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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
The digital camera comprises: an image-taking device for converting
light from a subject to a video signal and outputting the video
signal; an image processor which has a gain adjuster for performing
gain adjustment individually for respective color information of
R, G, B of the video signal outputted from the image-taking device,
and an image data converter for converting the adjusted video signal
outputted from the gain adjuster into image data; a displaying device
for displaying the image data; a setting device; and a controller
for controlling the gain adjuster to perform RGB color discrimination
of the video signal and gain adjustment individually on the respective
color information by a command from the setting device.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A digital camera, comprising: an image-taking device for converting
light from a subject to a video signal and outputting said video
signal; a gain adjuster which performs gain adjustment individually
for respective color information of R, G, B of said video signal
outputted from said image-taking device, and outputs an adjusted
video signal; an image data converter for converting said adjusted
video signal outputted from said gain adjuster into image data;
a displaying device for displaying said image data; a setting device
in which gain adjusting amounts for said respective color information
are set; and a controller for controlling said gain adjuster such
that gain adjustment is performed individually on said respective
color information according to said gain adjusting amounts set in
said setting device.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein: said video
signal is a color signal of Cy, Mg, Ye, G; and said gain adjuster
comprises a complementary-color/primary-color converter for converting
said color signal of Cy, Mg, Ye, G into a color signal of R, G,
B, and performs each gain adjustment after converting to R, G, B.
3. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising
a storage device for storing gain adjusting values for respective
color information in accordance with degrees of color-vision impairment,
wherein: said setting device has said degrees of said color-vision
impairment set therein instead of said gain adjusting amounts; and
said controller reads out, from said storage device, said gain adjusting
value corresponding to said degree of said color-vision impairment
set in said setting device, and transmits said gain adjusting value
that is read out to said gain adjuster.
4. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising:
a color discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two
color regions which are adjacent to each other in said image data
on a plane; and an superimposing device that generates superimposing
data, which is image data where at least one of luminance, hue,
or saturation is changed in said boundary discriminated by said
color discriminator, and superimposes said superimposing data on
said image data, wherein said controller controls said color discriminator
and said superimposing device.
5. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein: said image
data converter outputs both of image data obtained by converting
said video signal with no gain adjustment, and image data obtained
by converting said adjusted video signal with gain adjustment; said
color discriminator further discriminates a difference between color
information of said two color regions of said image data that is
obtained by converting said video signal and color information of
said two color regions of said image data that is obtained by converting
said adjusted video signal; and said superimposing device generates
said superimposing data exclusively for said boundary between said
two color regions that satisfy following conditions of A), B) from
a result of discrimination by said color discriminator, and superimposes
said superimposing data on said image data that is obtained by converting
said adjusted video signal. A) In said image data obtained by converting
said video signal, color information differs between said two color
regions. B) In said image data obtained by converting said adjusted
video signal, hues are same for said two color regions.
6. The digital camera according to claim 5, further comprising
a timer for outputting interruption by every prescribed time, wherein
said controller controls said superimposing device to switch superimposing
and non-superimposing of said superimposing data for every said
interruption outputted from said timer.
7. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein said storage
device further stores unadjusted color that has no gain adjustment
performed, said digital camera further comprising: a stored color
comparator which compares color information of each of said color
regions of said image data obtained by converting said video signal
with said unadjusted color and, when consistent, outputs said image
data obtained by converting said video signal to said color regions,
while outputting said image data obtained by converting said adjusted
video signal to said color regions when inconsistent.
8. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein: said image
data converter outputs both of image data obtained by converting
said video signal with no gain adjustment, and image data obtained
by converting said adjusted video signal with gain adjustment; said
color discriminator further discriminates a difference between color
information of said two color regions of said image data that is
obtained by converting said video signal and color information of
said two color regions of said image data that is obtained by converting
said adjusted video signal; and said superimposing device generates
superimposing data, which is image data where at least one of luminance,
hue, or saturation is changed in either one of said two color regions
that satisfy following conditions of A), B) from a result of discrimination
by said color discriminator, and superimposes said superimposing
data on said image data. A) In said image data obtained by converting
said video signal, color information differs between said two color
regions. B) In said image data obtained by converting said adjusted
video signal, hues are same for said two color regions.
9. The digital camera according to claim 8, further comprising
a timer for outputting interruption by every prescribed time, wherein
said controller controls said superimposing device to switch superimposing
and non-superimposing of said superimposing data for every said
interruption outputted from said timer.
10. The digital camera according to claim 8, wherein said storage
device further stores unadjusted color that has no gain adjustment
performed, said digital camera further comprising: a stored color
comparator which compares color information of each of said color
regions of said image data obtained by converting said video signal
with said unadjusted color and, when consistent, outputs said image
data obtained by converting said video signal to said color regions,
while outputting said image data obtained by converting said adjusted
video signal to said color regions when inconsistent.
11. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising:
a color discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two
color regions which are adjacent to each other in said image digital
data on a plane, and for discriminating color information of said
boundary; a storage device for storing color information of said
image data obtained by converting said adjusted video signal; and
a superimposing device that generates superimposing data, which
is image data where said color information of said boundary discriminated
by said color discriminator is converted to said color information
that is not stored in said storage device, and superimposes said
superimposing data on said image data, wherein said controller controls
said color discriminator and said superimposing device.
12. The digital camera according to claim 11, further comprising
a timer for outputting interruption by every prescribed time, wherein
said controller controls said superimposing device to switch superimposing
and non-superimposing of said superimposing data for every said
interruption outputted from said timer.
13. The digital camera according to claim 11, wherein said storage
device further stores unadjusted color that has no gain adjustment
performed, said digital camera further comprising: a stored color
comparator which compares color information of each of said color
regions of said image data obtained by converting said video signal
with said unadjusted color and, when consistent, outputs said image
data obtained by converting said video signal to said color regions,
while outputting said image data obtained by converting said adjusted
video signal to said color regions when inconsistent.
14. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising:
a color discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two
color regions which are adjacent to each other in said image data
on a plane; a storage device for storing an unexpressed color for
showing a color that cannot be obtained from said color information
that is gain-adjusted according to said gain adjusting amount set
in said setting device; and a superimposing device that generates
superimposing data, which is image data where said color information
of said boundary discriminated by said color discriminator is converted
to said unexpressed color that is stored in said storage device,
and superimposes said superimposing data on said image data, wherein
said controller controls said color discriminator and said superimposing
device.
15. The digital camera according to claim 14, further comprising
a timer for outputting interruption by every prescribed time, wherein
said controller controls said superimposing device to switch superimposing
and non-superimposing of said superimposing data for every said
interruption outputted from said timer.
16. The digital camera according to claim 14, wherein said storage
device further stores unadjusted color that has no gain adjustment
performed, said digital camera further comprising: a stored color
comparator which compares color information of each of said color
regions in said image data obtained by converting said video signal
with said unadjusted color and, when consistent, outputs said image
data obtained by converting said video signal to said color regions,
while outputting said image data obtained by converting said adjusted
video signal to said color regions when inconsistent.
17. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said gain
adjuster adjusts a value of image data itself instead of superimposing
superimposing data on said image data.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a digital camera that comprises
a solid image sensor element (referred to as an image sensor element
hereinafter) such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary
Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and, more particularly, to a technique
for reproducing colors that can be recognized by the color-vision
handicapped.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In the field of cellular engineering, it is known to reproduce
the colors recognized by the color-vision handicapped through performing,
using a computer, arithmetic operation of images taken by a digital
camera.
[0005] However, with a conventional digital camera that takes pictures
in full colors, the color-vision nonhandicapped cannot understand
in what tone of colors the color-vision handicapped recognize the
colors they cannot discriminate. Furthermore, if videos filmed by
a digital camera are arithmetically operated by a computer, they
cannot be checked immediately and there requires an extra work for
conversion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The main object of the present invention therefore is to
achieve a digital camera capable of grasping the discriminating
state of the color-vision handicapped, and to enable the color-vision
handicapped to recognize neighboring colors that are not identifiable
by the color-vision handicapped as being different colors.
[0007] In order to overcome the foregoing problems, the digital
cameral of the present invention comprises: an image-taking device
for converting light from a subject to a video signal and outputting
the video signal; a gain adjuster which performs gain adjustment
individually for respective color information of R, G, B of the
video signal outputted from the image-taking device, and outputs
an adjusted video signal; an image data converter for converting
the adjusted video signal outputted from the gain adjuster into
image data; a displaying device for displaying the image data; a
setting device in which gain adjusting amounts for the respective
color information are set; and a controller for controlling the
gain adjuster such that gain adjustment is performed individually
on the respective color information according to the gain adjusting
amounts set in the setting device.
[0008] With this, it is possible for the gain adjuster to perform
gain adjustment individually on the respective color information
of R, G, B. Thus, the color-vision nonhandicapped can understand
how it looks to the color-vision handicapped of various degrees.
[0009] In the above-described structure, for the gain adjuster,
there are some preferable forms as described in the followings.
[0010] That is, there may be a case where it is constituted such
that the video signal obtained by the image-taking device is a color
signal of Cy (cyan), Mg (magenta), Ye (yellow), G, and, after converting
the color signal of Cy, Mg, Ye, G into a color signal of R, G, B
by a complementary-color/primary-color converter, gain adjustment
for each color is performed.
[0011] With this, in the case of the image sensor element comprising
a color filter of complementary colors Cy, Mg, Ye, G, the same gain
adjustment as that of the primary colors R, G, B can be performed
by performing gain adjustment after converting them to R, G, B by
the complementary-color/primary-color converter. In other words,
the gain adjustment values can be used in common even if the color
filter of the image sensor element is changed.
[0012] In the above-described structure, the followings are also
preferable. That is, the digital camera further comprises a storage
device for storing the gain adjusting values of the respective color
information according to degrees of color-vision impairment, wherein:
the setting device has the degrees of the color-vision impairment
set therein instead of the gain adjusting amounts; and the controller
reads out, from the storage device, the gain adjusting value corresponding
to the degree of the color-vision impairment set in the setting
device, and transmits the read out gain adjusting value to the gain
adjuster.
[0013] In this form, the gain adjusting values for each color according
to the degrees of the color-vision impairment are stored in the
storage device. Examples of such values may be: a first color-vision
gain adjusting value for performing gain adjustment to provide the
color information of the first color-vision impairment with which
the red cone of an eyeball does not function; a second color-vision
gain adjusting value for performing gain adjustment to provide the
color information of the second color-vision impairment with which
the green cone of the eyeball does not function; and a third color-vision
gain adjusting value for performing gain adjustment to provide the
color information of the third color-vision impairment with which
the blue cone of the eyeball does not function. The controller searches
the storage device according to the degree of the color-vision impairment
from the setting device for reading out the corresponding gain adjusting
value, and transmits the read out gain adjusting value to the gain
adjuster. The gain adjuster performs the gain adjustment in accordance
with the gain adjusting value from the controller. Thereby, it is
possible for the color-vision nonhandicapped to understand how it
looks to the color-vision handicapped of each degree.
[0014] In the above-described structure, the followings are also
preferable. That is, the digital camera further comprises: a color
discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two color regions
which are adjacent to each other in the image digital data on a
plane; and a superimposing device that generates superimposing data,
which is image data where at least one of luminance, hue, or saturation
is changed in the boundary discriminated by the discriminator, and
superimposes the superimposing data on the image data, wherein the
controller controls the color discriminator and the superimposing
device.
