JP4356930B2 - Color code creation method by color image processing, RGB space division and structuring method, and color code encoding / decoding system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is a case where color is used as a medium for displaying, recording, and storing information, and an effective color code that enables use of a large number of colors or substantially full color by color image processing technology. The present invention relates to an RGB space division and structuring method, which is a basic technology for realizing the method and the color code generation method.

  Furthermore, the present invention encodes information related to an arbitrary identification object into a color mark, and prints or affixes the color mark on the identification object with a writing device, while the reading device decodes read information related to the color mark. The present invention relates to a color code encoding / decoding system for identifying identification objects. In addition, generally, data such as text, sound, and images is encoded into color marks, and in the same manner as described above, printing / pasting of color marks, decoding / reproduction of data, and recording / storage of information at an intermediate stage The present invention relates to a color code encoding / decoding system that enables the above.

  A product can be mentioned as a typical example of an identification target. Convenience stores and supermarkets usually manage products based on a POS system by attaching barcode labels to products and coding and identifying the products.

  In recent years, with the development of information technology in society, barcodes are increasingly used in the fields of product codes, production codes, packaging, etc., and it has been required to handle a larger amount of information than conventional barcodes. . However, since a conventional barcode is formed from a bit structure of a black and white bar, the amount of information that can be handled is small. In fact, the bar code was memorized only about the product name. As the amount of information increases, there has been a strong demand for the development of a code that can carry a larger amount of information.

  In response to the above requirements, one solution has been to colorize one-dimensional barcodes in order to increase the amount of barcode information (Patent Document 1). However, the colorization of one-dimensional barcodes has increased the amount of information compared to conventional monochrome barcodes, but the colors used are single colors (R, G, B, C, M, Y, etc.) and the number of colors is limited to a few. Therefore, a dramatic increase in the amount of information and an extremely high information density could not be expected.

  Next, when the identification object is very small or has only a very small margin, the minimum space required for printing the code or attaching the label may not be ensured. For example, when code printing is performed on a chip component on a mounting board for component inspection, if the size of the chip component is a chip of 1005, 0603, 0402, the areas are 1.0 × 0.5 mm and 0.6, respectively. × 0.3 mm and 0.4 × 0.2 mm are very small. Further, since the production information is written and traced on the board, the margin is similarly limited to a very narrow range when the code is printed on the discarded board portion of the mounting board. In this connection, Patent Document 2 is cited. In such a case, since the area of the normal one-dimensional code and the two-dimensional code may protrude from the component area or the discarded board blank, a code that can minimize the area is required.

  Furthermore, when writing a large amount of information in a limited narrow space, information density becomes a problem. When a code is printed on the mounting board, a large number of various pieces of production information relating to the board must be coded and written in a narrow space of the discarded board, and the code information density is required to be extremely high. For example, it is necessary to store a large amount of information in a dot mark of one dot to several dots. Such code printing requires a color dot code capable of writing a large amount of information in a very small area.

  In order to realize a full-color code, it is necessary to develop a full-color technology that uses a large amount of full-color information. Here, “full color” is a color mode in which the largest number of colors can be used on a computer screen display by Windows (registered trademark) or the like, and the intensity of the three colors of RGB is changed in 256 levels. 16,777,216 colors can be expressed. In order to use full color as information, it is necessary to arrange the color elements of the full color before handling each color element. In relation to this, there is a technology called color design CAD (Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4). However, with this technology, it remains at the stage of CG where color design is performed with a color arrangement table based on a color solid, and the subsequent full color information process, that is, full color color elements arranged in the color arrangement table is converted into information. There is no color image processing process to use.

As a related technique, Patent Document 5 uses a color gamut conversion method applied when the output color gamut (color reproduction range) and the input color gamut are different, and this color gamut conversion method. A color gamut conversion device is disclosed. When inputting / outputting a color image between different devices in an image input / output system such as desktop publishing, specifically, for example, a color image signal on a monitor having a large color gamut is output as a hard copy by a printer having a small color gamut. In this case, we propose a gamut conversion method that makes this possible. This realizes a color management system (CMS) that enables the concept of so-called device independent color (DIC), in which a color image is reproduced with the same color between different devices on the image input / output system.
JP-A-8-096097 JP-A-6-151101 JP-A-64-43732 JP-A-5-31648 JP-A-11-341296

  The subject of the present invention is as follows.

(1) Increasing the amount of information / aggressively reducing the surface / ultra-high information density / expanding applications:
To be able to realize a color code related to substantial full color (typically about 1000 colors for practical use) in response to social information needs, and display the amount of information related to the identification object in substantial full color. The code area is minimized so that printing and affixing can be performed in the narrow space, and a large amount of information can be recorded in the minimum area. Realize recording code. As a result, the applications previously limited to the encoding of product information for logistics and production production information can be expanded and used for various component recording media, information recording cards, and other various information recording media.

(2) Reliability / processing speed:
To realize a high-speed and high-reliability information recording code that reads a large amount of color code at high speed without causing a reading error.

(3) Computer-Aided Teaching (CAT):
When creating a LUT (Look Up Table) to be used for daily operation of full color code writing / reading in advance, specify the condition parameters without being bothered by the cumbersome manual work of creating a large number of colors. Teaching can be done easily by using computer-aided teaching. In addition, when creating an optimum color chart in advance, it is more efficient by the CAT guide in printing / imaging a large number of color charts or adjusting color values of a large number of color charts. Optimal color setting is possible.

  In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to express information related to an identification object using color, or to enable a substantial full color, to increase the amount of information, and to reduce the area of the identification object. Minimization, ultra-high information density, expansion of applications, improvement of color code data processing handling huge amount of data and processing, and full color code writing / reading routine Color code generation method by color image processing that can be easily used in various operational processes, RGB space division and structuring method as a basic technology for realizing this color code generation method, and color code encoding / decoding Is to provide a system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a color code generation method, an RGB space division / structuring method, and a color code encoding / decoding system according to the present invention are configured as follows.

A method for creating a color code according to the present invention includes:
By dividing each of the R, G, and B axes defining the RGB space into N pieces (N is about 10) , the RGB space can be divided into a number of practically about 1000 colors (substantially). Split into a large number of blocks of about 1000 so that a full color can be created,
Based on each of a large number of blocks formed by this division, a plurality of brightness layer layers formed perpendicular to the brightness axis set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin in RGB space are set Define a color cell as a section cut on each of the multiple brightness hierarchy layers ,
In this method, a color code corresponding to a number of colors is created based on a color solid element generated as an area portion projected to a plurality of color cells in each of a plurality of brightness hierarchy layers .

Furthermore, the color code creating method according to the present invention includes:
By dividing each of the R, G, and B axes defining the RGB space into N pieces (N is about 10) , the RGB space can be divided into a number of practically about 1000 colors (substantially). Split into a large number of blocks of about 1000 so that a full color can be created ,
Forming multiple color half-blocks by subdividing each of the multiple blocks by a vertical diagonal plane ;
Based on each of a large number of color half blocks formed by this division, a plurality of lightness layer layers formed perpendicular to the lightness axis set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin in the RGB space And define a color cell as a section cut on each of the multiple brightness hierarchy layers,
In this method, a color code corresponding to a number of colors is created based on a color solid element generated as an area portion projected to a plurality of color cells in each of a plurality of brightness hierarchy layers .

  In each of the above methods, the color code corresponding to substantially full color is one of a dot (point sequence / point arrangement code), a bar (one-dimensional barcode), and a surface element cell (two-dimensional code) as a color mark. It is represented by

  A color code corresponding to substantially full color is used as storage means for recording or reproducing large-capacity information.

A method for creating a color code according to the present invention includes:
A color arrangement table generation step for forming a color arrangement table based on a color solid model and preparing a framework of a color code table;
Based on each of a large number of blocks formed by division in the RGB space , the color chart's imaging color is formed perpendicular to the lightness axis set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin in the RGB space setting a plurality of brightness hierarchical layer that is, to match the specific color cells of the plurality of color cells are defined as cross-sectional cut on each of the plurality of brightness hierarchical layer, the specific color cells A target color chart generating step for obtaining a color chart print color value CMY by inverse conversion;
A color initial registration step of registering color codes / color information corresponding to RGB input colors obtained by imaging a reference color chart with an input device together with a color value CMY related to the reference color chart in a color code table;
A color mark writing step of printing or affixing a color mark corresponding to the color code / color information on the identification object; a color mark reading step of reading and decoding the color mark of the identification object with a color code reader;
A color matching step that associates RGB input colors with unregistered color storage areas in the color initial registration stage, and associates RGB input colors with color storage areas of registered colors in the color mark reading stage;
The color code encoding and decoding processing for substantially full color is performed.

The RGB space division and structuring method according to the present invention is as follows.
Generating a color block by dividing the RGB space into blocks;
Re-dividing the color block into a vertical diagonal plane that bisects the start point side which is the corner on the origin side of the RGB space and the end point side which is the corner on the opposite side of the origin side to generate a color half block;
Creating a lightness hierarchy layer by dividing the lightness axis with the main diagonal axis of the RGB color solid as the lightness axis;
Dividing the representative iso-lightness plane of the lightness hierarchy layer into cells according to the cross-sectional shape of the iso-lightness plane of the color block or color half block; and
Generating a plurality of layer cells that are color solid elements with no overlap or gap between each other by a method of projecting a color point on a cell surface within a lightness hierarchy layer,
By assigning individual color unit information to each of the plurality of layer cells, a storage means substantially comprising a color solid element having a full color range is created.

  In the above RGB space division / structuring method, in the cell division step, the representative isoluminance plane of the brightness hierarchy layer is converted to a triangular mesh in a triangular mesh according to the triangular cross-sectional shape of the isoluminance plane of the color half block. In the step of dividing the cell and generating the layer cell, a layer cell color solid element having a triangular cell cross section without any overlap or gap is generated.

  The RGB space division / structuring method described above is a boundary line formed by perpendicular bisectors between hexagonal cross sections of divided block cut faces that appear on the representative isoluminance plane of the brightness hierarchy layer in the cell dividing step. In the step of generating a layer cell, the representative iso-lightness plane of the lightness hierarchy layer is divided into hexagonal meshes by the reconstructed extended hexagonal cells, and has expanded hexagonal cell cross sections that do not overlap or have gaps in the step of generating layer cells. A layer cell color solid element is generated.

  In the step of dividing the cells, the HS plane obtained by performing HSI conversion of the lightness of the lightness layer is subdivided into HS trapezoidal cells according to the RGB divided lattice points, and in the step of generating layer cells, A layer cell color solid element having an HS trapezoidal cell cross section without any overlap or gap is generated.

  In the cell dividing step, the saturation interval ring band is subdivided into HS trapezoidal cells according to the RGB division grid points on the HS isoluminance plane obtained by HSI conversion of the isoluminance of the brightness hierarchy layer. It is characterized by that.

