an upper limit value and a lower limit value that indicate an approximate range for each of a plurality of basic colors that make up color information, and configures the new color when the user sets new color information in the color palette It comprises a judgment means for judging whether each basic color belongs to the approximate range of each basic color forming the color registered on the table.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to an approximate color determination device capable of performing color identification without causing a person to feel uncomfortable by quantitatively expressing differences in colors and performing approximate determination.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computers and workstations having display devices that perform color display have become widespread.
In such computers and workstations, multicolor display screens using a color display device, such as multicolor computer graphics, have been realized.

In such a color display device, there is a demand for a method of determining a subtle difference in the colors of displayed graphics and characters within a range in which a person does not feel uncomfortable.

In particular, when a function that can freely change the color palette is installed, there is a possibility that one color cannot be distinguished from another color, for example, the background color and characters or figures.
Prior to display, it is necessary to determine how different those colors are.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in a color display device, a value indicating a difference in brightness or a value obtained by squaring the difference in brightness R (red) and G
Depending on whether or not the total value of (green) and B (blue) belongs to a range that is uniformly determined as an approximate color in advance,
A method of determining whether two colors are close to each other has been adopted.

However, when the brightness value is small, the change in the color is not so noticeable even if the value is slightly increased or decreased, but when the brightness value is increased, the change is visibly increased or decreased. The phenomenon that the color changes is generally seen. That is, it is felt that the rate of color change varies depending on the value of luminance. Therefore, there is a drawback in that if it is determined whether or not it is an approximate color only by the magnitude of the luminance value, it is largely different from the case where it is visually determined whether or not the color is an approximate color.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

That is, while the brightness value is small, there is not much difference visually, but it is judged as "different", or when the brightness value becomes large, it is judged as "approximate color" although there is a clear difference. In the finished product, the displayed color is not constant among the products due to the parts used in the product and manufacturing variations. Therefore, if the approximate color is determined by the above method for uniformly determining the approximate color, the same problem as described above occurs. Further, there is a variation in the characteristic of perceiving a person's color, that is, visual sense, and in this case as well, the above-described method of uniformly determining the approximate color causes the same problem as described above.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an approximate color determination device capable of determining an approximate color in accordance with how a person perceives a subjective difference when viewed by a person, regardless of the brightness value. With the goal.

[Means for solving the problem]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing in principle the approximate color determination device of the present invention. That is, in order to achieve the above object, the approximate color determination device of the present invention includes a table 2 for defining a range of approximate colors in accordance with a human visual sense in a color display system having a color palette 1 and the table 2. By referring to the color information stored in the color palette 1, the approximation determining unit 3 determines the degree of approximation of the given color information.

Further, for the same purpose, a table 2 that defines a range of approximate colors in line with the human visual sense, and by referring to the table 2, the color information stored in the color palette 1 is applied to a given color. It is composed of an approximation determining means 3 for determining the degree of approximation of information and a rewriting means 4 for rewriting the contents of the table 2.

[Action]

In the present invention, for example, when the color information to be displayed is given, the given color information and the color palette 1
In determining whether or not it is close to the color information stored in, the information stored in Table 2 is referred to. This table 2 stores information for determining the color information stored in the color palette 1 to be compared as an approximate color, for example, an upper limit value and a lower limit value, corresponding to each given color information. Has been done.

Then, the color information read from the color palette 1 is
Whether or not the color is an approximate color is determined based on the information in the table 2 selected by the given color information, for example, whether or not it belongs to the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value.

With this, the information stored in the table 2, for example, the upper limit value and the lower limit value can be set to values that can be judged by the human eye to determine whether or not the colors are close to each other. It is possible to determine the approximate color along the direction.

The information stored in the table 2 is the rewriting means 4
Since it is possible to change the judgment criteria of the approximate color arbitrarily, it is possible to correct the discomfort at the time of the approximate color judgment due to the manufacturing variation of the device and the difference in human vision. ing.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts as those shown in FIG. In this example, 16
A case where the present invention is applied to a color display device capable of color display will be described.

In the figure, reference numeral 2 is a data table for performing approximate color determination, which is composed of an upper limit table 2a and a lower limit table 2b. The data table 2 is provided with each luminance information (color information) of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) corresponding to the color set by the user, and the upper limit table is given according to the luminance information. The upper limit is read from 2a and the lower limit is read from the lower limit table 2b. The data read from the data table 2 is used by the approximation determining unit 3
Supplied to

The contents of the data table 2 can be arbitrarily rewritten by the writing circuit 4. Details of this data table will be described later.

3 is an approximation determination unit. The approximation determining unit 3 determines the degree of approximation between luminance information provided from the outside and color information stored in the color palette 1 described later with reference to the data table 2. If the result of the determination is that they are not similar, the color information is stored in the color palette 1 to change the display of a predetermined portion to the color set by the user. On the other hand, if it is determined that the colors are close to each other as a result of the above determination, the approximate color notification process notifies the user of the approximation by displaying a message to that effect. Details of the operation of the approximation determination unit 3 will be described later.

