U.S. patent application number 11/363168 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for digital camera.
This patent application is currently assigned to MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kenji Arakawa.
Application Number | 20060192882 11/363168 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36931633 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060192882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arakawa; Kenji |
August 31, 2006 |
Digital camera
Abstract
The digital camera comprises: an image-taking device for
converting light from a subject to a video signal and outputting
the video signal; an image processor which has a gain adjuster for
performing gain adjustment individually for respective color
information of R, G, B of the video signal outputted from the
image-taking device, and an image data converter for converting the
adjusted video signal outputted from the gain adjuster into image
data; a displaying device for displaying the image data; a setting
device; and a controller for controlling the gain adjuster to
perform RGB color discrimination of the video signal and gain
adjustment individually on the respective color information by a
command from the setting device.
Inventors: |
Arakawa; Kenji; (Kyoto-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP
600 13TH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-3096
US
|
Assignee: |
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
36931633 |
Appl. No.: |
11/363168 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/333.12 ;
348/207.99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2101/00 20130101;
H04N 1/6027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/333.12 ;
348/207.99 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/225 20060101
H04N005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2005 |
JP |
2005-053484 |
Claims
1. A digital camera, comprising: an image-taking device for
converting light from a subject to a video signal and outputting
said video signal; a gain adjuster which performs gain adjustment
individually for respective color information of R, G, B of said
video signal outputted from said image-taking device, and outputs
an adjusted video signal; an image data converter for converting
said adjusted video signal outputted from said gain adjuster into
image data; a displaying device for displaying said image data; a
setting device in which gain adjusting amounts for said respective
color information are set; and a controller for controlling said
gain adjuster such that gain adjustment is performed individually
on said respective color information according to said gain
adjusting amounts set in said setting device.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein: said video
signal is a color signal of Cy, Mg, Ye, G; and said gain adjuster
comprises a complementary-color/primary-color converter for
converting said color signal of Cy, Mg, Ye, G into a color signal
of R, G, B, and performs each gain adjustment after converting to
R, G, B.
3. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising a
storage device for storing gain adjusting values for respective
color information in accordance with degrees of color-vision
impairment, wherein: said setting device has said degrees of said
color-vision impairment set therein instead of said gain adjusting
amounts; and said controller reads out, from said storage device,
said gain adjusting value corresponding to said degree of said
color-vision impairment set in said setting device, and transmits
said gain adjusting value that is read out to said gain
adjuster.
4. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a
color discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two color
regions which are adjacent to each other in said image data on a
plane; and an superimposing device that generates superimposing
data, which is image data where at least one of luminance, hue, or
saturation is changed in said boundary discriminated by said color
discriminator, and superimposes said superimposing data on said
image data, wherein said controller controls said color
discriminator and said superimposing device.
5. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein: said image
data converter outputs both of image data obtained by converting
said video signal with no gain adjustment, and image data obtained
by converting said adjusted video signal with gain adjustment; said
color discriminator further discriminates a difference between
color information of said two color regions of said image data that
is obtained by converting said video signal and color information
of said two color regions of said image data that is obtained by
converting said adjusted video signal; and said superimposing
device generates said superimposing data exclusively for said
boundary between said two color regions that satisfy following
conditions of A), B) from a result of discrimination by said color
discriminator, and superimposes said superimposing data on said
image data that is obtained by converting said adjusted video
signal. A) In said image data obtained by converting said video
signal, color information differs between said two color regions.
B) In said image data obtained by converting said adjusted video
signal, hues are same for said two color regions.
6. The digital camera according to claim 5, further comprising a
timer for outputting interruption by every prescribed time, wherein
said controller controls said superimposing device to switch
superimposing and non-superimposing of said superimposing data for
every said interruption outputted from said timer.
7. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein said storage
device further stores unadjusted color that has no gain adjustment
performed, said digital camera further comprising: a stored color
comparator which compares color information of each of said color
regions of said image data obtained by converting said video signal
with said unadjusted color and, when consistent, outputs said image
data obtained by converting said video signal to said color
regions, while outputting said image data obtained by converting
said adjusted video signal to said color regions when
inconsistent.
8. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein: said image
data converter outputs both of image data obtained by converting
said video signal with no gain adjustment, and image data obtained
by converting said adjusted video signal with gain adjustment; said
color discriminator further discriminates a difference between
color information of said two color regions of said image data that
is obtained by converting said video signal and color information
of said two color regions of said image data that is obtained by
converting said adjusted video signal; and said superimposing
device generates superimposing data, which is image data where at
least one of luminance, hue, or saturation is changed in either one
of said two color regions that satisfy following conditions of A),
B) from a result of discrimination by said color discriminator, and
superimposes said superimposing data on said image data. A) In said
image data obtained by converting said video signal, color
information differs between said two color regions. B) In said
image data obtained by converting said adjusted video signal, hues
are same for said two color regions.
9. The digital camera according to claim 8, further comprising a
timer for outputting interruption by every prescribed time, wherein
said controller controls said superimposing device to switch
superimposing and non-superimposing of said superimposing data for
every said interruption outputted from said timer.
10. The digital camera according to claim 8, wherein said storage
device further stores unadjusted color that has no gain adjustment
performed, said digital camera further comprising: a stored color
comparator which compares color information of each of said color
regions of said image data obtained by converting said video signal
with said unadjusted color and, when consistent, outputs said image
data obtained by converting said video signal to said color
regions, while outputting said image data obtained by converting
said adjusted video signal to said color regions when
inconsistent.
11. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a
color discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two color
regions which are adjacent to each other in said image digital data
on a plane, and for discriminating color information of said
boundary; a storage device for storing color information of said
image data obtained by converting said adjusted video signal; and a
superimposing device that generates superimposing data, which is
image data where said color information of said boundary
discriminated by said color discriminator is converted to said
color information that is not stored in said storage device, and
superimposes said superimposing data on said image data, wherein
said controller controls said color discriminator and said
superimposing device.