  In the step of dividing the cell, a saturation interval ring band formed by concentric circles of lattice point sequences on the HS lightness surface obtained by HSI conversion of the lattice points of the triangular surface of the lightness surface of the color half block is arranged outside. By dividing the hue section by concentric lattice points, the HS lightness surface is divided by HS trapezoidal cells.

The RGB space division and structuring method according to the present invention generates color blocks by dividing an RGB space into blocks, and assigns individual color unit information to the color blocks as color solid elements using a brightness hierarchy layer. The present invention is characterized in that block color solid elements having no overlap and no gap are generated, and a storage means consisting of color solid elements in a substantially full color range is created.

Further, the RGB space division / structuring method according to the present invention generates a color block by dividing the RGB space into blocks, and this color block is the opposite side of the origin side and the origin side which are corners on the origin side of the RGB space. A color half block is generated by subdivision on a vertical diagonal plane that bisects to the end point side that is the corner of the image, and individual color unit information is assigned to the color half block as a color solid element using a brightness hierarchy layer In this way, half-block color solid elements having no overlap and no gap between each other are generated, and storage means substantially comprising color solid elements in the full color range is created.

  The color code encoding / decoding system according to the present invention uses a color solid element obtained by dividing a color solid into volume elements based on a color solid model, and the brightness of the body center point or cross-sectional cell center point of the color solid element.・ A color arrangement table is formed by sorting and aligning color components of saturation and hue, and a color identification number, color code / color information, or standard color chart color value is set based on the color arrangement table. A color code table is configured by adding the color solid elements in a one-to-one correspondence.

  In the color code encoding / decoding system described above, the color solid model is an RGB space, and the layer cell surface on the equal lightness surface of the lightness hierarchy layer generated by performing block division and lightness axis division on the RGB space. A color arrangement table is formed by HSI sorting the heart color points.

  In the color code encoding / decoding system described above, the color solid model is an RGB space, and block color center points generated by dividing the RGB space into blocks are HSI sorted to form a color arrangement table. It is characterized by.

  The color solid model is an RGB space, and after the RGB space is divided into blocks, the face center color points of half blocks generated by further dividing the blocks into half blocks are HSI sorted to form a color arrangement table. And

  The color code encoding / decoding system according to the present invention performs block division on the RGB space, and then subdivides the block on the RGB space on a cross section perpendicular to the lightness axis so as to pass through the lattice points of the division block. All of the obtained color solid elements of the structured color information space are uniquely managed by using any one of a block number, a half block number, and a grid point number.

  In the above color code encoding / decoding system, each of the block number, half block number, and grid point number is automatically numbered on the computer according to each numbering rule, and is centrally managed.

  The element numbers of the color solid elements are automatically numbered on the computer according to the respective numbering rules together with the block number, half block number, and grid point number, and centrally managed, so that the color arrangement table of the color solid elements A color code table framework is automatically generated.

A color code encoding / decoding system according to the present invention includes:
A color arrangement table generating means for forming a color arrangement table based on a color solid model and preparing a framework of a color code table;
Based on each of a large number of blocks formed by division in the RGB space , the color chart's imaging color is formed perpendicular to the lightness axis set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin in the RGB space setting a plurality of brightness hierarchical layer that is, to match the specific color cells of the plurality of color cells are defined as cross-sectional cut on each of the plurality of brightness hierarchical layer, the specific color cells A target color chart generating unit that performs reverse conversion to obtain a color chart print color value CMY;
Color initial registration means for registering the color code / color information corresponding to the RGB input color obtained by imaging the reference color chart with the input device together with the color value CMY related to the reference color chart in the color code table (LUT configuration stage) When,
A color mark writing means (encoding step) for printing or pasting a color mark corresponding to the color code / color information on the identification object;
Color mark reading means (decoding step) for reading and decoding the color mark of the identification object with a color code reader;
Color matching means for matching RGB input colors and registered colors in the initial color registration stage and the color mark reading stage;
Consists of

  In the color matching stage by the above color matching means, the input color is within the allowable range of the section / zone of the color solid element (layer cell, color half block, color block) to match the input color with the color storage area. , It is determined that the input color matches the color storage area, and the storage address of the color storage area is output.

  In the color matching stage by the above color matching means, to match the input color with the color storage area, the input color is projected onto the equal brightness plane in the brightness hierarchy layer, and the color projection point is the color solid element. It is determined that it falls within the allowable range (layer cell or half block) of the section / zone, determines whether the input color matches the color storage area, and outputs the storage address of the color storage area Do

  To match the input color (RGB → HSI conversion) and the HSI color storage area in the color matching stage by the color matching means, the input color is within the allowable range (layer cell) of the HSI section of the color solid element. The input color and the color storage area match, and the storage address of the color storage area is output.

  At the color matching stage by the color matching means, the captured color (RGB value) is HSI converted to obtain an HSI histogram, and the RGB value corresponding to the HSI value of the peak of the HSI histogram is set as the representative value of the color, and the registered color and input The color matching is determined, and the storage address of the registered color is output.

  At the color matching stage by the color matching means, the captured color (RGB value) is HSI converted to obtain an HSI histogram, and the HSI value of the peak of the HSI histogram is used as the representative value of the color, and the color solid of the HS trapezoid cell of the registered color. A match between the element and the input color is determined, and the storage address of the registered color is output.

  The present invention has the following effects.

The full-color code according to the present invention has an element pattern of a substantially full-color configuration, can realize a full-color barcode and full-color two-dimensional code obtained by converting a barcode and a two-dimensional code to full color, and further converts a dot pattern into a full color. A full color dot code can be realized. Further, according to the present invention, the variation of the element pattern is determined according to the division of the color space in the case of full color, for example, in the case of 10 × 10 × 10 division, there are 1000 variations, and the amount of information is dramatically increased. Is possible. In addition, if a full-color dot code is used, a dot pattern with a very small area has a large amount of information, so that the information density can be increased to an ultra-high density, and the identification object has only a narrow space printing / pasting area. Can also be used. In the full-color code, a full-color information process based on color image processing technology is developed step by step. In the full color information conversion process, a color solid element that stores unit information is generated at the stage of color arrangement, and then a reverse conversion stage that creates a CMY color chart that performs straight color conversion at the center point of the color solid element. An initial registration stage for registration, an encoding stage for printing / pasting a full color code, and a decoding stage for reading the full color code are developed, and full color matching is performed in the initial registration and decoding stage. Thereby, a full color code can be realized.

By enabling full color, the amount of information can be increased.
The conventional barcode / two-dimensional code element pattern variations could only take two values for black and white and a few single colors, whereas the variation of full-color code element patterns can be divided according to color space division, for example, In the case of 10 × 10 × 10 division, it can have 1000 variations, and the amount of information can be dramatically increased.
Furthermore, when actually picking up the color chart color and registering it in the color code table, a color color chart that is projected onto the center point of the color solid element is generated and used by the target color inverse conversion method, so that the color color chart covers the color solid elements No color is registered, color solid elements can be used effectively without waste, and a large amount of information can be secured.

The full color code according to the present invention has a large number of variations of the element pattern itself as compared with the conventional bar code and two-dimensional code. It can be secured. Therefore, a dot pattern that has not been used in the past can be used as an information recording code having a large amount of information by becoming full color. Theoretically, dividing the color space by 10 × 10 × 10 and arranging three dots, the amount of information becomes a huge quantity of 10 ⁹ . The dot pattern surface element is a point element having a finite size, and the area can be minimized within the range allowed by the resolution of the camera.
The full-color dot code with a minimized area can secure the printing / pasting area even if the identification object itself is very small or the margin of the identification object is a narrow space. Efficiency is excellent.

  The full-color dot code can minimize the code area to the ultimate, but since the amount of information to be stored is enormous, the information density is given by large-capacity information / minimum area, resulting in an extremely high density. Therefore, even if the identification object is very small, or even if the margin of the identification object is a narrow space, a large amount of information can be provided and used as an ultra-high-density information recording code.

The full color dot code according to the present invention has a resolution equivalent to a divided block obtained by dividing a color space. For example, when the RGB space is divided by 10 × 10 × 10, the color resolution of the divided block is determined by the divided block size (= 25.6 × 25.6 × 25.6 gradation). When the color unit information is stored at the center of the divided block, the color resolution is the minimum separation distance between colors, and can be said to be an allowable range of variation in RGB color. Accordingly, if the RGB space division is adjusted in advance based on experience, full color code reading can be stably performed within the allowable range of fluctuation.

  In addition, when the color chart color is actually captured and registered in the color code table, a color color chart that is projected onto the center point of the color solid element is generated and used by the target color inverse conversion method, so at least between registered colors The separation distance ensures a separation distance between the color solid elements, and guarantees a color value allowable variation range of the resolution level of the color solid elements. Therefore, highly reliable color code reading with good stability becomes possible.

  The processing speed of full color code reading is determined by the number of calculations for narrowing down and specifying a color solid element corresponding to an input color obtained by capturing an image of the full color code in the color division space. In the case of a layer cell of a triangular cell, the location of the input color point in the RGB space is determined as follows: (1) Lightness section specification → (2) Lightness layer layer and other brightness surface mapping → (3) RGB section specification → (4) RGB Filter in the order of half block area specification (half block cell specification). The processing speed is extremely high because it is only necessary to perform four calculations such as specifying a simple section / area.

  Because it is a full-color code with an ultra-high density information density that can record and hold a large amount of information in a miniaturized code area, its use is based on product information codes for conventional logistics and production information codes for manufacturing In addition, the range of application to various information recording media such as information recording cards can be expanded.

  Computer-Aided Teaching (CAT): Create a color arrangement table of a color solid model in advance and perform a target color before daily operation of full color code writing / reading using a code printer / code reader. Reference color chart generation (target color chart generation) and color code table creation (initial registration of color chart color and color code / color information) need to be performed, but according to the present invention, based on a color solid element model Since all the color solid elements are configured so that automatic number management is centrally performed by a computer, printing / imaging of a large number of color charts, LUT creation work of a color arrangement table / color code table, or a large amount of color In the color value adjustment work for a number of color charts, there is no troublesome manual work, and the test is efficiently performed according to the guide for the condition parameter designation method CAT. It can be Chingu work is done.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, a configuration example of an apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a first configuration example of an apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and schematically shows a configuration example of an inspection apparatus. 11 is a test object. The test object 11 has, for example, a board-like form, and an example of the test object 11 is a circuit printed board. The test object 11 is an example of an identification object. For example, the illumination device 12 irradiates illumination light onto the upper surface of the test object 11 arranged in a horizontal posture. The imaging device 13 captures the color mark displayed in the specific area of the inspection object 11 together with the inspection object area of the inspection object 11 to obtain image data of the upper surface of the inspection object 11. The imaging device 13 is, for example, a CCD color camera. Image data obtained by the imaging device 13 is transmitted to a computer (PC or the like) 14. The computer 14 includes a CPU 15, a memory (including an image memory) 16, a hard disk 17, a display device (monitor) 18, an input device 19, and a printer 20.