Reference numeral 4 is a writing circuit as rewriting means. The writing circuit 4 receives table data from a control unit (not shown) and rewrites the contents of the data table 2. Therefore, the contents of the data table 2 can be rewritten arbitrarily, whereby the judgment criterion of the approximate color can be changed.

An image memory 5 stores display data supplied from a control unit (not shown). The image memory 5 is composed of four planes (planes 0 to 3). Therefore, one pixel consists of 4 bits,
16 different colors can be expressed. The output of the image memory 5 is supplied to the color palette 1 as 4-bit information.

A color palette 1 is used to specify a display color. This color palette 1 has a structure having 16 palettes (storage areas), and each of these 16 palettes has color information of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Will be remembered.

Any one of the 16 palettes is selected by the 4-bit signal output from the image memory 5, and the three color information of R, G, and B stored in the selected palette are digital colors. It is designed to be output as signals DR, DG, and DB. Further, the 16 palettes of the color palette 1 are read and rewritten by the approximation judging section 3. This color palette 1
The output signal of is supplied to the D / A converter 6.

A D / A converter 6 converts the input digital color signals DR, DG, DB into corresponding video signals R, G, B and outputs the converted video signals R, G, B.

The video signals R, G, which the D / A converter 6 outputs,
B is supplied to the color display device 7 to display a predetermined figure or character in color.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of the data table 2. That is, the data table 2 is composed of the upper limit table 2a and the lower limit table 2b as described above, and each table 2a, 2b has 16 entries corresponding to 16 levels of luminance information given from the outside. Has become.

The upper limit value of the brightness information is stored in each entry of the upper limit data table 2a, and the lower limit value of the brightness information is stored in each entry of the lower limit table 2b. In the example shown in the figure, the color palette can be changed in 16 steps, so the values stored in the above entries are "0 to 1".
It is either "5". The change range of this color palette is not limited to the above 16 steps,
It goes without saying that it can be configured to have arbitrary stages.

The data stored in the data table 2 has the following characteristics. That is, in a portion where the luminance value is small (a portion close to “0”), the allowable range of the approximate color determination is increased by increasing the difference between the upper limit value and the lower limit value, and a portion where the luminance value is large (“15”). It is determined that the difference between the upper limit value and the lower limit value becomes smaller and the allowable range of the approximate color determination becomes smaller. It is needless to say that the upper limit value and the lower limit value stored in the data table 2 are set to values that increase as the value of the given brightness information increases.

This data table 2 is used as follows. For example, as luminance information to be determined now, R, G, B
When "5" is given for both, the portion where the brightness information of the upper limit table 2a is "5" is referred to. In this case, since the content of the entry is "7", the upper limit value is "7". Similarly, when the luminance information of the lower limit table 2b is referred to as "5", the content of the entry is "0", so the lower limit is "0". Therefore, the R, G, and B values of the comparison target (in this case, the color information stored in the color palette 1) are all 0.
It is determined that a color that falls within the range of 7 to 7 is approximate, that is, a color that is close to the human eye.

Further, the data table 2 may be provided so as to correspond to each of R, G and B. in this case,
The color approximation can be determined by the R, G, and B values, and more delicate determination can be performed.

Next, the operation of the approximate color determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the number n (0
≦ n ≦ 15) is initialized to “0” (step S1).

Then, it is checked whether n is smaller than "16" (step S2). Since "n <16" at the beginning, the process proceeds to step S3, and the value of R (red) of the palette n is smaller than the upper limit value of the data table 2 selected by the color information (luminance information) set by the user. It is checked whether or not. Then, if it is judged to be smaller, it is checked whether or not the value of R (red) of the palette n is larger than the lower limit value of the data table 2 (step S4). When it is determined that the color is large, it is determined that R (red) is an approximate color, and the process proceeds to the next step 5.

On the other hand, in step S3 above, R of pallet n
It is judged that the value of (red) is not smaller than the upper limit value of the data table 2, or the R of the pallet n is determined in step S4.
When it is determined that the value of (red) is not larger than the lower limit value of the data table 2, the process branches to step S10, the pallet number n is incremented, and the process returns to step S2.
That is, when it is determined that the value of R (red) is not an approximate color, it is determined that the color is not an approximate color as a whole, and the following G
The approximate color determination process for the next palette is performed without performing the approximate color determination for (green) and B (blue).

In step S5 executed when R (red) is determined to be an approximate color, the data table 2 in which the value of G (green) of the palette n is selected by the color information (luminance information) set by the user It is checked whether it is smaller than the upper limit value of. If it is judged to be small, G of pallet n
It is checked whether the value of (green) is larger than the lower limit value of the data table 2 (step S6). When it is determined that the color is large, it is determined that G (green) is an approximate color, and the process proceeds to the next step 7. At this point, R
It is determined that two colors (red) and G (green) are approximate colors.

