Digital Camera Patent AbstractA digital camera includes a CCD imager. Image data of an object
photographed by the CCD imager is subjected to a color adjustment
based on a plurality of first color adjustment values which correspond
to a plurality of representative colors and a plurality of second
color adjustment values which correspond to a plurality of non-representative
colors. If a desired representative color is selected and a dial
key is operated, the first color adjustment value of the desired
representative color, that is, a desired first color adjustment
value is changed. In addition, a specific first color adjustment
value adjacent to the desired first color adjustment value in a
hue direction, a specific second color adjustment value sandwiched
by the desired first color adjustment value and the specific first
color adjustment value with regard to a hue, and a first change
amount of the desired first color adjustment value by a key operation
are detected, and a second change amount of the specific second
color adjustment value is calculated by a linear approximation.
The specific second color adjustment value is changed in accordance
with the calculated second change amount.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A digital camera, comprising: a color adjuster which receives
color components of an image signal of an object photographed by
a photographer and performs color adjustment of a selected color
component based on a plurality of first color adjusting values corresponding
to the selected color component, and performs color adjustment of
a non-selected color component corresponding to a color other than
the selected color component based on at least one second color
adjusting value; a selector, operable by a user of the digital camera,
to select for color adjustment a first color from the color components
of the image signal of the object; an inputter for inputting a change
instruction to change a desired first color adjusting value out
of the plurality of first color adjusting values, the desired first
color adjusting value corresponding to the selected first color;
a first changer for changing the desired first color adjusting value
in response to the change instruction; and a second changer for
changing the second color adjusting value based on a first change
amount of the desired first color adjusting value.
2. A digital camera comprising: an imaging device for capturing
an object scene; a color adjuster for subjecting an object scene
image output from said imaging device to a color adjustment based
on a plurality of first color adjusting values and at least one
second color adjusting value; an inputter for inputting a change
instruction directed to a desired first color adjusting value out
of the plurality of first color adjusting values; a first changer
for changing the desired first color adjusting value in response
to the change instruction; and a second changer for changing the
second color adjusting value based on a first change amount which
is a change amount of the desired first color adjusting value, wherein
each of the first color adjusting value and the second color adjusting
value includes a hue as a parameter, and said second changer includes
a first detector for detecting a specific first color adjusting
value adjacent to the desired first color adjusting value in a hue
direction, a second detector for detecting a specific second color
adjusting value sandwiched by the desired first color adjusting
value and the specific first color adjusting value with respect
to the hue, and a calculator for calculating a second change amount
which is a change amount of the specific second color adjusting
value based on the desired first color adjusting value, the specific
first color adjusting value, the specific second color adjusting
value, and the first change amount.
3. A digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the plurality
of first color adjusting values respectively correspond to representative
colors of at least one of a primary color system and a complementary
color system.
4. A digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising an
accepting screen displayer for displaying an accepting screen which
only accepts a change of the plurality of first color adjusting
values out of the plurality of first color adjusting values and
the second color adjusting value.
5. A digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the accepting
screen includes at least a color sample corresponding to the desired
first color adjusting value.
6. A digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the accepting
screen includes a normalized first color adjusting value.
7. A digital camera according to claim 2, wherein said color adjuster
subjects the object scene image outputted from said imaging device
to the color adjustment in a real time, and said digital camera
further comprising an image displayer for displaying in a real time
the object scene image subjected to the color adjustment.
8. A color adjusting method which subjects an image signal of an
object photographed by a photographer to a color adjustment of a
selected color component based on a plurality of first color adjusting
values corresponding to the selected color component and at least
one second color adjusting value corresponding to a color other
than the selected color component, comprising steps of: selecting,
in response to a user input, a first color from among the color
components of the image signal of the object; inputting a change
instruction to change a desired first color adjusting value out
of the plurality of first color adjusting values, the desired first
color adjusting value corresponding to the selected first color;
changing the desired first color adjusting value in response to
the change instruction; and changing the second color adjusting
value based on a first change amount of the desired first color
adjusting value.
9. A color adjusting method which subjects an object scene image
output from an imaging device to a color adjustment based on a plurality
of first color adjusting values and at least one second color adjusting
value, comprising steps of: (a) inputting a change instruction directed
to a desired first color adjusting value out of the plurality of
first color adjusting values; (b) changing the desired first color
adjusting value in response to the change instruction; and (c) changing
the second color adjusting value based on a first change amount
which is a change amount of the desired first color adjusting value,
wherein each of the first color adjusting value and the second color
adjusting value includes a hue as a parameter, and the step (c)
includes steps of (c-1) detecting a specific first color adjusting
value adjacent to the desired first color adjusting value in a hue
direction, (c-2) detecting a specific second color adjusting value
sandwiched by the desired first color adjusting value and the specific
first color adjusting value with respect to a hue, and (c-3) calculating
a second change amount which is a change amount of the specific
second color adjusting value based on the desired first color adjusting
value, the specific first color adjusting value, the specific second
color adjusting value, and the first change amount.
10. A color adjusting method according to claim 9, further comprising
step of (d) displaying an accepting screen for accepting a change
of the plurality of first color adjusting values only out of the
plurality of first color adjusting values and the second color adjusting
value prior to the step (a).
11. A digital camera, comprising: a first memory for storing first
color component information including a plurality of first hue values
which define a plurality of first hue areas; a second memory for
storing second color component information including a plurality
of second hue values which define a plurality of second hue areas
respectively corresponding to the plurality of first hue areas;
a hue detector for detecting a pixel hue value that is a hue value
of each of a plurality of pixels forming photographed image data;
a first hue reader for reading from said first memory two of the
first hue values, which define a specific first hue area to which
the pixel hue value detected by said hue detector belongs; a second
hue reader for reading from said second memory two of the second
hue values, which define a specific second hue area corresponding
to the specific first hue area; and a hue corrector for correcting
the pixel hue value detected by said hue detector based on the two
of the first hue values read out by said first hue reader and the
two of the second hue values read out by said second hue reader,
wherein the plurality of first hue values stored in said first memory
include a plurality of first representative hue values respectively
corresponding to a plurality of representative colors and a plurality
of first non-representative hue values respectively corresponding
to a plurality of non-representative colors, and the plurality of
second hue values stored in said second memory include a plurality
of second representative hue values respectively corresponding to
the plurality of first representative hue values and a plurality
of second non-representative hue values respectively corresponding
to the plurality of first non-representative hue values, which are
arranged in an ascending order, and said digital camera further
comprising: a selector for selecting any one of the plurality of
representative colors; a first hue specifier for specifying the
second representative hue value corresponding to the representative
color selected by said selector from among the plurality of second
representative hue values; a second hue specifier for specifying
a second representative hue value adjacent to the second representative
hue value specified by said first hue specifier from among the plurality
of second representative hue values; a third hue specifier for specifying
a second non-representative hue value having a numerical value sandwiched
by the second representative hue value specified by said first hue
specifier and the second representative hue value specified by said
second hue specifier from among the plurality of second non-representative
hue values; a first hue changer for changing the second representative
hue value specified by said first hue specifier; and a second hue
changer for changing the second non-representative hue value specified
by said third hue specifier based on the second representative hue
value specified by said first hue specifier, the second representative
hue value specified by said second hue specifier, and a changing
amount of said first hue changer.
12. A digital camera according to claim 11, wherein the first color
component information further includes a plurality of first chroma
values respectively corresponding to the plurality of first hue
values, and the second color component information further includes
a plurality of second chroma values respectively corresponding to
the plurality of second hue values, and said digital camera further
comprising: a chroma detector for detecting a pixel chroma value
that is a chroma value of each of the plurality of pixels forming
the photographed image data; a first chroma reader for reading two
of the first chroma values respectively corresponding to the two
of the first hue values read out by said first hue reader; a second
chroma reader for reading two of the second chroma values respectively
corresponding to the two of the second hue values read out by said
second hue reader; and a chroma corrector for correcting the pixel
chroma value detected by said chroma detector based on the two of
the first chroma values read out by said first chroma reader and
the two of the second chroma values read out by said second chroma
reader.
13. A digital camera according to claim 12, wherein the plurality
of first chroma values include a plurality of first representative
chroma values respectively corresponding to the plurality of representative
colors and a plurality of first non-representative chroma values
respectively corresponding to the plurality of non-representative
colors, and the plurality of second chroma values include a plurality
of second representative chroma values respectively corresponding
to the plurality of first representative chroma values and a plurality
of second non-representative chroma values respectively corresponding
to the plurality of first non-representative chroma values, and
said digital camera further comprising: a first chroma changer for
changing the second representative chroma value corresponding to
the representative color selected by said selector; and a second
chroma changer for changing the second non-representative chroma
value corresponding to the second non-representative hue value specified
by said third hue specifier based on the second representative hue
value specified by said first hue specifier, the second representative
hue value specified by said second hue specifier, the second non-representative
hue value specified by said third hue specifier, and a changing
amount of said first chroma changer.