  In this inspection apparatus, the imaging device 13 is a color input device that inputs a color display object such as a color dot mark, and the printer 20 is a color that outputs the color display object captured by the imaging device 13 by color printing. Output device.

  The image data relating to the color mark of the test object 11 obtained by imaging by the imaging device 13 is stored in, for example, a hard disk (storage unit) 17 via the memory 16. The hard disk 17 includes, together with image data and the like, an inspection method for carrying out the present invention, a color data creation method for color image processing, an RGB space division / structuring method, a color code encoding / decoding system, and the like. A processing system program 21 to be realized and data (image data, numerical data, table data, etc.) 22 necessary for executing the program 21 are stored.

  In the computer 14, the CPU 21 reads the program 21 to realize various functional units constituting the inspection apparatus and the color code encoding / decoding system, and further, the color data creation method and the RGB space division / structuring. Implement the method.

  According to the inspection apparatus, the color mark displayed on the test object 11 is photographed by the imaging device 13, the information content indicated by a number of colors included in the color mark is acquired and processed, and the same information content is obtained. Is printed on the identification object or paper by the printer 20.

  In the imaging device 13 such as a CCD color camera, color reproduction is performed by additive color mixing using three primary colors of light of R (red; red), G (green: green), and B (blue: blue). That is, the color space of the color input device is composed of RGB. The same applies to the display device 18 of the computer 14. On the other hand, in the printer 20 as a color output device, color reproduction is performed by subtractive color mixture using three primary colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow: yellow) color materials.

  Accordingly, when the imaging device 13 captures the color mark in the inspection apparatus, the color mark of the subtractive color mixture CMY color material is input to the computer 14 as the RGB color of the additive color mixture color light. Further, when the color mark obtained by imaging by the imaging device 13 in the inspection apparatus is printed by the printer 20 and output, the computer 14 converts the RGB color space composed of additive color mixture into the CMY color space composed of subtractive color mixture. Processing is performed. In the process of conversion between the RGB⇔CMY color spaces, substantial full color handling is performed, and a substantial full color code is created and used. Here, the number of colors that can be distinguished as a substantial full color is typically 1000 as described later. This number of colors can be obtained by dividing each axis of the RGB space by 10.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows a second configuration example of an apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This apparatus is an information reading / writing system and includes a color code encoding / decoding system according to substantially full color.

  In FIG. 2, 50 is an information read / write system. In the information reading / writing system 50, the data reading unit 41 inserts various information recording cards, and reads, for example, color dots printed and displayed in the recording item column. In this device example, the information recording card is an identification object. Examples of the information recording card include a driver's license and a hospital examination ticket. The color code input / output control unit 42 receives the color dots read by the data reading unit 41 via the CPU 43 and outputs a color code corresponding to the color dots. The data code input / output control unit 44 receives the color code output from the color code input / output control unit 42 via the CPU 43. The data code input / output control unit 44 to which the color code is input refers to the code conversion table unit 45 and outputs a data code corresponding to the color code.

  The display device (monitor) 46 receives the data code output from the data code input / output control unit 44 via the CPU 43, and corresponds to the data code, that is, the item recorded in the recording item column of the information recording card. Is output and displayed.

  The code conversion table unit 45 is a table that stores a correspondence relationship for mutually converting color dots and characters and images of recorded items. Here, each of a large number of colors that are substantially full color is associated with each of a color code, a data code, character data, and the like. An example of the table stored in the code conversion table unit 45 is shown in FIG.

The keyboard 47 is a means for inputting a new record item in the record item column of the information recording card and changing the record item. Keyboard 47 or Racing valley input recording matter is converted into data code is input via the CPU43 the data code output control unit 44. The data code input / output unit 44 refers to the code conversion table unit 45 and outputs a color code corresponding to the data code.

  The color code output from the data code input / output control unit 44 is input to the color code input / output control unit 42 via the CPU 43. The color code input / output control unit 42 outputs color dots corresponding to the color code via the CPU 43.

  The data writing unit 48 prints and outputs the color dots output from the color code input / output control unit 42 in the record item column of the information recording card.

  In the above, the color code input / output control unit 42, the CPU 43, the data code input / output control unit 44, and the code conversion table unit 45 constitute a data encoding unit and a data decoding unit.

  In the information reading / writing system 50 shown in FIG. 2, the data reading unit 41 is a color input device and corresponds to the aforementioned CCD color camera. The data writing unit 48 is a color output device and corresponds to the printer described above.

  Next, the full color code according to the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, as will be described later, for example, 1000 different colors are used so that a large number of colors can be distinguished and used, and the full color is handled substantially, and a full color code is created and used correspondingly. For the identification object, a full color mark printed or pasted using full color is used singly or in combination. The color range used is full color, but in reality, it is a color range of about 1000 colors in consideration of practicality. Nevertheless, it is possible to realize an information code that substantially corresponds to full color and has a large amount of information. As the full color mark, a full color dot, a full color bar, a full color cell (surface element cell), or the like is used. The color code is, for example, the one shown in FIG. 3 above, and means the identification number of the registered color. Furthermore, the full color code corresponds to the number of colors that can be registered substantially corresponding to the full color. This means a color code that is set in correspondence with the color.

A full-color information recording medium having a large amount of information is realized by using the above-described full-color code as a storage for recording / reproducing information.
The color camera identifies the color by measuring RGB values having gradations of R, G, B = 0 to 255 (however, in the calculation of the RGB space for convenience, RGB of R, G, B = 0 to 1) Value may be used). That is, in a color camera, the color difference between different colors is a color difference between RGB values. Therefore, in order to identify a color with a color camera, it is only necessary to take a color distance between different colors in the RGB space. This is the color separation distance that separates different colors. The greater the color separation distance, the more reliable the color identification. Conversely, the smaller the color separation distance, the more difficult the color identification.

In order to use all colors in the color space corresponding to the color code / color information, if the RGB color space is divided into N × N × N, the divided color blocks are identified with a predetermined color separation distance. It becomes a possible color. However, even if a color chart with a uniform color is captured, the brightness of the subject captured by the color camera varies depending on the illumination conditions that illuminate the object, the surface properties of the object, and the reflection conditions. Since the unevenness is shaded, the RGB values vary and form an RGB histogram distribution with a certain fluctuation range.

Therefore, the brightness axis, which is the main diagonal axis of the RGB space, is subdivided by a cross section (equal lightness plane) perpendicular to the brightness axis to generate a brightness hierarchy layer having brightness sections, thereby generating brightness levels. A layer that allows variations in brightness within the section is created. Next, if a divided element block having a predetermined color separation distance is cut by a representative isoluminance plane of the layer to create a surface element cell (triangular cell ( △ cell), hexagonal cell, trapezoid cell, etc.), color identification A cell holding the necessary color separation distance is completed. Furthermore, if a layer cell of a three-dimensional color solid element is created by a method of projecting colors onto surface element cells within the layer, it is possible to divide the RGB space with color solid elements that do not overlap or have gaps. It becomes.

  By assigning color codes / color information to color solid elements and surface element cells configured as described above, excellent color reproducibility that prevents false determinations when performing color matching between input colors and registered colors Full color code is realized.

  Next, a configuration for executing a processing process related to creation and encoding / decoding of a full color code based on the program 21 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the procedure of the processing flow for realizing the full color code is as follows. A color arrangement table generation stage 61 for constructing a color arrangement table based on a color solid model and preparing a color code table framework, A “target color chart generation stage” 62 for obtaining a color chart print color value CMY by inversely transforming the specific color point so that the image color of the chart matches the specific color point in the RGB space, and the reference color chart with the input device “Color initial registration stage” (LUT construction stage) 63 for registering color codes / color information corresponding to RGB input colors obtained by imaging in the color code table together with reference color chart color values CMY, and color code / color information A “color mark writing stage” (encoding stage) 64 for pasting and encoding the corresponding color mark on the identification object, and a color mark of the identification object Composed from the color code read by the reader decrypts "color mark reading step" (decoding phase) 65.. Each of the color initial registration stage 63 and the color mark reading stage 65 includes a “color matching stage” 66 for performing color matching between the RGB input color and the color storage area of the unregistered color or registered color. A full color code encoding / decoding process is performed through the above-described series of stepwise processing mechanisms.

  The contents and procedure for realizing each stage of the processing flow will be described.

(1) Color array table generation stage:
At this stage, based on the color solid model in the RGB space, a number of color solid elements are divided by R, G, B and using an iso-lightness plane perpendicular to the axis along the brightness axis. These color solid elements are rearranged by converting them into HSI (H: Hue, S: Saturation, I: Lightness) space to form a color arrangement table, and thus a color code table framework (frame) Prepare. In the above color arrangement table generation, a large number of color three-dimensional elements are sorted and color-aligned by the HSI color components of brightness, saturation, and hue of the body center point of each color three-dimensional element or the cross-sectional cell face center point of the color three-dimensional element. Thus, a color arrangement table is constructed.

(2) Target color chart generation stage:
At this stage, through the forward conversion process and the reverse conversion process, a color chart printing color value is obtained such that the imaging color of the separately prepared reference color chart matches the center point (specific color point) of the color solid element, The color chart printed with the color value is prepared. The forward conversion process is a process of converting printer color chart lattice points in the printer CMY space into color measurement points in the camera RGB space based on camera imaging (RGB color measurement). As a result, a forward conversion LUT (CMY print control value → RGB color measurement value) is created. The reverse conversion process is a process of converting a specific target color point in the RGB block into a target color chart in the CMY space, and a target color reverse conversion LUT is created. Thereby, the reference color chart and color mark corresponding to the center point (specific color point) of the color solid element can be printed.

(3) Color initial registration stage (LUT construction stage):
In the color arrangement table, CMY values and color codes / color information of reference color charts captured by a color camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera) are registered, and a color code table is configured. The color code / color information corresponding to the input RGB color obtained by imaging the reference color chart with the camera is registered in the storage address of the color code table together with the reference color chart color value CMY. The storage address is determined by color matching between the input color and the color storage area.

(4) Color mark writing stage (encoding stage):
A full color code encoding process (color code writing) is performed based on the color code table configured as described above. In color mark printing, a color code corresponding to the input color code / color information is printed and pasted on an identification object and encoded by a color code writer. The CMY print color value of the color mark is retrieved from the color code table (encoding LUT).

(5) Color mark reading stage (decoding stage):
A full color code decoding process (color code reading) is performed based on the color code table configured as described above. Recognize the possession information of identification objects printed and pasted with full color code by full color range color identification. In the color mark reading, the color code / color information of the storage address corresponding to the RGB input color obtained by capturing the color identification object with the camera of the color code reader is obtained. The storage address is determined by color matching between the input color and the color storage area of the registered color. The color code / color information is retrieved from the color code table (decoding LUT).