12. The digital camera according to claim 11, further comprising a
timer for outputting interruption by every prescribed time, wherein
said controller controls said superimposing device to switch
superimposing and non-superimposing of said superimposing data for
every said interruption outputted from said timer.
13. The digital camera according to claim 11, wherein said storage
device further stores unadjusted color that has no gain adjustment
performed, said digital camera further comprising: a stored color
comparator which compares color information of each of said color
regions of said image data obtained by converting said video signal
with said unadjusted color and, when consistent, outputs said image
data obtained by converting said video signal to said color
regions, while outputting said image data obtained by converting
said adjusted video signal to said color regions when
inconsistent.
14. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a
color discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two color
regions which are adjacent to each other in said image data on a
plane; a storage device for storing an unexpressed color for
showing a color that cannot be obtained from said color information
that is gain-adjusted according to said gain adjusting amount set
in said setting device; and a superimposing device that generates
superimposing data, which is image data where said color
information of said boundary discriminated by said color
discriminator is converted to said unexpressed color that is stored
in said storage device, and superimposes said superimposing data on
said image data, wherein said controller controls said color
discriminator and said superimposing device.
15. The digital camera according to claim 14, further comprising a
timer for outputting interruption by every prescribed time, wherein
said controller controls said superimposing device to switch
superimposing and non-superimposing of said superimposing data for
every said interruption outputted from said timer.
16. The digital camera according to claim 14, wherein said storage
device further stores unadjusted color that has no gain adjustment
performed, said digital camera further comprising: a stored color
comparator which compares color information of each of said color
regions in said image data obtained by converting said video signal
with said unadjusted color and, when consistent, outputs said image
data obtained by converting said video signal to said color
regions, while outputting said image data obtained by converting
said adjusted video signal to said color regions when
inconsistent.
17. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said gain
adjuster adjusts a value of image data itself instead of
superimposing superimposing data on said image data.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a digital camera that
comprises a solid image sensor element (referred to as an image
sensor element hereinafter) such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device),
a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and, more
particularly, to a technique for reproducing colors that can be
recognized by the color-vision handicapped.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In the field of cellular engineering, it is known to
reproduce the colors recognized by the color-vision handicapped
through performing, using a computer, arithmetic operation of
images taken by a digital camera.
[0005] However, with a conventional digital camera that takes
pictures in full colors, the color-vision nonhandicapped cannot
understand in what tone of colors the color-vision handicapped
recognize the colors they cannot discriminate. Furthermore, if
videos filmed by a digital camera are arithmetically operated by a
computer, they cannot be checked immediately and there requires an
extra work for conversion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The main object of the present invention therefore is to
achieve a digital camera capable of grasping the discriminating
state of the color-vision handicapped, and to enable the
color-vision handicapped to recognize neighboring colors that are
not identifiable by the color-vision handicapped as being different
colors.
[0007] In order to overcome the foregoing problems, the digital
cameral of the present invention comprises: an image-taking device
for converting light from a subject to a video signal and
outputting the video signal; a gain adjuster which performs gain
adjustment individually for respective color information of R, G, B
of the video signal outputted from the image-taking device, and
outputs an adjusted video signal; an image data converter for
converting the adjusted video signal outputted from the gain
adjuster into image data; a displaying device for displaying the
image data; a setting device in which gain adjusting amounts for
the respective color information are set; and a controller for
controlling the gain adjuster such that gain adjustment is
performed individually on the respective color information
according to the gain adjusting amounts set in the setting
device.
[0008] With this, it is possible for the gain adjuster to perform
gain adjustment individually on the respective color information of
R, G, B. Thus, the color-vision nonhandicapped can understand how
it looks to the color-vision handicapped of various degrees.
[0009] In the above-described structure, for the gain adjuster,
there are some preferable forms as described in the followings.
[0010] That is, there may be a case where it is constituted such
that the video signal obtained by the image-taking device is a
color signal of Cy (cyan), Mg (magenta), Ye (yellow), G, and, after
converting the color signal of Cy, Mg, Ye, G into a color signal of
R, G, B by a complementary-color/primary-color converter, gain
adjustment for each color is performed.
[0011] With this, in the case of the image sensor element
comprising a color filter of complementary colors Cy, Mg, Ye, G,
the same gain adjustment as that of the primary colors R, G, B can
be performed by performing gain adjustment after converting them to
R, G, B by the complementary-color/primary-color converter. In
other words, the gain adjustment values can be used in common even
if the color filter of the image sensor element is changed.
[0012] In the above-described structure, the followings are also
preferable. That is, the digital camera further comprises a storage
device for storing the gain adjusting values of the respective
color information according to degrees of color-vision impairment,
wherein: the setting device has the degrees of the color-vision
impairment set therein instead of the gain adjusting amounts; and
the controller reads out, from the storage device, the gain
adjusting value corresponding to the degree of the color-vision
impairment set in the setting device, and transmits the read out
gain adjusting value to the gain adjuster.
[0013] In this form, the gain adjusting values for each color
according to the degrees of the color-vision impairment are stored
in the storage device. Examples of such values may be: a first
color-vision gain adjusting value for performing gain adjustment to
provide the color information of the first color-vision impairment
with which the red cone of an eyeball does not function; a second
color-vision gain adjusting value for performing gain adjustment to
provide the color information of the second color-vision impairment
with which the green cone of the eyeball does not function; and a
third color-vision gain adjusting value for performing gain
adjustment to provide the color information of the third
color-vision impairment with which the blue cone of the eyeball
does not function. The controller searches the storage device
according to the degree of the color-vision impairment from the
setting device for reading out the corresponding gain adjusting
value, and transmits the read out gain adjusting value to the gain
adjuster. The gain adjuster performs the gain adjustment in
accordance with the gain adjusting value from the controller.
Thereby, it is possible for the color-vision nonhandicapped to
understand how it looks to the color-vision handicapped of each
degree.
