Color correction system of imaging apparatus

• US 6,081,254 A
• Filed: 08/12/1994
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Koizumi, Hiroshi, Hoshino, Takeshi, Yamazaki, Eiichi, Tanaka, Mariko, Taniguchi, Moritaka, Ogawa, Tomoko, Kurosu, Masaaki, Yamada, Shinichi, Arai, Ikuya, Kitou, Kouji, Kishimoto, Kiyoharu, Sano, Yuji, Imaide, Takuya, Yamadera, Hitoshi, Ohsawa, Michitaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, FRANCIS N
• Application Number:
  US08/288,698
• Time in Patent Office: 2,146 Days
• Field of Search: 345/207, 345/153, 345/154, 345/199, 345/904, 345/431, 345/150, 358/518, 358/523, 358/525, 358/515, 348/647, 348/630, 348/650
• US Class Current: 382/167
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/02 characterised by the way in which colour is displayed details of colour display specific for CRTs G09G1/28; specific for flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/40006 Compensating for the effects of ageing, i.e. changes over time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6033 using test pattern analysis H04N1/6055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/002 for television cameras

Abstract

The present invention is a color correction system including an imaging apparatus which inputs or outputs an image signal from a signal processor into or from an image device such as an input device such as a scanner or a camera or an output device such as a display device or a print device and which is constituted so as to correct colors by inputting or outputting image signals via a color converter, the conversion characteristic of which can be controlled according to a variation in the setting status or use environment of the imaging apparatus and faithful color reproduction can be realized between a plurality of imaging apparatuses having different characteristics.

Claims

1. A color correction system for an imaging apparatus, comprising:

at least one of an imaging apparatus for detecting the color of at least one point of an object and an imaging apparatus for outputting image information;

conversion means for converting the color information of an input-output signal of said imaging apparatus on the basis of the color conversion characteristic of said imaging apparatus;

reference data means for providing reference data, the reference data being common to a plurality of imaging apparatuses;

detecting means for detecting at least one value among the color information of an input-output signal of said imaging apparatus, at least one adjustment status set value of said imaging apparatus, and at least one status value indicating at least the variation per year of said color conversion characteristic and the use environment of said imaging apparatus; and

control means for controlling the color information of the input-output signal of said imaging apparatus by controlling the color conversion characteristic of said conversion means on the basis of an output signal of said detection means and said reference data provided by said reference data means.

2. A color correction system according to claim 1, wherein the color conversion characteristic of said imaging apparatus can be rewritten according to said imaging apparatus.

3. A color correction system according to claim 1, wherein said reference data means includes storage means for storing a reference value of the non-luminous object color of said object;

and

wherein said control means controls the color information on the basis of said stored reference value.

4. A color correction system according to claim 3, wherein the reference value stored in said storage means is a reference value for the light source color for irradiating said object and the non-luminous object color of said object.

5. A color correction system according to claim 1, further comprising:

detection means only for the use environment of said imaging apparatus.

6. A color correction system according to claim 5, wherein said detection means can be used as detection means for the use environment of said imaging apparatus.

7. A color correction system according to claim 1, further comprising:

input means for inputting the use environment of said imaging apparatus.

8. A color correction system according to claim 3, wherein the reference value stored in said storage means includes a numerical parameter of the color standard.

9. A color correction system according to claim 8, further comprising:

means for interpolating the numerical value of the numerical parameter stored in said storage means.

10. A color correction system according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for generating a warning signal for inputting an image signal which is beyond the color reproduction range of said imaging apparatus into said conversion means or for outputting it from said image output means.

11. A color correction system according to claim 1, wherein said conversion means converts the color information included in an input or output signal to said conversion means so as to compress or expand in order to use the color reproduction range of said imaging apparatus effectively.

12. A color correction system according to claim 3, wherein an input unit of said control means has storage means for storing the reference value for said non-luminous object color and said detection means is detection means for detecting the image color to be outputted to said image output means.

13. A color correction system according to claim 1, wherein the means for outputting said image information is a display.

14. A color correction system according to claim 1, wherein the means for outputting said image information is a print device.