[0015] With this, the boundary between the color regions can be
easily recognized by the difference of luminance even through the
colors cannot be discriminated. It is effective to superimpose bright
superimposing data when the image data is dark, and to superimpose
dark superimposing data when the image data is bright. Further,
when the image data is relatively bright, a specific recognizable
color is sued for expressing the boundary between the color regions
so that the part expressed by the color can be easily recognized
as the boundary between the color regions.
[0016] Furthermore, in the above-described structure, the following
form is preferable. That is, the image data converter outputs both
of image data obtained by converting the video signal with no gain
adjustment, and image data obtained by converting the adjusted video
signal with gain adjustment; the color discriminator further discriminates
a difference between color information of the two color regions
of the image data that is obtained by converting the video signal
and color information of the two color regions of the image data
that is obtained by converting the adjusted video signal; and the
superimposing device generates the superimposing data exclusively
for the boundary between the two color regions that satisfy following
conditions of A), B) from a result of discrimination by the color
discriminator, and superimposes the superimposing data on the image
data that is obtained by converting the adjusted video signal. [0017]
A) In the image data obtained by converting the video signal, color
information differs between the two color regions. [0018] B) In
the image data obtained by converting the adjusted video signal,
hues are same for the two color regions.
[0019] With this, it is possible to superimpose the superimposing
data for making the boundary between the color regions easily recognizable,
only when the color information of the gain adjusted color regions
turns the same color as that of the color information of the image
data adjacent thereto so that the boundary between the color regions
cannot be discriminated.
[0020] In the above-described structure, the followings are preferable.
That is, the image processor outputs both of image data obtained
by converting the video signal with no gain adjustment, and image
data obtained by converting the adjusted video signal with gain
adjustment; the color discriminator further discriminates a difference
between color information of the two color regions of the image
data that is obtained by converting the video signal and color information
of the two color regions of the image data that is obtained by converting
the adjusted video signal; and the superimposing device generates
superimposing data, which is image data where at least one of luminance,
hue, or saturation is changed in either one of the two color regions
that satisfy following conditions of A), B) from a result of discrimination
by the color discriminator, and superimposes the superimposing data
on the image data. [0021] A) In the image data obtained by converting
the video signal, color information differs between the two color
regions. [0022] B) In the image data obtained by converting the
adjusted video signal, hues are same for the two color regions.
[0023] With this, it becomes easier to recognize when the periphery
of the color regions of different colors turn the same color due
to the gain adjustment.
[0024] Further, in the above-described structure, the followings
are preferable. That is, the digital camera further comprises: a
color discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two color
regions which are adjacent to each other in the image digital data
on a plane, and for discriminating color information of the boundary;
a storage device for storing color information of the image data
obtained by converting the adjusted video signal; and an superimposing
device that generates superimposing data, which is image data where
the color information of the boundary discriminated by the color
discriminator is converted to the color information that is not
stored in the storage, and superimposes the superimposing data on
the image data, wherein the controller controls the color discriminator
and the superimposing device.
[0025] With this, the boundary between the color region with changed
color and the periphery thereof can be expressed by a recognizable
color, so that change of color can be easily recognized.
[0026] Moreover, in the above-described structure, the followings
are preferable. That is, the digital camera further comprises: a
color discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two color
regions which are adjacent to each other in the image digital data
on a plane; a storage device for storing an unexpressed color for
showing a color that cannot be obtained from the color information
that is gain-adjusted according to the gain adjusting amount set
in the setting device; and a superimposing device that generates
superimposing data, which is image data where the color information
of the boundary discriminated by the color discriminator is converted
to the unexpressed color that is stored in the storage, and superimposes
the superimposing data on the image data, wherein the controller
controls the color discriminator and the superimposing device.
[0027] With this, the boundary between the color region with changed
color and the periphery thereof can be expressed by a recognizable
color, so that change of color can be easily recognized.
[0028] In the above-described structure, the followings are preferable.
That is, the digital camera further comprises a timer for outputting
interruption by every prescribed time, wherein the controller controls
the superimposing device to switch superimposing and non-superimposing
of the superimposing data for every interruption outputted from
the timer.
[0029] With this, when the neighboring color regions turn the same
color due to the gain adjustment, the color regions are flash-displayed
by every prescribed time. Thereby, it is possible to improve the
visibility of the boundary.
[0030] In the above-described structure, the followings are preferable.
That is, the storage device further stores unadjusted color that
has no gain adjustment performed. The digital camera further comprises:
a stored color comparator which compares color information of each
of the color regions in the image data obtained by converting the
video signal with the unadjusted color and, when consistent, outputs
the image data obtained by converting the video signal to the color
regions, while outputting the image data obtained by converting
the adjusted video signal to the color regions when inconsistent.
[0031] With this, a specific color (wavelength) is outputted without
gain adjustment in accordance with each characteristic of the color-vision
handicapped. As a result, in the case where the color information
is corrected in one's brain by the memorized color of the color-vision
handicapped, it is possible to know how it is corrected even though
it is actually a different color.
[0032] It may be formed to adjust a value of image data itself
instead of superimposing the superimposing data on the image data.
