Super imposed image display color selection system and method

• US 7,324,118 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2005
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Tsuda, Kunikazu, Hikawa, Kohji, Fujioka, Susumu
• Primary Examiner(s): Sajous; Wesner
• Application Number:
  US11/079,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20050156943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 345597-604, 345589-593, 345/619, 345/690, 345/694, 345629-630, 345/643, 382162-167, 358516-520, 358/525, 348/496, 348/498, 348/557, 348582-587, 348598-599, 348/649, 348/687, 348702-703
• US Class Current: 345/589
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• 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

Abstract

An optimal pen color is automatically selected for a given background color based upon a predetermined relative distance in the Munsell color-order system. The predetermined distance is defined in terms of saturation, hue and or lightness. In general, sufficient visual distinction is observed when the color representations of the pen and the background are separated by the predetermined relative distance in the Munsell color-order system.

Claims

1. A method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels, comprising the steps of:

selecting a first point in the Munsell color-order system as a first color; and

selecting a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, a first distance and a second distance being defined from the achromatic axis respectively to the first point and the second point, a ratio of the first distance over the second distance being equal to or more than four, wherein the second color is distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception.

2. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 1 further comprising an additional step of determining an optimal color range from the second point in the Munsell color-order system for the second color.

3. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 2 wherein the optimal color range is defined on a circular plane that is perpendicular to the relative distance line at the second point, the circular plane being defined by a radius from the second point.

4. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 1 wherein the first point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

5. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 4 wherein the predetermined lightness range is from zero to ten, the perpendicularly intersecting line intersecting the achromatic axis at the lightness level of five.

6. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 1 wherein the first point is on the achromatic axis while the second point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

7. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 1 wherein the first point and the second point form a parallel line with respect to the achromatic axis.

8. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 1 wherein the first color is a background color while the second color is a font color.

9. A method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels, comprising the steps of:

selecting a first point in the Munsell color-order system as a first color; and

selecting a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, a first distance and a second distance being defined from the achromatic axis respectively to the first point and the second point, a ratio of the first distance over the second distance being equal to or less than one-fourth, wherein the second color is distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception.

10. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 9 further comprising an additional step of determining an optimal color range from the second point in the Munsell color-order system for the second color.

11. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 10 wherein the optimal color range is defined on a circular plane that is perpendicular to the relative distance line at the second point, the circular plane being defined by a radius from the second point.

12. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 9 wherein the first point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

13. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 12 wherein the predetermined lightness range is from zero to ten, the perpendicularly intersecting line intersecting the achromatic axis at the lightness level of five.

14. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 9 wherein the first point is on the achromatic axis while the second point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

15. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 9 wherein the first point and the second point form a parallel line with respect to the achromatic axis.

16. The method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 9 wherein the first color is a background color while the second color is a font color.

17. A memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels, the computer executable performing the tasks of:

selecting a first point in the Munsell color-order system as a first color; and

selecting a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, a first distance and a second distance being defined from the achromatic axis respectively to the first point and the second point, a ratio of the first distance over the second distance being equal to or more than four, wherein the second color is distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception.

18. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 17 further comprising an additional task of determining an optimal color range from the second point in the Munsell color-order system for the second color.

19. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 18 wherein the optimal color range is defined on a circular plane that is perpendicular to the relative distance line at the second point, the circular plane being defined by a radius from the second point.

20. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 17 wherein the first point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

21. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 20 wherein the predetermined lightness range is from zero to ten, the perpendicularly intersecting line intersecting the achromatic axis at the lightness level of five.

22. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 17 wherein the first point is on the achromatic axis while the second point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

23. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 17 wherein the first point and the second point form a parallel line with respect to the achromatic axis.

24. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 17 wherein the first color is a background color while the second color is a font color.

25. A memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels, comprising the steps of:

selecting a first point in the Munsell color-order system as a first color; and

selecting a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, a first distance and a second distance being defined from the achromatic axis respectively to the first point and the second point, a ratio of the first distance over the second distance being equal to or less than one-fourth, wherein the second color is distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception.

26. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 25 further comprising an additional task of determining an optimal color range from the second point in the Munsell color-order system for the second color.

27. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 26 wherein the optimal color range is defined on a circular plane that is perpendicular to the relative distance line at the second point, the circular plane being defined by a radius from the second point.

28. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 25 wherein the first point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

29. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 28 wherein the predetermined lightness range is from zero to ten, the perpendicularly intersecting line intersecting the achromatic axis at the lightness level of five.

30. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order order system according to claim 25 wherein the first point is on the achromatic axis while the second point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

31. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 25 wherein the first point and the second point form a parallel line with respect to the achromatic axis.

32. The memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order order system according to claim 25 wherein the first color is a background color while the second color is a font color.

33. A system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system, comprising:

a memory storage unit for storing data for representing the Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels;

a processing unit connected to said memory storage unit for selecting a first point in the Munsell color-order system as a first color, said processing unit selecting a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, a first distance and a second distance being defined from the achromatic axis respectively to the first point and the second point, a ratio of the first distance over the second distance being equal to or more than four, wherein the second color is distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception.

34. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 33 wherein said processing unit further determines an optimal color range from the second point in the Munsell color-order system for the second color.

35. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 34 wherein the optimal color range is defined on a circular plane that is perpendicular to the relative distance line at the second point, the circular plane being defined by a radius from the second point.

36. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 33 wherein the first point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

37. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 36 wherein the predetermined lightness range is from zero to ten, the perpendicularly intersecting line intersecting the achromatic axis at the lightness level of five.

38. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 33 wherein the first point is on the achromatic axis while the second point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

39. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 33 wherein the first point and the second point form a parallel line with respect to the achromatic axis.

40. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 33 wherein the first color is a background color while the second color is a font color.

41. A system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system, comprising:

a memory storage unit for storing data for representing the Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels;

a processing unit connected to said memory storage unit for selecting a first point in the Munsell color-order system as a first color, said processing unit selecting a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, a first distance and a second distance being defined from the achromatic axis respectively to the first point and the second point, a ratio of the first distance over the second distance being equal to or less than one-fourth, wherein the second color is distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception.

42. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 41 wherein said processing unit further determines an optimal color range from the second point in the Munsell color-order system for the second color.

43. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 42 wherein the optimal color range is defined on a circular plane that is perpendicular to the relative distance line at the second point, the circular plane being defined by a radius from the second point.

44. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 41 wherein the first point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

45. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 44 wherein the predetermined lightness range is from zero to ten, the perpendicularly intersecting line intersecting the achromatic axis at the lightness level of five.

46. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 41 wherein the first point is on the achromatic axis while the second point is off the achromatic axis, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis.

47. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 41 wherein the first point and the second point form a parallel line with respect to the achromatic axis.

48. The system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using the Munsell color-order system according to claim 41 wherein the first color is a background color while the second color is a font color.

49. A method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels, comprising:

selecting a first point in the Munsell color-order system as a first color;

selecting a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, the first point and the second point forming a relative distance line, the second color being sufficiently distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception; and

determining an optimal color range of colors from the second point in the Munsell color-order system, the second color being selected from the optimal color range, an inter-point distance being defined between the first point and the second point, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis, wherein the first point is on the achromatic axis while the second point is off the achromatic axis, and wherein the inter-point distance is at least four.

50. A method of selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels, comprising:

selecting a first point in the Munsell color-order system as a first color;

selecting a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, the first point and the second point forming a relative distance line, the second color being sufficiently distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception; and

determining an optimal color range of colors from the second point in the Munsell color-order system, the second color being selected from the optimal color range, wherein an inter-point distance is defined between the first point and the second point, the first point and the second point forming a parallel line that is parallel to the achromatic axis, the inter-point distance being at least four.

51. A memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels, the executable program comprising the steps of:

selecting a first point in the Munsell color-order system as a first color;

selecting a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, the first point and the second point forming a relative distance line, the second color being sufficiently distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception; and

determining an optimal color range of colors from the second point in the Munsell color-order system, the second color being selected from the optimal color range, wherein an inter-point distance is defined between the first point and the second point, the first point and the second point forming a perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis, and wherein the first point is on the achromatic axis while the second point is off the achromatic axis, the inter-point distance being at least four.

52. A memory medium storing a computer executable program for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels, the executable program comprising the steps of:

selecting a first point in the Munsell color-order system as a first color;

selecting a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, the first point and the second point forming a relative distance line, the second color being sufficiently distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception; and

determining an optimal color range of colors from the second point in the Munsell color-order system, the second color being selected from the optimal color range, wherein an inter-point distance is defined between the first point and the second point, the first point and the second point forming a parallel line that is parallel to the achromatic axis, the inter-point distance being at least four.

53. A system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using Munsell color-order system, comprising:

a memory storage unit for storing data for representing the Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels;

a processing unit connected to said memory storage unit for selecting a first point as a first color and a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, the first point and the second point forming a relative distance line, the second color being sufficiently distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception, said processing unit also determining an optimal color range of colors from the second point in the Munsell color-order system, the second color being selected from the optimal color range; and

a display unit connected to said processing unit for displaying the second color against the first color, wherein an inter-point distance is defined between the first point and the second point, said processing unit selecting the second point so that the first point and the second point forms perpendicularly intersecting line that intersects the achromatic axis and is perpendicular to the achromatic axis, wherein the first point is on the achromatic axis while the second point is off the achromatic axis, said processing unit selecting the second point so that the inter-point distance is at least four.

54. A system for selecting an optimal color with respect to a background color using Munsell color-order system, comprising:

a memory storage unit for storing data for representing the Munsell color-order system, the Munsell color-order system being represented in a three dimensional space around an achromatic axis in a vertical direction, the vertical direction representing a predetermined lightness range of lightness levels, a horizontal direction representing a predetermined saturation range of saturation levels, a circumference around the achromatic axis representing a predetermined hue range of hue levels;

a processing unit connected to said memory storage unit for selecting a first point as a first color and a second point in the Munsell color-order system as a second color at a predetermined relative distance from the first point, the first point and the second point forming a relative distance line, the second color being sufficiently distinctive in combination with the first color for desired human perception, said processing unit also determining an optimal color range of colors from the second point in the Munsell color-order system, the second color being selected from the optimal color range; and

a display unit connected to said processing unit for displaying the second color against the first color, wherein an inter-point distance is defined between the first point and the second point, said processing unit selecting the second point so that the first point and the second point form a parallel line that is parallel to the achromatic axis and that the inter point distance is at least four.