15. A color correction system according to claim 1, wherein the means for outputting said image information can be replaced with another image output device.

16. A color correction system according to claim 4, wherein an input unit of said control means has storage means for storing the reference value for said light source color and non-luminous object color and said detection means is detection means for detecting the image color to be outputted to said image output means.

17. A color correction system according to claim 16, wherein a color fetching device is used as said detection means.

18. A color correction system according to claim 16, wherein said detection means can be replaced with another image input device.

19. A system comprising:

a plurality of color correction systems each according to claim 3, said plurality of color correction systems being used for respective objects; and

signal transmission means for connecting said plurality of color correction systems to each other.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of color correction systems is an order reception terminal for nonstore retailing.

21. A system according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of color correction systems is a business support terminal and at least one is a production management terminal so as to realize quick production to order.

22. A system according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of color correction systems detects image data of non-luminous object color of an object.

23. A color correction system according to claim 3, wherein said control means controls said conversion means so that the component of non-luminous object color included in the color reproduction area of said color correction system is reproduced faithfully in the color space.

24. A color correction system according to claim 1, wherein said conversion means having the predetermined conversion characteristic has at least one of a ROM storing the conversion parameter and an LSI having the conversion function.

25. A color correction system according to claim 2, wherein said detection means detects both the status value indicating the use environment of at least one said imaging apparatus and the color information outputted by an imaging apparatus which outputs said image information.

26. A color correction system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a signal inputted into said converter and a signal outputted from said converter is a signal corresponding to an optical parameter for which the image color can be determined quantitatively on the basis of the visibility.

27. A color correction system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a signal inputted into said color correction system and a signal outputted from said color correction system is a signal corresponding to an optical parameter for which the image color can be determined quantitatively on the basis of the visibility.

28. A color correction system according to claim 26, wherein a signal corresponding to the CIE XYZ tristimulus values is used as said optical parameter for which the image color can be determined quantitatively on the basis of the visibility.

29. A color correction system according to claim 26, wherein a signal corresponding to the color defining value in the uniform color space is used as said optical parameter for which the image color can be determined quantitatively on the basis of the visibility.

30. A color correction system according to claim 2, wherein as at least one of a signal which is inputted into said converter and a signal which is outputted from said converter, a signal to which at least one of information on whether the displayed image is a still picture or moving picture, information on a pixel arrangement constituting the displayed image, and information on the constitution of the displayed image is added as added information is used in addition to an image signal.

31. A color correction system according to claim 2, wherein as at least one of a signal which is inputted into said converter and a signal which is outputted from said converter, a signal to which the information for designating an imaging apparatus which is suited to handling said image is added is used in addition to an image signal.

32. A system comprising:

a plurality of color corrections systems each according to claim 1, said plurality of color correction systems being used for respective objects; and

signal transmission means for connecting said plurality of color correction systems to each other.

33. A color correction system according to claim 1, wherein at least one said imaging apparatus comprises an imaging apparatus for detecting the color of at least one point and an imaging apparatus for outputting said image information and said conversion means further comprising:

first conversion means for converting the color information of an output signal of said detecting imaging apparatus; and

second conversion means for converting the color information of a signal to be inputted into said outputting imaging apparatus.

34. A color correction system according to claim 2, further comprising:

signal processing means containing said conversion means;

wherein said signal processing means has said control means for correcting the profile data which decides the color conversion characteristic in said conversion means contained in said signal processing means by detection output of said detection means.

35. A color correction system according to claim 2, further comprising:

signal processing means for processing an input signal into said imaging apparatus for outputting image information;

wherein said signal processing means has said control means for correcting the profile data which decides the color conversion characteristic in said conversion means by detection output of said detection means.

36. A color correction system according to claim 1, further comprising:

display control means for displaying a background image for indicating an actual use environment which is supposed for said displayed image on the background of the displayed image by said outputting imaging apparatus.

37. A color correction system according to claim 2, further comprising:

at least one of print control means for printing a background image for indicating an actual use environment which is supposed for said printed image on the background of the printed image by said imaging apparatus for outputting image information and print control means for selecting a printing paper having a background image for indicating an actual use environment which is supposed for a printed image as a base and printing said printed image.