(6) Color matching stage:
In the color matching stage, the input RGB color and the color storage area are matched, it is determined that the input color is included in the color storage area, and the color storage area address corresponding to the input color is specified. That is, in the color initial registration stage, the RGB input color is associated with the unregistered color storage area, the color storage area address is specified, and the RGB input color is registered. In the color mark reading stage, the color storage area address is specified by associating the RGB input color with the color storage area of the registered color, and information on the registered color (color code, color information) is extracted.

  Next, an embodiment of a processing process relating to creation and encoding / decoding of the full color code will be described in detail.

Embodiment 1:
In the first embodiment, the color solid element model is a layer cell type and uses a triangular Δ cell as a condition ( Δ cell is also referred to as a triangular cell), and the color registration of the reference color chart is the target color color. Using the vote, the target color point coincides with the Δ cell centroid point.

(1) Color array table generation stage:
Based on the color solid model, the color solid element obtained by dividing the color solid into volume elements is sorted by the HSI color components of the brightness, saturation, and hue of the body center point of the color solid element or the cross-section cell face center point of the color solid element. Then, the color arrangement table is constructed by aligning the colors. Here, “H” means hue, “S” means saturation, and “I” means lightness. Further, based on the color arrangement table, a color code table for registering color code / color information and color chart color values CMY in a one-to-one correspondence with color solid elements is configured. This color code table is used for full color code encoding LUT (color code writing) / decoding LUT (color code reading). Recognize the possession information of the object with the full color code pasted by full color range color identification.

First, the RGB space is divided. As shown in FIG. 5, the RGB space 71 is divided into blocks of N × N × N. N is preferably 10 in this example. At this time, 1000 blocks are formed by dividing 10 × 10 × 10 as volume elements related to the color solid.

Next, with respect to the RGB space 71 divided into 1000 blocks, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, lightness hierarchy layers (72a, 72b, and many other 72) related to triangular cells are generated. The brightness hierarchy layer shown in FIG. 6 is two single layers (two single plate layers). The two single-plate layers are a pair of single plates sandwiching the brightness surface such as RGB, and form a sandwich ply structure of a single plate pair. The lightness hierarchy layer is formed to be perpendicular to the lightness axis (I). The brightness axis I is set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin of the RGB space 71. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis A is a projection of the lightness axis I onto the GB plane. In FIG. 6, the veneer thickness is ΔI = 0.1 (25.6 gradation), 2 veneer layer interval is 2 △ I, 2 △ I is 0.2, and the 51.2 gradation It becomes. Further, FIG. 8 showing the direction of projection corresponding to FIG. 6 shows the direction of projection inside each volume element in the layer. As a projection direction, it is desirable to take a centrifugal direction / centripetal direction centering on the RGB space origin O. As described above, according to the block division of the RGB space by the triangular cells, the RGB space is subdivided into color solid elements having no overlap / gap by projecting on the triangular cell surface in the layer.

Further, regarding the RGB space 71 divided into 1000 blocks, as shown in FIG. 7, the brightness hierarchy layer (72a, 72b, and many other 72) regarding the triangular cell can be generated. The brightness hierarchy layer shown in FIG. 7 is four single layers (four single plate layers). The four veneer layers are a pair of two veneers sandwiching a brightness surface such as RGB, and form a sandwich ply structure of two veneer pairs. The lightness hierarchy layer is formed to be perpendicular to the lightness axis (I). The brightness axis I is set to a diagonal position starting from the origin of the RGB space 71. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis A is a projection of the lightness axis I onto the GB plane. 7, 4 veneer layer spacing is 4 △ I, 4 △ I is 0.4, and the 102.4 gradation. Since the 4 veneer layer is twice as thick as the 2 veneer layer, the tolerance for brightness variation is doubled. Further, in FIG. 9 showing the direction of projection corresponding to FIG. 7, the direction of projection inside each volume element in the layer is shown. As a projection direction, it is desirable to take a centrifugal direction / centripetal direction centering on the RGB space origin O. Even in the block division of the RGB space by the above-described triangular cells, the RGB space is subdivided into color solid elements without overlap / gap by projecting on the triangular cell surface in the layer.

  The model is selected for 1000 color solid elements created by the above-described division of the RGB space. In the present embodiment, a tossel model is selected in each of the hierarchical layers 72a, 72b, and 72 described above.

  In the above, when N is 10, the number of colors is equivalent to 1000 colors when the 2 single-plate layer is adopted, and the number of colors is equivalent to 500 colors when the 4 single-plate layer is adopted.

FIG. 10 shows a cell pattern on an iso-brightness plane of one representative hierarchical layer 72a with respect to a model of Δ cell, that is, a triangular cell. On the equal lightness plane of the hierarchical layer 72a in FIG. 10, the vertices P1, P2, P3 of the regular triangle are points (1, 0, 0), (0, 1, 0), (0 , 0, 1). On the equal lightness surface of the hierarchical layer 72a, a large number of triangular Δ cells indicated by diagonal lines and white lines are color solid elements. Regarding (R, G, B) of each Δ cell, its brightness (brightness) I satisfies the condition of I = R + G + B = 1. A color (color) is assigned to each Δ cell, and a barycentric point for assigning a color is set in each Δ cell. In the RGB space 71, 10 × 10 × 10 is divided into 1000 blocks, and the layer and Δ cell are numbered by determining the layer and Δ cell for the 1000 blocks, and the layer number and Δ cell number are assigned. And issue number management. Information relating to the assigned number is stored with an address attached.

  The configuration method of the triangular cell color solid element in FIG. 10 is as follows. When a cross section is taken with respect to 1000 divided blocks in the representative iso-brightness plane of the hierarchical layer, a cut surface with a triangular cross section as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. Triangular cells divide the representative isoluminance plane of the brightness hierarchy layer into a triangular mesh. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, an area portion to be mapped to a triangular cell in the brightness hierarchy layer is generated as a layer cell color solid element. As a result, a layer cell type color solid element having a triangular cell cross section without mutual overlap or gap is generated. In addition, since the color solid element is formed by mapping to the triangular cell of the equal lightness plane in the lightness hierarchy layer, a boundary surface is formed by the projection between the adjacent color solid elements, and the adjacent color solid element There are no overlaps or gaps between them. As a mapping method, a combination of a radial projection centered on the origin of the RGB space and a centripetal projection can be used.

  In the case of cell number management, the layer number of the lightness plane of the layer can be used as the layer number. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the Δ cell number is mechanically and simply assigned a half block number (combination of RGB block number and start / end side half block symbol) that has a 1: 1 correspondence with the Δ cell. You can issue a number. Therefore, the half block number / Δ cell number (color storage address) can be automatically issued from the RGB block number and half block symbol of the already issued number on the computer, and the color arrangement of the half block / Δ cell consisting of 1000 colors. A framework of column table and color code table can be automatically generated. Information / data on half blocks / Δ cells can be centrally managed by a computer using color storage addresses.

The cell pattern of the iso-brightness surface of the hierarchical layer 72a in the RGB space shown in FIG. 10 is converted into the pattern 73 shown in FIG. This conversion is called “HSI conversion”. Here, “H” means hue, “S” means saturation, and “I” means lightness. Many Δ cells expressed in RGB in the hierarchical layer 72a are expressed in the HSI space.

  In the pattern 73 subjected to HSI conversion, each color solid element is patterned in an area having a circular contour shape. In the circle of the outer week edge, the color sections are divided into R (red), Y (yellow), G (green), C (cyan), B (blue), and P (purple). In the pattern 73 subjected to HSI conversion, a color solid element (cell) is set by 100 triangular sections indicated by circled numbers.

Next, color alignment is performed. This color alignment is performed in the sort order of I (ascending order) / S (descending order) / H (ascending order). Thereafter, a color arrangement table is created. In the color arrangement table, RGB values and HSI values of the center-of-gravity point of the Δ cell are given to the storage addresses by serial numbers. Specifically, in the color arrangement table generation stage, the color arrangement table is constructed by performing HSI sorting and color alignment of Δ cells in the HSI space. △ Cell face center points are sorted by brightness section layer along brightness axis I, then sorted by saturation section ring zone along the saturation axis S in the radial direction on the HS brightness face, and the hue circle H Sort in the order of R (red )- > Y (yellow )- > G (green )- > C (cyan )- > B (blue )- > P (purple ) along the circumferential direction.

  A color code table (frame) is created for the color arrangement table. Color code / color information and reference color chart CMY values are assigned to each storage address in the color arrangement table.

  FIG. 12 shows the color resolution in the same diagram as FIG. The RGB distance d shown in FIG. 12 is a color separation distance between adjacent triangular cells, which is given by a numerical value of 0.0817 and corresponds to 20.9 gradations. Here, the color resolution / color separation distance means that the RGB input color and the color storage area are allowed to match in the initial color registration stage and the color mark reading stage, and the RGB input color variation is allowed stably. This corresponds to an allowable error range (allowance) for matching and is a measure of color reproducibility.

  As described above, the process of the color arrangement table generation stage includes (A) RGB space division step, (B) lightness hierarchy layer generation step, (C) color solid element model selection step, and (D) HSI conversion step. (E) Numbering management step, (F) Color alignment step, (G) Color arrangement table and color code table (LUT table) creation step.

(2) Target color color chart generation stage: target color reverse conversion CMY color chart In a color conversion process in which a color chart color printed with CMY color values is captured by an input device and converted into an input color in RGB space (forward conversion). In advance, color chart printing is performed by inversely transforming the specific color point so that the image color of the color chart matches the specific color point in the RGB space (for example, the layer cell / cell face of the structured color information space, the block body center). The color value is obtained, and the color chart printed with the color value is arranged. When the color chart color is captured with the input device when the color chart color is imaged with the input device, the input color is pinpointed onto the layer cell / cell face and block center. Can be shadowed.

  In addition to the above, the target color point in the RGB space is not limited to the center of gravity of the triangular cell, but may be a point 80 such as a midline midpoint of the triangular cell, as shown in FIG. .

An illustration of the forward conversion processing procedure is shown in FIGS. In the processing procedure of this forward conversion 81, (A) Preparation of color chart grid points (CMY): CMY value colors of CMY grid points obtained by dividing the CMY space are printed by a printer to generate color charts. (B) Camera imaging (RGB): Color charts are imaged by a camera and RGB values are measured. (C) CMY value / RGB value association: RGB color measurement points corresponding to CMY grid points are associated. (D) Forward conversion: Conversion from color chart CMY (printer) to color measurement RGB (camera) is performed for all grid points of CMY. (E) Creation of forward conversion LUT: Create a LUT that associates color chart grid points CMY with color measurement points RGB.
In the above-described forward conversion, the CMY space (color chart generation by M × M × M division) is converted into the RGB space (camera imaging color measurement).