[0014] In the above-described structure, the followings are also
preferable. That is, the digital camera further comprises: a color
discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two color
regions which are adjacent to each other in the image digital data
on a plane; and a superimposing device that generates superimposing
data, which is image data where at least one of luminance, hue, or
saturation is changed in the boundary discriminated by the
discriminator, and superimposes the superimposing data on the image
data, wherein the controller controls the color discriminator and
the superimposing device.
[0015] With this, the boundary between the color regions can be
easily recognized by the difference of luminance even through the
colors cannot be discriminated. It is effective to superimpose
bright superimposing data when the image data is dark, and to
superimpose dark superimposing data when the image data is bright.
Further, when the image data is relatively bright, a specific
recognizable color is sued for expressing the boundary between the
color regions so that the part expressed by the color can be easily
recognized as the boundary between the color regions.
[0016] Furthermore, in the above-described structure, the following
form is preferable. That is, the image data converter outputs both
of image data obtained by converting the video signal with no gain
adjustment, and image data obtained by converting the adjusted
video signal with gain adjustment; the color discriminator further
discriminates a difference between color information of the two
color regions of the image data that is obtained by converting the
video signal and color information of the two color regions of the
image data that is obtained by converting the adjusted video
signal; and the superimposing device generates the superimposing
data exclusively for the boundary between the two color regions
that satisfy following conditions of A), B) from a result of
discrimination by the color discriminator, and superimposes the
superimposing data on the image data that is obtained by converting
the adjusted video signal. [0017] A) In the image data obtained by
converting the video signal, color information differs between the
two color regions. [0018] B) In the image data obtained by
converting the adjusted video signal, hues are same for the two
color regions.
[0019] With this, it is possible to superimpose the superimposing
data for making the boundary between the color regions easily
recognizable, only when the color information of the gain adjusted
color regions turns the same color as that of the color information
of the image data adjacent thereto so that the boundary between the
color regions cannot be discriminated.
[0020] In the above-described structure, the followings are
preferable. That is, the image processor outputs both of image data
obtained by converting the video signal with no gain adjustment,
and image data obtained by converting the adjusted video signal
with gain adjustment; the color discriminator further discriminates
a difference between color information of the two color regions of
the image data that is obtained by converting the video signal and
color information of the two color regions of the image data that
is obtained by converting the adjusted video signal; and the
superimposing device generates superimposing data, which is image
data where at least one of luminance, hue, or saturation is changed
in either one of the two color regions that satisfy following
conditions of A), B) from a result of discrimination by the color
discriminator, and superimposes the superimposing data on the image
data. [0021] A) In the image data obtained by converting the video
signal, color information differs between the two color regions.
[0022] B) In the image data obtained by converting the adjusted
video signal, hues are same for the two color regions.
[0023] With this, it becomes easier to recognize when the periphery
of the color regions of different colors turn the same color due to
the gain adjustment.
[0024] Further, in the above-described structure, the followings
are preferable. That is, the digital camera further comprises: a
color discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two color
regions which are adjacent to each other in the image digital data
on a plane, and for discriminating color information of the
boundary; a storage device for storing color information of the
image data obtained by converting the adjusted video signal; and an
superimposing device that generates superimposing data, which is
image data where the color information of the boundary
discriminated by the color discriminator is converted to the color
information that is not stored in the storage, and superimposes the
superimposing data on the image data, wherein the controller
controls the color discriminator and the superimposing device.
[0025] With this, the boundary between the color region with
changed color and the periphery thereof can be expressed by a
recognizable color, so that change of color can be easily
recognized.
[0026] Moreover, in the above-described structure, the followings
are preferable. That is, the digital camera further comprises: a
color discriminator for discriminating a boundary between two color
regions which are adjacent to each other in the image digital data
on a plane; a storage device for storing an unexpressed color for
showing a color that cannot be obtained from the color information
that is gain-adjusted according to the gain adjusting amount set in
the setting device; and a superimposing device that generates
superimposing data, which is image data where the color information
of the boundary discriminated by the color discriminator is
converted to the unexpressed color that is stored in the storage,
and superimposes the superimposing data on the image data, wherein
the controller controls the color discriminator and the
superimposing device.
[0027] With this, the boundary between the color region with
changed color and the periphery thereof can be expressed by a
recognizable color, so that change of color can be easily
recognized.
[0028] In the above-described structure, the followings are
preferable. That is, the digital camera further comprises a timer
for outputting interruption by every prescribed time, wherein the
controller controls the superimposing device to switch
superimposing and non-superimposing of the superimposing data for
every interruption outputted from the timer.
[0029] With this, when the neighboring color regions turn the same
color due to the gain adjustment, the color regions are
flash-displayed by every prescribed time. Thereby, it is possible
to improve the visibility of the boundary.
[0030] In the above-described structure, the followings are
preferable. That is, the storage device further stores unadjusted
color that has no gain adjustment performed. The digital camera
further comprises: a stored color comparator which compares color
information of each of the color regions in the image data obtained
by converting the video signal with the unadjusted color and, when
consistent, outputs the image data obtained by converting the video
signal to the color regions, while outputting the image data
obtained by converting the adjusted video signal to the color
regions when inconsistent.
[0031] With this, a specific color (wavelength) is outputted
without gain adjustment in accordance with each characteristic of
the color-vision handicapped. As a result, in the case where the
color information is corrected in one's brain by the memorized
color of the color-vision handicapped, it is possible to know how
it is corrected even though it is actually a different color.
[0032] It may be formed to adjust a value of image data itself
instead of superimposing the superimposing data on the image
data.
