JPH0636001A - Device and method for color selection - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] A user can easily select a desired color without having any knowledge or experience of color. The first color bar display means 4 reads the values of gc and bc in the color coordinate information of the current color set in the color storage means 2 and displays the first color bar with R added. Output to 8. The second and third color bar display means 5 and 6 similarly output the second and third color bars. The current color display means 3 outputs the R pointer 12 indicating the position of rc in the first color bar on the display 8 to a predetermined position on the display 8. G pointer 1
3 and the B pointer 14 are similar. [Effect] When one of the color coordinate information is changed, the color information indicating what the color obtained as a result of changing the value from the current color is at the same time is output by the three color bars. Thus, the user can select the color closest to the desired color from the colors displayed at that time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color selecting device capable of easily selecting a desired color when handling color information in computer graphics or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many devices that handle color information have been developed, and devices that can simultaneously display about 16.7 million colors on a display have been generally used.

In such a device that handles full-color information, the operation for the user to select a desired color is important, and various color selection devices have been devised that select a delicate color from a huge number of colors. ing. For example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B), which are the three primary colors of additive color mixture
A device for directly obtaining the desired color by numerically selecting the respective values of, and the desired values by directly selecting the respective numerical values of the three primary colors of subtractive color mixture, yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). There are a device for obtaining a color, a device for displaying a color bar in which R, G, B are individually changed, and a device for selecting R, G, B by designating a color on the color bar.

An example of a conventional color selecting device will be described below with reference to the drawings. An RGB coordinate system is used as the color space coordinate system, and an apparatus that handles R, G, and B as 8-bit data without a code is described as an example.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of a conventional color selecting apparatus. In FIG. 10, 101 is an initial color setting unit, 102 is a color storage unit, and the color storage unit 102 holds the current color (rc, gc, bc) which is 8-bit color coordinate information for each of R, G, and B. . Further, the initial color setting means 101 sets the initial values (r0, g0, b0) of R, G, B in the color storage means 102.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a current color display means for outputting color coordinate information currently set in the color storage means 102, 104 denotes a color bar R display means for displaying an R color bar, 10
5 is a color bar G display means for displaying a G color bar,
Reference numeral 106 is a color bar B display means for displaying a B color bar, 107 is a user's instruction input from an input means such as a mouse (not shown), and the current color (r
c, gc, bc) as the final color, or a color change determination means for determining whether to change one of the current colors (rc, gc, bc) according to the user's input. Is the R color bar, G color bar,
This is a display that visualizes the B color bar and the like.

FIG. 11 is a layout diagram of a display screen output to the display 108 of the conventional color selecting apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 11, 109 is an R display area for displaying an R color bar, 110 is a G display area for displaying a G color bar, and 111 is a B display area for displaying a B color bar. In the R display area 109, the color bar R display means 104 outputs the R color bar, in the G display area 110, the color bar G display means 105 outputs the G color bar, and in the B display area 111. Has
The color bar B display means 106 outputs the B color bar.

Reference numeral 112 denotes an R pointer for displaying the position of the current set value rc of R in the R display area 109, 113
Is a G pointer for displaying the position of the current G setting value gc in the G display area 110, and 114 is a B pointer for displaying the position of the current B setting value bc in the B display area 111. Further, 115 is an R window for displaying the current R set value rc in decimal, 116 is a G window for displaying the current G set value gc in decimal, and 117 is the current B set value. A B window for displaying the value of bc in decimal notation, and 118 is a current color display window which is a rectangular area composed of pixels of the current color (rc, gc, bc) set in the color storage means 102. In addition, these R pointer 112, G pointer 113, B pointer 114, R window 115, G window 116,
The B window 117 and the current color display window 118 are controlled by the current color display means 103 shown in FIG. 10, and the current color (rc, g) which is always set in the color storage means 102.
Display according to c, bc) is performed.

FIG. 12 shows the R display area 109 shown in FIG.
FIG. The R display area 109 is divided into 256 areas from area 1 to area 256. Here, the R pointer 112 is an area (rc + 1) inside the R display area 109.
, The G pointer 113 indicates the area (gc + 1) inside the G display area 110, and the B pointer 114 indicates
Are drawn by the current color display means 103 so as to indicate the area (gc + 1) inside the B display area 111.

In FIG. 11, 119 is an R plus pointer, 120 is an R minus pointer, 121 is a G plus pointer, 122 is a G minus pointer,
Reference numeral 123 is a B plus pointer, 124 is a B minus pointer, and 125 is an end pointer. Further, reference numeral 126 is a mouse cursor, and the user can move the mouse cursor 126 in conjunction with the movement of the mouse by moving the mouse, which is an input means of a computer (not shown). Thus, the user can specify a desired position and press a mouse button there to specify an arbitrary point on the display.

Incidentally, these R plus pointers 11
9, the minus pointer 120 of R, the plus pointer 121 of G, the minus pointer 122 of G, the plus pointer 123 of B, the minus pointer 124 of B, the end pointer 125, and the mouse cursor 126 are the color change determining means shown in FIG. It is managed by 107. Specifically, the color change determination unit 107 reads out the position of the mouse cursor 126 when the mouse button operated by the user is pressed, and the position of the mouse cursor 126 is the region n inside the R display region 109. Then, (n-1) is adopted as the value of rc, and the value of rc is set in the color storage means 102. If the position of the mouse cursor 126 is the area n inside the G display area 110, , (G-1) is adopted as the value of gc, and the value of gc is set in the color storage means 102. If the position of the mouse cursor 126 is the area n inside the B display area 111, the value of bc (N-1) is adopted as the value, and the value of bc is set in the color storage means 102, and the position of the mouse cursor 126 is the plus pointer 1 of R.
19 and if rc is not the maximum value 255 that R can take, the value of rc is increased by 1 and the value is set in the color storage means 102. The position of the mouse cursor 126 is on the minus pointer 120 of R. And rc is not the minimum value R that R can take, the value of rc is decremented by 1 and the value is stored in the color storage means 1.
Set to 02, and the position of the mouse cursor 126 is the plus pointer 1 of G
21 and when gc is not the maximum value 255 that G can take, the value of gc is increased by 1 and the value is set in the color storage means 102, and the position of the mouse cursor 126 is on the minus pointer 122 of G. , And gc is not the minimum value G that G can take, the value of gc is decremented by 1 and the value is stored in the color storage means 1.
Set to 02, and the position of the mouse cursor 126 is B plus pointer 1
23 and bc is not the maximum value 255 that B can take, the value of bc is increased by 1 and the value is set in the color storage means 102. The position of the mouse cursor 126 is on the minus pointer 124 of B. , And bc is not the minimum value B that B can take, the value of bc is decremented by 1 and the value is stored in the color storage means 1.
If the position of the mouse cursor 126 is on the end pointer 125, the current color (rc, gc, bc) set in the color storage means 102 at that time is output as a desired selection color. Is.