14. A digital camera according to claim 11, further comprising
a reception screen displayer for displaying a reception screen which
receives a changing operation directed to only the plurality of
second representative hue values out of the plurality of second
representative hue values and the plurality of second non-representative
hue values.
15. A digital camera according to claim 14, wherein the reception
screen includes a color sample corresponding to at least the representative
color selected by said selector.
16. A digital camera according to claim 14, wherein said reception
screen displayer displays the plurality of second representative
hue values in a normalized state.
17. A digital camera according to claim 11, wherein said hue corrector
subjects image data output from an imager to a real-time hue correction,
and said digital camera further comprising an image displayer for
displaying an image based on the image data on which the real-time
hue correction is performed by said hue corrector.
18. A digital camera, comprising: a color adjuster which subjects
an image signal of an object photographed by a photographer to a
color adjustment based on a plurality of first color adjusting values
and at least one second color adjusting value, the plurality of
first color adjusting values corresponding to target hue and chroma
component values for a plurality of colors, and the at least one
second color adjusting value corresponding to target hue and chrominance
component values for at least one color different from the plurality
of colors; an inputter for inputting a change instruction of a desired
first color adjusting value out of the plurality of first color
adjusting values; a first changer for changing the desired first
color adjusting value in response to the change instruction; and
a second changer for changing the second color adjusting value based
on a first change amount of the desired first color adjusting value.
19. A color adjusting method which subjects an image signal of
an object photographed by a photographer to a color adjustment based
on a plurality of first color adjusting values and at least one
second color adjusting value, the plurality of first color adjusting
values corresponding to target hue and chroma component values for
a plurality of colors, and the at least one second color adjusting
value corresponding to target hue and chrominance component values
for at least one color different from the plurality of colors, comprising
steps of: (a) inputting a change instruction of a desired first
color adjusting value out of the plurality of first color adjusting
values; (b) changing the desired first color adjusting value in
response to the change instruction; and (c) changing the second
color adjusting value based on a first change amount of the desired
first color adjusting value. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital camera. More specifically,
the present invention relates to a digital camera which subjects
an image signal of an object photographed by a photographing means
to a color adjustment based on a plurality of first color adjustment
values and at least one second color adjustment value.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A color reproduction characteristic of an image photographed by
a digital camera is determined by what kind of signal processings
are subjected to an image signal outputted from an image sensor.
Accordingly, a signal processing technology serves as an important
element in improving the color reproduction characteristic of the
photographed image. However, in a conventional digital camera, the
color adjustment applied to the photographed image under various
circumstances was difficult to perform, and there was a tendency
that the color adjustment is of suitable for an object photographed
in a good condition. In addition, it was not possible to change
a setting of the color adjustment value on the camera, and it was
necessary to transfer the photographed image signal to a personal
computer in performing the color adjustment. Whilst it becomes possible
to carry out a color tone correction on the digital camera if a
color tone correction software to be mounted on the personal computer
is mounted on the digital camera, it is difficult to secure a comfortable
operability even if the color tone correction software for personal
computer is applied as it is to the digital camera because there
is a limit regarding a size of a monitor and the number of operation
keys in a portable digital camera.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide
a novel digital camera.
Therefore, it is another object of the present invention to provide
a digital camera capable of improving operability of a color adjustment.
According to the present invention, a digital camera provided with
a color adjuster which subjects an image signal of an object photographed
by a photographer to a color adjustment based on a plurality of
first color adjusting values and at least one second color adjusting
value, comprises: an inputter for inputting a change instruction
of a desired first color adjusting value out of the plurality of
first color adjusting values; a first changer for changing the desired
first color adjusting value in response to the change instruction;
and a second changer for changing the second color adjusting value
based on a first change amount of the desired first color adjusting
value.
The color adjustment toward the image signal of the object photographed
by the photographer is performed by the color adjustor based on
the plurality of first color adjusting values and at least one second
color adjusting value. If a change instruction of a desired first
color adjusting value out of the plurality of first color adjusting
values is inputted by the inputter; the desired first color adjusting
value is changed by the first changer. The second color adjusting
value is changed by the second changer based on a first change amount
of the desired first color adjusting value. That is, if a change
instruction of the desired first color adjusting value is applied,
not only the desired first color adjusting value but also the second
color adjusting value is changed. Therefore, even there is a limit
ragarding a size of a monitor or the number of operation keys, and
in addition, if an operator does not possess a thorough knowledge,
it becomes possible to make an appropriate color adjustment. That
is, operability at a time of the color adjustment in a portable
digital camera is further improved.
Preferably, the plurality of first color adjusting values respectively
correspond to at least one of the representative colors of a primary
color system and a complementary color system. Since the representative
color of the primary color system and the complementary color system
have more popularity than those colors, the operability is further
enhanced by making it possible to input the change instruction with
respect to such the representative color.
An inputting operation of the change instruction becomes easy if
an accepting screen which only accepts a change of the plurality
of first color adjusting values out of the plurality of first color
adjusting values and the second color adjusting value is to be displayed.
If a color sample in accordance with at least the desired first
color adjusting value is to be included on the accepting screen,
a color shade of the color sample changes in response to the change
instruction. Accordingly, it becomes possible to make a visual color
adjustment.
Furthermore, if the normalized first color adjusting value is to
be included on the accepting screen, it becomes possible to make
an easy and exact color adjustment.
If the color adjustment is carried out toward the image signal
outputted from the photographer in a real time, and an image based
on the image signal subjected to the color adjustment is to be displayed
in a real time, the color tone of the display image also changes
in response to the change instruction. Accordingly, it is possible
to easily comprehend how the color tone of the photographed image
changes, thus further improving the operability.
Preferably, each of the first color adjusting value and the second
color adjusting value includes a hue as a parameter. The second
changer seeks a second change amount of the specific color adjusting
value based on a specific first color adjusting value adjacent to
the desired first color adjusting value in a hue direction, a specific
second color adjusting value sandwiched by the desired first color
adjusting value and the specific first color adjusting value with
respect to the hue, and a first change amount of the desired first
color adjusting value. Then, the second color adjusting value is
changed in accordance with the sought second change amount.
The above described objects and other objects, features, aspects
and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent
from the following detailed description of the present invention
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one example of a signal processing
circuit;
FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing a reference value table;
FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing a target value table;
FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing one example of a distribution
state of reference values and target values;
FIG. 6 is a an illustrative view showing one example of a distribution
state of a reference value and a target value;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a portion of an operation of an area
determining circuit;
FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing a portion of an operation
of the FIG. 1 embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing another portion of the operation
of the FIG. 1 embodiment;
FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing the other portion of the
operation of the FIG. 1 embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a portion of an operation of a CPU
in a setting change mode;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation
of the CPU in the setting change mode;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the other portion of the operation
of the CPU in the setting change mode;
FIG. 14 is an illustrative view showing one example of a setting
change screen;
FIG. 15 is a an illustrative view showing another example of the
setting change screen; and
FIG. 16 is a an illustrative view showing the other example of
the setting change screen;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a portion of an operation of a CPU
at a time of a color tone correction;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation
of the CPU at a time of the color tone correction;
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the other portion of the operation
of the CPU at a time of the color tone correction;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing further portion of the operation
of the CPU at a time of the color tone correction;
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation
of the CPU at a time of the color tone correction;
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the other portion of the operation
of the CPU at a time of the color tone correction;
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing further portion of the operation
of the CPU at a time of the color tone correction;
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation
of the CPU at a time of the color tone correction;
FIG. 25 is an illustrative view showing one example of a distribution
state of the reference values and the target values; and
FIG. 26 is an illustrative view showing one example of an operation
at a time of the color tone correction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 of this embodiment is
a portable digital camera intended for an ordinary consumer. An
optical image of an object is incident on a light-receiving-surface
of a CCD imager 14 via a focus lens 12. On the light-receiving surface,
a camera signal (raw image signal) corresponding to the incident
optical image is generated by a photoelectric conversion. It is
noted that the light-receiving surface is covered by a color filter
of the Bayer pattern (not represented), and each of pixel signals
forming the camera signal has only one color component of any R,
G or B.