[0033] As described above, the present invention enables individual
gain adjustment performed on respective information of colors R,
G, B. Thus, the color-vision nonhandicapped can understand how it
looks to the color-vision handicapped of various degrees. Further,
when there are unidentifiable color regions within the filming area
being adjacent to each other, it is possible for the color-vision
handicapped to identify the boundary between the color regions by
flashing the color regions, etc. Moreover, the color-vision nonhandicapped
can use it as a judging material for achieving barrier-free color
visions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] Other objects of the present invention will become clear
from the following description of the preferred embodiments and
the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are many other advantages of the present invention possible
by embodying the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 is an illustration for describing the effects of
the first embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for showing action of the digital
camera according to the first embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
gain adjuster according to the first embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera as a modification of the first embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
gain adjuster shown in FIG. 5;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
gain adjuster in a digital camera according to a second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for showing action of the digital
camera according to the third embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 10 is an illustration for describing color vision of
a color-vision nonhandicapped, color vision of a first color-vision
handicapped, and color vision of a second color-vision handicapped
according to the third embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 11 is an illustration showing color visions of the
color-vision nonhandicapped, the first color-vision handicapped,
and the second color-vision handicapped according to the third embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 12A-12C are illustrations for describing action of
the digital camera according to the third embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 13 is a block diagram for showing the structure of
a digital camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 14A-14C are illustrations for describing action of
the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment;
[0049] FIG. 15A-15C are illustrations for describing action of
a digital camera according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0050] FIG. 16A-16C are illustrations for describing the subject
of a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 17 is a block diagram for showing the structure of
a digital camera according to the sixth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0052] FIG. 18 is a block diagram for showing the structure of
an image processor according to the sixth embodiment;
[0053] FIG. 19A-19B are illustrations for describing action of
the digital camera according to the sixth embodiment;
[0054] FIG. 20 is a block diagram for showing the structure of
a digital camera according to a seventh embodiment of the present
invention;
[0055] FIG. 21A-21B are illustrations for describing action of
the digital camera according to the seventh embodiment;
[0056] FIG. 22A-22C are illustrations for describing action of
a digital camera according to an eighth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0057] FIG. 23A-23C are illustrations for describing action of
a digital camera according to a ninth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0058] FIG. 24 is a block diagram for showing the structure of
a digital camera according to a tenth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0059] FIG. 25 is an illustration for describing action of the
digital camera according to the tenth embodiment;
[0060] FIG. 26 is a block diagram for showing the structure of
a digital camera according to an eleventh embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0061] FIG. 27A-27B are illustrations for describing action of
the digital camera according to the eleventh embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0062] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described
hereinafter by referring to the accompanying drawings.
[0063] (First Embodiment)
[0064] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera 1 according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 is an image-taking device
which converts light from a subject into video signal D1 that corresponds
to R, G, B by a solid image sensor element such as a CCD and a CMOS,
and outputs the converted video signal D1. Numeral reference 3 is
a gain adjuster which performs gain adjustment individually on information
of each color R, G, B of the video signal D1 outputted from the
image-taking device 2, and outputs adjusted video signal D2 as a
result thereof. 4 is an image data converter for converting the
adjusted video signal D2, which is outputted from the gain adjuster
3, into image data P1. 5 is an image processor constituted of the
gain adjuster 3 and the image data converter 4. 6 is a displaying
device such as an organic EL display for displaying the image data
P1 as display image Pout. 7 is a setting device for giving a command
to start filming, end filming, set ON/OFF of display output, and
to change gain adjustment values, etc. 8 is a controller which controls
the gain adjuster 3 to perform gain adjustment individually on respective
color information of the video signal D1 by the setting device 7,
and controls the image-taking device 2, the image processor 5, and
the displaying device 6.
[0065] The digital camera 1 can adjust the gain individually for
respective color information of R, G, B of the video signal D1 outputted
from the image-taking device 2 by using the gain adjuster 3 of the
image processor 5.
[0066] FIG. 2 shows the effect of the case where respective gains
of R, G, B are individually set to be 0 in the embodiment.
[0067] When the setting device 7 is set so that the R-gain becomes
0, there is obtained the adjusted video signal D2, which is the
video signal D1 with a level of R-data adjusted to be 0. The image
data P1 obtained by further converting the adjusted video signal
D2 is outputted to the displaying device 6. Pout is the display
image displayed on the displaying device 6, in which red is converted
to black.
[0068] Likewise, when the setting device 7 is set so that the G-gain
becomes 0, there is obtained the adjusted video signal D2, which
is the video signal D1 with a level of G-data adjusted to be 0.
The image data P1 obtained by further converting the adjusted video
signal D2 is outputted to the displaying device 6. In the display
image Pout, green is converted to black.
[0069] Similarly, when the setting device 7 is set so that the
B-gain becomes 0, there is obtained the adjusted video signal D2,
which is the video signal D1 with a level of B-data adjusted to
be 0. The image data P1 obtained by further converting the adjusted
video signal D2 is outputted to the displaying device 6. In the
display image Pout, blue is converted to black.
[0070] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for showing control action of the
digital camera 1 of FIG. 1. Filming is started when a switch in
the setting device 7 is pressed down (step S301). The image-taking
device 2 picks up light from the subject and output the video signal
D1 (step S302). By converting the video signal D1 to the image data
P1 using the image data converter 4 and outputting it, the image
data Pout is displayed in the displaying device 6 (steps S303-S305)
When a user checks the display image Pout (step S306), and further
pressing down the switch in the setting device 7 (step S307), gain
adjustment can be performed individually for each color information
of R, G, B. That is, by setting the gain adjustment through the
setting device 7, gain adjustment is performed in accordance with
the set color information, and it is possible to change the setting
of gain adjustment until filming is ended (steps S308-S314).
[0071] FIG. 4 shows the structure of the gain adjuster 3 of the
image processor 5. The video signal D1 outputted by the image-taking
device 2 is separated into R-data R1, G-data G1, and B-data B1 by
an RGB color discriminator 3J. The separated R-data R1 is gain-adjusted
by an R-gain adjuster 3R and outputted as R-data R2. Likewise, the
separated G-data G1 is gain-adjusted by a G-gain adjuster 3G and
outputted as G-data G2. The B-data B1 is gain-adjusted by a B-gain
adjuster 3B and outputted as B-data B2. Further, the R-data R2,
the G-data G2, and the B-data B2 are coupled in a time series by
the RGB color discriminator 3J, and outputted to the image data
converter 4 as the adjusted video signal D2.