[0033] As described above, the present invention enables individual
gain adjustment performed on respective information of colors R, G,
B. Thus, the color-vision nonhandicapped can understand how it
looks to the color-vision handicapped of various degrees. Further,
when there are unidentifiable color regions within the filming area
being adjacent to each other, it is possible for the color-vision
handicapped to identify the boundary between the color regions by
flashing the color regions, etc. Moreover, the color-vision
nonhandicapped can use it as a judging material for achieving
barrier-free color visions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] Other objects of the present invention will become clear
from the following description of the preferred embodiments and the
appended claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are many other advantages of the present invention possible
by embodying the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 is an illustration for describing the effects of the
first embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for showing action of the digital
camera according to the first embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
gain adjuster according to the first embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera as a modification of the first embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
gain adjuster shown in FIG. 5;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
gain adjuster in a digital camera according to a second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for showing action of the digital
camera according to the third embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 10 is an illustration for describing color vision of a
color-vision nonhandicapped, color vision of a first color-vision
handicapped, and color vision of a second color-vision handicapped
according to the third embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 11 is an illustration showing color visions of the
color-vision nonhandicapped, the first color-vision handicapped,
and the second color-vision handicapped according to the third
embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 12A-12C are illustrations for describing action of the
digital camera according to the third embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 13 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 14A-14C are illustrations for describing action of the
digital camera according to the fourth embodiment;
[0049] FIG. 15A-15C are illustrations for describing action of a
digital camera according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0050] FIG. 16A-16C are illustrations for describing the subject of
a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 17 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera according to the sixth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0052] FIG. 18 is a block diagram for showing the structure of an
image processor according to the sixth embodiment;
[0053] FIG. 19A-19B are illustrations for describing action of the
digital camera according to the sixth embodiment;
[0054] FIG. 20 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera according to a seventh embodiment of the present
invention;
[0055] FIG. 21A-21B are illustrations for describing action of the
digital camera according to the seventh embodiment;
[0056] FIG. 22A-22C are illustrations for describing action of a
digital camera according to an eighth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0057] FIG. 23A-23C are illustrations for describing action of a
digital camera according to a ninth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0058] FIG. 24 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera according to a tenth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0059] FIG. 25 is an illustration for describing action of the
digital camera according to the tenth embodiment;
[0060] FIG. 26 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera according to an eleventh embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0061] FIG. 27A-27B are illustrations for describing action of the
digital camera according to the eleventh embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0062] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described hereinafter by referring to the accompanying
drawings.
[0063] (First Embodiment)
[0064] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for showing the structure of a
digital camera 1 according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 is an image-taking device
which converts light from a subject into video signal D1 that
corresponds to R, G, B by a solid image sensor element such as a
CCD and a CMOS, and outputs the converted video signal D1. Numeral
reference 3 is a gain adjuster which performs gain adjustment
individually on information of each color R, G, B of the video
signal D1 outputted from the image-taking device 2, and outputs
adjusted video signal D2 as a result thereof. 4 is an image data
converter for converting the adjusted video signal D2, which is
outputted from the gain adjuster 3, into image data P1. 5 is an
image processor constituted of the gain adjuster 3 and the image
data converter 4. 6 is a displaying device such as an organic EL
display for displaying the image data P1 as display image Pout. 7
is a setting device for giving a command to start filming, end
filming, set ON/OFF of display output, and to change gain
adjustment values, etc. 8 is a controller which controls the gain
adjuster 3 to perform gain adjustment individually on respective
color information of the video signal D1 by the setting device 7,
and controls the image-taking device 2, the image processor 5, and
the displaying device 6.
[0065] The digital camera 1 can adjust the gain individually for
respective color information of R, G, B of the video signal D1
outputted from the image-taking device 2 by using the gain adjuster
3 of the image processor 5.
[0066] FIG. 2 shows the effect of the case where respective gains
of R, G, B are individually set to be 0 in the embodiment.
[0067] When the setting device 7 is set so that the R-gain becomes
0, there is obtained the adjusted video signal D2, which is the
video signal D1 with a level of R-data adjusted to be 0. The image
data P1 obtained by further converting the adjusted video signal D2
is outputted to the displaying device 6. Pout is the display image
displayed on the displaying device 6, in which red is converted to
black.
[0068] Likewise, when the setting device 7 is set so that the
G-gain becomes 0, there is obtained the adjusted video signal D2,
which is the video signal D1 with a level of G-data adjusted to be
0. The image data P1 obtained by further converting the adjusted
video signal D2 is outputted to the displaying device 6. In the
display image Pout, green is converted to black.
[0069] Similarly, when the setting device 7 is set so that the
B-gain becomes 0, there is obtained the adjusted video signal D2,
which is the video signal D1 with a level of B-data adjusted to be
0. The image data P1 obtained by further converting the adjusted
video signal D2 is outputted to the displaying device 6. In the
display image Pout, blue is converted to black.
[0070] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for showing control action of the
digital camera 1 of FIG. 1. Filming is started when a switch in the
setting device 7 is pressed down (step S301). The image-taking
device 2 picks up light from the subject and output the video
signal D1 (step S302). By converting the video signal D1 to the
image data P1 using the image data converter 4 and outputting it,
the image data Pout is displayed in the displaying device 6 (steps
S303-S305) When a user checks the display image Pout (step S306),
and further pressing down the switch in the setting device 7 (step
S307), gain adjustment can be performed individually for each color
information of R, G, B. That is, by setting the gain adjustment
through the setting device 7, gain adjustment is performed in
accordance with the set color information, and it is possible to
change the setting of gain adjustment until filming is ended (steps
S308-S314).
[0071] FIG. 4 shows the structure of the gain adjuster 3 of the
image processor 5. The video signal D1 outputted by the
image-taking device 2 is separated into R-data R1, G-data G1, and
B-data B1 by an RGB color discriminator 3J. The separated R-data R1
is gain-adjusted by an R-gain adjuster 3R and outputted as R-data
R2. Likewise, the separated G-data G1 is gain-adjusted by a G-gain
adjuster 3G and outputted as G-data G2. The B-data B1 is
gain-adjusted by a B-gain adjuster 3B and outputted as B-data B2.
Further, the R-data R2, the G-data G2, and the B-data B2 are
coupled in a time series by the RGB color discriminator 3J, and
outputted to the image data converter 4 as the adjusted video
signal D2.
[0072] The structure of the image processor 5 is not limited to the
one shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the RGB color
discriminator 3J may be provided to the image data converter 4.