First, here, the color bar R display means 104 and the color bar G display means 10 of the conventional color selection device are described.
5. The operation of the color bar B display means 106 will be described in detail. The color bar R display means 104 and the color bar G
The operations of the display unit 105 and the color bar B display unit 106 are basically different only in the color coordinate information to be handled, that is, R, G, or B. Therefore, the color bar R display unit 104 will be described as an example.

The color bar R display means 104 draws pixels of (R, G, B) = (0, 0, 0) inside the area 1 and (R, G, B) = (in the area 2). (1, 0, 0) pixel is drawn, and (R, G, B) = (255,
0,0) pixel is drawn. That is, the value of the pixel in the area n is represented by (n-1, 0, 0). As a result, in the R display area 109, from the left side to the right side of the drawing, the R color bar in a state where the R value changes from 0 to 255 and the G value and the B value are 0 is displayed. .

Similarly, the value of G is 0 in the G display area 110.
To 255, the G color bar in the state where the R value and the B value are 0 is displayed, and the B display area 111 displays B
The value of changes from 0 to 255, and the color bar of B in which the value of R and the value of G are 0 is displayed.

The operation of the color bar R display means 104 at this time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the operation is started, first, as shown in step S100, a variable i representing the area number inside the R display area 109 is initialized to 1, and a variable r representing the value of R is initialized to 0. Next, in step S101, the region i inside the R display region 109 is
The region i is filled by outputting pixels having a color of (r, 0, 0) over the entire area. Next, in step S102, it is determined whether or not i is 256. If i ≠ 256, 1 is added to i and 1 is added to r in step S103, and the process returns to step S101. The above operation is repeated until i = 25.
When it becomes 6, the operation ends.

The operation of the conventional color selecting apparatus having the above structure will be described. First, the initial setting means 10
1 is the initial value of the current color (r0, g0,
b0) is set. Next, the color bar R display means 104
Is an R color bar, and the color bar G display means 105 is G
, And the color bar B display means 106 outputs the color bar of B to the display 108. At the same time, the current color display means 103 reads the current color (rc, gc, bc) stored in the color storage means 102,
A rectangular area having a color corresponding to this is displayed on the display 108.
To the R pointer 1 on the display 108
12, the G pointer 113, and the B pointer 114 are output to predetermined positions on the display 108, respectively. Also,
The current colors rc, gc, and bc are displayed in decimal numbers on the R window 115, the G window 116, and the B window 117, respectively.

Next, the color change determination means 107 changes one of the current colors (rc, gc, bc) held in the color storage means 102, or the current color is a desired color. The decision as to whether or not to make a decision is made according to the mouse input from the user. Here, when it is determined that one of the color coordinate information is changed, the color change determination means 107 newly sets the changed information as the current color and the color storage means 102.
Set to. After that, the series of operations in which the current color display unit 103 updates the output to the display 108 and the color change determination unit 107 makes the determination again is repeated. The user repeats the above operation, and the color storage means 1
The desired color can be finally selected by gradually approaching the current color held by 02 to the desired color.

[0018]

However, in the above configuration, a color bar in which only R is changed independently on the screen, and a color bar in which only G is changed independently are provided.
Since only the color bar in which only B is changed is displayed, when the user wants to change the value of one of rc, gc, and bc, he or she must have no knowledge and experience about color. , I do not know in advance what the color will be as a result of changing the value.

That is, what kind of color the user will have when rc is changed, what kind of color is changed when gc is changed, and what kind of color is changed when bc is changed. It will be necessary to make changes while guessing whether or not.

When the user has no knowledge and experience about color, the color is inevitably changed by trial and error, and the color selection work is performed while checking the current color at that time. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time to select a color.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a color selection procedure by such a conventional color selection device. Here, in order to simplify the description, a procedure for selecting the target color from the point 0 will be described by considering only the R and B planes. First, an R color bar corresponding to a color along the R axis where B = 0 and a B color bar corresponding to a color along the B axis where R = 0 is displayed on the display. First, the value of B is increased with reference to the B color bar (P1 ′). Next, the value of R is increased by referring to the R color bar (P2 '). Looking at the color obtained as a result, the user determines that the value of B is too small, and further increases the value of B (P3 ′). By looking at the color obtained as a result, the user determines that the value of R is too large, and reduces the value of R (P4 ′). After that, the target color can be obtained by changing the values of R and B.

As described above, in the conventional color selecting apparatus, as shown in FIG.
Although the color is changed with reference to the R color bar and the B color bar shown in 4, the target color coordinates are actually R
Since it is located away from the axis and the B axis, it is difficult to set the magnitude of the color change value with high accuracy. Therefore, the operation is inevitably performed by trial and error, and the target color is selected. You'll have to do a lot of work to do that.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a color selection device which allows a user to select a desired color quickly and easily without any knowledge or experience about the color.

[0024]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a color selecting apparatus of the present invention is provided with a color space coordinate system X (x, y,
current color (xc, yc, z) which is color coordinate information in z)
c) and a color storage means for holding x, and L colors (x) obtained by changing the value of x of the current color from L to a minimum value xmin to Lmax (L is a natural number of 2 or more).
[L], yc, zc) (l is a natural number satisfying 0 ≦ l <L, x
[0] = xmin, x [L-1] = xmax), and a first color bar display means for displaying a color bar, and the y value of the current color is changed from a minimum value ymin to a maximum value ymax.
Up to M levels (M is a natural number of 2 or more), and M colors (xc, y [m], zc) (m is 0 ≦
Natural number such that m <M, y [0] = ymin, y [M-1]
= Ymax) and a second color bar displaying means for displaying a color bar, and the value z of the current color is set to the minimum value zmi.
N colors (xc, y) obtained by changing from n to the maximum value zmax in N stages (N is a natural number of 2 or more)
c, z [n]) (n is a natural number satisfying 0 ≦ n <N, z [0]
= Zmin, z [N-1] = zmax), and third color bar display means for displaying a color bar, and current color display means for displaying the current color (xc, yc, zc). If the result of the determination is that the current color is equal to the desired color, the current color (xc, yc, zc) is output, and the result of the determination is the color coordinate information of the current color. If it is a changed value of one of the coordinate values, the color coordinate information is changed and set as the current color in the color storage means.