Conversely, the inverse conversion 82 converts the RGB space (N × N × N division) into a CMY output value (printer printing). In this inverse conversion, specific points in the RGB space (layer cell center point, block body center point) are converted into CMY output values, and the reference color chart is printed and printed.
In order to perform the inverse transformation, it is necessary to reconstruct the inverse transformation LUT from the known forward transformation LUT. As shown in FIG. 14, in forward conversion, CMY grid points are converted into RGB measurement points by camera imaging, but at the same time, CMY blocks having CMY grid points as vertices are copied as corresponding RGB blocks in the RGB space. Shadowed. As shown in the RGB space division diagram of FIG. 14, the grid points of the RGB space block division and the specific points of the RGB space (layer cell center point / block body center point) generated in advance are copied from the CMY block. When included in the shaded RGB block, as shown in the CMY space division diagram of FIG. 14, the CMY values corresponding to the RGB grid points or the RGB specific points are expressed by a linear combination expression of the CMY grid points. It is known that the CMY value is obtained (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-341296). Therefore, an inverse conversion LUT that performs CMY conversion of RGB grid points or RGB specific points can be generated from the forward conversion LUT.
As shown in the inverse transformation 82 in FIG. 15, the inverse transformation LUT performs CMY transformation on the center points of the Δ cells of the color solid elements in the RGB space, and prints a reference color chart of the CMY values. This is the CMY target color chart.

  When this reference color chart or a color mark of the same color as the reference color chart is imaged at the color reading stage, as shown in the forward conversion 81 of FIG. 15, the RGB value of the imaging is at the center point of the Δ cell of the color solid element. Since pinpoint projection is performed, the color point occupies the most stable center position of the color solid element, and color matching can be performed stably. In addition, the registered colors can be assigned to a single color solid element or cell without waste across multiple color solid elements or cells, so the maximum number of full color colors can be obtained and the full color code information density is high. Densify.

FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the forward transformation 81 and the inverse transformation 82 between the CMY division space 83 (M × M × M division) and the RGB division space 84 (N × N × N division).

(3) Color initial registration stage (LUT construction stage):
The CMY target color chart obtained at the target color generation stage is imaged with a camera, RGB colors are captured, HSI conversion is performed as necessary, and the input color is matched with the color storage area by color matching to correspond to the input color The storage address of the color storage area is determined, and the color code / color information is registered together with the target color chart CMY at the storage address of the color code table.

(4) Color mark writing stage (encoding stage):
A color code table is searched based on the color code / color information inputted as an instruction, the corresponding print color value CMY is determined, and the color code of the print color value CMY is pasted on the identification object and encoded.

(5) Color mark reading stage (decoding stage):
Color identification object is imaged with camera, RGB color is captured, HSI conversion is performed if necessary, color storage area of registered color is matched with input color by color matching, and color storage of registered color corresponding to input color is stored The storage address of the area is determined, and the color code / color information of the storage address is retrieved / output from the color code table. A CMY color of the same color as the CMY target color chart / reference color chart obtained in the target color generation stage is printed on the color identification object. This stabilizes the color matching.

(6) Color matching stage:
In order to match the input color with the color storage area, a method of narrowing down the section / zone to which the input color belongs is used. In the case of a triangular cell, first, as shown in FIG. 6, a brightness interval layer is calculated from the brightness I of the input color, and the brightness hierarchy layer to which it belongs is specified. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the input color is projected onto the equal brightness plane of the brightness hierarchy layer to which the input color belongs, and as shown in FIG. 10, the color projection point is a triangular cell (or half block). A triangle cell (or half block) is identified by determining that it is within the area, and the storage address of the triangle cell (or half block) is output. After specifying the RGB section (block section) to which the RGB value of the color projection point belongs, the area of the triangular cell is the starting point for the block diagonal plane within the block, as shown in FIG. by calculating whether it belongs to the half block of either side or end point, the storage address of the half block can be determined.

Similarly, the storage addresses of other color solid element models to be described later can be determined by narrowing down the sections / zones of the color solid element. In the case of a hexagonal cell, as shown in FIG. 21, FIG. 23, and FIG. 17, the storage address can be determined by narrowing down the lightness hierarchy layer section and the hexagonal cell area of the color projection point. In the case of HS trapezoidal cells, as shown in FIGS. 29, 31, and 26, the storage address is determined by narrowing down the lightness hierarchy layer section and the HS trapezoid cell section (H section / S section) of the color projection point. it can. The above has described the case of two single plate layers of a triangular cell, an extended hexagonal cell, and an HS trapezoidal cell. The same applies to the case of four single plate layers of a triangular cell, an extended hexagonal cell, and an HS trapezoidal cell. It can be executed in a procedure.
In the case of a color block, the storage address can be determined from the RGB section of the block, as shown in FIG. In the case of a half block, as shown in FIG. 33, the storage address can be determined from the RGB section and half block area of the block.

  In addition, color HSI histograms tend to have sharper peak distributions than RGB histograms. In particular, hue H histograms have a stable sharp peak distribution that is not easily affected by variations in brightness, shading of unevenness, etc., and color matching. For stabilization, the captured color (RGB value) is HSI converted to obtain an HSI histogram, and the RGB value corresponding to the HSI value at the peak of the HSI histogram is used as the representative value of the color, and the registered color matches the input color. There is also a method for determining the storage color and outputting the storage address of the registered color. FIG. 35 shows an example of the G histogram in the RGB histogram, and FIG. 36 shows an example of the H histogram in the HSI histogram.

  Further, in the case of a color solid element of an HS trapezoid cell, an HSI histogram is obtained by performing HSI conversion on the captured color (RGB value), the HSI value of the peak of the HSI histogram is used as a representative value of the color, and the HS trapezoid of the registered color It is also possible to determine the coincidence between the color solid element of the cell and the input color and output the storage address of the registered color.

The following is created as a LUT (Look up Table).
(1) Color arrangement table: {serial number, storage address, RGB / HSI}
(2) Color code table:
{Serial number, storage address, RGB / HSI, CMY, color code / color information}
(3) Encoding LUT: {storage address, CMY, color code / color information}
(4) Decryption LUT: {storage address, color code / color information}
(5) Forward conversion LUT: {CMY print control value → RGB color measurement value}
(6) Inverse transformation LUT: {(target color point) RGB color value → CMY color value}
here,
Storage address: Layer cell number, block number, half block number
RGB / HSI: Target color point RGB / HSI value
CMY: Target color chart CMY value
Target color point: △ cell face center, hexagonal cell face center, HS trapezoid cell face center,
Half block △ cell face center, color block body center

FIG. 20 is an illustration for subdividing and generating color half blocks 91a and 91b in one block 91 as a volume element obtained by dividing the RGB space into blocks. The vertical diagonal surface of the block is the boundary surface between the half blocks 91a and 91b.
According to the configuration of the first embodiment described above, there is an advantage that the tolerance range of the brightness fluctuation can be widened by the brightness layer that absorbs the brightness fluctuation.

Embodiment 2:
The second embodiment is characterized in that the color solid element model is a layer cell type and uses hexagonal cells as a condition. Other configurations are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. The characteristic part of Embodiment 2 is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 corresponds to FIG. 10 of the first embodiment.

  Also in the second embodiment, the RGB space is first divided. The division of the RGB space is the same as that of the first embodiment as described in FIG. In the RGB space, 1000 blocks are divided and formed as volume elements related to the color solid.

  For the RGB space 71 divided into 1000 blocks, a lightness hierarchy layer 72a is generated. The model is selected with respect to 1000 color solid elements created by the division of the RGB space 71, and in the second embodiment, a hexagonal cell model is selected in each hierarchical layer.

FIG. 17 shows a cell pattern on the iso-lightness plane of one hierarchical layer 72a with respect to a hexagonal cell model. In the equal lightness plane of the hierarchical layer 72a in FIG. 17, the vertices P1, P2, and P3 of the regular triangle are points (1, 0, 0), (0, 1, 0), (0) shown in FIG. , 0, 1). A large number of hexagonal cells become color solid elements on the equal brightness surface of the hierarchical layer 72a. Regarding (R, G, B) of each hexagonal cell, the brightness (brightness) I satisfies the condition of I = R + G + B = 1. A color (color) is assigned to the hexagonal cell, and a barycentric point to which a color is assigned in each hexagonal cell is set. In the RGB space 71, 10 × 10 × 10 is divided into 1000 blocks, and hierarchical layers and hexagonal cells are assigned to the 1000 blocks, and numbers are assigned to the respective layers. The numbering management is performed by attaching. Information relating to the assigned number is stored with an address attached.

  The configuration method of the hexagonal cell of FIG. 17 is as follows. When a cross section is taken with respect to 1000 divided blocks on the representative iso-brightness plane of the hierarchical layer, an oblique hexagonal cross section with a white gap as shown in FIG. 19 is obtained. Next, in order to fill the white gap, as shown in FIG. 17, a boundary line is formed by a perpendicular bisector between the face centers of the hexagonal cross section of the divided block cut end, and the edge portion is defined as the boundary line. The expanded hexagonal cell expanded up to is reconstructed. Thereafter, the cell is divided into a hexagonal mesh shape of the representative brightness surface of the brightness layer by using the expanded hexagonal cell. Further, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, an area portion to be mapped to the expanded hexagonal cell in the brightness hierarchy layer is generated as a layer cell color solid element. As a result, a layer cell type color solid element having an expanded hexagonal cell cross section with no overlap or gap between each other is generated. As a mapping method, a combination of a radial projection centered on the origin of the RGB space and a centripetal projection can be used.

  When managing the numbers of the expanded hexagonal cells, the layer number of the lightness plane of the layer can be used as the layer number. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the expanded hexagonal cell number can be numbered by mechanically and simply assigning the divided block number of the hexagonal section cut out on the iso-lightness plane. Accordingly, an extended hexagonal cell (color storage address) can be automatically issued from the already-issued RGB block number on the computer, and a framework of the color arrangement table and color code table of the extended hexagonal cell having 664 colors. Can be automatically generated. Information / data related to the expanded hexagonal cells can be centrally managed by the computer using color storage addresses.

  As for the hexagonal cell, similarly to the triangular cell described above, in the case of the lightness hierarchical layer of two single layers (two single plate layers) shown in FIG. 21 and four single layers (four single plate layers) shown in FIG. May be the brightness hierarchy layer.

As shown in FIG. 21, the two single plate layers are a pair of single plates sandwiching RGB lightness surfaces, and form a sandwich ply structure of a single plate pair. The lightness hierarchy layer is formed to be perpendicular to the lightness axis (I). The brightness axis I is set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin of the RGB space 71. In FIG. 21, the horizontal axis A is a projection of the lightness axis I onto the GB plane. 21, 2 veneer layer interval is 2 △ I, 2 △ I is 0.2, and the 51.2 gradation. As described above, according to the block division of the RGB space by the hexagonal cell, as shown in FIG. 23, the RGB space is overlapped / a color solid element having no gap by projecting on the hexagonal cell surface in the layer. Is subdivided into The projection direction is preferably a centrifugal direction / centripetal direction centered on the RGB space origin O.