FIG. 6 shows the gain adjuster 3 of FIG. 5. The gain adjuster 3
shown in FIG. 6 uniformly adjusts the R-gain adjusting value by the
R-gain adjuster 3, the G-gain adjusting value by the G-gain
adjuster 3G, and the B-gain adjusting value by the B-gain adjuster
3B, respectively, without considering which is the R-data, G-data,
or B-data among the inputted video signal D1. The
complementary-color data can be expressed as Ye=R+G, Cy=B+G,
Mg=R+B,G, for example. Thus, when separating a primary color from a
complementary color, two pieces of data, i.e. R-data and G-data,
can be generated simultaneously from a single piece of Ye data.
Because of this, the gain adjuster of FIG. 6 outputs, in parallel,
the data of each color (R-data R2, G-data G2, B-data B2) to the
image data converter 4 by each color. For the data of each color
after the gain adjustment, effective part of each color is sampled
by the RGB color discriminator 3J of the image data converter 4.
The image data converter 4 converts the sampled and gain-adjusted
adjusted video signal D2 and outputs the image data P1.
[0073] It is possible with the embodiment to adjust the gain of
respective color information of R, G, B individually. Therefore,
the color-vision nonhandicapped can understand how it looks to the
color-vision handicapped of various degrees.
[0074] (Second Embodiment)
[0075] A second embodiment of the present invention has a different
color filter for the image sensor element, which corresponds to the
case where the image sensor element is provided with a color filter
with complementary colors Cy (cyan: blue), Mg (magenta: reddish
purple), Ye (yellow).
[0076] FIG. 7 is a block diagram for showing the structure of the
gain adjuster 3 compatible with the complementary colors. The gain
adjuster 3 of FIG. 7 converts and separates the data of
complementary colors Ye, Cy, Mg, G outputted from the image-taking
device 2 into the R-data R1, G-data G1, B-data B1, which correspond
to the video signal with R, G, B in the case of the first
embodiment, by using a complementary-color/primary-color converter
3C. The processing after separation is the same as that of the
first embodiment where the image-taking device 2 comprises the
primary-color filter.
[0077] In the embodiment, even when the image-taking device 2
comprises the complementary-color filter, the data of complementary
colors Ye, Cy, Mg, and G is converted to the R, G, B-based data by
the complementary-color/primary-color converter 3C, and then
respective color information is gain-adjusted individually. Thus,
the color-vision nonhandicapped can understand how it looks to the
color-vision handicapped of various degrees. That is, it is
possible to deal easily with the difference in the color filter of
the image taking device.
[0078] (Third Embodiment)
[0079] A third embodiment of the present invention makes it
possible for the color-vision nonhandicapped to understand how it
looks to the color-vision handicapped in accordance with the
degrees of impairment.
[0080] FIG. 8 is a block diagram for showing the structure of the
digital camera 1 according to the third embodiment of the present
invention. The embodiment is provided with a storage device 9 for
storing gain adjusting values for each color in accordance with the
degrees of color-vision impairment such as a first color-vision
impairment, a second color-vision impairment, and a third
color-vision impairment. The first color-vision impairment
corresponds to the case where the red cone of an eyeball does not
function, the second color-vision impairment corresponds to the
case where the green cone of an eyeball does not function, and the
third color-vision impairment corresponds to the case where the
blue cone of an eyeball does not function.
[0081] The storage device 9 stores: a first color-vision gain
adjusting value that achieves gain adjustment for providing the
color information of the first color-vision impairment; a second
color-vision gain adjusting value that achieves gain adjustment for
providing the color information of the second color-vision
impairment; and a third color-vision gain adjusting value that
achieves gain adjustment for providing the color information of the
third color-vision impairment. The controller 8 searches the
storage device 9 in accordance with the degrees of the color-vision
impairment set by the setting device 7, and extracts the gain
adjusting values for respective color information according to the
degrees of the color-vision impairment.
[0082] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for showing the action when
controlling the digital camera 1 of FIG. 8. After starting filming
and display processing (steps S901-S906), the gain adjusting value
for the color-vision impairment selected by pressing down the
switch of the setting device 7 (step S907) is read out from the
storage device 9. Based on the read-out gain adjusting value, there
is performed the first color-vision gain adjustment when the
read-out value is of the first color-vision impairment, the second
color-vision gain adjustment when it is of the second color-vision
impairment, and the third color-vision gain adjustment when it is
of the third color-vision impairment (steps S908-S914). With this
structure, it is possible for the color-vision nonhandicapped to
understand how it looks to the color-vision handicapped of each
color.
[0083] FIG. 10 shows color visions of the color-vision
nonhandicapped, color visions of the first color-vision
handicapped, and color visions of the second color-vision
handicapped. FIG. 10 corresponds to each color from short
wavelengths to long wavelengths. FIG. 11 shows how the light of R,
G, B from the subject look to the color-vision nonhandicapped, the
first color-vision handicapped, and the second color-vision
handicapped, respectively.
[0084] It can be seen that the color-vision handicapped of each
color cannot properly recognize colors of red and green because a
part of the cone does not function. In other words, for the first
color-vision handicapped, red turns reddish brown, and green turns
dark orange. For the second color-vision handicapped, red turns
dark orange, and green turns brown. The color visions shown in FIG.
11 are only recognized by individuals and cannot be shared with
others.