Further, the color selecting apparatus of the present invention makes an arbitrary point (x, y, z) in the color space coordinate system X (x, y, z) different from X in a color space coordinate system A (α, β). , Γ) points (α, β,
coordinate system conversion means for converting the coordinates into γ) and the current color (xc,
yc, zc) is the coordinate-transformed point a (αc, β)
c, γc), the value of α at the point a is the minimum value αmi
I number of colors (α [i], α [i], obtained by changing from n to the maximum value αmax in I steps (I is a natural number of 2 or more)
βc, γc) (0 ≦ i <I, α [0] = αmin, α
[I-1] = [alpha] max) a first color space coordinate system A color bar display means for displaying a color bar, and the point a
Of J colors (αc, β [j], γc) (0 ≦ j <J obtained by changing the value of β in the minimum value βmin to the maximum value βmax in J steps (J is a natural number of 2 or more). , Β
[0] = βmin, β [J−1] = βmax) second color space coordinate system A color bar display means for displaying a color bar, and the value of γ at the point a from the minimum value γmin to the maximum value. K colors (αc, βc, γ) obtained by changing to K stages (K is a natural number of 2 or more) up to γmax
[K]) (0 ≦ k <K, γ [0] = γmin, γ [K−
1] = γmax), the third color space coordinate system A color bar display means for displaying a color bar, and the color space coordinate system A
Inverse coordinate system that transforms arbitrary point (α, β, γ) in (α, β, γ) into point (x, y, z) in color space coordinate system X (x, y, z) And a conversion unit for inputting the determination result by the user. When the determination result is a determination that the current color is equal to the desired color, the current color (xc, yc, zc) is output, and the determination result is Color coordinate information of color space coordinate system A (α
c, βc, γc) is a modified value of one of the coordinate values, the color coordinate information is modified and the result is inversely transformed to the color space coordinate system X (x, y, z). The obtained color coordinate information is set in the color storage means as the current color.

Further, in the color selecting apparatus of the present invention, the color space coordinate system X is an orthogonal coordinate system, and the color space coordinate system A is the axis β corresponding to the brightness information and γ corresponding to the distance from the axis β.
And a coordinate system defined by α corresponding to the rotation angle about the axis β, and the color coordinates before and after the change when the color coordinate information is changed are (αc ′, βc ′, γ).
c ′), (αc, βc, γc), the coordinate system conversion means uses α as the value of αc when the value of βc is the minimum value.
c ′ is adopted as the value of γc, and γc ′ is adopted as γc.
When the value of is the minimum value, αc ′ is adopted as the value of αc.

[0027]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when one value of the color coordinate information is changed, what kind of color will be obtained as a result of changing the value from the current color? Color information can be output at the same time by three color bars, and the user determines the change value of the color coordinate information by selecting the color closest to the desired color from the colors displayed at that time. can do. as a result,
It is possible for a user to select a color quickly and easily even if the user has no knowledge and experience about the color.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the color coordinate information of the current color in the plurality of color coordinate spaces and one of the color coordinate information in each coordinate system is changed. In addition, information about what kind of color can be obtained can be output simultaneously with three color bars for each color coordinate system, and as a result, it can be used when the user brings the current color closer to the desired color. Since it is possible to provide a plurality of different color changing methods, it is possible to make the color selecting operation even quicker and easier.

Further, according to the third structure of the present invention, when the value of α or the value of γ is indefinite,
Since the values immediately before these values are stored, it is possible to realize an operation that does not make the user feel uncomfortable, and it is also possible to always return to the immediately preceding state even when the user makes an erroneous operation.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A color selecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a color selection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an initial color setting means, 2 is a color storage means, and the color storage means 2 is R,
Current color (r, which is 8-bit color coordinate information for each of G and B)
hold c, gc, bc). Also, the initial color setting means 1
Sets the initial values (r0, g0, b0) of R, G, B in the color storage means 2.

Reference numeral 3 is a current color display means for outputting the color coordinate information currently set in the color storage means 2, 4 is a first color bar display means for displaying a first color bar, and 5 is a second color. Second color bar display means for displaying a bar, 6 is a third color bar display means for displaying a third color bar, and 7 is a user's instruction input from an input means such as a mouse (not shown). According to the current color (rc, g
c, bc) as the final color, or a color change determination means for determining whether to change one of the current colors (rc, gc, bc) according to the user's input.
Reference numeral 8 is a display for visualizing the first color bar, the second color bar, the third color bar, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows the display 8 of the color selection device of FIG.
It is a layout diagram of the display screen output to. In FIG.
Reference numeral 9 is an R display area for displaying the first color bar, 10 is a G display area for displaying the second color bar, and 11 is a B display area for displaying the third color bar. The first color bar display unit 4 outputs the first color bar to the R display region 9, and the second color bar display unit 5 outputs the second color bar to the G display region 10. Then, in the B display area 11, the third color bar display means 6 is displayed.
Outputs the third color bar.

Reference numeral 12 is an R pointer for displaying the position of the current R setting value rc in the R display area 9, 13 is a G pointer for displaying the position of the current G setting value gc in the G display area 10, 14 Is a B pointer for displaying the position of the current B set value bc in the B display area 11.
Further, 15 is an R window that displays the current R set value rc in decimal notation, 16 is a G window that displays the current G set value gc in decimal, and 17 is the current B set value. B window that displays the value of bc in decimal, 1
8 is the current color (rc, g) set in the color storage means 2.
It is a current color display window which is a rectangular area composed of pixels c, bc). The R pointer 12, G pointer 13, R pointer 14, R window 15, G window 16, B window 17, and current color display window 18 are controlled by the current color display means 5 shown in FIG. The current color (rc, which is set in the storage unit 2)
Display according to gc, bc).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the R display area 9 shown in FIG. 2, and the R display area 9 includes areas 1 to 256.
, And the R pointer 12 is currently drawn by the distortion display means 3 as in the conventional case.