When a power is inputted, a processing instruction is applied to
a timing generator (TG) 16 from a CPU 52, whereby the CCD imager
14 is driven by the TG 16. The CCD imager 14 repeats reading out
the camera signal generated by the photoelectric conversion at a
predetermined frame rate. The read camera signal of each frame is
converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter 20 via a well-known
noise removal and a level adjustment in a CDS/AGC circuit 18.
In response to the processing instruction from the CPU 52, a signal
processing circuit 22 subjects the camera data of each frame outputted
from the A/D converter 20 to signal processings such as color separation,
white balance adjustment, color adjustment (color tone correction),
YUV conversion, etc., so as to generate image data formed of a luminance
component (Y data) and color difference components (U data, V data).
The generated image data is applied to a memory control circuit
24, and written into an image data storing area 26a of an SDRAM
26 by the memory control circuit 24.
A video encoder 28 instructs the memory control circuit 24 to read
out the image data stored in the image data storing area 26a corresponding
to the processing instruction from the CPU 52. The video encoder
28 also encodes the read image data of each frame into a composite
video signal according to an NTSC format, and supplies the encoded
composite video signal to a monitor 30 via a switch SW1. Therefore,
a real-time moving image of the object (a through image) is displayed
on the monitor 30.
It is noted that the switch SW1 is connected to a character signal
generating circuit 34 when a character signal is outputted from
the character signal generating circuit 34, and connected to a color
sample signal generating circuit 36 when a color sample signal is
outputted from the color sample signal generating circuit 36. The
character signal or the color sample signal is applied to the monitor
30 via the switch SW1, thereby a desired character or a desired
color sample is OSD-displayed on the screen.
If a shutter button 42 is depressed by an operator, the CPU 52
applies a compression instruction to a JPEG CODEC 32. The JPEG CODEC
32 instructs the memory control circuit 24 to read out one frame
of the image data stored in the image data storing area 26a, and
subjects the read image data to a compression process in accordance
with a JPEG format. In obtaining the compressed image data, the
JPEG CODEC 32 applies the generated compressed image data to the
memory control circuit 24. The compressed image data is stored in
a compressed data storing area 26b by the memory control circuit
24.
Upon completing the storing process of the compressed image data,
the CPU 52 reads out the compressed image data from the compressed
data storing area 26b through the memory control circuit 24, and
records the read compressed image data into a memory card 40 through
an I/F circuit 38, thereby an image file is generated in the memory
card 40. It is noted that the memory card 40 is a detachable non-volatile
recording medium and becomes accessible by the CPU 52 when attached
to a slot (not shown).
The signal processing circuit 22 is constituted as shown in FIG.
2. The camera data outputted from the A/D converter 20 is subjected
to the color separation by a color separation circuit 22a. That
is, since each of pixel data forming the camera data has no more
than any one of the R component, the G component, and the B component,
the two color components lacking in each pixel are supplemented
by the color separation circuit 22a. The R component, the G component,
and the B component forming each pixel are simultaneously outputted
from the color separation circuit 22a. The R component, the G component,
and the B component outputted one pixel by one pixel are applied
to an LCH conversion circuit 22c via a white balance adjusting circuit
22b, and converted into an L component (luminance component), a
C component (chroma component), and an H component (hue component).
The converted L component, the C component, and the H component
are respectively applied to an L adjusting circuit 22d, a C adjusting
circuit 22e, and an H adjusting circuit 22f. The L adjusting circuit
22d, the C adjusting circuit 22e, and the H adjusting circuit 22f
respectively subject the inputted L component, the C component,
and the H component to predetermined operations so as to evaluate
a corrected L component, a corrected C component, and a corrected
H component. The corrected L component, the corrected C component,
and the corrected H component are then converted into a Y component,
a U component, and a V component by a YUV conversion circuit 22n
later, and the converted Y component, the U component, and the V
component are respectively outputted via switches SW2, SW3, and
SW4. Herein, the YUV conversion circuit 22n performs a so-called
4:2:2 conversion (or 4:1:1 conversion), and each of the Y component,
the U component, and the V component outputted from the switches
SW2 SW4 has a 4:2:2 (or 4:1:1) ratio.
It is noted that the switches SW2 SW4 are connected to a YUV conversion
circuit 22m only when a predetermined instruction is outputted from
an inspecting apparatus in an inspecting process. At this time,
the Y component, the U component, and the V component generated
in the YUV conversion circuit 22m based on the R component, the
G component, and the B component outputted from the white balance
adjusting circuit 22b are outputted via the switches SW2 SW4. The
YUV conversion circuit 22m also subjects a so-called 4:2:2 conversion
(or 4:1:1 conversion), and the Y component, the U component, and
the V component are outputted at a 4:2:2 (or 4:1:1) ratio from the
switches SW1 SW3.
The H component outputted from the LCH conversion circuit 22c is
also applied to an area determining circuit 22g. The area determining
circuit 22g determines an area to which the H component applied
from the LCH conversion circuit 22c belongs by referring to a reference
value table 22h. The area determining circuit 22g also reads out
two reference values corresponding to a determination result from
the reference value table 22h, and reads out two target values corresponding
to the determination result from any one of target value tables
22i.about.22k, or a setting change-use table 22r. The predetermined
operation by the L adjusting circuit 22d, the C adjusting circuit
22e, and the H adjusting circuit 22f is carried out based on the
read reference value and the target value.
Referring to FIG. 3, 12 reference H component values, 12 reference
C component values, and 12 reference L component values are written
on the reference value table 22h. H, C, and L respectively mean
hue, chroma, and luminance, and each of which is a parameter for
a color adjustment. The same reference value number N (0.about.11)
is assigned to the reference H component value, the reference C
component value, and the reference L component value associated
with each other, and the reference value is defined by three component
values (the reference H component value, the reference C component
value, and the reference L component value) having the common reference
number. These 12 reference values are distributed in a YUV space
as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. It is noted that only the reference
value having "5" as the reference number is shown in FIG.
6.
On the other hand, each of the target value tables 22i.about.22k
is formed as shown in FIG. 4. Similar to the reference value table
22h shown in FIG. 3, 12 target H component values, 12 target C component
values, and 12 target L component values respectively associated
with the hue (H), the chroma (C), and the luminance (L) are set,
and the target value is defined by the target H component values,
the target C component values, and the target L component value
assigned with the same target value number N (=0 to 11). When the
target H component values, the target C component values, and the
target L component values indicate numerical values shown in FIG.
4, the 12 target values are distributed in the YUV space as shown
in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. It is noted that only the target value having
"5" as the reference value number is shown in FIG. 6.
As understood from FIG. 5, the reference value and the target value
of N=2 correspond to "Mg", the reference value and the
target value of N=3 correspond to "R", the reference value
and the target value of N=5 correspond to "Ye", the reference
value and the target value of N=8 correspond to "G", the
reference value and the target value of N=10 correspond to "Cy",
and the reference value and the target value of N=11 correspond
to "B". In addition, the reference values and the target
values of N=0,1,4,6,7 or 9 correspond to a color other than the
colors described above. That is, a part of the reference values
and the target values respectively correspond to a representative
color in a primary color system or in a complementary color system,
and the remaining reference values and target values respectively
correspond to a non-representative color different from such the
representative colors.
The target value tables 22i.about.22k are different from the reference
value table 22h in that the target value which corresponds to the
representative color can be changed. That is, while the reference
H component values, the reference C component values, and the reference
L component values stored in the reference value table 22h are previously
fixed in a manufacturing process, and not freely changed by the
operator, the reference H component values, the reference C component
values, and the reference L component values of N=2, 3, 5, 8, 10
or 11 stored in the target value tables 22i.about.22k can be arbitrarily
changed by the operator.
It is noted that the target H component value and the target C
component value which correspond to the representative color are,
in particular, defined as a first color adjusting value, and the
target H component value and the target C component value which
correspond to the non-representative color are, in particular, defined
as a second color adjusting value in this embodiment.
When any one of the target value tables 22i.about.22k is selected
for changing the target values, the target values set on the selected
target value table are copied on the setting change-use table 22r.
If a changing operation of a target value corresponding to the representative
color is performed, the target value is changed, and in addition,
other target values of the non-representative color are changed
by a linear approximation. Such the change of the target values
is carried out on the setting change-use table 22r.
At the time of the changing operation, the area determination circuit
22g carries out an area determination and a selection of the reference
values and the target values corresponding to the determination
result by referring to the reference value table 22h and the setting
change-use table 22r. Upon completing the changing operation, the
target values stored on the setting change-use table 22r are returned
to the target value table of a reading source. The table used for
the area determination is also returned to the target value table
of the reading source from the setting change-use table 22r.