[0072] The structure of the image processor 5 is not limited to
the one shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the RGB color discriminator
3J may be provided to the image data converter 4. FIG. 6 shows the
gain adjuster 3 of FIG. 5. The gain adjuster 3 shown in FIG. 6 uniformly
adjusts the R-gain adjusting value by the R-gain adjuster 3, the
G-gain adjusting value by the G-gain adjuster 3G, and the B-gain
adjusting value by the B-gain adjuster 3B, respectively, without
considering which is the R-data, G-data, or B-data among the inputted
video signal D1. The complementary-color data can be expressed as
Ye=R+G, Cy=B+G, Mg=R+B,G, for example. Thus, when separating a primary
color from a complementary color, two pieces of data, i.e. R-data
and G-data, can be generated simultaneously from a single piece
of Ye data. Because of this, the gain adjuster of FIG. 6 outputs,
in parallel, the data of each color (R-data R2, G-data G2, B-data
B2) to the image data converter 4 by each color. For the data of
each color after the gain adjustment, effective part of each color
is sampled by the RGB color discriminator 3J of the image data converter
4. The image data converter 4 converts the sampled and gain-adjusted
adjusted video signal D2 and outputs the image data P1.
[0073] It is possible with the embodiment to adjust the gain of
respective color information of R, G, B individually. Therefore,
the color-vision nonhandicapped can understand how it looks to the
color-vision handicapped of various degrees.
[0074] (Second Embodiment)
[0075] A second embodiment of the present invention has a different
color filter for the image sensor element, which corresponds to
the case where the image sensor element is provided with a color
filter with complementary colors Cy (cyan: blue), Mg (magenta: reddish
purple), Ye (yellow).
[0076] FIG. 7 is a block diagram for showing the structure of the
gain adjuster 3 compatible with the complementary colors. The gain
adjuster 3 of FIG. 7 converts and separates the data of complementary
colors Ye, Cy, Mg, G outputted from the image-taking device 2 into
the R-data R1, G-data G1, B-data B1, which correspond to the video
signal with R, G, B in the case of the first embodiment, by using
a complementary-color/primary-color converter 3C. The processing
after separation is the same as that of the first embodiment where
the image-taking device 2 comprises the primary-color filter.
[0077] In the embodiment, even when the image-taking device 2 comprises
the complementary-color filter, the data of complementary colors
Ye, Cy, Mg, and G is converted to the R, G, B-based data by the
complementary-color/primary-color converter 3C, and then respective
color information is gain-adjusted individually. Thus, the color-vision
nonhandicapped can understand how it looks to the color-vision handicapped
of various degrees. That is, it is possible to deal easily with
the difference in the color filter of the image taking device.
[0078] (Third Embodiment)
[0079] A third embodiment of the present invention makes it possible
for the color-vision nonhandicapped to understand how it looks to
the color-vision handicapped in accordance with the degrees of impairment.
[0080] FIG. 8 is a block diagram for showing the structure of the
digital camera 1 according to the third embodiment of the present
invention. The embodiment is provided with a storage device 9 for
storing gain adjusting values for each color in accordance with
the degrees of color-vision impairment such as a first color-vision
impairment, a second color-vision impairment, and a third color-vision
impairment. The first color-vision impairment corresponds to the
case where the red cone of an eyeball does not function, the second
color-vision impairment corresponds to the case where the green
cone of an eyeball does not function, and the third color-vision
impairment corresponds to the case where the blue cone of an eyeball
does not function.
[0081] The storage device 9 stores: a first color-vision gain adjusting
value that achieves gain adjustment for providing the color information
of the first color-vision impairment; a second color-vision gain
adjusting value that achieves gain adjustment for providing the
color information of the second color-vision impairment; and a third
color-vision gain adjusting value that achieves gain adjustment
for providing the color information of the third color-vision impairment.
The controller 8 searches the storage device 9 in accordance with
the degrees of the color-vision impairment set by the setting device
7, and extracts the gain adjusting values for respective color information
according to the degrees of the color-vision impairment.
[0082] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for showing the action when controlling
the digital camera 1 of FIG. 8. After starting filming and display
processing (steps S901-S906), the gain adjusting value for the color-vision
impairment selected by pressing down the switch of the setting device
7 (step S907) is read out from the storage device 9. Based on the
read-out gain adjusting value, there is performed the first color-vision
gain adjustment when the read-out value is of the first color-vision
impairment, the second color-vision gain adjustment when it is of
the second color-vision impairment, and the third color-vision gain
adjustment when it is of the third color-vision impairment (steps
S908-S914). With this structure, it is possible for the color-vision
nonhandicapped to understand how it looks to the color-vision handicapped
of each color.
[0083] FIG. 10 shows color visions of the color-vision nonhandicapped,
color visions of the first color-vision handicapped, and color visions
of the second color-vision handicapped. FIG. 10 corresponds to each
color from short wavelengths to long wavelengths. FIG. 11 shows
how the light of R, G, B from the subject look to the color-vision
nonhandicapped, the first color-vision handicapped, and the second
color-vision handicapped, respectively.
[0084] It can be seen that the color-vision handicapped of each
color cannot properly recognize colors of red and green because
a part of the cone does not function. In other words, for the first
color-vision handicapped, red turns reddish brown, and green turns
dark orange. For the second color-vision handicapped, red turns
dark orange, and green turns brown. The color visions shown in FIG.
11 are only recognized by individuals and cannot be shared with
others.
[0085] With the digital camera 1 of the embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 12A-FIG. 12C, it is possible to perform gain adjustment in
accordance with the color-vision impairment of each color. When
the gain adjusting value of the color-vision nonhandicapped is set
in the setting device 7, the gain adjusting value of the color-vision
nonhandicapped is read out from the storage device 9 to be transmitted
to the gain adjuster 3 of the image processor 5. As a result, there
is obtained the display image Pout that is not gain-adjusted. Further,
when the gain adjusting value of the first color-vision impairment
is set in the setting device 7, the gain adjusting value corresponding
to the first color-vision impairment is read out from the storage
device 9 to be transmitted to the gain adjuster 3 of the image processor
5. As a result, there is obtained the display image Pout to which
gain adjustment corresponding to the first color-vision impairment
is performed. Furthermore, when the gain adjusting value of the
second color-vision impairment is set in the setting device 7, the
gain adjusting value corresponding to the second color-vision impairment
is read out from the storage device 9 to be transmitted to the gain
adjuster 3 of the image processor 5. As a result, there is obtained
the display image Pout to which gain adjustment corresponding to
the second color-vision impairment is performed. With this, it is
possible for the color-vision nonhandicapped to understand how it
looks to the color-vision handicapped of each color.