In FIG. 2, 19 is an R plus pointer, 20 is an R minus pointer, 21 is a G plus pointer, 22 is a G minus pointer, 23 is a B plus pointer, and 24 is a B minus pointer. , 25 are end pointers. Further, reference numeral 26 is a mouse cursor, and the user can move the mouse cursor 26 in conjunction with the movement of the mouse by moving the mouse, which is an input means of a computer (not shown). This allows
The user can specify a desired position and press a mouse button there to specify an arbitrary point on the display.

Incidentally, these R plus pointers 19,
R minus pointer 20, G plus pointer 21,
G minus pointer 22, B plus pointer 23,
The B minus pointer 24, the end pointer 25, and the mouse cursor 26 are managed by the color change determining means 7 shown in FIG. Specifically, the color change determination means 7 reads out the position of the mouse cursor 26 when the mouse button operated by the user is pressed, and the position of the mouse cursor 26 is the region n inside the R display region 9. , Then (n-1) is adopted as the value of rc,
The value of rc is set in the color storage means 2. When the position of the mouse cursor 26 is the area n inside the G display area 10, (n-1) is adopted as the value of gc, and the value of gc If the position of the mouse cursor 26 is the area n inside the B display area 11, (n-1) is adopted as the value of bc, and the value of bc is stored in the color storage means 2. 2. Set the mouse cursor 26 to the R plus pointer 19
If it is above and rc is not the maximum possible value of R, 255, the value of rc is increased by 1 and the value is stored in the color storage means 2.
Set the mouse cursor 26 to the minus pointer 2 of R.
If it is above 0 and rc is not the minimum value R that R can take, the value of rc is decremented by 1 and the value is set in the color storage means 2. The position of the mouse cursor 26 is the plus pointer 21 of G.
If it is above and gc is not the maximum possible value of G of 255, the value of gc is increased by 1 and the value is stored in the color storage means 2.
Set the mouse cursor 26 to the G minus pointer 2
2 and gc is not the minimum value G that G can take, the value of gc is decremented by 1 and the value is set in the color storage means 2, and the position of the mouse cursor 26 is the plus pointer 23 of B.
If it is above and bc is not the maximum value 255 that B can take, the value of bc is increased by 1 and the value is stored in the color storage means 2.
Set the mouse cursor 26 to B minus pointer 2
4 and bc is not 0, which is the minimum value that B can take, the value of bc is decremented by 1 and the value is set in the color storage means 2. The position of the mouse cursor 26 is on the end pointer 25. For example, the current color (rc, gc, bc) set in the color storage means 2 at that time is output as a desired selected color.

The operation of the color selecting apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention thus constructed will be described. In addition,
After that, the present color display means 3, the first color bar display means 4, the second color bar display means 5, the third color bar display means 6, and the color change determination means 7 are software-executed by a microcomputer (not shown). The operation of each means will be described in detail by taking the case of executing by means of software as an example.

First, the initial setting means 1 sets initial values (r0, g0, b0) of color coordinate information in the color storage means 2.
Next, the first color bar display means 4 reads the values of gc and bc in the color coordinate information of the current color set in the color storage means 2, and the first color bar in consideration of this is read as the first color bar. The second color bar display means 5 reads the values of rc and bc, and the third color bar display means 6 reads the values of rc and gc, and the third color bar which reads them. The color bars of are output to the display 8. At the same time, the current color display means 3 reads the current color (rc, gc, bc) stored in the color storage means 2, outputs a rectangular area having a color corresponding to the current color to the display 8, and further displays a rectangular area on the display 8. An R pointer 12 indicating the position of rc in the first color bar, a G pointer 13 indicating the position of gc in the second color bar, and a B pointer 14 indicating the position of bc in the third color bar are respectively specified on the display 8. Output to the position. Also,
R window 15, G window 16, B window 1
The current colors rc, gc, and bc are displayed in decimal numbers in 7 respectively.

Next, the color change judging means 7 is operated by the color storing means 2
Of one of the current colors (rc, gc, bc) held by the user is determined or the current color is determined to be the desired color according to the mouse input from the user. When it is determined here that one of the color coordinate information is changed, the color change determination means 7 newly sets the changed information as the current color in the color storage means 2. After that, the current color display unit 3 updates the output to the display 8, and the first color bar display unit 4, the second color bar display unit 5, and the second color bar display unit 5 are updated with the current color newly set in the color storage unit 2. The color bar display means 6 of No. 3 updates the color bars displayed on the display 8 respectively, and the series of operations of making the judgment by the color change judging means 7 again is repeated. The user repeats the above operation to bring the color represented by the color coordinate information stored in the color storage unit 2 closer to the desired color, and finally selects the desired color.

Here, the operations of the first color bar display means 4, the second color bar display means 5 and the third color bar display means 6 will be described in detail. The operations of the first color bar display means 4, the second color bar display means 5, and the third color bar display means 6 basically differ only in the color coordinate information to be handled, which is R, G, or B. Therefore, the first color bar display means 4 will be described as an example.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the first color bar display means 4. First, the first color bar display means 4 reads the values of gc and bc set in the color storage means 2 as shown in step S1. Next, in step S2, the variable i representing the position of the area is initialized to 0, and the variable r representing the value of R is initialized to 0.
Next, in step S3, (R,
G, B) = (r, gc, bc) color pixels are displayed.
Then, in step S4, it is determined whether i is 256. If i ≠ 256, 1 is set in r and i in step S5.
Is added, and the process returns to step S3. As a result, the R display area 9
From the left side to the right side of the figure, the current color (rc, g
The first color bar that displays the result of changing the value of rc from 0 to 255 in c, bc) is displayed.

Similarly, the current color (r
c, gc, bc), the second color bar that displays the result of changing the value of gc from 0 to 255 is displayed in the B display area 11 in the current color (rc, gc, bc). A third color bar displaying the result of changing the value from 0 to 255 is displayed.