It is noted that the reference value table 22h and the target value
tables 22i.about.22k are stored in a non-volatile memory 22p, and
the setting change-use table 22r is stored in a volatile memory
22q. Furthermore, the target value tables 22i.about.22k correspond
to modes 1.about.3, respectively.
The area determining circuit 22g executes a process according to
a flowchart shown in FIG. 7 one pixel by one pixel so as to carry
out an area determination for each pixel forming the image data
and a selection of reference values and target values corresponding
to the determination result. Firstly, a count value N of a counter
22s is set to "0" in a step S1, and the reference H component
value corresponding to the count value N is read out from the reference
value table 22h in a step S3. In a step S5, the H component value
of a current pixel inputted from the LCH conversion circuit 22 (current
pixel H component value) is compared with the reference H component
value read out from the reference value table 22h.
If it is determined that the reference H component value is greater
than (>) the current pixel H component value in the step S5,
the count value N is compared with "0" in a step S11.
Herein, if N is equal to (=)0, steps S21.about.S27 are carried out.
However, if N is greater than (>)1, steps S13 S19 are carried
out. On the other hand, if the reference H component value is equal
to or less than (.ltoreq.) the current pixel H component value,
the counter 22s is incremented in a step S7, and the renewed count
value N is compared with "11" in a subsequent step S9.
Then, if N is equal to or less than (.ltoreq.)11, the process returns
to the step S3. However, if N is greater than (>)11, then the
steps S21.about.S27 are processed.
The reference H component value, the reference C component value,
and the reference L component value which correspond to the current
count value N are selected as Hr1, Cr1, and Lr1 from the reference
value table 22h in the step S13, and the target H component values,
the target C component values, and the target L component value
which correspond to the current count value N are selected as Ht1,
Ct1, and Lt1 from any one of either the target value tables 22i.about.22k
and the setting change-use table 22r in the step S15. Furthermore,
the reference H component value, the reference C component value,
and the reference L component value which correspond to the count
value N-1 are selected as Hr2, Cr2, and Lr2 from the reference value
table 22h in the step S17, and the target H component values, the
target C component values, and the target L component value which
correspond to the count value N-1 are selected as Ht2, Ct2, and
Lt2 from any one of the target value tables 22i.about.22k and the
setting change-use table 22r in the step S19.
On the other hand, the reference H component value, the reference
C component value, and the reference L component value which correspond
to the count value N=0 are selected as Hr1, Cr1, and Lr1 from the
reference value table 22h in the step S21, and the target H component
values, the target C component values, and the target L component
value which correspond to the count value N=0 are selected as Ht1,
Ct1, and Lt1 from any one of the target value tables 22i.about.22k
and the setting change-use table 22r in the step S23. Furthermore,
the reference H component value, the reference C component value,
and the reference L component value which correspond to the count
value N=11 are selected as Hr2, Cr2, and Lr2 from the reference
value table 22h in the step S25, and the target H component values,
the target C component values, and the target L component value
which correspond to the count value N=11 are selected as Ht2, Ct2,
and Lt2 from any one of the target value tables 22i.about.22k and
the setting change-use table 22r in the step S27.
Thus, two reference values which sandwich the current pixel value
with respect to a hue and two target values corresponding to the
two reference values are detected. It is noted that a reading source
of the target values in steps S15, S19, S23, and S27 are the same
with each other.
The reference H component values Hr1 and Hr2 and the target H component
values Ht1 and Ht2 are applied to the H adjusting circuit 22f. Furthermore,
the reference C component values Cr1 and Cr2 and the target C component
values Ct1 and Ct2 are applied to the C adjusting circuit 22e. Moreover,
the reference L component values Lr1 and Lr2 and the target L component
values Lt1 and Lt2 are applied to the L adjusting circuit 22d.
The H adjusting circuit 22f fetches a current pixel H component
value Hin from the LCH conversion circuit 22c, and calculates a
corrected H component value Hout in accordance with an Equation
1. The calculated corrected H component value Hout is shifted to
an angle indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 8. Hout=(Ht2.beta.+Ht1.alpha.)/(.alpha.+.beta.)
(Equation 1) .alpha.=|Hr2-Hin| .beta.=|Hr1-Hin|
In addition, the H adjusting circuit 22f outputs angle data .alpha.
(=|Hr2-Hin|) and .beta. (=|Hr1-Hin|) to the C adjusting circuit
22e and the L adjusting circuit 22d and also outputs angle data
.gamma. (=|Ht2-Hout|) and .delta. (=|Ht1-Hout|) to the L adjusting
circuit 22d.
The C adjusting circuit 22e subjects a current pixel C component
value Cin fetched from the LCH conversion circuit 22c to an operation
shown in an Equation 2, and calculates a corrected C component value
Cout shown in FIG. 9. Cout=Cin{Ct1+(Ct2-Ct1).beta./(.alpha.+.beta.)}/{Cr1+(Cr2-Cr1).bet-
a./(.alpha.+.beta.)} (Equation 2)
Furthermore, the C adjusting circuit 22e performs a calculation
of an Equation 3 so as to seek a C component value Cr3 at intersecting
coordinates of a straight line connecting CH system coordinates
(0, 0) and (Cin, Hin) and a straight line connecting CH system coordinates
(Cr1, Hr1) and (Cr2, Hr2), and a C component value Ct3 at intersecting
coordinates of a straight line connecting CH system coordinates
(0, 0) and (Cout, Hout) and a straight line connecting CH system
coordinates (Ct1, Ht1) and (Ct2, Ht2). Then, the calculated C component
value Cr3 and the Ct3 are outputted to the L adjusting circuit 22d
along with the aforementioned current pixel C component value Cin
and the corrected C component value Cout. Cr3=Cr1+(Cr2-Cr1).beta./(.alpha.+.beta.)
(Equation 3) Ct3=Ct1+(Ct2-Ct1).delta./(.gamma.+.delta.)
The L adjusting circuit 22d fetches a current pixel L component
value Lin from the LCH conversion circuit 22c so as to evaluate
a corrected L component value Lout shown in FIG. 10 according to
an Equation 4. Lmax and Lmin shown in FIG. 10 are a maximum value
and a minimum value of L (luminance) to be reproduced, respectively.
The current pixel value (inputted pixel value) exists on a surface
formed of LCH system coordinates (Lmax, 0 ,0), (Lmin, 0, 0), and
(Lr3, Cr3, Hin) (surface on which the YUV space is carved out by
the hue Hin). On the other hand, the corrected pixel value exists
on a surface formed of LCH system coordinates (Lmax, 0 ,0), (Lmin,
0, 0), and (Lt3, Ct3, Hout) (surface on which the YUV space is carved
out by the hue Hout). Lout=(Lin-La)(Ld-Lc)/(Lb-La)+Lc (Equation
4) La=Cin/Cr3(Lr3-Lmin) Lb=Cin/Cr3(Lr3-Lmax)+Lmax Lc=Cout/Ct3(Lt3-Lmin)
Ld=Cout/Ct3(Lt3-Lmax)+Lmax Lr3=Lr1+(Lr2-Lr1).beta./(.alpha.+.beta.)
Lt3=Lt1+(Lt2-Lt1).delta./(.gamma.+.delta.)
The corrected pixel value is defined by the corrected H component
value Hout, the corrected C component value Cout, and the corrected
L component value Lout thus evaluated. It is noted that the current
pixel value is defined by the current pixel H component value Hin,
the current pixel C component value Cin, and the current pixel L
component value Lin outputted from the LCH conversion circuit 22c.
If the operator operates a setting change key 44 so as to select
a setting change mode in a state where the through image is displayed
on the monitor 30, a process of the CPU 52 is carried out in accordance
with flowcharts shown in FIG. 17.about.FIG. 20. Firstly, a mode
selection menu is displayed on the monitor 30 in a step S31, and
the target H component values and the target C component values
stored in the target value table (any one of 22i.about.22k) corresponding
to the current mode and, in addition, corresponding to the representative
colors are displayed on the monitor 30 in a normalized manner in
a step S33, then a first cursor C1 is set to a menu item showing
the current mode in a step S35. The character signal generating
circuit 34 is controlled in any of the steps S31.about.S33, and
if the current mode is 1, a character shown in FIG. 14 is displayed
on the through image in an OSD manner.
According to FIG. 14, a mode selection menu formed of menu items
of "MODE 1", "MODE 2", "MODE 3", and
"EXIT" is displayed at an upper left of the screen, the
six target H component values and the six target C component values
read out from the target value table 22i corresponding to the MODE
1 and normalized in a range of "-50".about."+50"
are displayed at a center of the screen, and the first cursor C1
points out the "MODE 1".