[0086] (Fourth Embodiment)
[0087] A fourth embodiment of the present invention enables easy
recognition of color boundaries. FIG. 13 is a block diagram for
showing the structure of the digital camera 1 according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 1 of the
embodiment comprises a color discriminator 10 for identifying the
boundary between the color regions that are adjacent to each other
in an image area within the image data P1. The color region herein
means an area that partially occupies image plane of the image data,
which is characterized as having almost the same color information
but the different color information from that of the surrounding
part. Furthermore, the digital camera 1 comprises an superimposing
device 11 that generates superimposing data S1, which is obtained
by changing the luminance of the boundary between the color regions
of the image data P1 using color boundary information attained from
the color discriminator 10, and superimposes the generated superimposing
data S1 on the image data P1. Image data P2 on which the superimposing
data is superimposed is transmitted to the displaying device 6.
Other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG.
1), so that the same reference numerals are simply applied and the
description thereof is omitted.
[0088] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A-FIG. 14C, there
is performed processing for strengthening or weakening the luminance
at the boundary between the color regions where the color changes,
with respect to the luminance of the color regions positioned in
the surrounding thereof. Thereby, a difference in the luminance
is provided between the boundary and the color regions in the surrounding
thereof. Specifically, the boundary may be of a thick black line
or of a thick white line. With this, it becomes easier for the color-vision
handicapped and for the color-vision nonhandicapped to recognize
the color boundaries in the display of color-vision impairment.
[0089] (Fifth Embodiment)
[0090] A fifth embodiment of the present invention enables easy
recognition of color boundaries. The structure is the same as that
of the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 13).
[0091] The superimposing device 11 generates the superimposing
data, which is obtained by changing at least either hue or saturation
of the boundary in the image data P1 using the boundary information
of the color regions attained from the color discriminator 10, and
superimposes the generated superimposing data S1 on the image data
P1.
[0092] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15A-FIG. 15C, the boundary
between the color regions is expressed by superimposing the color
information of the nonadjacent color, which is recognizable, on
the boundary positioned between the regions of colors that have
different color information. With this, it becomes easier for the
color-vision handicapped and for the color-vision nonhandicapped
to recognize the boundary between the color regions of color-vision
impairment.
[0093] (Sixth Embodiment)
[0094] A sixth embodiment of the present invention performs boundary
highlighting when the boundary between the color regions of the
color-vision impairment becomes unclear as a result of gain adjustment.
[0095] FIG. 16A-FIG. 16C are for describing that the color-vision
handicapped identify as being the same colors even if the light
from the subject contains information of different colors. In FIG.
16A-FIG. 16C, the color information of the light from the subject
and the display image Pout of the digital camera 1 are made corresponded.
For the color information of the light from the subject, the color
region in the center is green, the color region on the left is dark
orange, and the color region on the right is blue in all of the
drawings FIG. 16A-FIG. 16C.
[0096] FIG. 16A is the case where a mode for the color-vision nonhandicapped
is set in the setting device 7. In the display image Pout, the color
region in the center is green, the left is dark orange, and the
right is blue, which is the same as the color information of the
light from the subject
[0097] FIG. 16B is the case where a mode for the first color-vision
impairment is set in the setting device 7. The color region in the
center (green) is gain-adjusted based on the setting. In the display
image Pout, the color region in the center changes form green to
dark orange, the color region on the left is dark orange, and the
color region on the right is blue. It is understood from this that
the first color-vision handicapped cannot identify the boundary
between the color region of green and that of dark orange in the
color information from the subject.
[0098] FIG. 16C is the case where a mode for the second color-vision
impairment is set in the setting device 7. The color region in the
center (green) is gain-adjusted based on the setting. In the display
image Pout, the color region in the center changes form green to
brown. The color region on the left is dark orange, and the color
region on the right is blue, which are the same as the original.
Although the boundary between the color region of brown and that
of dark orange is unclear, the boundary can be better identified
compared to the case shown in FIG. 16B.
[0099] FIG. 17 is a block diagram for showing the structure of
the digital camera 1 according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 18
shows the details of the image processor 5 shown in FIG. 17.
[0100] The image data converter 4 of the image processor 5 converts
the video signal D1 with no gain adjustment into image data P0 and
converts the adjusted video signal D2 that is gain-adjusted by the
gain adjuster 3 into image data P1. The color discriminator 10 divides
the image area of the image data P0 obtained by converting the video
signal D1 into each color region on a plane, and samples the color
information of each divided color region. Furthermore, the color
discriminator 10 divides the image area of the image data P1 obtained
by converting the adjusted video signal D2 into each color region
on a plane, and samples the color information of each divided color
region. Moreover, the color discriminator 10 discriminates the difference
between color information of the image data P0 and that of the image
data P1 and transmits the result of the discrimination to the superimposing
device 11.
[0101] Based on the result of the discrimination supplied form
the color discriminator 10, the superimposing device 11 generates
the superimposing data S1 exclusively for the color region that
satisfies the following condition and superimposes it on the image
data that is obtained by converting the adjusted video signal. [0102]
In the image data P0, the color information of the color regions
adjacent to each other (referred to as adjacent color regions hereinafter)
is different. [0103] In the image data P1, hues of the adjacent
color regions are the same.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 16B, even in the color region where the
color-vision handicapped identify as being the same colors although
the color information of the light from the subject contains information
of different colors, it is possible to discriminate the color regions
by using the digital camera 1 of the embodiment.