Here, the user judges that the current color is different from the color he or she desires (desired color), and rc, gc, bc
Consider the case when you want to change the value of one of these. Since all colors obtained as a result of changing one of the color coordinate information of the current color are displayed on the display 8, the user can select the color which is the closest to the desired color.
It can be selected from the individual color bars with the mouse.
The result is detected by the color change determination means 7, and one change value of the color coordinate information is set in the color storage means 2.

Next, the first color displayed on the display 8 by the current color display means 3, the first color bar display means 4, the second color bar display means 5, and the third color bar display means 6. The color bar, the second color bar, the third color bar, etc. are redrawn. As a result, all the colors obtained as a result of changing one of the color coordinate information of the color previously determined to be the closest to the desired color by the user are displayed on the display. The user again selects with the mouse a color that appears to be closer to the desired color. By repeating the above operation, the current color set in the color storage means 2 approaches the color desired by the user.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a color selecting procedure by the color selecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above. The target color is selected from the point 0 in consideration of only the R and B planes. The procedure for doing so will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 5A, on the display, the color bar R0 of R corresponding to the color along the R axis where B = 0 and the color along the B axis where R = 0 is associated. The color bar B0 of B is displayed. First, the value of B is increased by referring to the color bar of B (P1). By changing the value of B, the R color bar is redrawn to display the color represented by R1. The color bar of B remains B0.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the user selects the color (P2) that is the closest to the target color from the colors displayed on the R color bar R1. , R value is increased. By changing the value of R, B
The color bar of is redrawn to display the color represented by B2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the user selects a color that is closest to the target color from the colors displayed on the B color bar B2. Since the target color appears on the color bar B2, the user obtains the target color by selecting it.

As described above, in the color selecting apparatus of this embodiment,
When the user changes the color value, the color bar that shows how the color changes from the current color is redrawn each time the color value is changed. The size can be set accurately, and as a result, the target color can be selected quickly and easily.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when one value of the color coordinate information is changed, the color which is obtained as a result of changing the value from the current color is shown. By outputting information by three color bars at the same time, the user can select the color closest to the desired color from the colors displayed at that time,
The changed value of the color coordinate information can be determined. As a result, it is possible to quickly and easily select a color even if the user does not have knowledge and experience about the color.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, RGB is used as the color space coordinate system.
An apparatus using two coordinate systems, a system and an HLS system, will be described. The conversion formula between the RGB coordinate system and the HLS coordinate system will be described in detail later.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a color selecting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, 2
Reference numeral 7 is an oscillator and 28 is an 8-bit × 3 latch which is a color storage means. The latch 28 stores an 8-bit × 3 input according to the clock generated by the oscillator 27 and outputs the result. Further, 29 is an 8-bit 9-input 3-output multiplexer, which selects 3 inputs out of 9 inputs according to the inputs S0 and S1 and outputs them. Specifically, (1) When S0 = 0 and S1 = 0, input (RA, GA,
(2) When S0 = 1 and S1 = 0, input (RB, GB,
BB) is output. (3) When S1 = 1, the input (RC, GC, BC) is output.

30 and 42 are addition value control means 31,
32, 33 and 43, 44, 45 are adders. The addition value control means 30 and 42 read the information of the color to be changed and the value to be changed from the user, output a positive or negative number other than 0 to the adder of the color to be changed, and the adder of the color not to be changed. 0 is output for. For example, if the user is H
When an instruction to reduce the value of 5 by 5 is input to the addition value control means 42, the addition value control means 42 instructs the adder 43 to −
The value "251", which is expressed by 8 bits without a sign, is output, and "0" is output to the adders 44 and 45. The carry bit is ignored in the adder.

Reference numeral 34 denotes R which is a first color bar display means.
Color bar display means, 35 is a G color bar display means that is a second color bar display means, 36 is a B color bar display means that is a third color bar display means, and 37 is a current color display means. Since the operation of the means is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention, the description of the operation will be omitted.

38 is an 8-bit RG for each color in the RGB coordinate system
Input B signal, and input this to each color code of HLS coordinate system 8
RGB / HLS conversion means as a coordinate system conversion means for converting into a bit HLS signal, including three 8-bit input ports, three 8-bit output ports, ROM and RAM
The conversion processing is performed by software processing.

Reference numeral 39 is an H color bar display means which is a first color bar display means in the HLS coordinate system, which reads the current values of S and L, and sets the values of S and L and H to 0 from the minimum value to the maximum value. The color bar obtained using the value changed to the value 255 is displayed. Further, 40 is an L color bar display means which is a second color bar display means in the HLS coordinate system, which reads the current H and S values,
A color bar obtained by using the value of S and the value obtained by changing L from the minimum value 0 to the maximum value 255 is displayed. Also, 4
Reference numeral 1 is an S color bar display means which is a third color bar display means in the HLS coordinate system, which reads the present values of H and L, and sets the H and L values and S to a minimum value 0 to a maximum value 2
The color bar obtained using the values changed up to 55 is displayed. It should be noted that these color bar display means also have the RGB system except that the coordinate system is the HLS coordinate system.
The same operation as the color bar display means of the coordinate system is performed.

Reference numeral 46 denotes an HLS / RGB conversion means as a coordinate system reverse conversion means for converting an HLS signal into an RGB signal, which is composed of a one-chip microcomputer like the RGB / HLS conversion means 38, and is inverted by software processing. It is a conversion. Details of the operations of the RGB / HLS conversion means 38 and the HLS / RGB conversion means 46 will be described later.

The operation of this embodiment thus constructed will be described below. First, a reset signal is input to the S0 terminal of the multiplexer 29 while the oscillator 27 has started operating. Then, at that moment, multiplexer 29
Outputs the input signals of Rc, Gc and Bc to Ro, Go and Bo. Further, Rc, Gc, and Bc are R, G, and
Since R0, G0, and B0, which are the initial values of B, are input, these initial values are output. The initial color is set by storing this output in the latch 28.

The R color bar display means 34 displays the first color bar by reading the values G and B of the current color information output from the latch 28, and the G color bar display means 35 displays the current color information. The second color bar is displayed by reading the values of R and B of the B color bar display means 36.
Displays the third color bar by reading the R and G values of the current color information.