38. A color correction system according to claim 30, wherein background image information for indicating the actual use environment of said displayed image which is to be displayed on the background of the displayed image of said image outputting means is also added to said signal to which said added information is added and which is used as at least one said signal.

39. A color correction system according to claim 2, wherein said conversion means consists of an integrated circuit containing a non-linear conversion circuit which can exercise electronic control.

40. A color correction system according to claim 2, wherein primary color signals of CMY or CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) are used as a signal to be inputted into said conversion means.

41. A color correction system for an imaging apparatus, comprising:

at least one imaging apparatus selected from an imaging apparatus for detecting the color of at least one point of an object and an imaging apparatus for outputting image information;

first conversion means for converting the color information of an input or output signal of said at least one imaging apparatus on the basis of at least one value among at least one adjustment status set value of said at least one imaging apparatus and at least one status value indicating the use environment of said at least one imaging apparatus;

second conversion means for converting the color information of said input or output signal on the basis of at least one of the type of a signal to be inputted or outputted into or from said first conversion means and a white balance setting status; and

signal processing means for controlling said second conversion means.

42. A color correction system according to claim 41, wherein said first conversion means converts said color information furthermore on the basis of the non-linear conversion characteristic of said at least one imaging apparatus.

43. A color correction system for an imaging apparatus, comprising:

a business support terminal;

a production management terminal; and

a transmission path connecting the business support terminal to the production management terminal;

wherein the business support terminal includes;

an imaging apparatus for outputting image information;

inputting means for inputting color information of at least one point of an object to be ordered;

receiving means for receiving color information from the production management terminal through the transmission path;

reference data means for providing reference data, the reference data being common to a plurality of imaging apparatuses;

conversion means for converting at least one of the inputted color information and the received color information based on a color conversion characteristic of the imaging apparatus and the reference data provided by the reference data means;

outputting means for outputting the converted color information through the imaging apparatus; and

sending means for sending the inputted color information and required color information related to the object to be ordered to the production management terminal through the transmission path; and

wherein the production management terminal includes;

storage means for storing color data for providing color information in accordance with the object to be ordered;

receiving means for receiving the inputted color information from the business support terminal through the transmission path;

generating means for generating the required color information by use of the color data stored in the storage means; and

sending means for sending the generated required color information to the business support terminal through the transmission path.

44. A color correction system for an imaging apparatus, comprising:

at least one of an imaging apparatus for detecting a color of at least one point of an object and an imaging apparatus for outputting image information;

conversion means for converting color information of an input signal of the at least one imaging apparatus to an output signal based on a color conversion characteristic of the at least one imaging apparatus, the conversion means including at least one of

an exchangeable portable ROM, or a disk storage device, for storing a conversion parameter of the color conversion characteristic, and

an exchangeable portable LSI having a conversion function of the color conversion characteristic;

reference data means for providing reference data, the reference data being common to a plurality of imaging apparatuses;

detection means for detecting at least one value among an adjustment status set value of the at least one imaging apparatus, and a status value indicating time variation of the color conversion characteristic of the at least one imaging apparatus; and

control means for controlling the color information of the input/output signal of the at least one imaging apparatus by controlling the color information in the conversion means based on the at least one value detected by the detection means and the reference data provided by the reference data means.

45. A color correction system for an imaging apparatus, comprising:

at least one of an imaging apparatus for detecting a color of at least one point of an object, and an imaging apparatus for outputting image information;

built-in conversion means for converting color information of an input signal of the at least one imaging apparatus to an output signal based on profile data of a color conversion characteristic of the at least one imaging apparatus;

reference data means for providing reference data, the reference data being common to a plurality of imaging apparatuses;

detection means for detecting at least one value among an adjustment status set value of the at least one imaging apparatus, and a status value indicating time variation of the color conversion characteristic of the at least one imaging apparatus; and

control means for controlling the color information of the input/output signal of the at least one imaging apparatus by controlling the color information in the conversion means based on the at least one value detected by the detection means and the reference data provided by the reference data means.