As shown in FIG. 22, the four single plate layer is a pair of two single plates sandwiching the RGB lightness plane, and forms a sandwich ply structure of two single plates. The lightness hierarchy layer is formed to be perpendicular to the lightness axis (I). The brightness axis I is set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin of the RGB space 71. In FIG. 22, the horizontal axis A is a projection of the lightness axis I onto the GB plane. In FIG. 22, 4 veneer layer spacing is 4 △ I, 4 △ I is 0.4, and the 102.4 gradation. Since the 4 veneer layer is twice as thick as the 2 veneer layer, the tolerance for brightness variation is doubled. Even in the block division of the RGB space by this hexagonal cell, as shown in FIG. 24, the RGB space is subdivided into color solid elements without overlap / gap by projecting to the hexagonal cell surface within the layer. The The projection direction is preferably a centrifugal direction / centripetal direction centered on the RGB space origin O.

  In the above, when N is 10, the number of colors is equivalent to 664 colors when the two single-plate layer is adopted, and the number of colors is equivalent to 332 colors when the four-single-plate layer is adopted.

  Further, FIG. 18 shows the resolution in the same diagram as FIG. The RGB distance d shown in FIG. 18 is a separation distance of the expanded hexagonal cell, is given by a numerical value of 0.1414, and corresponds to 36.2 gradations.

  The model is selected for 1000 color solid elements created by the above-described division of the RGB space. In the present embodiment, an extended hexagonal cell model is selected in each of the hierarchical layers 72a, 72b, and 72 described above.

  The cell pattern of the hierarchical layer in the RGB space shown in FIG. 17 is HSI converted. The expanded hexagonal cell expressed in RGB in the hierarchical layer 72a is expressed in the HSI space. In the resulting pattern, a color arrangement table is formed as in the first embodiment.

  Other configurations and stages (processes) are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Note that FIG. 19 shows a hexagonal cross section of the cut end of a divided block in the case of dividing using extended hexagonal cells in the same hierarchical layer shown in FIG.

  According to the configuration of the second embodiment described above, brightness variation and color variation (hue / saturation variation) are achieved by a brightness layer that absorbs brightness variation and an extended hexagonal cell having a large color separation distance. On the other hand, the allowable range can be widened.

Embodiment 3:
The third embodiment is characterized in that the color solid element model is a layer cell type and uses an HS trapezoid cell (in a layer representative surface by a brightness surface such as HS) as a surface element cell. Other configurations are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. The characteristic part of Embodiment 3 is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 25 corresponds to FIG. 10 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 26 corresponds to FIG. 11 of the first embodiment.

  Also in the third embodiment, the RGB space is first divided. The division of the RGB space is the same as that of the first embodiment as described in FIG. In the RGB space, 1000 blocks are divided and formed as volume elements related to the color solid.

  For the RGB space 71 divided into 1000 blocks, a lightness hierarchy layer 72a is generated. The model is selected with respect to 1000 color solid elements created by the division of the RGB space 71, and in the third embodiment, the HS trapezoidal cell model is selected in each hierarchical layer.

  FIG. 25 shows a cell pattern on the RGB lightness plane of one hierarchical layer 72a regarding the HS trapezoidal cell model. 25, the regular triangle vertices P1, P2, and P3 are the points (1, 0, 0), (0, 1, 0), (0) shown in FIG. , 0, 1). For (R, G, B) related to the pattern shown in FIG. 25 for making the HS trapezoidal cell, the brightness (brightness) I satisfies the condition of I = R + G + B = 1. After converting to an HS plane based on a plurality of concentrically formed triangles on the equal brightness surface of the hierarchical layer 72a, a number of HS trapezoid cells become elements corresponding to color solid elements as shown in FIG. That is, the lattice point sequences on the sides of a regular triangle having the same center and different sizes shown in FIG. 25 are converted into concentric lattice points of isochromaticity S on the HS lightness surface shown in FIG. 26 by HSI conversion. Projected. After that, the saturation zone ring band composed of concentric circles of the grid points on the HS brightness surface is divided by the hue zone at the outer concentric grid points, thereby dividing the HS brightness surface by HS trapezoidal cells. The HS trapezoidal cell division using the spacing of the RGB grid points makes it possible to divide the brightness surface such as HS reflecting the resolution of the RGB block division. Further, as shown in FIG. 31, the RGB space is subdivided into color solid elements without overlap / gap by projecting on the HS trapezoidal cell surface within the layer. As a mapping method, a combination of a radial projection centered on the origin of the RGB space and a centripetal projection can be used.

A color (color) is assigned to each HS trapezoid cell shown in FIG. 26, and a face center point to which a color is assigned is set in each trapezoid cell. In the RGB space 71, 10 × 10 × 10 is divided into 1000 blocks, and the layer and trapezoid cell are assigned to the 1000 blocks, respectively. And issue number management. Information relating to the assigned number is stored with an address attached.

  In managing the number of HS trapezoidal cells, the layer number of the lightness plane of the layer can be used as the layer number. The HS trapezoidal cell number can be issued by mechanically and simply assigning one of the two lattice point numbers of the outer concentric lattice points that divide the chroma section ring band into the hue sections. Therefore, the HS trapezoid cell number (color storage address) can be automatically generated from the RGB grid point number of the issued number on the computer, and the color arrangement table and color code table framework of the HS trapezoidal cell having the number of colors of 634 colors. Can be automatically generated. Information / data on the HS trapezoidal cell can be centrally managed by the computer using color storage addresses.

  The above HS trapezoidal cell also has a brightness level layer of 2 single layers (2 single plate layers) shown in FIG. 29 and 4 single layers (4 single layers) shown in FIG. In some cases, it is a layer of brightness layers.

As shown in FIG. 29, the two single plate layers are a pair of single plates sandwiching a brightness surface of HS, and have a sandwich plywood structure of a single plate pair. The lightness hierarchy layer is formed to be perpendicular to the lightness axis (I). The brightness axis I is set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin of the RGB space 71. In FIG. 29, the horizontal axis A is a projection of the lightness axis I onto the GB plane. 29, 2 veneer layer interval is 2 △ I, 2 △ I is 0.2, and the 51.2 gradation. As described above, according to the block division of the RGB space by the HS trapezoid cell, as shown in FIG. 31, the RGB space is overlapped / a color solid element having no gap by projecting on the HS trapezoid cell surface in the layer. Is subdivided into The projection direction is preferably a centrifugal direction / centripetal direction centered on the RGB space origin O.

As shown in FIG. 30, the 4 veneer layer is a pair of 2 veneers sandwiching the HS lightness plane, and has a sandwich veneer structure of 2 veneer pairs. The lightness hierarchy layer is formed to be perpendicular to the lightness axis (I). The brightness axis I is set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin of the RGB space 71. In FIG. 30, the horizontal axis A is a projection of the lightness axis I onto the GB plane. In FIG. 30, 4 veneer layer spacing is 4 △ I, 4 △ I is 0.4, and the 102.4 gradation. Since the 4 veneer layer is twice as thick as the 2 veneer layer, the tolerance for brightness variation is doubled. Even in the block division of the RGB space by this HSI trapezoid cell, as shown in FIG. 32, the RGB space is subdivided into color solid elements without overlap / gap by projecting on the HS trapezoid cell surface within the layer. The The projection direction is preferably a centrifugal direction / centripetal direction centered on the RGB space origin O.

  In the above, when N is 10, the number of colors is equivalent to 634 colors when the 2 single-plate layer is adopted, and the number of colors is equivalent to 317 colors when the 4 single-plate layer is adopted.

Regarding the resolution, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the trapezoid cell separation distance is 18.1 gradations (RGB conversion) in the hue direction dh and 62.7 gradations (RGB conversion) in the saturation direction ds. is there. Further, the layer interval di is 51.2 gradations in the case of 2 single-plate layers, and 102.4 gradations in the case of 4 single-plate layers. The center-to-center distances (hue direction dh, saturation direction ds) of the HS trapezoidal cell in FIG. 28 are converted into RGB distances using the Δ cell geometric shape of the RGB lightness surface in FIG. In the HS trapezoidal cell division, the HS isoluminance plane reflecting the resolution of the RGB block division is performed by performing HS trapezoidal cell division using the spacing of the RGB lattice points. Further, the hue H histogram has a stable sharp peak distribution that is less affected by brightness fluctuations and uneven shadows, etc., compared to the histogram of isochromatic S / lightness I, so the hue direction separation distance dh is The setting smaller than the saturation direction ds and the lightness direction di is advantageous in obtaining as many colors as possible while ensuring the stability of color matching.
Hue direction dh = 18.1 <Saturation direction ds = 62.7
Hue direction dh = 18.1 <Lightness direction di = 51.2, 102.4

  As shown in FIG. 26, the pattern of the iso-lightness surface of the layer layer 72a in the RGB space shown in FIG. 25 is projected onto the HS iso-lightness surface by HSI conversion and expressed in the HSI space. In the pattern relating to the HS trapezoid cell obtained as a result, a color arrangement table is formed as in the first embodiment.

  Other configurations and stages (processes) are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the configuration of the third embodiment described above, the brightness layer and the trapezoidal cell that considers the characteristics of hue / saturation variation tendency to absorb brightness variation allow tolerance for brightness variation and saturation variation. A wide range can be taken.

Embodiment 4:
In the fourth embodiment, as a condition, as shown in FIG. 20, the color solid element model is a color half block (unit information), and a triangular cell having a color half block cross section is used as a surface element cell. There is a feature in the point. Other configurations are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and the surface element cell is the triangular cell in FIG. The characteristic part of Embodiment 4 is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 33 corresponds to FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. However, the color three-dimensional element model of the fourth embodiment is suitable for a case where there is little variation in brightness because it does not constitute a brightness layer that absorbs variations in brightness.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, the RGB space is first divided. The division of the RGB space is the same as that of the first embodiment as described in FIG. After generating 1,000 color blocks by dividing the RGB space into blocks, as shown in FIG. 20, this color block is subdivided into a vertical diagonal plane that bisects the start point and end points, and the color half blocks are divided. Generate. In the RGB space, 2000 half blocks are divided and formed as volume elements related to the color solid. A color solid element having twice the number of colors as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

With respect to the RGB space 71 divided into 2000 half blocks, as shown in FIG. 33, an iso-lightness surface 92 passing through the half blocks is generated. The model is selected for the 2000 color solid elements created by the division of the RGB space 71, and in the fourth embodiment, a model of a half-block triangular cell is selected in each of the above-mentioned equal lightness planes.
The half-block triangular cell face center points on the same brightness surface 92 are subjected to HSI conversion, HSI sorting, and color alignment to form a color arrangement table. That is, all the triangular cell face centers are sorted by the lightness level I of the equal lightness surface, sorted by the saturation level S by the HS lightness surface, and further sorted by the hue circle H.