Further, the RGB / HLS conversion means 38 reads the current color information output from the latch 28, performs coordinate conversion calculation, and outputs data representing the current color information in the HLS coordinate system. Details of the coordinate conversion calculation at this time will be described later.

The H color bar display means 39 displays the color bar by reading the values of L and S in the current color information, and the L color bar display means 40 displays H in the current color information.
The color bar is displayed by reading the values of S and S, and the S color bar display unit 41 displays the color bar by reading the values of H and L in the current color information.

Here, the user looks at the current color and the color bar group displayed on the display (not shown) by the current color display means 37, and first changes the RGB coordinate system or the HLS coordinate system. Decide
If the user decides to make a change to the RGB coordinate system, the user inputs to the addition value control means 30 information as to which RGB coordinate value and how much to change. Then, the addition value control means 30 outputs to the adders 31, 32 and 33 0 for those that do not change and the addition value to be added for those that change. The color information changed as a result is RB, GB, B of the multiplexer 29.
Input to B, the multiplexer 29 outputs the color information to the latch 28.

When the user decides to make a change to the HLS coordinate system, the user inputs information on which coordinate value of HLS and how much to change to the addition value control means 42. Then, the addition value control means 42 causes the adders 43, 4 to
With respect to Nos. 4 and 45, 0 is output for those that do not change, and addition values to be added are output for those that change. As a result, the changed color information expressed in the HLS coordinate system is output to the HLS / RGB conversion means 46, and HLS / R is converted.
The GB conversion means 46 includes RA, GA, and
Input to B A. Further, when there is a change input from the user to the addition value control means 42, the addition value control means 42 sets the value of the signal line connected to the input of S1 of the multiplexer 29 to "1". As a result, multiplexer 2
Reference numeral 9 denotes RA, GA, BA as output signals Ro, Go, Bo.
Is output, and the result is set in the latch 28.

In this way, the user changes one coordinate value in the RGB coordinate system or one coordinate value in the HLS coordinate system while referring to the six color bars and the current color.
When the user changes any coordinate value, the current color represented by the RGB coordinate system stored in the latch 28 is changed, and as a result, six color bars are redrawn according to the current color. By repeating this operation, the user can finally obtain a desired color.

Here, the RGB / HLS conversion means 38 and H
The details of the operation of the LS / RGB conversion means 46 will be described. The conversion formula for converting the RGB coordinate system to the HLS coordinate system is
For example, "TV Image Information Engineering Data Book" 4
It is described on page 2. Here, R: red (0 ≦
R ≦ 1.0), G: green (0 ≦ G ≦ 1.0), B:
Blue (0 ≦ B ≦ 1.0), H: Hue (0 ≦ H <36
0), L: lightness (0 ≦ L ≦ 1.0), S: saturation (0 ≦ S
When ≦ 1.0), the conversion formula is expressed by (Equation 1).

The conversion equation for converting the HLS coordinate system into the RGB coordinate system is expressed by (Equation 2). In addition, HLS / R
The operation of the GB converting means 38 is simply the operation of (Equation 2). Since the method of handling the values of R, G, B, H, L, and S as 8-bit values can be easily realized, the description of the conversion calculation therefor is omitted here, and (Formula 1), ( The value used above in Equation 2) is used.

[0067]

[Equation 1]

[0068]

[Equation 2]

Next, the operation of the RGB / HLS conversion means 38 will be described. First, consider the case where R = G = B as an input. From (Equation 1), when R = G = B, L = R = G = B and S = 0, and the value of H becomes indefinite. When R = G = B = 0, L = 0, and S
And the value of H become indefinite. This state will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the HLS coordinate system. The color space in the HLS coordinate system has a shape in which cones are vertically stacked as shown in FIG. The value of hue H is represented by the rotation angle from red (H = 0), the saturation S is represented by the distance from the L axis, and the point on the ridge of the cone represents S = 1.0.

First, consider the case where the point a0 (cyan) is changed to the point a1 (gray with a lightness of 0.5) (trajectory 1). This is H = 180, S = 1.0, L = 0.5
It means that only the value of S in the color coordinate information of is set to 0. As a result, L = 0.5 and S = 0, but since S = 0, the value of H defined as the angle of the hue from red (H = 0) becomes indefinite. More specifically, when gradually approaching the point a1 from the point a0, H has a value of H = 180 in a state where the point a1 is approaching to the point a1 as much as possible, but H is undefined at the moment when the point a1 coincides. Will be.

Under the condition that H is indefinite, RGB / RGB is set so that the value of H always becomes a constant H0.
Assuming that the HLS conversion means 38 operates, the value of H changes discontinuously at the moment when S becomes 0,
The hue of the S color bar displayed by the S color bar display means 41 suddenly changes. As a result, the user is given an unnatural operation feeling. Also, if the user mistakenly S
Even if the value of is set to 0, the value of H suddenly changes, so it is very difficult to reproduce the color immediately before the setting.

Therefore, the RGB / HLS converting means 38 of the present embodiment adopts the H value immediately before S = 0 as the H value under such a condition that the H value is indefinite. , The hue angle H when the saturation S is changed toward 0 is saved.

By operating the RGB / HLS conversion means 38 as described above, it is possible to prevent the hue of the color displayed on the S color bar displayed with S = 0 from changing suddenly. . This means that if, for example, the user mistakenly sets the value of S to 0,
By resetting the value of to the original value, it is possible to reproduce the color immediately before the setting in which the hue H has not changed.

Next, consider the case of changing the point a0 (cyan) to the point a2 (black) in FIG. 7 (trajectory 2). This means that of the color coordinate information of H = 180, S = 1.0, and L = 0.5, the value of L is set to 0 without changing the values of H and S. As a result, L = 0, S =
It becomes 1.0. However, at the point a2, S = 1.
It is clear from FIG. 7 that the value of S becomes indefinite because the ridgeline of the cone of 0 and the centerline of the cone of S = 0 intersect at one point. In FIG. 7, the state in which S is indefinite is L = 0.5, S when the point a0 is close to the point a2.
It can also be understood from the fact that the result when the point a1 where = 0 is brought close to the point a2 is the same point a2 (black). It is also clear from the previous example that the value of H becomes indefinite at the same time as S becomes indefinite.

Therefore, in such a case, the RGB / HLS conversion means 38 of the present embodiment adopts the H value immediately before L = 0 as the H value and immediately before the L value L = 0 as the S value. By adopting the value of S, the hue angle H and the saturation S when the lightness L is changed are saved.