On the other hand, in step S5, G (green) of pallet n
Is judged not to be smaller than the upper limit value of the data table 2, or G (green) of the pallet n in step S6.
If it is determined that the value of is not larger than the lower limit value of the data table 2, the process branches to step S10 as described above, and the pallet number n is incremented to
Return to S2. That is, when it is determined that the value of G (green) is not an approximate color, it is determined that even if R (red) is an approximate color, it is not an approximate color as a whole, and the following approximate color of B (blue) is calculated. The determination is not performed, and the process proceeds to the approximate color determination process for the next palette.

In step S7 executed when it is determined that R (red) and G (green) are similar colors, the value of B (blue) of palette n is selected by the color information (luminance information) set by the user. It is checked whether or not it is smaller than the upper limit value of the data table 2. Then, when it is determined that it is smaller, it is checked whether or not the (blue) value of the palette n is larger than the lower limit value of the data table 2. (Step S8). When it is determined that the color is large, it is determined that B (blue) is an approximate color, and the process proceeds to the next step 9. at this point,
It is determined that all of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) are approximate colors. Therefore, it is determined that the color set by the user and the color of the currently selected palette are approximate colors, and the approximate color notification processing is performed (step
S9), a series of processing ends. This approximate color notification process is
For example, the color set by the user is a process of displaying, on the color display device 7, for example, a message indicating that the color is close to one of the colors already existing in the color palette 1.
As a result, the user can change the color setting and create a display screen with no approximate color.

On the other hand, in step S7, B (blue) of palette n
Is judged not to be smaller than the upper limit value of the data table 2, or B (blue) of pallet n in step S8.
If it is determined that the value of is not larger than the lower limit value of the data table 2, the process branches to step S10 in the same manner as described above, the pallet number n is incremented, and step S2 is executed.
Return to That is, when it is determined that the value of B (blue) is not an approximate color, it is determined that R (red) and G (green) are approximate colors but they are not approximate colors as a whole. Without performing the notification process, the process proceeds to the approximate color determination process for the next palette.

This operation is repeatedly executed, and “n <1
If it is not 6 ”, that is, pallet 0 to 15
If it is determined that there is no approximate color in the, the corresponding palette is changed to the color set by the user (step S1).
1). Then, a series of processing ends.

The approximate color determination device having the above configuration is used as follows.

For example, in a multi-window display system,
If you have a function that allows you to change the background color of the window freely, if you change the background color of the window to a color similar to the color of the characters and graphics (the foreground color), you will not be able to see the contents of the window. It may end up. In order to avoid such a situation, the present approximate color determination device is used to determine the approximate color between the background color and the foreground color, and when the background color of the window is set to the foreground color, for example, the message expression described above is displayed. It is possible to call the user's attention by performing.

Also, with the increase in the number of display colors, a system having a large color palette that allows a user to set hundreds or more colors has been realized. At this time as well, by comparing with all the colors that have already been set, it is possible to call attention when similar colors have already been set. For example, when a stacked bar graph of colors is created and the present invention is applied when it is desired to change the colors (all stacked parts) of all bars, comparison with the colors of the stacked parts of all other bars is performed. When the approximate color has already been used, attention can be called, so that it is possible to create an easy-to-understand bar graph without the portion of the approximate color.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an approximate color determination device capable of determining an approximate color according to the subjective perception of a difference when viewed by a person regardless of the brightness value. .

Also, since the determination of the approximate color differs depending on the individual, if a data table is created for each individual, the display screen can be adjusted to the optimal color arrangement state for each user, which is very effective. .

Further, in recent years, various types of display devices have been developed, and it is possible that the change in color may be different due to the characteristics of hardware even if the difference in luminance is the same. In such a case, it is possible to correct the degree of approximation of the display color by changing only the data table, and there is an advantage that there is no need to change the program of the system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data table of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the approximation determination process of the embodiment of the present invention. 1 ... color palette, 2 ... table (data table), 2a ... upper limit table, 2b ... lower limit table, 3 ... approximation determining means (approximation determining unit), 4 ... rewriting means (writing circuit). In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A color system for determining whether a first color and a second color are similar to each other, wherein an upper limit value and a lower limit value indicating a range of approximation for each of a plurality of basic colors forming the first color. Based on the setting means for setting the value and the contents of the setting, it is determined whether the value of each basic color forming the second color is within the approximate range of each basic color of the first color, and A color system comprising: a determining unit that determines whether the first color and the second color are similar to each other. 2. In a color system for displaying color according to a plurality of color information registered on a color palette, for each color information on the color palette, a range approximating each basic color constituting the color information is set. A table that stores the upper limit value and the lower limit value that are shown, and when the user sets new color information in the color palette, the basic colors that make up the new color form the colors registered in the table. And a determination unit that determines whether or not each of the basic colors belongs to the approximate range. 3. The color system according to claim 2, further comprising changing means for displaying a screen for changing the setting of the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the table. 4. The table according to claim 2, wherein the value of the second color information is small, the value having a large difference between the upper limit value and the lower limit value is large, and the value of the second color information is the upper limit. The color system according to claim 2, wherein the table is a table that stores a value having a small difference between the value and the lower limit value.