  The RGB space 71 is divided into 2000 half-blocks, and numbers are assigned to each of the 2000 half-blocks by determining an iso-lightness plane and a half-block triangular cell. Assign cell numbers and manage numbering. Information relating to the assigned number is stored with an address.

  Other configurations and stages (processes) are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the configuration of the fourth embodiment described above, a high-density color solid element can be realized when variation in RGB brightness is small. A color solid element having twice the number of colors as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 5:
The fifth embodiment is characterized in that the color solid element model uses a color block (unit information) as a volume element as a condition. Other configurations are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. The characteristic part of Embodiment 5 is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 34 corresponds to FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. The color three-dimensional element model of the fifth embodiment is suitable when there is little variation in brightness.

  In the fifth embodiment, the RGB space is first divided. The division of the RGB space is the same as that of the first embodiment as described in FIG. In the RGB space, 1000 blocks are divided and formed as volume elements related to the color solid.

  With respect to the RGB space 71 divided into 1000 blocks, as shown in FIG. 34, an iso-lightness surface 93 passing through the block center point is generated. The model is selected with respect to 1000 color solid elements created by the division of the RGB space 71, and in the fifth embodiment, a color block model is selected on each of the above-mentioned equal lightness planes.

  The block cores on the same brightness surface 93 are subjected to HSI conversion, HSI sorting, and color alignment to form a color arrangement table. That is, all the block center points are sorted by the lightness level I of the equal lightness surface, sorted by the saturation level S by the HS lightness surface, and further sorted by the hue circle H.

  In the RGB space 71, each block is divided into 1000 blocks, and an iso-lightness plane and a color block cell are determined for each of the 1000 blocks. Perform number management. Information relating to the assigned number is stored with an address.

  Other configurations and stages (processes) are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the configuration of the fifth embodiment, a stable and high-density color solid element can be realized when the variation in RGB brightness is small.

Comparison of Embodiments 1 to 5:
The embodiment comparison table shown in FIG. 37 is a table comparing the number of colors and resolution (color separation distance) of Embodiments 1 to 5 when N is 10. The first to third embodiments are models of color solid elements having a layer cell as a common base. First, comparing the two single-plate layers of the first embodiment (Δ cell) and the second embodiment (hexagonal cell), the Δ cell has a color separation distance as small as d = 20.9 gradations on the equal lightness plane. On the other hand, the number of colors is as large as 1000 colors, whereas the hexagonal cell has a small number of colors as 664 colors because the color separation distance is as large as d = 36.2 gradations. Thus, the resolution (color separation distance) and the number of colors are in a trade-off relationship with each other. Next, when comparing the two single-plate layers of the second embodiment (hexagonal cell) and the third embodiment (HS trapezoidal cell), the hexagonal cell and the trapezoidal cell are 600 color stands having almost the same number of colors. The cell division method on the brightness side is different. The hexagonal cell has a color separation distance of d = 36.2 gradations and is divided into hexagonal cells substantially in the same direction on the RGB lightness plane, whereas the trapezoid cell has a color separation distance of the hue direction dh = 18. .1 gradation, saturation direction ds = 62.7 gradation, and a trapezoidal division that is long in the saturation axis direction with respect to the hue direction. As described above, a color solid element model can be selected according to the target, such as a Δ cell with a large number of colors, a hexagonal cell with a large color separation distance, and a trapezoidal cell that takes into account the characteristics of hue / saturation variation. It is. Note that this characteristic of the first to third embodiments does not change even in the four single plate layers.

  Embodiments 4 and 5 are models of color solid elements based on blocks. It is a model with a different concept from the layer cell, and it does not take into account the correspondence of brightness fluctuations and color fluctuations (hue saturation fluctuations). It is a color solid element model that can be used for.

  The configurations described in the above embodiments are merely schematically shown to the extent that the present invention can be understood and implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the technical idea shown in the scope.

  The present invention can realize a color code for identifying an identification object using almost full color, minimizing the area for printing and pasting on the identification object, increasing the amount of information, and increasing the information density to an ultra-high density. As a result, it is used for product information coding in logistics / manufacturing, component board inspection and production information management, various information recording cards, and other various information recording media.

It is a 1st example of composition of a device to which a color code creation method concerning the present invention is applied, and is a block diagram showing composition of an inspection device. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an inspection apparatus, which is a first configuration example of an apparatus to which a color code encoding creation method according to the present invention is applied. FIG. It is a part of table which shows the example of a color code. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the processing flow which implement | achieves a full color code. It is a figure explaining an example of the division | segmentation of RGB space. It is a figure which shows the two single-layered hierarchical layer and volume element (color cell) prescribed | regulated by the plane perpendicular | vertical to the axis of the brightness in Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating four single layer layers and volume elements (color cells) defined by a plane perpendicular to the brightness axis in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the direction which projects each block of a volume element in the structure of the hierarchical layer of FIG. It is a figure which shows the direction which projects each block of a volume element in the structure of the hierarchical layer of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a formation pattern of a triangular color cell in one hierarchical layer in the first embodiment. It is the figure of the pattern which carried out HSI conversion of the cell pattern shown in FIG. It is a figure similar to FIG. 10, and is a figure showing resolution. It is a figure similar to FIG. 10, and is a figure which shows the middle line midpoint of a triangular cell. It is a figure explaining the forward conversion and reverse conversion between printer CMY space and camera RGB space. It is a figure which shows the other explanatory example of forward conversion and reverse conversion. It is a figure which shows the other explanatory example of forward conversion and reverse conversion. It is a figure similar to FIG. 10 regarding Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure similar to FIG. 12 regarding Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the hexagonal cross section of the cut end of the division block in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a block and a half block. It is a figure similar to FIG. 6 regarding Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure similar to FIG. 7 regarding Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the direction which projects each block of a volume element in the structure of the hierarchical layer of FIG. It is a figure which shows the direction which projects each block of a volume element in the structure of the hierarchical layer of FIG. It is a figure similar to FIG. 10 regarding Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure similar to FIG. 11 regarding Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure similar to FIG. 25, and is a figure which shows the resolution in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure similar to FIG. 26, and is a figure which shows the resolution in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure similar to FIG. 6 regarding Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure similar to FIG. 7 regarding Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the direction which projects each block of a volume element in the structure of the hierarchical layer of FIG. It is a figure which shows the direction which projects each block of a volume element in the structure of the hierarchical layer of FIG. It is a figure which shows the equal lightness surface for demonstrating the color half block regarding Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the equal lightness surface for demonstrating the color block regarding Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of G histogram among RGB histograms. It is a figure which shows an example of the H histogram among HSI histograms. It is a figure which shows the comparison table of Embodiment 1-5.

Explanation of symbols

20 Printer 21 Processing System Program 45 Code Conversion Table Unit 71 RGB Space 72 Hierarchy Layer 72a Hierarchy Layer 72b Hierarchy Layer

Claims (27)

By dividing each of the R-axis, G-axis, and B-axis defining the RGB space into N pieces, the RGB space can be created as N × N × N so that a plurality of N × N × N colors can be created. divided into a number of a plurality of blocks,
Based on each of the plurality of blocks formed by this division, a plurality of lightness layer layers formed perpendicular to the lightness axis set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin in the RGB space And defining a color cell as a cross-section cut on each of the plurality of brightness hierarchy layers,
In each of said plurality of brightness hierarchical layers, with a plurality of the color cells, so as to divide the RGB space into no color three-dimensional elements of overlap / gap, surface elements of equal lightness plane in the brightness hierarchical layer Using a plurality of the color solid elements generated by the division by the projection, the cell is projected in the centrifugal direction / centrocentric direction along the projection axis centered on the origin of the RGB space with respect to the cell. A color code creation method by color image processing, wherein a color code corresponding to a color of the color solid element is created as a color mark represented by any one of dots, bars, and area cells . R-axis defining the RGB space, G axis, by partitioning the respective B-axis to N, wherein the RGB space, N × N × N number of the plurality of such large number of colors may create N × N × divided into N multiple blocks,
Each of the plurality of blocks is further divided by a vertical diagonal plane that bisects the start point side and the end point side of the block to form a plurality of color half blocks,
Based on each of the plurality of color half blocks formed by this division, a plurality of brightness values formed perpendicular to the brightness axis set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin in the RGB space Set a hierarchical layer, define a color cell as a cross-section cut on each of the plurality of lightness hierarchical layers,
In each of said plurality of brightness hierarchical layers, with a plurality of the color cells, so as to divide the RGB space into overlap and no gaps color three-dimensional elements, surface elements of equal lightness plane in the brightness hierarchical layer Using a plurality of the color solid elements generated by the division by the projection, the cell is projected in the centrifugal direction / centrocentric direction along the projection axis centered on the origin of the RGB space with respect to the cell. A color code creation method by color image processing, wherein a color code corresponding to a color of the color solid element is created as a color mark represented by any one of dots, bars, and area cells . The color code by color image processing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number N dividing each of the R axis, G axis, and B axis is 10, and the RGB space is divided into 1000 blocks. How to create The color code by color image processing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the color code corresponding to the plurality of colors is used as a storage unit for recording or reproducing large-capacity information. How to create A color arrangement table generation step for forming a color arrangement table based on a color solid model and preparing a framework of a color code table;
Based on each of a plurality of blocks formed by division in the RGB space, the imaging color of the color chart is perpendicular to the lightness axis set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin in the RGB space A plurality of brightness layer layers to be formed are set, and the specific brightness cell layer is specified within a specific color cell region among a plurality of color cells defined as cross-section cuts on each of the plurality of brightness layer layers. A target color chart generating step for inversely converting the RGB value of the face center point of the specific color cell into a CMY value so as to match the color cell, and obtaining the CMY value that is a color chart print color value;
A color initial registration step of registering, in the color code table, color code / color information corresponding to RGB input colors obtained by imaging a reference color chart with an input device, together with a color value CMY relating to the reference color chart;
A color mark writing step of printing or pasting a color mark corresponding to the color code / color information represented by any one of dots, bars, and area cells on an identification object by a color code writer ;
A color mark reading step of reading and decoding the color mark of the identification object with a color code reader;
A color matching step for associating the RGB input color with a color storage area in the color initial registration stage and the color mark reading stage;
A color code generation method by color image processing, wherein color code encoding and decoding processing for a plurality of colors is configured. Partitioning the RGB space into N × N × N blocks by dividing each of the R, G, and B axes defining the RGB space into N blocks, and generating a plurality of color blocks; ,
Each of the plurality of color blocks is subdivided by a vertical diagonal plane that bisects the start point side, which is the corner on the origin side of the RGB space, and the end point side, which is the corner on the opposite side of the origin side. Generating a block;
Creating a lightness hierarchy layer by dividing the lightness axis with the main diagonal axis of the RGB color solid as the lightness axis;
Dividing the representative isoluminance plane of the brightness hierarchy layer into cells according to the cross-sectional shape of the isoluminance plane of the color block or the color half block; and
Generating a plurality of layer cells that are color solid elements having no overlap or gap between each other by a method of projecting a color point on a cell surface in the lightness hierarchy layer,
An RGB space division and structuring method characterized in that storage means comprising a plurality of color solid elements of a full color range is created by assigning individual color unit information to each of the plurality of layer cells.   In the step of dividing the cell, the representative equal lightness plane of the lightness hierarchy layer is divided into triangular cells in a triangular mesh shape according to the triangular cross-sectional shape of the equal lightness face of the color half block, and the layer cell is 7. The RGB space division and structuring method according to claim 6, wherein in the step of generating, a layer cell color solid element having a triangular cell cross section with no mutual overlap or gap is generated.   In the step of dividing the cell, an expanded hexagonal cell reconstructed by a boundary line formed by a perpendicular bisector between the face centers of the hexagonal cross section of the divided block cut face that appears on the representative isoluminance plane of the brightness hierarchy layer Layer cell color solid elements having cross sections of expanded hexagonal cells that are not overlapped or spaced apart from each other in the step of dividing the representative isoluminance plane of the lightness hierarchy layer into a hexagonal mesh and generating the layer cells The RGB space dividing / structuring method according to claim 6, wherein:   In the step of dividing the cell, the step of generating the layer cell by re-dividing the HS plane obtained by performing HSI conversion of the equal lightness of the lightness hierarchy layer into HS trapezoidal cells according to RGB divided lattice points 7. The RGB space dividing / structuring method according to claim 6, wherein layer cell color solid elements having HS trapezoidal cell cross sections having no overlap and no gap are generated.     In the step of dividing the cell, the saturation interval ring band is subdivided into HS trapezoidal cells according to the RGB division grid points on the HS isoluminance plane obtained by performing HSI conversion on the isoluminance of the brightness layer. The RGB space dividing / structuring method according to claim 9. In the step of dividing the cell, a saturation interval ring band composed of concentric circles of lattice points on the HS lightness surface obtained by performing HSI conversion on the lattice points of the triangular surface of the lightness surface of the color half block 10. The RGB space division and structuring method according to claim 9, wherein the HS lightness surface is divided by HS trapezoidal cells by dividing hue sections at concentric lattice points. Partitioning the RGB space into N × N × N blocks by dividing each of the R, G, and B axes defining the RGB space into N blocks, and generating a plurality of color blocks;
A brightness hierarchy layer having brightness sections is generated by dividing the brightness axis of the RGB space into a cross section perpendicular to the brightness axis in the color block as a color solid element , and a surface element cell in the brightness hierarchy layer Create a layer cell of 3D color solid elements by projecting color to
RGB space division-structured method characterized by thereby mutually to generate a block color solid elements that do not overlap or gap, to create a storing means comprising a color three-dimensional elements of the full color range. Partitioning the RGB space into N × N × N blocks by dividing each of the R, G, and B axes defining the RGB space into N blocks, and generating a plurality of color blocks;
This color block is subdivided into a vertical diagonal plane that bisects the start point side, which is the corner on the origin side of the RGB space, and the end point side, which is the corner opposite to the origin side, to generate a color half block Then, a brightness hierarchy layer having a brightness interval is generated by dividing the brightness axis of the RGB space into a cross section perpendicular to the brightness axis for the color half block as a color solid element, and within the brightness hierarchy layer, Create a layer cell of 3D color solid elements by mapping the color to the surface element cell.
RGB space division-structured method characterized by thereby mutually generate half a block color solid elements that do not overlap or gap, to create a storing means comprising a color three-dimensional elements of the full color range. The number N that divides each of the R axis, G axis, and B axis is set to 10, and the RGB space is divided into 1000 blocks. 14. The RGB space division and structuring method described. The color solid element obtained by dividing the color solid into volume elements based on the color solid model is the lightness, saturation, and hue color of the center point of the geometric shape of the surface element cell on the isoluminance plane of this color solid element Configure the color array by sorting the components and aligning the colors,
A color code that constitutes a color code table by adding one of color identification number, color code / color information, or reference color chart color value in a one-to-one correspondence to a color solid element based on the color arrangement table In an encoding / decoding system,
The color solid model is an RGB space;
For the RGB space, the R space, the G axis, and the B axis that define the RGB space are divided into N pieces to divide the RGB space into a plurality of N × N × N blocks, and The lightness axis, which is the main diagonal axis of the RGB space, is divided by a cross section perpendicular to the lightness axis to form discrete iso-lightness surfaces,
This HSI Sort layer cell surface mind color point on said equal brightness plane of lightness hierarchical layer generated by to features and to Luke error code encoding to configure the color sequence listing / decoding system. The color solid element obtained by dividing the color solid into volume elements based on the color solid model is the lightness, saturation, and hue color of the center point of the geometric shape of the surface element cell on the isoluminance plane of this color solid element Configure the color array by sorting the components and aligning the colors,
A color code that constitutes a color code table by adding one of color identification number, color code / color information, or reference color chart color value in a one-to-one correspondence to a color solid element based on the color arrangement table In an encoding / decoding system,
The color solid model is an RGB space;
For this RGB space, the R space, the G axis, and the B axis that define the RGB space are divided into N pieces to divide the RGB space into a plurality of N × N × N blocks,
This HSI sort block body cardiac color point produced by and to the characterized in that it constitutes a color arrangement table Luke error code encoding / decoding system. The color solid element obtained by dividing the color solid into volume elements based on the color solid model is the lightness, saturation, and hue color of the center point of the geometric shape of the surface element cell on the isoluminance plane of this color solid element Configure the color array by sorting the components and aligning the colors,
A color code that constitutes a color code table by adding one of color identification number, color code / color information, or reference color chart color value in a one-to-one correspondence to a color solid element based on the color arrangement table In an encoding / decoding system,
The color solid model is an RGB space;
For this RGB space, the R space, the G axis, and the B axis that define the RGB space are divided into N pieces to divide the RGB space into a plurality of N × N × N blocks,
Thereafter, each of the plurality of blocks is further divided by a vertical diagonal plane that bisects the start point side and the end point side of the block,
This HSI Sort face-centered color point of the half-block generated by and features and to Luke that constitute the color sequence listing error code encoding / decoding system. The R space, the G axis, and the B axis that define the RGB space are divided into N pieces to divide the RGB space into a plurality of N × N × N blocks, and then the plurality of divided blocks. The lightness axis, which is the main diagonal axis of the RGB space passing through each grid point, is divided by an equal lightness plane perpendicular to the lightness axis to re-divide the block of the RGB space , thereby obtaining A color code encoding / decoding system characterized in that all of the color solid elements of the structured color information space are uniquely managed using any one of block numbers, half block numbers, and grid point numbers. .   The element numbers of the color solid elements are automatically numbered on a computer according to each numbering rule together with each of the block number, the half block number, and the grid point number, and are managed centrally. Item 19. A color code encoding / decoding system according to Item 18.     The element number of the color solid element is automatically assigned on the computer according to each numbering rule together with the block number, the half block number, and the grid point number, and the color solid element is centrally managed. 19. The color code encoding / decoding system according to claim 18, wherein a framework of the color arrangement table and the color code table is automatically generated. A color arrangement table generating means for forming a color arrangement table based on a color solid model and preparing a framework of a color code table;
The color chart imaging color is obtained by dividing each of the R, G, and B axes that define the RGB space into N pieces, and dividing the N space of the N × N × N blocks formed in the RGB space. Based on each, a plurality of brightness layer layers formed perpendicular to the brightness axis set at the position of the main diagonal axis starting from the origin in the RGB space are set, and the plurality of brightness layer layers are set. RGB of the face-center point of the specific color cell so that it falls within the area of the area of the specific color cell of the plurality of color cells defined as cross-sectional cuts on each and matches the specific color cell and the target color color chart generating means for obtaining the CMY values are color chips printed color values inversely convert the value to CMY values,
Color initial registration means for registering color code / color information corresponding to an input color (RGB value) obtained by imaging a reference color chart with an input device together with the color value CMY related to the reference color chart in the color code table (LUT configuration stage);
Color mark writing means (encoding) that prints or affixes a color mark corresponding to the color code / color information represented by any one of dots, bars, and area cells on an identification object by a color code writer Stage)
Color mark reading means (decoding step) for reading and decoding the color mark of the identification object with a color code reader;
A color matching means for corresponding the color storage area and the entering force color in the color initial registration phase with the color mark reading step,
A color code encoding / decoding system that performs encoding and decoding processing of color codes related to a plurality of colors. In color matching step by the color matching means, to perform the matching between the input color and the color storage area, the allowable range (layer cell sections / areas of the color solid element said input color fits, color blocks, the color half block ) is the layer cell, color blocks, to determine by specified narrow in the order of the color half block, determines a match with the input color and the color storage area, and outputs the storage address of the color storage areas The color code encoding / decoding system according to claim 21, In color matching step by the color matching means, to perform the matching between the input color and the color storage area, and Utsushikage the input color equal lightness plane in lightness hierarchy layer, color solid color Utsushikage point fits within the tolerance interval / zone elements to determine by being identified on the layer cell or semi-block (layer cell or semi-block), to determine a match between the input color and the color storage area, the color storage areas 23. The color code encoding / decoding system according to claim 21, wherein the storage address is output. In color matching step by the color matching means, to perform the matching between the input color (RGB → HSI conversion) and HSI color storage area, within the allowable range of HSI section of the color solid element said input color fits (layer cell ) the determine by being identified layer cell of determining a match with the input color and the color storage area, a color code according to claim 21, wherein the outputting the storage address of the color storage areas Encoding / decoding system. In the color matching step by the color matching means, the input color (RGB value) imaged by the input device is HSI converted to obtain an HSI histogram, and an RGB value corresponding to the HSI value of the peak of the HSI histogram is set to the input color. 23. The color code encoding / decoding system according to claim 21, wherein the color code encoding / decoding system according to claim 21, wherein a registration color and an RGB value of the color are determined as a representative value, and a storage address of the registered color is output. In the color matching step by the color matching means, the color (RGB value) captured by the input device is HSI converted to obtain an HSI histogram, and the HSI value of the peak of the HSI histogram is used as the representative value of the color, and the HS of the registered color 22. The color code encoding / decoding system according to claim 21, wherein the color solid element of the trapezoidal cell is matched with the input color, and the storage address of the registered color is output. The number N that divides each of the R axis, G axis, and B axis is set to 10, and the RGB space is divided into 1000 blocks. 21. The described color code encoding / decoding system.

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