As described above, by operating the RGB / HLS conversion means 38, it is possible to suddenly change the hue and saturation of the color displayed in the L color bar displayed with L = 0. It can be lost. This means that when the user mistakenly sets the value of L to 0, the value of L is reset to the original value so that the hue H and the saturation S do not change. This means that the previous color can be reproduced.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart for explaining the operation of the RGB / HLS conversion means 38 of this embodiment. It is assumed that R, G, B, H, L, and S shown in FIG. 8 and the following are all internally represented by 8-bit data. First, when the operation is started, first, as shown in step S14, the variable H'holding the value of H immediately before is initialized to 0, and the variable S'holding the value of S immediately before is initialized to 128.

Next, in step S15, the respective values of R, G and B are read from the input port. Next, in step S16, the respective values of H, L, and S are calculated according to (Equation 1). Next, in step S17,
It is determined whether L is 0, and when L = 0, step S18.
Substitute the value of S'for S. If L ≠ 0, it is determined in step S19 whether S is 0, and S = 0.
In this case, the value of H'is substituted for H in step S20.

Next, in step S21, H, L,
Each value of S is output to the output port. Next, in step 22, H'is assigned to H'and S'is assigned to S as the immediately preceding value, and the process returns to step S15.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a color selection procedure by the color selection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above. Here, in order to simplify the description, a procedure for selecting a target color from the point 0 using L and S will be described by considering only the planes of R and B and the coordinate system of L and S.

First, in FIG. 9A, an R color bar (not shown) corresponding to a color along the R axis where B = 0 and a R axis along the B axis where R = 0 are displayed on the display. A B color bar (not shown) corresponding to a color, an L color bar L0, and an S color bar S0 are displayed.
First, increase the value of L by referring to the L color bar (Q
1). By changing the value of L, the S color bar is redrawn to display the color represented by S1. Although not shown, the R and B color bars are also redrawn according to the R and B values at that time. At this time, the L color bar remains L0.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the user selects S
The value of S is increased by selecting the color (Q2) that is the closest to the target color from the colors displayed on the color bar S1 of. By changing the value of S, L
The color bar of is redrawn to display the color represented by L2. Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, since the target color appears on the color bar L2, the user can obtain the target color by selecting it.

In this embodiment, the target color can be obtained by the method using the R and B color bars described above with reference to FIG. 5, so that the color bars in a plurality of coordinate systems are used at the same time. Since the color can be selected by using the color, it is possible to select the color more quickly and easily.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the coordinate conversion means for converting the points in the color space coordinate system RGB into the points in the color space coordinate system HLS, and the means for displaying the color bar in the HLS coordinate system, By providing the coordinate system reverse conversion means for coordinate-converting the point in the color space coordinate system HLS into the point in the color space coordinate system RGB, the color coordinate information of the current color in the plurality of color coordinate spaces and the respective color coordinate information. Information on what color is obtained when one value of which color coordinate information is changed in the coordinate system can be simultaneously output by three color bars for each color coordinate system. As a result, it is possible to provide a plurality of color changing methods that can be used when the user brings the current color close to the desired color, which makes the color selection operation quicker and easier. Is.

Further, an RGB coordinate system which is an orthogonal coordinate system, an axis L corresponding to brightness information, an S corresponding to a distance from the axis L, and an H corresponding to a rotation angle about the axis L. In the prescribed HLS coordinate system, the coordinate system conversion means sets the color coordinates before and after the change of the color coordinate information to (Hc ′, Lc ′, Sc ′) and (Hc, Lc,
Sc), when the value of Lc becomes the minimum value, Hc 'is adopted as the value of Hc, and Sc'is adopted as the value of Sc, and when the value of Sc becomes the minimum value, the value of Hc becomes H.
By adopting c ′, when the values of H and S are indefinite when the values of the orthogonal coordinate system are changed, the values immediately before these values are saved. Therefore, even if the user makes an erroneous operation, the user can always return to the previous state.

In these examples, RGB are used.
The case of using the coordinate system and the HLS coordinate system will be described as an example.
However, it is not limited to this, for example, L^*a
^*b ^*Coordinate system and L^*u^*v^*The coordinate system, and their loci
Coordinate system obtained by calculating hue and saturation from the standard system
Or using a coordinate system such as the YMC coordinate system or the HSV coordinate system
Is also good.

In the second embodiment, the case where the color bar groups of two coordinate systems are simultaneously displayed has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the color bar groups of three or more coordinate systems are displayed. Groups may be used simultaneously. Further, the method of realizing various means described in the claims is not limited to these embodiments.

[0088]

As described above, according to the present invention, the color storage means for holding the current color (xc, yc, zc) which is the color coordinate information in the color space coordinate system X (x, y, z), The L colors (x [l], yc, zc) (l is obtained by changing the value of x of the current color from the minimum value xmin to the maximum value xmax in L stages (L is a natural number of 2 or more) 0 ≦ l <
Natural number L, x [0] = xmin, x [L-1] = x
max) and a first color bar display means for displaying a color bar, and changing the value of y of the current color from the minimum value ymin to the maximum value ymax in M steps (M is a natural number of 2 or more). M colors (xc, y [m],
zc) (m is a natural number satisfying 0 ≦ m <M, y [0] = ymi
second color bar display means for displaying a color bar consisting of n, y [M-1] = ymax), and the value of z of the current color from the minimum value zmin to the maximum value zmax in N steps (N.
Is a natural number of 2 or more), and N colors (xc, yc, z [n]) (n is a natural number 0 ≦ n <N, z [0] = zmin, z [N−1) ] = Zmax) and a third color bar display means for displaying a color bar consisting of the following, and a current color display means for displaying the current color (xc, yc, zc). If the determination result is that the current color is equal to the desired color, the current color (xc, yc, zc) is output, and the determination result is one of the coordinate values of the color coordinate information of the current color. When the value is a changed value, the color coordinate information is changed and set as the current color in the color storage means, so that when changing one value of the color coordinate information, the value is changed from the current color. Three pieces of color information about what the resulting color will look like Can be output simultaneously by the color bar, the user by selecting the closest color to the desired color from the color displayed at that time,
The changed value of the color coordinate information can be determined. As a result, it is possible to quickly and easily select a color even if the user does not have knowledge and experience about the color.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a color selection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a layout diagram of a display screen output to a display in the color selection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an R display area output to a display in the color selection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the first color bar generation means in the color selection device of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a color selection procedure by the color selection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a color selection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows H in the color selection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing of a LS coordinate system.