[0085] With the digital camera 1 of the embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 12A-FIG. 12C, it is possible to perform gain adjustment in
accordance with the color-vision impairment of each color. When the
gain adjusting value of the color-vision nonhandicapped is set in
the setting device 7, the gain adjusting value of the color-vision
nonhandicapped is read out from the storage device 9 to be
transmitted to the gain adjuster 3 of the image processor 5. As a
result, there is obtained the display image Pout that is not
gain-adjusted. Further, when the gain adjusting value of the first
color-vision impairment is set in the setting device 7, the gain
adjusting value corresponding to the first color-vision impairment
is read out from the storage device 9 to be transmitted to the gain
adjuster 3 of the image processor 5. As a result, there is obtained
the display image Pout to which gain adjustment corresponding to
the first color-vision impairment is performed. Furthermore, when
the gain adjusting value of the second color-vision impairment is
set in the setting device 7, the gain adjusting value corresponding
to the second color-vision impairment is read out from the storage
device 9 to be transmitted to the gain adjuster 3 of the image
processor 5. As a result, there is obtained the display image Pout
to which gain adjustment corresponding to the second color-vision
impairment is performed. With this, it is possible for the
color-vision nonhandicapped to understand how it looks to the
color-vision handicapped of each color.
[0086] (Fourth Embodiment)
[0087] A fourth embodiment of the present invention enables easy
recognition of color boundaries. FIG. 13 is a block diagram for
showing the structure of the digital camera 1 according to the
fourth embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 1 of
the embodiment comprises a color discriminator 10 for identifying
the boundary between the color regions that are adjacent to each
other in an image area within the image data P1. The color region
herein means an area that partially occupies image plane of the
image data, which is characterized as having almost the same color
information but the different color information from that of the
surrounding part. Furthermore, the digital camera 1 comprises an
superimposing device 11 that generates superimposing data S1, which
is obtained by changing the luminance of the boundary between the
color regions of the image data P1 using color boundary information
attained from the color discriminator 10, and superimposes the
generated superimposing data S1 on the image data P1. Image data P2
on which the superimposing data is superimposed is transmitted to
the displaying device 6. Other structures are the same as those of
the first embodiment (FIG. 1), so that the same reference numerals
are simply applied and the description thereof is omitted.
[0088] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A-FIG. 14C, there is
performed processing for strengthening or weakening the luminance
at the boundary between the color regions where the color changes,
with respect to the luminance of the color regions positioned in
the surrounding thereof. Thereby, a difference in the luminance is
provided between the boundary and the color regions in the
surrounding thereof. Specifically, the boundary may be of a thick
black line or of a thick white line. With this, it becomes easier
for the color-vision handicapped and for the color-vision
nonhandicapped to recognize the color boundaries in the display of
color-vision impairment.
[0089] (Fifth Embodiment)
[0090] A fifth embodiment of the present invention enables easy
recognition of color boundaries. The structure is the same as that
of the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 13).
[0091] The superimposing device 11 generates the superimposing
data, which is obtained by changing at least either hue or
saturation of the boundary in the image data P1 using the boundary
information of the color regions attained from the color
discriminator 10, and superimposes the generated superimposing data
S1 on the image data P1.
[0092] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15A-FIG. 15C, the
boundary between the color regions is expressed by superimposing
the color information of the nonadjacent color, which is
recognizable, on the boundary positioned between the regions of
colors that have different color information. With this, it becomes
easier for the color-vision handicapped and for the color-vision
nonhandicapped to recognize the boundary between the color regions
of color-vision impairment.
[0093] (Sixth Embodiment)
[0094] A sixth embodiment of the present invention performs
boundary highlighting when the boundary between the color regions
of the color-vision impairment becomes unclear as a result of gain
adjustment.
[0095] FIG. 16A-FIG. 16C are for describing that the color-vision
handicapped identify as being the same colors even if the light
from the subject contains information of different colors. In FIG.
16A-FIG. 16C, the color information of the light from the subject
and the display image Pout of the digital camera 1 are made
corresponded. For the color information of the light from the
subject, the color region in the center is green, the color region
on the left is dark orange, and the color region on the right is
blue in all of the drawings FIG. 16A-FIG. 16C.
[0096] FIG. 16A is the case where a mode for the color-vision
nonhandicapped is set in the setting device 7. In the display image
Pout, the color region in the center is green, the left is dark
orange, and the right is blue, which is the same as the color
information of the light from the subject
[0097] FIG. 16B is the case where a mode for the first color-vision
impairment is set in the setting device 7. The color region in the
center (green) is gain-adjusted based on the setting. In the
display image Pout, the color region in the center changes form
green to dark orange, the color region on the left is dark orange,
and the color region on the right is blue. It is understood from
this that the first color-vision handicapped cannot identify the
boundary between the color region of green and that of dark orange
in the color information from the subject.
[0098] FIG. 16C is the case where a mode for the second
color-vision impairment is set in the setting device 7. The color
region in the center (green) is gain-adjusted based on the setting.
In the display image Pout, the color region in the center changes
form green to brown. The color region on the left is dark orange,
and the color region on the right is blue, which are the same as
the original. Although the boundary between the color region of
brown and that of dark orange is unclear, the boundary can be
better identified compared to the case shown in FIG. 16B.
[0099] FIG. 17 is a block diagram for showing the structure of the
digital camera 1 according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 18 shows
the details of the image processor 5 shown in FIG. 17.
[0100] The image data converter 4 of the image processor 5 converts
the video signal D1 with no gain adjustment into image data P0 and
converts the adjusted video signal D2 that is gain-adjusted by the
gain adjuster 3 into image data P1. The color discriminator 10
divides the image area of the image data P0 obtained by converting
the video signal D1 into each color region on a plane, and samples
the color information of each divided color region. Furthermore,
the color discriminator 10 divides the image area of the image data
P1 obtained by converting the adjusted video signal D2 into each
color region on a plane, and samples the color information of each
divided color region. Moreover, the color discriminator 10
discriminates the difference between color information of the image
data P0 and that of the image data P1 and transmits the result of
the discrimination to the superimposing device 11.
[0101] Based on the result of the discrimination supplied form the
color discriminator 10, the superimposing device 11 generates the
superimposing data S1 exclusively for the color region that
satisfies the following condition and superimposes it on the image
data that is obtained by converting the adjusted video signal.
[0102] In the image data P0, the color information of the color
regions adjacent to each other (referred to as adjacent color
regions hereinafter) is different. [0103] In the image data P1,
hues of the adjacent color regions are the same.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 16B, even in the color region where the
color-vision handicapped identify as being the same colors although
the color information of the light from the subject contains
information of different colors, it is possible to discriminate the
color regions by using the digital camera 1 of the embodiment.