The normalized six target H component values are arranged in a
vertical direction, and a character of "HUE" is displayed
above the vertical column. The normalized six target C component
values are also arranged in a vertical direction, and a character
of "CHROMA" is displayed above the vertical column. Both
the target H component values and the target C component values
are arranged in a vertical direction in order of "Mg",
"R", "Ye", "G", "Cy", and
"B", and the characters are arranged in order of "Mg",
"R", "Ye", "G", "Cy", and
"B" at a left side of the target H component values. Accordingly,
it becomes possible to easily recognize which of the hue or the
chroma each numerical value indicates, and to which representative
color each numerical value corresponds. It is noted that the character
display of "HUE", "CHROMA", "Mg",
"R", "Ye", "G", "Cy", and
"B" is performed in the step S33.
It is determined whether or not the cursor key 46 is operated in
a step S37, and if NO is determined, then the process directly proceeds
to a step S49. However, if YES is determined, the first cursor C1
is moved to a desired direction in a step S39. A current pointing
destination of the first cursor C1 is determined in a step S41,
and if the pointing destination is "EXIT", a display of
the target H component values, the target C component values, and
the characters of "HUE", "CHROMA", "Mg",
"R", "Ye", "G", "Cy", and
"B" is cancelled in a step S45 and then the process proceeds
to the step S49.
If the pointing destination of the first cursor C1 is any one of
"MODE 1", "MODE 2", and "MODE 3",
the target H component values and the target C component values
of the mode selected by the first cursor C1 are displayed on the
monitor 30 in a step S43. More specifically, the target H component
values and the target C component values are read out from the target
value table (any one of 22i.about.22k) corresponding to the selected
mode, and the character signal generating circuit 34 is instructed
to display the read target H component values, the target C component
values, and the characters of "HUE", "CHROMA",
"Mg", "R", "Ye", "G", "Cy",
and "B". The target H component values and the target
C component values being displayed on the monitor 30 are renewed
by the read target H component values and the read target C component
values.
The target value table corresponding to the selected mode is validated
in a step S47. The area determining circuit 22g shown in FIG. 2
executes a process shown in FIG. 7 by referring to the validated
target table and the reference value table 22h in a step S47. Therefore,
a color tone (color reproduction characteristic) of the through
image displayed on the monitor 30 changes at every time that the
first cursor C1 is moved among "MODE 1", "MODE 2"
and "MODE 3".
It is determined whether or not the set key 50 is operated in the
step S49, and if there is no key operation, the process returns
to the step S37. However, if the key operation is performed, the
pointing destination of the first cursor C1 is determined in a step
S51. While the first cursor C1 selects "EXIT", NO is determined
in the step S51. Then, the setting change mode is ended after validating
the target value table of an initial mode (mode selected at a time
of starting a process of the setting change mode) in a step S73.
On the other hand, if the pointing destination of the first cursor
C1 is "MODE 1", "MODE 2", or "MODE 3",
the process proceeds to a step S53 from the step S51 so as to copy
the target H component values, the target C component values, and
the target L component values of the target value table (any one
of 22i.about.22k) corresponding to a mode selected by the first
cursor C1 to the setting change-use table 22r. Furthermore, the
setting change-use table 22r is validated in a step S55. A process
in the step S55 causes the area determining circuit 22g shown in
FIG. 2 to execute a process shown in FIG. 7 by referring to the
setting change-use table 22r and the reference value table 22h.
A color selection menu is displayed on the monitor 30 in a step
S57, an arrangement of the target H component values and the target
C component values is changed in a step S59, and a second cursor
C2 is set to "OK" in the color selection menu in a step
S61. The character signal generating circuit 34 is controlled in
any of the steps S57.about.S61, a character is displayed on the
through image in an OCD manner on the monitor 30 shown in FIG. 15.
According to FIG. 15, the color selection menu formed of menu items
of "Mg", "R", "Ye", "G",
"Cy", "B", "OK", and "EXIT"
is displayed at a left side of the screen, the six target H component
values and the six target C component values are displayed at a
slightly right side of the center of the screen, and the second
cursor C2 points out "OK". At this time, the display of
the characters of "Mg", "R", "Ye",
"G", "Cy", and "B" is cancelled, and
the menu items indicating "Mg", "R", "Ye",
"G", "Cy", and "B" are brought into
being associated with the corresponding target H component values
and the target C component values instead thereof.
It is determined whether or not the set key 46 is operated in a
step S63, and if the key operation is performed, the current pointing
destination of the second cursor C2 is determined in steps S65 and
S71. If the pointing destination of the second cursor C2 is "OK",
the process proceeds from the step S65 to a step S67 so as to store
the target H component values, the target C component values, and
the target L component values of the setting change-use table 22r
into a reading source target value table. The reading source target
value table is validated in a step S69, and then, the process is
ended. On the other hand, if the pointing destination of the second
cursor C2 is "EXIT", the process proceeds from the step
S71 to a step S73 so as to validate the target value table of the
initial mode, and then the process is ended.
The mode corresponding to the target value table validated in the
step S69 or S73 becomes "a current mode" in the step S33
and S35 executed at a next time. It is noted that if the set key
50 is operated in a state where the second cursor C2 points out
the menu item indicating the representative color, the key operation
becomes invalidated.
If NO is determined in the step S63, it is determined whether or
not the cursor key 46 is operated in an up/down direction in a step
S75. Herein, if NO is determined, the process returns to the step
S63. However, if YES is determined, the second cursor C2 is moved
to a desired direction in a step S77. In a subsequent step S79,
a pointing destination of the second cursor C2 after the move is
determined, and the process returns to the step S63 if the second
cursor C2 selects "OK" or "EXIT".
In contrast, if the second cursor C2 selects a menu item indicating
any one of the representative colors, the process proceeds from
the step S79 to a step S81 so as to display only the target H component
values and the target C component values corresponding to the selected
representative color on the monitor 30. A third cursor C3 is set
to the target H component values to be displayed in a step S83,
and samples of a target color corresponding to the selected representative
color are displayed on the monitor 30 as a first target color Clr1
and a second target color Clr2 in respective steps of S85 and S87.
In the step S85, more specifically, the target value (the target
H component value, the target C component value, and the target
L component value) of the selected representative color is detected
from the setting change-use table 22r, and the detected target value
is set to a first register 52a as a first target value, and the
color signal generating circuit 36 is instructed to output a first
color sample signal (first target color signal) in accordance with
the first target values set to the first register 52a. In the step
S87, the target value of the selected representative color (the
target H component values, the target C component values, and the
target L component value) is detected from the setting change-use
table 22r, the detected target value is set to a second register
52b as a second target value, and the color sample signal generating
circuit 36 is instructed to output a second color sample signal
(second target color signal) in accordance with the second target
values set to the second register 52b. The color sample signal generating
circuit 36 outputs the first target color signal and the second
target color signal responding to the instruction, and the outputted
first target color signal and second target color signal are applied
to the monitor 30 via the switch SW1.
Therefore, when the representative color "R" is selected
from the color selection menu shown in FIG. 15, a screen display
is renewed from FIG. 15 to FIG. 16. According to FIG. 16, only the
target H component values (=+10) and the target C component values
(=+41) corresponding to "R" are displayed, the third cursor
C3 is set to the target H component values, and a first target color
(first color sample) Clr1 and a second target color (second color
sample) Clr2 of "R" are displayed to be brought closer
with each other between the second cursor C2 and the third cursor
C3.
It is determined whether or not the cursor key 46 is operated in
an up/down direction in a step S89, it is determined whether or
not the cursor key 46 is operated in a right/left direction in a
step S95, and it is determined whether or not the dial key 48 is
operated in a step S99.
If the cursor key 46 is operated in the up/down direction, YES
is determined in the step S89, and then the cursor C2 is moved to
a desired direction in a step S91. A menu item selected by the second
cursor C2 after the move is determined in a step S93, and if the
selected menu item is a representative color, the process returns
to the step S81, and if the selected menu item is "OK"
or "EXIT", the process returns to the steps 63, respectively.
If the cursor key 46 is operated in the right/left direction, YES
is determined in the step S95, and the third cursor C3 is moved
to a desired direction in a step S97. The pointing destination of
the third cursor C3 changes between the target H component values
and the target C component values. The process returns to the step
S89 after ending the step S97.
If the dial key 48 is operated, YES is determined in the step S99,
and a numerical value the third cursor C3 points out (the target
H component values or the target C component values) is renewed
in a step S101, and numerical values (target H component values
or target C component values) corresponding to the non-representative
colors are corrected by a linear approximation in a step S103. More
specifically, the setting change-use table 22r and the first register
52a are accessed, and then the target H component value or the target
C component value selected by the third cursor C3 is renewed in
response to an operation of the dial key 48, and the target H component
value or the target C component value (pointing destination of the
third cursor C3) of the non-representative color is corrected in
accordance with subroutines shown in FIG. 17.about.FIG. 24. Since
the area determining circuit 22g refers to the setting change-use
table 22r and the reference value table 22h, a color tone of the
through image changes in response to the operation of the dial key
48.
The color sample signal generating circuit 36 is instructed to
output the first target color signal in accordance with the first
target value (the target H component values, the target C component
values, and the target L component value) set to the first register
52a in a step S105. Accordingly, the color tone of the first target
color Clr1 is also changed in response to an operation of the dial
key 48. The process returns to the step S89 after ending the step
S105.
Next, a color correction of the non-representative color is described
by referring to FIG. 17.about.FIG. 24. Firstly, the target value
number of a desired representative color (the representative color
selected by the second cursor C2) is detected in a step S201, and
the detected target value number is determined in steps S203, S221,
S257, S293, and S311.
If the determined target value number is "3", the process
proceeds from the step S203 to a step S205 so as to detect the target
H component value having the target value number of "3"
as the target H component value of the desired representative color.
The target H component value is before the operation of dial key
48, and therefore, in a case that the target C component value is
changed by a dial key 46, the target H component value detected
in the step S205 is coincident with a current target H component
value. A target H component value having the target value number
of "5" is detected as the target H component value of
a specific representative color (the representative color adjacent
to the desired representative color with regard to a hue) in a step
S207. In addition, the target H component value having the target
value number of "4" is detected as the target H component
value of a specific non-representative color (the non-representative
color sandwiched by the desired representative color and the specific
representative color with regard to the hue) in a step S209.
It is noted that the target H component value of the specific representative
color and the target H component value of the specific non-representative
color are detected from the setting change-use table 22r. Furthermore,
the target H component value of the desired representative color
is detected based on the current target H component value set on
the setting change-use table 22r and an operation amount of the
dial key 46.
It is determined which of the target H component value or the target
C component value the third cursor C3 points out in a step S211.
If the pointing destination is the target H component value, the
process proceeds to a step S213 so as to calculate a change amount
of the target H component value corresponding to the desired representative
color (target value number=3), that is, the change amount of the
target H component value by a current operation of the dial key
48. Furthermore, the target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (target value number=4) is changed according to an Equation
5 in a step S215. More specifically, the change amount of the target
H component value of the specific non-representative color is calculated
by the linear approximation, the calculated change amount is added
to the current target H component value of the specific non-representative
color, and then the added value is written into a column which corresponds
to the target value number "4" on the setting change-use
table 22r as a changed target H component value. HtYZ=|HtY-HtZ|
(Equation 5) HtYX=|HtY-HtX| .DELTA.HtZ=.DELTA.HtX*(HtYZ/HtYX) HtZ'=HtZ+.DELTA.HtZ
X: target value number of the desired representative color
Y: target value number of the specific representative color
Z: target value number of the specific non-representative color
HtYZ: absolute value of a difference between the target H component
value of the specific representative color and the target H component
value of the specific non-representative color
HtYX: absolute value of a difference between the target H component
value of the specific representative color and the target H component
value of the desired representative color (before being changed)
.DELTA.HtZ: change amount of the target H component value of the
specific non-representative color
.DELTA.HtX: change amount of the target H component value of the
desired representative color
HtZ': target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (before being changed)
HtZ: target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (after being changed)
On the other hand, if the third cursor C3 points out the target
C component value, a change amount of the target C component value
which corresponds to the desired representative color (target value
number=3), that is, the change amount of the target C component
value by a current operation of the dial key 48 is calculated in
a step S217, and the target C component value of the specific non-representative
color (target value number=4) is changed according to an Equation
6 in a step S219. More specifically, the change amount of the target
C component value of the specific non-representative color is calculated
by the linear approximation, the calculated change amount is added
to the current target C component value of the specific non-representative
color, and then the added value is written into a column which corresponds
to the target value number "4" on the setting change-use
table 22r as a changed target C component value. HtYZ=|HtY-HtZ|
(Equation 6) HtYX=|HtY-HtX| .DELTA.CtZ=.DELTA.CtX*(HtYZ/HtYX) CtZ'=CtZ+.DELTA.CtZ
.DELTA.CtZ: change amount of the target C component value of the
specific non-representative color
.DELTA.CtX: change amount of the target C component value of the
desired representative color
CtZ': target C component value of the specific non-representative
color (after being changed)
CtZ: target C component value of the specific non-representative
color (before being changed)
Accordingly, with respect to the specific non-representative color
(target value number=4) having a hue sandwiched by the hue of the
desired representative color (target value number=3) and the hue
of the specific representative color (target value number=5), the
target H component value or the target C component value is corrected.
The process returns to a routine on a higher hierarchy after completing
the processes in the step S211 or the step S217.
On a two dimensional plane having the hue and the chroma as axes,
the 12 reference H component values and the 12 reference C component
values written into the reference value table 22h, and the 12 target
H component values and the 12 target C component values written
into the setting change-use table 22r are distributed as shown in
FIG. 25. An area including the target values having the target value
numbers "3".about."5" is drawn as shown in FIG.
26. If the target H component value Ht3 and the target C component
value Ct3 having the target value number of "3" as are
increased by .DELTA.Ht3 and .DELTA.Ct3, the target H component value
Ht4 and the target C component value Ct4 having the target value
number of "4" increase by .DELTA.Ht4 and .DELTA.Ct4. .DELTA.Ht4
and .DELTA.Ct4 are found by an Equation 7 and an Equation 8, respectively.
.DELTA.Ht4=.DELTA.Ht3*(Ht54/Ht53) (Equation 7) .DELTA.Ct4=.DELTA.Ct3*(Ht54/Ht53)
(Equation 8)
In this operation, "3" becomes the target value number
of the desired representative color, "5" becomes the target
value number of the specific representative color, and "4"
becomes the target value number of the specific non-representative
color. In addition, as understood from FIG. 26, the Equation 7,
and the Equation 8, both .DELTA.Ht4 and .DELTA.Ct4 are found by
the linear approximation based on Ht54 and Ht53.
If the determined target value number is "5", YES is
determined in a step S221 shown in FIG. 18, and a target H component
value having the target value number of "5" is detected
as the target H component value of the desired representative color
in a step S223 (the target H component value is before the key operation).
Next, a target H component value having the target value number
of "3" is detected as the target H component value of
the specific representative color in a step S225, and a target H
component value having the target value number of "4"
is detected as the target H component value of the specific non-representative
color in a step S227.
The pointing destination of the third cursor C3 is determined in
a step S229. If the pointing destination is the target H component
value, processes in steps S231 and S233 are carried out, and if
the pointing destination is the target C component value, processes
in steps S235 and S237 are carried out, respectively. A change amount
of the target H component value which corresponds to the desired
representative color (target value number=5) is detected in a step
S231, and the target H component value which corresponds to the
specific non-representative color (target value number=4) is changed
according to the Equation 5 in the succeeding step S233. The target
C component value which corresponds to the desired representative
color (target value number=5) is detected in the step S235, and
the target C component value which corresponds to the specific non-representative
color (target value number=4) is changed according to the Equation
6 in the step S237.
Upon completing the process in the step S233 or S237, a target
H component value having the target value number of "8"
is newly detected as the target H component value of the specific
representative color in a step S239, and a target H component value
having the target value number of "6" is newly detected
as the target H component value of the specific non-representative
color in a step S241. A pointing destination of the third cursor
C3 is determined in a step S243. If the pointing destination is
the target H component value, the process proceeds to a step S245,
and if the pointing destination is the target C component value,
the process proceeds to a step S247, respectively. The target H
component value of the specific non-representative color (target
value number=6) is changed according to the Equation 5 in the step
S245, and the target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (target value number=6) is changed according to the Equation
6 in the step S247.
The target H component value already detected in the step S223,
the change amount already detected in the step S231, and the target
H component value newly found in the steps S239 and S241 are used
in the operation in the step S245. In addition, the target H component
value already detected in the step S223, the change amount already
detected in the step S235, and the target H component value newly
found in the steps S239 and S241 are used in the operation in the
step S247.
A target H component value having the target value number of "7"
is newly detected as the target H component value of the specific
non-representative color in a step S249, and the pointing destination
of the third cursor C3 is determined in a succeeding step S251.
If the pointing destination is the target H component value, the
process proceeds to a step S253 so as to calculate the target H
component value of the specific non-representative color (target
value number=7) according to the Equation 5. On the other hand,
if the pointing destination is the target C component value, the
process proceeds to a step S255 so as to calculate the target C
component value of the specific non-representative color (target
value number=7) according to the Equation 6.
The target H component value already detected in the steps S223
and S239, the change amount already detected in the step S231, and
the target H component value newly detected in the step S249 are
used in the operation in the step S253. The target H component value
already detected in the steps S223 and S239, the change amount already
detected in the step S235, and the target H component value newly
detected in the step S249 are used in the operation in the step
S255.
Accordingly, the target H component value or the target C component
value is corrected with respect to the specific non-representative
color (target value number=4, 6 or 7) having the hue sandwiched
by the hue of the desired representative color (target value number=5)
and the hue of the specific representative color (target value number=3
or 8). Upon completing the process in the step of S253 or S255,
the process returns to a routine on a higher hierarchy.
If the determined target value number is "8", YES is
determined in a step S257 shown in FIG. 20, and a target H component
value having the target value number of "8" is detected
as the target H component value of the desired representative color
in a step S259 (the target H component value is before the key operation).
The target H component value having the target value number of "5"
is detected as the target H component value of the specific representative
color in a step S261, and the target H component value having the
target value number of "6" is detected as the target H
component value of the specific non-representative color in a step
S263.
Subsequently, a pointing destination of the third cursor C3 is
determined in a step S265, and processes of steps S267 and S269
or steps S271 and S273 are carried out according to a determination
result. That is, if the pointing destination of the third cursor
C3 is the target H component value, the change amount of the target
H component value corresponding to the desired representative color
(target value number=8) is detected in a step S267 (the change amount
is by the current operation of the dial key 48), and the target
H component value which corresponds to the specific non-representative
color (target value number=6) is changed according to the Equation
5 in a step S269. On the other hand, if the pointing destination
of the cursor C3 is the target C component value, the change amount
of the target C component value corresponding to the desired representative
color (target value number=8) is detected in a step S271 (the change
amount is by the current operation of the dial key 48), and the
target C component value which corresponds to the specific representative
color (target value number=6) is changed according to the Equation
6 in a step S273.
Upon completing the process in the step of S269 or S273, a target
H component value having the target value number of "7"
is newly detected as the target H component value of the specific
non-representative color in a step S275, and a pointing destination
of the third cursor C3 is determined in a step S277. Next, if the
pointing destination is the target H component value, the process
proceeds to a step S279 so as to change the target H component value
of the specific non-representative color (target value number=7)
according to the Equation 5. On the other hand, if the pointing
destination of the third cursor C3 is the target C component value,
the process proceeds to a step S281 so as to change the target C
component value of the specific non-representative color (target
value number=7) according to the Equation 6.
The target H component value already detected in the steps S259
and S261, the change amount already detected in the step S267, and
the target H component value newly detected in the step S275 are
used in the operation in the step S279. The target H component value
already detected in the steps S259 and S261, the change amount already
detected in the step S271, and the target H component value newly
detected in the step S275 are used in the operation in the step
S281.
A target H component value having the target value number of "10"
is detected as the target H component value of the specific representative
color in a step S283, a target H component value having the target
value number of "9" is detected as the target H component
value of the specific non-representative color in a step S285, and
a pointing destination of the third cursor C3 is determined in a
step S287. If the pointing destination is the target H component
value, the target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (target value number=9) is changed according to the Equation
5 in a step S289, and if the pointing destination is the target
C component value, the target C component value of the specific
non-representative color (target value number=9) is changed according
to the Equation 6 in a step S291.
The target H component value already detected in the step S259,
the change amount already detected in the step S267, and the target
H component value newly found in the steps S283 and S285 are used
in the operation in the step S289. The target H component value
already detected in the step S259, the change amount already detected
in the step S271, and the target H component value newly found in
the steps S283 and S285 are used in the operation in the step S291.
Accordingly, with respect to the specific non-representative color
(target value number=6, 7 or 9) having a hue sandwiched by the hue
of the desired representative color (target value number=8) and
the hue of the specific representative color (target value number=5
or 10), the target H component value or the target C component value
is corrected. The process returns to a routine on a higher hierarchy
after completing the processes in the step S289 or the step S291.
If the determined target value number is "10", the process
proceeds from a step S293 to a step S295 so as to detect the target
H component value having the target value number of "10"
as the target H component value of the desired representative color
(the target H component value is before the key operation). Subsequently,
the target H component value having the target value number of "8"
is detected as the target H component value of the specific representative
color in a step S297, and the target H component value having the
target value number of "9" is detected as the target H
component value of the specific non-representative color in a step
S299, and then a pointing destination of the third cursor C3 is
determined in a step S301.
If the pointing destination is the target H component value, a
change amount of the target H component value which corresponds
to the desired representative color (target value number=9) is detected
in a step S303 (the change amount is by the current key operation),
and the target H component value of the specific representative
color (target value number=9) is changed according to the Equation
5 in a step S305. On the other hand, if the pointing destination
is the target C component value, a change amount of the target C
component value of the desired representative color (target value
number=10) is detected in a step S307 (the change amount is by the
current key operation), and the target C component value of the
specific non-representative color (target value number=9) is changed
according to the Equation 6 in a step S309.
Accordingly, the target H component value or the target C component
value is corrected with respect to the specific non-representative
color (target value number=9) having a hue sandwiched by the hue
of the desired representative color (target value number=10) and
the hue of the specific representative color (target value number=8).
Upon completing the process in the step of S305 or S309, the process
returns to a routine on a higher hierarchy.
If the determined target value number is "11", YES is
determined in a step S311 shown in FIG. 23, and a target H component
value having the target value number of "11" is detected
as the target H component value of the desired representative color
in a step S313 (the target H component value is before the key operation).
A target H component value having the target value number of "2"
is detected as the target H component value of the specific representative
color in a step S315, and a target H component value having the
target value number of "0" is detected as the target H
component value of the specific non-representative color in a step
S317. A pointing destination of the third cursor C3 is determined
in a succeeding step S319, and steps of S321 and S323 or steps of
S325 and S327 are carried out based on the determination result.
A change amount of the target H component value of the desired
representative color (target value number=11) is detected in the
step S321 (the change amount is by the current key operation), and
the target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (target value number=0) is changed according to an Equation
9 in the step S323. The change amount of the target C component
value of the desired representative color (target value number=11)
is detected in a step S325 (the change amount is by the current
key operation), the target C component value of the specific non-representative
color (target value number=0) is changed according to an Equation
10 in the step S327. HtX'=HtX-360 (Equation 9) HtYZ=|HtY-HtZ| HtYX'=|HtY-HtX'|
.DELTA.HtZ=.DELTA.HtX*(HtYZ/HtYX') HtZ'=HtZ+.DELTA.HtZ
X: target value number of the desired representative color
Y: target value number of the specific representative color
Z: target value number of the specific non-representative color
HtX': corrected target H component value of the desired representative
color
HtYZ: absolute value of a difference between the target H component
value of the specific representative color and the target H component
value of the specific non-representative color
HtYX': absolute value of a difference between the target H component
value of the specific representative color and the corrected target
H component value of the desired non-representative color (before
being changed)
.DELTA.HtZ: change amount of the target H component value of the
specific non-representative color
.DELTA.HtX: change amount of the target H component value of the
desired representative color
HtZ': target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (after being changed)
HtZ: target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (before being changed) HtX'=HtX-360 (Equation 10) HtYZ=|HtY-HtZ|
HtYX'=|HtY-HtX'| .DELTA.CtZ=.DELTA.CtX*(HtYZ/HtYX') CtZ'=CtZ+.DELTA.CtZ
.DELTA.CtZ: change amount of the target C component value of the
specific non-representative color
.DELTA.CtX: change amount of the target C component value of the
desired representative color
CtZ': target C component value of the specific non-representative
color (after being changed)
CtZ: target C component value of the specific non-representative
color (before being changed)
A reason why the corrected target H component value is sought by
subtracting "360" from HtX is that although the target
values having "0", "1", and "2" as
the target value number belong to a first quadrant, the target value
having the target value number of "11" belongs to a fourth
quadrant (see FIG. 5), and therefore, it is not possible to appropriately
change the target H component value and the target C component value
of the specific non-representative color which belong to the first
quadrant by the Equation 5 and the Equation 6.
Upon completing the process in the step S323 or S327, a target
H component value having the target value number of "1"
is newly detected as the target H component value of the specific
non-representative color in a step S329, and a pointing destination
of the third cursor C3 is determined in a succeeding step S331.
If the pointing destination is the target H component value, the
target H component value of the specific non-representative color
(target value number=1) is changed according to the Equation 9 in
a step S333, and if the pointing destination is the target C component
value, the target C component value of the specific non-representative
color (target value number=1) is changed according to the Equation
10 in a step S335.
The target H component value already detected in the steps S313
and S315, the change amount already detected in the step S321, and
the target H component value newly detected in the steps S329 are
used in the operation in the step S333. The target H component value
already detected in the steps S313 and S315, the change amount already
detected in the step S325, and the target H component value newly
detected in the step S329 are used in the operation in the step
S335.
Accordingly, with respect to the specific non-representative color
(target value number=0 or 1) having a hue sandwiched by the hue
of the desired representative color (target value number=11) and
the hue of the specific representative color (target value number=2),
the target H component value or the target C component value is
corrected. The process returns to a routine on a higher hierarchy
after completing the processes in the step S333 or the step S335.
If the determined target value number is "2", the process
proceeds from the step S311 shown in FIG. 23 to a step S337 shown
in FIG. 24 so as to detect the target H component value having the
target value number of "2" as the target H component value
of the desired representative color (the target H component value
is before the key operation). A target H component value having
the target value number of "11" is detected as the target
H component value of the specific representative color in a step
S339, and the target H component value having the target value number
of "0" is detected as the target H component value of
the specific non-representative color. Subsequently, the pointing
destination of the third cursor C3 is determined in a step S343,
and processes of steps S345 and S347 or steps S349 and S351 are
carried out in correspondence to a determination result.
A change amount of the target H component value of the desired
representative color (target value number=2) is detected in the
step S345 (the change amount is by the current key operation), and
the target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (target value number=0) is changed according to an Equation
11 in the step S347. The change amount of the target C component
value of the desired representative color (target value number=2)
is detected in the step S349 (the change amount is by the current
key operation), and the target C component value of the specific
non-representative color (target value number=0) is changed according
to an Equation 12 in the step S351. With respect to the Equation
11 and the Equation 12, a reason why the corrected target H component
value is sought by subtracting "360" from HtY is the same
as the aforementioned Equations 9 and 10. HtY'=HtY-360 (Equation
11) HtY'Z=|HtY'-HtZ| HtY'X=|HtY'-HtX| .DELTA.HtZ=.DELTA.HtX*(HtY'Z/HtY'X)
HtZ'=HtZ+.DELTA.HtZ
X: target value number of the desired representative color
Y: target value number of the specific representative color
Z: target value number of the specific non-representative color
HtY': corrected target H component value of the specific representative
color
HtY'Z: absolute value of a difference between the corrected target
H component value of the specific representative color and the target
H component value of the specific non-representative color
HtY'X: absolute value of a difference between the corrected target
H component value of the specific representative color and the target
H component value of the desired representative color (before being
changed)
.DELTA.HtZ: change amount of the target H component value of the
specific non-representative color
.DELTA.HtX: change amount of the target H component value of the
desired representative color
HtZ': target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (after being changed)
HtZ: target H component value of the specific non-representative
color (before being changed) HtY'=HtY-360 (Equation 12) HtY'Z=|HtY'-HtZ|
HtY'X=|HtY'-HtX| .DELTA.CtZ=.DELTA.CtX*(HtY'Z/HtY'X) CtZ'=CtZ+.DELTA.CtZ
.DELTA.CtZ: change amount of the target C component value of the
specific non-representative color
.DELTA.CtX: change amount of the target C component value of the
desired representative color
CtZ': target C component value of the specific non-representative
color (after being changed)
CtZ: target C component value of the specific non-representative
color (before being changed)
Upon completing the process in the step S347 or S351, the target
H component value having the target value number of "1"
is newly detected as the target H component value of the specific
non-representative color in a step S353, and a pointing destination
of the third cursor C3 is determined in a succeeding step S355.
If the pointing destination is the target H component value, the
target H component value of the specific non-representative color
(target value number=1) is changed according to the Equation 11
in a step S357, and if the pointing destination is the target C
component value, the target C component value of the specific non-representative
color (target value number=1) is changed according to the Equation
12 in a step S359.
The target H component value already detected in the steps S337
and S339, the change amount already detected in the step S345, and
the target H component value newly detected in the step S353 are
used in the operation in the step S357. The target H component value
already detected in the steps S337 and S339, the change amount already
detected in the step S349, and the target H component value newly
detected in the step S353 are used in the operation in the step
S359.
Accordingly, with respect to the specific non-representative color
(target value number=0 or 1) having a hue sandwiched by the hue
of the desired representative color (target value number=2) and
the hue of the specific representative color (target value number=11),
the target H component value or the target C component value is
corrected. The process returns to a routine on a higher hierarchy
after completing the processes in the step S357 or the step S359.
As understood from the above descriptions, the image data of the
object photographed by the CCD imager 14 is subjected to a color
adjustment by the signal processing circuit 22 based on a plurality
of the first color adjusting values which respectively correspond
to a plurality of the representative colors in a primary color system
and a complementary color system and a plurality of the second color
adjusting values which respectively correspond to a plurality of
the non-representative colors different from any one of the representative
colors.
If the desired representative color is selected in the setting
change mode, a setting change-use screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed
on the monitor 30. The setting change screen is a screen for accepting
a change of the first color adjusting values only out of the first
color adjusting values and the second color adjusting values, and
the setting change-use screen includes a normalized first color
adjusting value of a desired representative color and a color sample.
It is noted that a background of the setting change-use screen is
a through image of the object.
Herein, if the dial key 48 is operated, the first color adjusting
value of the desired representative color is changed. Furthermore,
the specific first color adjusting value adjacent to the desired
first color adjusting value in a hue direction, the specific second
color adjusting value sandwiched by the desired first color adjusting
value and the specific first color adjusting value with respect
to the hue, and a first change amount (change amount of the desired
first color adjusting value by the operation of the dial key 48)
are detected, and a second change amount (changing amount of the
specific second color adjusting value) is calculated by the linear
approximation. The specific second color adjusting value is changed
according to the calculated second change amount.
Since the specific second color adjusting value is also changed
when the desired first color adjusting value is changed by the key
operation, it becomes possible to make an appropriate color adjustment
even if there is a limit regarding a size of a monitor and the number
of operation keys, or an operator does not possess a thorough knowledge.
Furthermore, since the representative color in a primary color system
and a complementary color system is easier to be accustomed thereto
than other non-representative colors, operability is further improved
by making it possible to input a change instruction of the first
color adjusting value corresponding to such the representative color.
Moreover, since the setting change screen includes the color sample,
and a color tone (color shade) of the color sample is changed in
response to the key operation, it becomes possible to make a visual
color adjustment. Since the setting screen includes the normalized
first color adjusting value, it becomes possible to make an easy
and exact color adjustment. Still furthermore, since the through
image of the object is displayed on the monitor, and the color tone
of the through image is also changed in accordance with the key
operation, the operability is further improved.
It is noted that although only the target H component value and
the target C component value are to be arbitrarily changed out of
the target H component value, the target C component value, and
the target L component value forming the target value in this embodiment,
it may be possible to change the target L component value arbitrarily
in addition to the target H component value and the target C component
value or instead of at least one of the target H component value
and the target C component value.
In addition, although the change amount of the specific second
color adjusting value is calculated by the linear approximation
in this embodiment, it is possible to calculate the change amount
by an approximation such as a spline curve or a Bezier curve.
Furthermore, three target value tables which respectively correspond
to modes 1.about.3 are to be prepared on a memory in this embodiment.
However, in addition thereto, it may be possible to store a target
value table on which default target values are set in the memory.
Accordingly, when any one of the modes is not set, it is possible
to perform a setting operation using the default target value as
a reference.
Still furthermore, although the CCD imager is used as an image
sensor in this embodiment, it may be possible to use a CMOS imager
instead of the CCD imager. In addition, although a non volatile
semiconductor memory is used as a recording medium in this embodiment,
it may be possible to use a magnetooptical disk instead thereof.
Furthermore, the primary colors (R, G, B) and the complementary
colors (Ye, Cy, Mg) are defined as a representative color, and other
colors which do not correspond to any one of the primary colors
and the complementary colors are defined as a non-representative
color in this embodiment. However, when only one of the primary
color and the complementary color is defined as the representative
color, it is possible to define a color corresponding to the other
of the primary color and the complementary color or a color not
corresponding to any one of the primary color and the complementary
color as the non-representative color.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated
in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration
and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the
spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by
the terms of the appended claims. |