FIG. 8 shows R in the color selection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of GB / HLS conversion means.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a color selection procedure by the color selection device of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional color selection device.

FIG. 11 is a layout diagram of a display screen output to a display in a conventional color selection device.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an R display area of a display screen in a conventional color selection device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the color bar R display means in the conventional color selection device.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a color selection procedure by a conventional color selection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 initial color setting means 2 color storage means 3 current color display means 4 to 6 first, second and third color bar display means 7 color change determination means 8 display 28 latch (color storage means) 34 to 36 R, G , B color bar display means 37 current color display means 38 RGB / HLS conversion means 39 to 41 H, L, S color bar display means 46 HLS / RGB conversion means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hideshi Ishihara 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A color storage means for holding a current color (xc, yc, zc), which is color coordinate information in a color space coordinate system X (x, y, z), and a minimum value of x of the current color. xmin
To maximum value xmax from L levels (L is a natural number of 2 or more)
L colors (x [l], y obtained by changing to
c, zc) (l is a natural number satisfying 0 ≦ l <L, x [0] = x
min, x [L-1] = xmax), and a first color bar display means for displaying a color bar, and the y value of the current color is M steps from the minimum value ymin to the maximum value ymax (M is 2 or more). M, which is obtained by changing
Colors (xc, y [m], zc) (m is a natural number satisfying 0 ≦ m <M, y [0] = ymin, y [M−1] = yma
x) a second color bar displaying means for displaying a color bar, and a value of z of the current color is changed from a minimum value zmin to a maximum value zmax in N steps (N is a natural number of 2 or more). N colors (xc, yc, z
[N]) (n is a natural number satisfying 0 ≦ n <N, z [0] = zm
in, z [N-1] = zmax) for displaying a color bar, and the current color (x
c, yc, zc) and present color display means for displaying,
When the judgment result by the user is input and the judgment result is that the present color is equal to the desired color, the present color (x
c, yc, zc), and when the determination result is a change value of one coordinate value of the color coordinate information of the current color,
A color selection device, characterized in that the color coordinate information is changed and set as the current color in the color storage means. 2. An arbitrary point (x, y, z) in the color space coordinate system X (x, y, z) is different from X in a color space coordinate system A.
Coordinate system conversion means for performing coordinate conversion to a point (α, β, γ) in (α, β, γ) and a point obtained by the coordinate conversion of the current color (xc, yc, zc) is a point a (αc, βc, γc), I values (α [i], βc, Ic) obtained by changing the value of α at the point a from the minimum value αmin to the maximum value αmax in I stages (I is a natural number of 2 or more). γc) (0 ≦ i <
I, α [0] = αmin, α [I−1] = αmax), the first color space coordinate system A color bar display means for displaying a color bar, and the value of β at the point a is a minimum value βmin.
To the maximum value βmax in J steps (J is a natural number of 2 or more)
J colors (αc, β)
[J], γc) (0 ≦ j <J, β [0] = βmin, β
[J-1] = βmax) second color space coordinate system A color bar display means for displaying a color bar, and the point a
Of K colors (αc, βc, γ [k]) (0 ≦ k <K) obtained by changing the value of γ in the K value from a minimum value γmin to a maximum value γmax (K is a natural number of 2 or more). , Γ
[0] = γmin, γ [K−1] = γmax) in the third color space coordinate system A color bar display means for displaying a color bar, and in the color space coordinate system A (α, β, γ). A coordinate system inverse transform means for transforming an arbitrary point (α, β, γ) into a point (x, y, z) in the color space coordinate system X (x, y, z) is provided. When the determination result is input and the determination result is that the current color is equal to the desired color, the current color (xc, yc, zc) is output, and the determination result is the color coordinate of the color space coordinate system A. When the coordinate value is a change value of one of the information (αc, βc, γc), the color coordinate information is changed, and the result is changed to the color space coordinate system X (x, y,
2. The color selection device according to claim 1, wherein the color coordinate information obtained as a result of the inverse conversion into z) is set in the color storage means as the current color. 3. The color space coordinate system X is an orthogonal coordinate system, and the color space coordinate system A is an axis β corresponding to brightness information, and the axis β.
Is a coordinate system defined by γ corresponding to the distance from and the α corresponding to the rotation angle about the axis β, and when the color coordinate information is changed, the color coordinates before and after the change are respectively (α
c ′, βc ′, γc ′), (αc, βc, γc), the coordinate system conversion means sets αc ′ as the value of αc and γc ′ as the value of γc when the value of βc is the minimum value. 3. The color selecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the color selection device adopts .alpha.c 'as the value of .alpha.c when the value of .gamma.c is minimum. 4. In the current color (xc, yc, zc) which is color coordinate information in the color space coordinate system X (x, y, z), the value of x is L from the minimum value xmin to the maximum value xmax.
L colors (x [l], yc, zc) obtained by changing the level (L is a natural number of 2 or more) (l is 0 ≦ l <L
Natural number, x [0] = xmin, x [L-1] = xm
ax) and the y value is the minimum value ymin
To the maximum value ymax in M steps (M is a natural number of 2 or more)
To obtain M colors (xc, y
[M], zc) (m is a natural number satisfying 0 ≦ m <M, y [0]
= Ymin, y [M-1] = ymax), and N values obtained by changing the value of z from the minimum value zmin to the maximum value zmax in N steps (N is a natural number of 2 or more). Color (xc, yc, z [n]) (n is 0 ≦ n
<N is a natural number, z [0] = zmin, z [N-1] =
zmax) and the current color (xc, y
c, zc) is displayed, it is determined whether the current color is equal to the desired color, and when it is determined that the current color is equal to the desired color, the current color (xc, yc, zc) is When it is output and it is determined that the current color is not equal to the desired color, one coordinate value of the color coordinate information of the current color is changed, and the changed color coordinate information is set as the current color, and the display process is performed again. A color selection method characterized by performing.