[0105] FIG. 19 shows the effects of the embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 19A, by setting the mode corresponding to the first
color-vision impairment in the setting device 7, the color region
(green) positioned in the center of the light from the subject is
gain-adjusted. As a result, it turns the same color as the color
region (dark orange) adjacent to that color region. However, as
shown in FIG. 19B, by setting a change of luminance of the boundary
between the same colors in the setting device 7, it is possible to
provide a difference of the luminance between both regions even
though the regions are in the same color. Thereby, the first
color-vision handicapped and the color-vision nonhandicapped can
correctly discriminate the boundary of the color regions of the
first color-vision impairment.
[0106] (Seventh Embodiment)
[0107] A seventh embodiment of the present invention, when the
boundary between the different color regions becomes unclear as a
result of the gain adjustment, easily recognizes that the color
region whose color is changed due to the gain adjustment has turned
the same color as that of the surrounding color regions.
[0108] FIG. 20 is a block diagram for showing the structure of the
digital camera 1 according to the seventh embodiment of the present
invention. In the digital camera 1 of the embodiment, in addition
to the structure (FIG. 17) of the sixth embodiment, the color
discriminator 10 is further provided with a color region judging
device 12 which discriminates each color region in the image data,
and then judges, from the color information, whether or not there
is a pair of adjacent regions which are adjacent and have the same
color information with each other. For the pair of adjacent color
regions of same color discriminated by the color region judging
device 12, the superimposing device 11 generates the superimposing
data S1, which is obtained by changing at lest one of the
luminance, hue, saturation of the image data P1, and superimposes
the superimposing data S1 on the image data P1. The basis for
judging the pair of adjacent color regions of same color is the
same as that of the sixth embodiment, so that the description
thereof will be omitted.
[0109] FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B show the effects of the embodiment. As
shown in FIG. 21A, when the mode corresponding to the first
color-vision impairment is set in the setting device 7, the color
region (green) in the center of the light from the subject is
gain-adjusted. As a result, it turns the same color as the adjacent
color region (dark orange). Thus, as shown in FIG. 21B, one of the
luminance, hue, saturation is changed in either one of the same
color regions by the setting device 7. Thereby, the above-described
superimposing is performed on the pair of the color regions of same
color. In FIG. 21, by way of example, the luminance is adjusted for
changing the center region to black. With this, it is possible to
prevent the pair of adjacent color regions of different colors from
turning the same color due to the gain adjustment (see FIG.
21A).
[0110] (Eighth Embodiment)
[0111] An eighth embodiment of the present invention highlights the
boundary between the color regions by non-stored colors (colors
that are not in the image data obtained by converting the adjusted
video signal).
[0112] The digital camera 1 of the embodiment is the same as that
of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 17 except that the storage
device 9 further has a function of storing the color information of
the image data P1 that is obtained by converting the adjusted video
signal D2. Furthermore, the superimposing device 11 generates the
superimposing data S1 in which the non-stored colors (colors not
stored in the storage device 9) are used, and superimposes the
generated superimposing data S1 on the image data P1.
[0113] FIG. 22A-FIG. 22C show the effects of the embodiment. In all
the cases of FIG. 22A-FIG. 22C, the color information of the light
from the subject has the green color region in the center, the red
color region on the left, and blue color region on the right.
[0114] FIG. 22A shows the state where the mode for the color-vision
nonhandicapped as well as hue change in the boundary between the
color regions are set in the setting device 7. The display image
Pout is the same as the color information, which has the green
color region in the center, the red color region on the left, and
blue color region on the right. Furthermore, the boundary between
each color region is colored in the non-stored color that is not
stored in the storage device 9.
[0115] FIG. 22B shows the state where the mode for the first
color-vision impairment as well as hue change in the boundary
between the color regions are set in the setting device 7. Due to
the gain adjustment based on the mode, in the display image Pout,
the color region in the center is changed from green to dark
orange, the color region on the left is changed from red to reddish
brown, and color region on the right stays blue. Furthermore, the
boundaries between each color region are colored in the non-stored
color that is not stored in the storage device 9.
[0116] FIG. 22C shows the state where the mode for the second
color-vision impairment as well as hue change in the boundary
between the color regions are set in the setting device 7. Due to
the gain adjustment according to the mode, in the display image
Pout, the color region in the center is changed from green to
brown, the color region on the left is changed from red to dark
orange, and color region on the right stays blue. Furthermore, the
boundary between each color region is colored in the non-stored
color that is not stored in the storage device 9.
[0117] On the boundaries between all the color regions including
the color regions whose colors change as described above, there is
superimposed the superimposing data S1 of non-stored color, i.e.
the color that is not in the image data P1 obtained by converting
the adjusted video signal D2. Thereby, the boundary between the
color regions can be expressed by a recognizable color, so that a
change of color can be easily recognized.
[0118] (Ninth Embodiment)
[0119] A ninth embodiment of the present invention highlights the
boundary between the color regions by unexpressed colors (colors of
image data that cannot be obtained by converting the video signal
based on the gain adjusting value in the storage device).
[0120] The digital camera 1 of the embodiment is the same as that
of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 17 except that the storage
device 9 further has a function of storing the unexpressed color
showing the color of the image data P1 that cannot be obtained by
converting the video signal D1 based on the gain adjusting value in
the storage device 9. Furthermore, the superimposing device 11
generates the superimposing data S1 in which the unexpressed color
is used, and superimposes it on the image data P1. The unexpressed
color is determined in advance and the gain adjusted value is
determined based thereon such that the unexpressed color cannot be
obtained form the video signal D1.
[0121] FIG. 23A-FIG. 23C show the effects of the embodiment. In all
the cases of FIG. 22A-FIG. 22C, the color information of the light
from the subject has the green color region in the center, the red
color region on the left, and blue color region on the right.