[0105] FIG. 19 shows the effects of the embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 19A, by setting the mode corresponding to the first color-vision
impairment in the setting device 7, the color region (green) positioned
in the center of the light from the subject is gain-adjusted. As
a result, it turns the same color as the color region (dark orange)
adjacent to that color region. However, as shown in FIG. 19B, by
setting a change of luminance of the boundary between the same colors
in the setting device 7, it is possible to provide a difference
of the luminance between both regions even though the regions are
in the same color. Thereby, the first color-vision handicapped and
the color-vision nonhandicapped can correctly discriminate the boundary
of the color regions of the first color-vision impairment.
[0106] (Seventh Embodiment)
[0107] A seventh embodiment of the present invention, when the
boundary between the different color regions becomes unclear as
a result of the gain adjustment, easily recognizes that the color
region whose color is changed due to the gain adjustment has turned
the same color as that of the surrounding color regions.
[0108] FIG. 20 is a block diagram for showing the structure of
the digital camera 1 according to the seventh embodiment of the
present invention. In the digital camera 1 of the embodiment, in
addition to the structure (FIG. 17) of the sixth embodiment, the
color discriminator 10 is further provided with a color region judging
device 12 which discriminates each color region in the image data,
and then judges, from the color information, whether or not there
is a pair of adjacent regions which are adjacent and have the same
color information with each other. For the pair of adjacent color
regions of same color discriminated by the color region judging
device 12, the superimposing device 11 generates the superimposing
data S1, which is obtained by changing at lest one of the luminance,
hue, saturation of the image data P1, and superimposes the superimposing
data S1 on the image data P1. The basis for judging the pair of
adjacent color regions of same color is the same as that of the
sixth embodiment, so that the description thereof will be omitted.
[0109] FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B show the effects of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 21A, when the mode corresponding to the first color-vision
impairment is set in the setting device 7, the color region (green)
in the center of the light from the subject is gain-adjusted. As
a result, it turns the same color as the adjacent color region (dark
orange). Thus, as shown in FIG. 21B, one of the luminance, hue,
saturation is changed in either one of the same color regions by
the setting device 7. Thereby, the above-described superimposing
is performed on the pair of the color regions of same color. In
FIG. 21, by way of example, the luminance is adjusted for changing
the center region to black. With this, it is possible to prevent
the pair of adjacent color regions of different colors from turning
the same color due to the gain adjustment (see FIG. 21A).
[0110] (Eighth Embodiment)
[0111] An eighth embodiment of the present invention highlights
the boundary between the color regions by non-stored colors (colors
that are not in the image data obtained by converting the adjusted
video signal).
[0112] The digital camera 1 of the embodiment is the same as that
of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 17 except that the storage
device 9 further has a function of storing the color information
of the image data P1 that is obtained by converting the adjusted
video signal D2. Furthermore, the superimposing device 11 generates
the superimposing data S1 in which the non-stored colors (colors
not stored in the storage device 9) are used, and superimposes the
generated superimposing data S1 on the image data P1.
[0113] FIG. 22A-FIG. 22C show the effects of the embodiment. In
all the cases of FIG. 22A-FIG. 22C, the color information of the
light from the subject has the green color region in the center,
the red color region on the left, and blue color region on the right.
[0114] FIG. 22A shows the state where the mode for the color-vision
nonhandicapped as well as hue change in the boundary between the
color regions are set in the setting device 7. The display image
Pout is the same as the color information, which has the green color
region in the center, the red color region on the left, and blue
color region on the right. Furthermore, the boundary between each
color region is colored in the non-stored color that is not stored
in the storage device 9.
[0115] FIG. 22B shows the state where the mode for the first color-vision
impairment as well as hue change in the boundary between the color
regions are set in the setting device 7. Due to the gain adjustment
based on the mode, in the display image Pout, the color region in
the center is changed from green to dark orange, the color region
on the left is changed from red to reddish brown, and color region
on the right stays blue. Furthermore, the boundaries between each
color region are colored in the non-stored color that is not stored
in the storage device 9.
[0116] FIG. 22C shows the state where the mode for the second color-vision
impairment as well as hue change in the boundary between the color
regions are set in the setting device 7. Due to the gain adjustment
according to the mode, in the display image Pout, the color region
in the center is changed from green to brown, the color region on
the left is changed from red to dark orange, and color region on
the right stays blue. Furthermore, the boundary between each color
region is colored in the non-stored color that is not stored in
the storage device 9.
[0117] On the boundaries between all the color regions including
the color regions whose colors change as described above, there
is superimposed the superimposing data S1 of non-stored color, i.e.
the color that is not in the image data P1 obtained by converting
the adjusted video signal D2. Thereby, the boundary between the
color regions can be expressed by a recognizable color, so that
a change of color can be easily recognized.
[0118] (Ninth Embodiment)
[0119] A ninth embodiment of the present invention highlights the
boundary between the color regions by unexpressed colors (colors
of image data that cannot be obtained by converting the video signal
based on the gain adjusting value in the storage device).
[0120] The digital camera 1 of the embodiment is the same as that
of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 17 except that the storage
device 9 further has a function of storing the unexpressed color
showing the color of the image data P1 that cannot be obtained by
converting the video signal D1 based on the gain adjusting value
in the storage device 9. Furthermore, the superimposing device 11
generates the superimposing data S1 in which the unexpressed color
is used, and superimposes it on the image data P1. The unexpressed
color is determined in advance and the gain adjusted value is determined
based thereon such that the unexpressed color cannot be obtained
form the video signal D1.
[0121] FIG. 23A-FIG. 23C show the effects of the embodiment. In
all the cases of FIG. 22A-FIG. 22C, the color information of the
light from the subject has the green color region in the center,
the red color region on the left, and blue color region on the right.
[0122] FIG. 22A shows the state where the mode for the color-vision
nonhandicapped as well as hue change in the boundary between the
color regions are set in the setting device 7. The display image
Pout is the same as the color information, which has the green color
region in the center, the red color region on the left, and blue
color region on the right. Furthermore, the boundary between each
color region is colored in the unexpressed color (the color not
included in the colors obtained from the video signal D1), which
is stored in the storage device 9.
[0123] FIG. 23B shows the state where the mode for the first color-vision
impairment as well as hue change in the boundary between the color
regions are set in the setting device 7. Due to the gain adjustment
base on the more, in the display image Pout, the color region in
the center is changed from green to dark orange, the color region
on the left is changed from red to reddish brown, and color region
on the right stays blue. Furthermore, the boundary between each
color region is colored in the unexpressed color that is stored
in the storage device 9.
[0124] FIG. 23C shows the state where the mode for the second color-vision
impairment as well as hue change in the boundary between the color
regions are set in the setting device 7. Due to the gain adjustment
according to the mode, in the display image Pout, the color region
in the center is changed from green to brown, the color region on
the left is changed from red to dark orange, and color region on
the right stays blue. Furthermore, the boundary between each color
region is colored in the unexpressed color that is stored in the
storage device 9.
[0125] On the boundaries between all the color regions including
the color regions whose colors change as described above, there
is superimposed the superimposing data S1 of unexpressed color for
expressing the boundaries between the color regions. This allows
the color-vision handicapped as well as the color-vision nonhadicapped
to recognize the boundaries between the color regions easily.
[0126] (Tenth Embodiment)
[0127] FIG. 24 is a block diagram for showing the structure of
the digital camera 1 according to a tenth embodiment of the present
invention. Reference numeral 12 is a timer that outputs interruption
to the controller 8 by every prescribed time. The controller 8 controls
the superimposing device 11 to alternately switches the states for
superposing and not superimposing the superimposing data S1 on the
image data for every interruption outputted from the timer 12.
[0128] FIG. 25 shows the effects of the embodiment. The color information
of the light from the subject has the green color region in the
center, the dark-orange color region on the left, and blue color
region on the right. When setting the mode for the first color-vision
impairment in the setting device 7, the color region (green) in
the center of the light from the subject is changed to the adjacent
color region (dark orange) as a result of gain adjustment. Thus,
in addition, there are set, in the setting device 7, change of the
luminance in either one of the color regions, which have tuned the
same color, as well as flashing of the color regions of the same
color. Thereby, the superimposing device 11 alternately switches
the states for superimposing and not superimposing the superimposing
data S1 on the image data in the color regions that have turned
the same color, for every interruption outputted from the timer
12. The superimposing device 11 also flash-displays the color regions
that have turned the same color due to the gain adjustment by every
prescribed time. As a result, visibility of the boundary between
the color regions can be improved. The embodiment (addition of the
timer 12) can be applied to each of the above-described embodiments.
[0129] (Eleventh Embodiment)
[0130] FIG. 26 is a block diagram for showing the structure of
the digital camera 1 according to an eleventh embodiment of the
invention. The storage device 9 stores color information of the
image data P0 that is not gain-adjusted. The image processor 5 comprises
a stored-color comparator 13. The color information of the image
data P0 obtained by converting the video signal D1 and the color
information of the image data P1 obtained by converting the adjusted
video signal D2 is imputed to the stored-color comparator 13. The
stored-color comparator 13 compares the image data P0 and the color
information with no gain adjustment stored in the storage device
9. When both of the data are consistent, the stored-color comparator
13 outputs the image data P0 as image data Pc and, when inconsistent,
outputs the image data P1 as the image data Pc. The image data Pc
is transmitted to the displaying device 6 and outputted as the display
image Pout. For other structures, the structures of any of the above-described
embodiment can be employed.
[0131] FIG. 27 shows the effects of the embodiment. In both cases
of FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B, the color information of the light from
the subject has the green color region in the center, the dark-orange
color region on the left, and blue color region on the right.
[0132] FIG. 27A shows the state where the mode corresponding to
the first color-vision impairment is set in the setting device 7.
The color region (green) in the center is gain-adjusted according
to the mode. In the display image Pout, the color region in the
center is changed from green to dark orange, the color region on
the left stays dark orange, and the color region on the right stays
blue. As a result, the color region in the center changes from green
to dark orange, which is the same color as the color region (dark
orange) on the left. This means that it is not possible for the
first color-vision impairment to discriminate the boundary between
the color region (green) and the color region (dark orange) of the
color information of the light from the subject.
[0133] Thus, as shown in FIG. 27B, change of the luminance in the
same color regions are set in the setting device 7 and, at the same
time, green is set as the color to have no gain adjustment. That
is, a specific color (wavelength) without gain adjustment is outputted
in accordance with each characteristic of the color-vision handicapped.
As a result, in the case where the color information is corrected
in one's brain by the memorized color of the color-vision handicapped,
it is possible to know how it is corrected even though it is actually
a different color.
[0134] The embodiment (the structure of storing the unadjusted
color) can be applied not only to the embodiments (the eighth embodiment
and the like) where color conversion of the entire specific color
region is controlled, but also to the embodiments (fourth, fifth
embodiments, etc.) where color conversion of the boundaries around
the specific color region is controlled.
[0135] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiments but may be embodied as follows.
[0136] (1) In each of the above-described embodiments, expressions
of Ye=R+G, Cy=B+G, Mg=R+B,G are applied for converting the colors
from the complementary color to the primary color. However, it is
not limited to those. Prescribed coefficients a-f may be used for
achieving conversion such as Ye=a*R+b*G, Cy=c*B+d*G, Mg=e*R+f*B,G.
[0137] (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the superimposing
data S1 is superimposed on the image data P1. However, the value
of the image data P1 itself may be adjusted.
[0138] The present invention has been described in detail by referring
to the most preferred embodiments. However, various combinations
and modifications of the components are possible without departing
from the sprit and the broad scope of the appended claims. |