[0122] FIG. 22A shows the state where the mode for the color-vision
nonhandicapped as well as hue change in the boundary between the
color regions are set in the setting device 7. The display image
Pout is the same as the color information, which has the green
color region in the center, the red color region on the left, and
blue color region on the right. Furthermore, the boundary between
each color region is colored in the unexpressed color (the color
not included in the colors obtained from the video signal D1),
which is stored in the storage device 9.
[0123] FIG. 23B shows the state where the mode for the first
color-vision impairment as well as hue change in the boundary
between the color regions are set in the setting device 7. Due to
the gain adjustment base on the more, in the display image Pout,
the color region in the center is changed from green to dark
orange, the color region on the left is changed from red to reddish
brown, and color region on the right stays blue. Furthermore, the
boundary between each color region is colored in the unexpressed
color that is stored in the storage device 9.
[0124] FIG. 23C shows the state where the mode for the second
color-vision impairment as well as hue change in the boundary
between the color regions are set in the setting device 7. Due to
the gain adjustment according to the mode, in the display image
Pout, the color region in the center is changed from green to
brown, the color region on the left is changed from red to dark
orange, and color region on the right stays blue. Furthermore, the
boundary between each color region is colored in the unexpressed
color that is stored in the storage device 9.
[0125] On the boundaries between all the color regions including
the color regions whose colors change as described above, there is
superimposed the superimposing data S1 of unexpressed color for
expressing the boundaries between the color regions. This allows
the color-vision handicapped as well as the color-vision
nonhadicapped to recognize the boundaries between the color regions
easily.
[0126] (Tenth Embodiment)
[0127] FIG. 24 is a block diagram for showing the structure of the
digital camera 1 according to a tenth embodiment of the present
invention. Reference numeral 12 is a timer that outputs
interruption to the controller 8 by every prescribed time. The
controller 8 controls the superimposing device 11 to alternately
switches the states for superposing and not superimposing the
superimposing data S1 on the image data for every interruption
outputted from the timer 12.
[0128] FIG. 25 shows the effects of the embodiment. The color
information of the light from the subject has the green color
region in the center, the dark-orange color region on the left, and
blue color region on the right. When setting the mode for the first
color-vision impairment in the setting device 7, the color region
(green) in the center of the light from the subject is changed to
the adjacent color region (dark orange) as a result of gain
adjustment. Thus, in addition, there are set, in the setting device
7, change of the luminance in either one of the color regions,
which have tuned the same color, as well as flashing of the color
regions of the same color. Thereby, the superimposing device 11
alternately switches the states for superimposing and not
superimposing the superimposing data S1 on the image data in the
color regions that have turned the same color, for every
interruption outputted from the timer 12. The superimposing device
11 also flash-displays the color regions that have turned the same
color due to the gain adjustment by every prescribed time. As a
result, visibility of the boundary between the color regions can be
improved. The embodiment (addition of the timer 12) can be applied
to each of the above-described embodiments.
[0129] (Eleventh Embodiment)
[0130] FIG. 26 is a block diagram for showing the structure of the
digital camera 1 according to an eleventh embodiment of the
invention. The storage device 9 stores color information of the
image data P0 that is not gain-adjusted. The image processor 5
comprises a stored-color comparator 13. The color information of
the image data P0 obtained by converting the video signal D1 and
the color information of the image data P1 obtained by converting
the adjusted video signal D2 is imputed to the stored-color
comparator 13. The stored-color comparator 13 compares the image
data P0 and the color information with no gain adjustment stored in
the storage device 9. When both of the data are consistent, the
stored-color comparator 13 outputs the image data P0 as image data
Pc and, when inconsistent, outputs the image data P1 as the image
data Pc. The image data Pc is transmitted to the displaying device
6 and outputted as the display image Pout. For other structures,
the structures of any of the above-described embodiment can be
employed.
[0131] FIG. 27 shows the effects of the embodiment. In both cases
of FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B, the color information of the light from
the subject has the green color region in the center, the
dark-orange color region on the left, and blue color region on the
right.
[0132] FIG. 27A shows the state where the mode corresponding to the
first color-vision impairment is set in the setting device 7. The
color region (green) in the center is gain-adjusted according to
the mode. In the display image Pout, the color region in the center
is changed from green to dark orange, the color region on the left
stays dark orange, and the color region on the right stays blue. As
a result, the color region in the center changes from green to dark
orange, which is the same color as the color region (dark orange)
on the left. This means that it is not possible for the first
color-vision impairment to discriminate the boundary between the
color region (green) and the color region (dark orange) of the
color information of the light from the subject.
[0133] Thus, as shown in FIG. 27B, change of the luminance in the
same color regions are set in the setting device 7 and, at the same
time, green is set as the color to have no gain adjustment. That
is, a specific color (wavelength) without gain adjustment is
outputted in accordance with each characteristic of the
color-vision handicapped. As a result, in the case where the color
information is corrected in one's brain by the memorized color of
the color-vision handicapped, it is possible to know how it is
corrected even though it is actually a different color.
[0134] The embodiment (the structure of storing the unadjusted
color) can be applied not only to the embodiments (the eighth
embodiment and the like) where color conversion of the entire
specific color region is controlled, but also to the embodiments
(fourth, fifth embodiments, etc.) where color conversion of the
boundaries around the specific color region is controlled.
[0135] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiments but may be embodied as follows.
[0136] (1) In each of the above-described embodiments, expressions
of Ye=R+G, Cy=B+G, Mg=R+B,G are applied for converting the colors
from the complementary color to the primary color. However, it is
not limited to those. Prescribed coefficients a-f may be used for
achieving conversion such as Ye=a*R+b*G, Cy=c*B+d*G,
Mg=e*R+f*B,G.
[0137] (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the
superimposing data S1 is superimposed on the image data P1.
However, the value of the image data P1 itself may be adjusted.
[0138] The present invention has been described in detail by
referring to the most preferred embodiments. However, various
combinations and modifications of the components are possible
without departing from the sprit and the broad scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *