JPH1062252A - Method for inspecting color unevenness of inspected object, automatic inspection apparatus for color unevenness, and method for setting weighted coefficient - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a method for inspecting color unevenness of an object to be inspected, an automatic inspection apparatus for color unevenness, and a method for setting a weighting coefficient, which can cope with color signal detection characteristics of various use systems. SOLUTION: A weighting coefficient H · G is applied to a circular standard hue saturation curve 1 on a color signal plane 5 using a weighting coefficient H · G for each hue, which simulates a color signal detection characteristic in a use system.
G is corrected, the formed curve is defined as an apparent hue saturation curve 2 in this use system, and light 3 to 3A of a specific hue provided by the inspected object, and an apparent hue saturation curve 2 in the use system. , The pass / fail of the color unevenness of the inspected object is determined.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for inspecting color unevenness of an object to be inspected, an apparatus for automatically inspecting color unevenness, and a method for setting a weighting coefficient. The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically measuring unevenness and a method of setting a weighting coefficient based on hue saturation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a device (or an object) for supplying a color or an image is used by a utilization system receiving its output. For example, a CCD solid-state imaging device having a built-in color filter outputs a captured color or image, and a human uses the output by making full use of his / her visual sense. In this case, the device (or object) that supplies colors and images is CC
It is a D solid-state imaging device, and the utilization system receiving the output is a human. On the other hand, unmanned operation in a large freezer warehouse, CC
The color and image output from the robot eye equipped with the D solid-state imaging device are received and used by the pattern recognition system. In this case, the object that supplies colors and images is a CCD solid-state imaging device, and the utilization system that receives the output is a mechanical device.

Next, considering a case of inspecting an object that supplies the above-mentioned color or image (this is referred to as an object to be inspected), such an inspection is also executed by the utilization system as in the above. For example, in the color unevenness inspection of a color filter incorporated in a CCD solid-state imaging device, a color or an image is reproduced from a signal output through the color filter, and an inspector serving as a user visually inspects the color or image. Alternatively, the hue vector signal is extracted from the signal output through the color filter, and the measuring device, which is the utilization system, performs an unmanned automatic inspection.

As described above, in both normal use and inspection, an object (object to be inspected) and a utilization system are constituted. Since an object (object to be inspected) has its own color signal characteristics, and the human being and the measuring device also have their own color signal detection characteristics, for example, in the inspection, the inspection result is used by the utilization system. Is generally different between a human and a measuring device.

Here, if the user system in normal use is a human and the user system in the test is also a human inspector, the pass / fail result perceived by the user is the same because the color signal detection characteristics are the same. The same is true for the inspector, so there is no problem.
However, if the system used during normal use is a human and the system used during inspection is a measuring machine having color signal detection characteristics different from those of humans, there will be deviations in the pass / fail results. For this reason, it is necessary to devise a technique for bringing the color signal detection characteristics of the measuring machine closer to the color signal detection characteristics of a human. The present invention meets such an object.

Hereinafter, the prior art will be described. The first type of object or device having color characteristics is a color filter that transmits light of a specific hue, for example, is incorporated in a CCD solid-state imaging device. A second type is a color CRT that emits light of a specific hue, for example, light of three primary colors. Further, as a third type, there is a color printer or the like that outputs a printed matter reflecting light of a specific hue.

[0007] The objects having the color characteristics as described above are driven or used under various conditions.
For example, a color filter in a CCD solid-state imaging device incorporated in a video camera that captures a landscape or a person image as a subject will be described as an example. Such a color filter is used for a subject irradiated with white light or daylight electric light. At the time of photographing, only light of a predetermined wavelength in the incident light beam is transmitted, and the transmitted light is indirectly transmitted (for example, via display means such as a color CRT) to the human eye as a user. That is, in this case, the color filter is applied to a user system.

Next, with such a color filter as an object to be inspected, the color characteristics of the object to be inspected are as follows.
A conventional method for inspecting color unevenness will be described below. A CCD solid-state imaging device capable of capturing a color image, which includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged photosensors, usually has a configuration in which a color filter is built in. Such a color filter is provided on a device. It is aligned directly on the photosensor and built as an on-chip filter.

As an example of such a configuration, for example, red R,
Three-color filters in the form of stripes of green G and blue B are stacked on the photosensor, and one of the three-color filters is assigned to one photosensor and color pixels (hereinafter simply referred to as pixels). Is formed, and a set of three color pixels forms a display pixel having a color mosaic configuration (hereinafter, referred to as a pixel). Further, as such a color mosaic configuration, cyan Cy, which is a complementary color of each of the three primary colors,
Three-color filters of magenta Mg and yellow Ye are also widely applied as a color difference sequential method.

[0010] R, G,
The B signal or the Cy, Mg, and Ye signals are usually linearly combined with the luminance signal Y through a matrix circuit to become an RY signal and a BY signal, and are converted to, for example, an NTSC composite color signal through the encoder together with the luminance signal Y. Is output.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the signal output from each pixel is represented as a vector on a color signal plane with the horizontal axis being BY and the vertical axis being RY, the angle formed by the vector becomes The hue, and the vector length (scalar amount as an absolute value) is the saturation (color density) of the signal.

As described above, each of the plurality of pixels constituting the CCD solid-state image pickup device has its own color characteristics. Here, the difference in saturation (color density) between adjacent pixels causes color unevenness. . That is, the color unevenness generated in the color filter is observed as a state in which the spatial distribution of the density of light of a specific wavelength (hue) transmitted through the color filter is locally nonuniform.

Conventionally, as a measurement of such color unevenness, initially, a photographed image output signal from a CCD solid-state image pickup device is
The luminance of each hue is made uniform, and each hue is displayed on the basis of a color display device in which a uniform spatial distribution of saturation is realized over the entire display screen. The developed color unevenness due to the color density difference was visually inspected.

For example, in the past, three flat, blue, red, and green subjects were separately photographed using a CCD solid-state image pickup device having a built-in color filter, which is an object to be inspected, and the image of each color was obtained. Of the three primary colors (for example, blue B) output from the CCD solid-state imaging device via the matrix circuit by performing a visual inspection by displaying on a reference CRT or white light incident on the CCD solid-state imaging device. A visual inspection for color unevenness was performed by displaying only an output signal on a reference CRT and observing a blue raster. The same applies to the other two color unevennesses.

By the way, in such an inspection system, the relative luminous efficiency characteristic of the inspector who performs the visual inspection is such that green and magenta are high and blue is low. Therefore, the color unevenness detection by the inspector is less strict for blue color unevenness,
Green or magenta color unevenness is determined strictly. This is because the user in the utilization system has the same relative luminosity characteristic as that of the inspector,
The conditions are equivalent to those in actual use and have been considered valid.

After that, an automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus was introduced instead of the above-described color non-uniformity visual inspection. In such a color non-uniformity automatic inspection apparatus, the threshold value for determination is based on the relative visibility characteristics of the inspector. In addition, it has been determined to be easy to implement on a circuit. That is, the threshold values are RY signal, BY
It is set by the signal strength of the signal, and is a rectangle RX on a color signal plane composed of orthogonal coordinates of the RY vertical axis and the BY horizontal axis as shown in FIG.

Therefore, a white-balanced RY signal, B, output from each pixel of a CCD solid-state image pickup device having a color filter as an object to be inspected,
The pass / fail of the color unevenness was automatically inspected based on whether or not the signal of the -Y signal was within the range surrounded by the threshold value of the rectangle RX shown in FIG. That is, a color filter in which the light F1 falls within the set rectangle RX passes the condition that the color unevenness is smaller than the threshold, and passes the light F2 protruding outside the rectangle RX when the color unevenness is smaller than the threshold. It was judged as rejected because it was large.

[0018]

In the case where a human is a utilization system as described above, the color signal detection characteristics of the utilization system itself with respect to light of each hue can be obtained by plotting on a color signal plane. The closed curve becomes the hue saturation curve of this use system, and becomes, for example, a convex closed curve CV as shown in FIG. Then, a color filter in which the signal of the color unevenness falls within the hue saturation curve CV passes because the color unevenness is smaller than the threshold value, and the signal of the color unevenness passes from the region surrounded by the hue saturation curve. The protruding color filter is rejected because the color unevenness is larger than the threshold value.

Here, the reference hue is orange-yellow (the angle in the figure is θ), and the normalized hue is normalized by an appropriate degree of saturation (vector length). When the saturation curve CV and the rectangular hue saturation curve RX used by the automatic inspection device are superimposed and displayed as shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG.
There is a region E outside the rectangle RX and inside the convex hue saturation curve CV.

This is because, for example, when the light supplied from the two color filters is F1 or F2, both of the tips are in the area E, and when the light is inspected by a human, both of them have color unevenness. Is smaller than the threshold value, the product is accepted. However, in the conventional automatic inspection apparatus, since the threshold value has a deviation only in the region E, it is determined that the color unevenness is larger than the threshold value and the product is rejected. That is, in the related art, there is a disadvantage that what is to be accepted is regarded as rejected.

Alternatively, if the reference hue is blue, when the convex hue saturation curve normalized with blue and the rectangular hue saturation curve are superimposed, the convex hue saturation There is an area outside the curve and inside the rectangle. This is because a color filter having a tip of light in this area was rejected according to a human inspector because the color unevenness was larger than a threshold value, but it was a rejected product by a conventional automatic inspection apparatus. This indicates an inconvenience that the non-uniformity is smaller than the threshold value and is determined to be acceptable.

The above description describes an inconvenience caused by a color unevenness inspection of a color filter of a CCD solid-state image pickup device as an example. The same inconvenience is caused by a color display device such as a color CRT or a flat panel color display (LCD). And EL, PDP).

Therefore, it is necessary that the automatic inspection method and apparatus have a configuration in which various hue saturation characteristics suitable for the actual use environment can be set. However, the conventional method and apparatus are different from those described above. It has been extremely difficult to deal with the hue saturation characteristics of the actual usage environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages of the prior art, and has as its object the color of an object to be inspected which can cope with the color signal detection characteristics of various use systems. An object of the present invention is to provide an unevenness inspection method, a color unevenness automatic inspection device, and a weighting coefficient setting method.

[0025]

According to the present invention, there is provided a color non-uniformity inspection method according to the present invention, wherein light of a specific hue is supplied from an object to be inspected by coloring, transmission or reflection, and light of the specific hue is supplied. With a color signal detection characteristic corresponding to light of a plurality of hues, including the color of the specific hue by a utilization system of a structure exhibiting a quantifiable reaction based on the color signal detection characteristic when receiving the plurality of hues A method for inspecting unevenness of a color of an object to be inspected, wherein a hue weighting coefficient separately set using a saturation determined based on the quantifiable reaction in the utilization system is given. The case is that the saturation of each hue is uniform, and a circular standard hue saturation curve on a color signal plane is subjected to an apparent hue saturation in the utilization system by using a curve corrected by the weighting coefficient. And a degree curve, and comparing the light of the specific hue provided by the object to be inspected with the apparent hue saturation curve in the utilization system, the pass / fail of the color unevenness of the object to be inspected is determined. You.

According to the above configuration, the apparent hue saturation curve, which is corrected by using the given weighting coefficient and reflects the optical signal detection characteristics in the use system, and the light provided by the object to be inspected. Are superimposed and displayed on the color signal plane, and the comparison determines whether the color unevenness characteristic of the object to be inspected is acceptable or not. By introducing an apparent hue saturation curve, the optical signal detection characteristic of the application system is more strictly simulated. As a result, an inspection with less error is performed. In addition, an inspection method with a wide applicable range that can cope with different optical signal detection characteristics of various utilization systems is realized.

Alternatively, if the color unevenness inspection method according to the present invention is such that light of a specific hue provided by the object to be inspected is within an area surrounded by an apparent hue saturation curve of the utilization system, In the case of the configuration in which the color unevenness of the object is determined to be acceptable, the determination is based on the hue saturation curve that is more realistic, and the inspection accuracy is improved. Moreover, an inspection method having a wide application range applicable to various utilization systems is realized.

Alternatively, in the color unevenness inspection method according to the present invention, light of a specific hue is supplied from an object to be inspected by coloring, transmission or reflection, and the light corresponding to a plurality of hues including the light of the specific hue is provided. With the color signal detection characteristic, inspecting the color unevenness of the specific hue by a utilization system of a structure that exhibits a quantifiable reaction based on the color signal detection characteristic when receiving the plurality of hues, A color non-uniformity inspection method, wherein a hue weighting coefficient is separately set using a saturation degree determined based on the quantifiable reaction in the utilization system, and the object to be inspected is provided. The light having the specific hue is subjected to the correction by the weighting coefficient to give an apparent light, and the circular hue saturation curve on the color signal plane and the correction by the weighting coefficient are performed. By comparison with hanging light, are determined constitutes the acceptance of color unevenness of the inspection object.

According to the above configuration, the light provided by the object to be inspected is subjected to the correction using the given weighting coefficient in which the optical signal detection characteristic in the utilization system is reflected, and thus the light is simulated close to reality. The apparent light is superimposed and displayed on the color signal plane as the light provided by the inspected object, and the pass / fail of the color unevenness characteristic of the inspected object is determined by comparison with the hue saturation curve. As a result, the optical signal detection characteristics of the utilization system are strictly simulated with respect to the light provided by the object to be inspected, so that an inspection with few errors is performed. In addition, an inspection method with a wide applicable range that can cope with different optical signal detection characteristics of various utilization systems is realized.

In the case where the color unevenness inspection method according to the present invention is configured to determine that the color unevenness characteristic of the object to be inspected is acceptable if there is apparent light in an area surrounded by the hue saturation curve. , The light provided by the object to be inspected is displayed in a more realistic manner on the color signal plane, so that the judgment can be made. An inspection method with a wide applicable range is realized.

A method for setting a weighting coefficient according to the present invention is as follows.
It has color signal detection characteristics corresponding to light of a plurality of hues including light of a specific hue supplied from the inspected object, and exhibits a quantifiable response based on the color signal detection characteristics when receiving the plurality of hues. In the utilization system of the structure, the saturation when the light of the predetermined reference hue implements the predetermined reaction is defined as the reference saturation, and when the light of the specific hue implements the same reaction as the predetermined reaction. Let the saturation be the corresponding saturation,
The ratio of the corresponding saturation to the reference saturation is used as a weighting coefficient for the specific hue in the usage system.

According to the method of setting the weighting coefficient,
Since the weighting coefficient is determined by the saturation ratio of the use system itself, a coefficient that does not deviate from the characteristic inherent in the actual use system, which strictly reflects the actual color signal detection characteristics of the use system. Is achieved. Moreover, if this weighting coefficient setting method is used, various color signal detection characteristics of various arbitrary use systems can be freely simulated.

The color non-uniformity automatic inspection apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that light of a specific hue is supplied from an object to be inspected by coloring, transmission or reflection, and a color corresponding to a plurality of hues including the light of the specific hue. With the signal detection characteristic, inspecting the color unevenness of the specific hue by a utilization system of a structure exhibiting a quantifiable reaction based on the color signal detection characteristic when receiving light of the plurality of hues, A color non-uniformity automatic inspection apparatus, wherein a saturation weight of a hue is separately set using a saturation degree determined based on the quantifiable reaction in the utilization system, and a saturation degree of each hue is determined. A uniform hue saturation curve having a circular shape on a color signal plane, and an apparent hue saturation curve in the utilization system with a curve corrected by the weighting coefficient; By comparison with the hue saturation curve of the apparent in the use system and the specific hue of the light to be subjected, characterized in that to determine the acceptability of the color unevenness of the inspection object.

According to the above configuration, an apparent hue saturation curve, which is corrected by using a given weighting coefficient and reflects an optical signal detection characteristic in a use system, and a light provided by the object to be inspected. Are superimposed and displayed on the color signal plane, and the comparison determines whether the color unevenness characteristic of the object to be inspected is acceptable or not. By introducing an apparent hue saturation curve, the optical signal detection characteristic of the application system is more strictly simulated. As a result, an inspection with less error is performed. In addition, an automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus having a wide application range that can cope with different optical signal detection characteristics of various utilization systems is realized.

In addition, if the color unevenness automatic inspection apparatus according to the present invention is such that light of a specific hue provided by an object to be inspected is within a region surrounded by an apparent hue saturation curve of the utilization system, In the case of a configuration in which the color unevenness of the inspection object is determined to be acceptable, the determination is based on the hue saturation curve that is more realistic, and the inspection accuracy is improved. In addition, an automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus having a wide range of applications that can be applied to various utilization systems is realized.

Further, the automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes a microcomputer, and further includes a weighting coefficient management means programmed to be executable by the microcomputer, and a weighting coefficient supplied from the weighting coefficient management means. An apparent hue saturation curve generating means for updating the hue saturation curve by using the digital data obtained by converting light supplied from the object to be inspected and an apparent hue saturation curve generating means provided from the apparent hue saturation curve generating means And a determination means for determining whether color unevenness is acceptable or not based on the hue saturation curve of, the simulation in the digital data format is performed, so that scalable, rapid and highly accurate processing is performed. A color unevenness automatic inspection device to be performed is realized.

Alternatively, the color non-uniformity automatic inspection apparatus according to the present invention is adapted to supply light of a specific hue from an object to be inspected by coloring, transmission or reflection, and to respond to light of a plurality of hues including the light of the specific hue. The object to be inspected, wherein the object to be inspected has a color signal detection characteristic to perform the inspection and inspects the color unevenness of the specific hue by using a structure using a structure that exhibits a quantifiable reaction based on the color signal detection characteristics when receiving the plurality of hues. The color non-uniformity automatic inspection apparatus, wherein the object to be inspected is given a hue weighting coefficient separately set using a saturation determined based on the quantifiable reaction in the utilization system. The light of the specific hue to be provided is subjected to correction by the weighting coefficient to obtain apparent light, and is corrected by a circular hue saturation curve and the weighting coefficient on a color signal plane. By comparison with the light of the apparent and,
It is configured to determine whether the color unevenness of the inspection object is acceptable or not.

According to the above configuration, the light provided by the object to be inspected is subjected to the correction using the weighting coefficient, which is a given value, reflecting the optical signal detection characteristics in the utilization system, and thus, the light is simulated close to reality. The apparent light is superimposed and displayed on the color signal plane as the light provided by the inspected object, and the pass / fail of the color unevenness characteristic of the inspected object is determined by comparison with the hue saturation curve. As a result, the optical signal detection characteristics of the utilization system are strictly simulated with respect to the light provided by the object to be inspected, so that an inspection with few errors is performed. In addition, an automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus having a wide application range that can cope with different optical signal detection characteristics of various utilization systems is realized.

In the case where the automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus according to the present invention determines that the color non-uniformity characteristic of the object to be inspected is acceptable if there is apparent light in an area surrounded by the hue saturation curve. Means that the judgment is made in a state where the light provided by the object to be inspected is displayed more realistically on the color signal plane, which not only improves the inspection accuracy but also copes with various usage systems. A color unevenness automatic inspection device having a wide applicable range is realized.

Also, the automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes a microcomputer, and further comprises a weighting coefficient management means programmed to be executable by the microcomputer, and a weighting coefficient supplied from the weighting coefficient management means. Using, apparent light generation means for updating the light supplied from the object to be inspected, and the pass / fail judgment of color unevenness based on the hue saturation curve and the apparent light supplied from the apparent light generation means In the case where the apparatus is configured to include a determination unit that performs the simulation, the simulation using the digital data format is performed, thereby realizing an automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus capable of performing scalable, quick, and high-accuracy processing.

[0041]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the color unevenness inspection method according to the present invention. The color non-uniformity inspection method according to the present embodiment is a measuring apparatus having a characteristic in which a predetermined use system is close to a human or human color signal detection characteristic, and an object to be inspected used in this use system is a CCD solid-state imaging device. Color filter. This inspected object is
It transmits light of a specific hue, for example, blue. Then, the color unevenness characteristic of the color filter is inspected by comparing the light of a specific hue provided by the color filter with a hue saturation curve obtained by quantifying the color signal detection characteristic of the utilization system.

First, the color signal detection characteristics and the hue saturation curve will be described. Generally, the utilization system itself has inherent sensitivity to light of a specific hue. For example, if the light signal has a high sensitivity to green light, the light signal having a low saturation (light color density) is detected. That is, in this case, the detection sensitivity of the color density of the green system is high. On the other hand, if it has low sensitivity to the blue light signal, the color density of the blue light is difficult to detect. Such unique sensitivity of the utilization system itself is the color signal detection characteristic.

Hue (wavelength of color) and saturation (color density)
Is introduced into the utilization system to cause a reaction such as a color stimulus. The degree of this reaction depends on the color signal detection characteristics of the utilization system itself, and the saturation required to obtain the same degree of reaction differs for each hue. Therefore, when a saturation degree for obtaining a reaction of a predetermined intensity is measured for each hue and plotted on a color signal plane, a closed curve is obtained. This is defined as a hue saturation curve.

Therefore, in the color unevenness inspection method according to the present embodiment, first, a hue saturation curve of the use system itself is created. First, a weighting coefficient that reflects the color signal detection characteristics of the use system itself, which has already been determined by actual measurement or the like based on a quantifiable reaction, is introduced as a condition. Such a weighting coefficient is obtained by using the user system as a human, for example, as shown in FIG.
And a weighting coefficient H as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed as a numerical value with yellow as a reference value of 1.

As described above, the horizontal axis of each light is represented by an angle of hue and the saturation (saturation) is defined as a vector length.
It can be plotted on a color signal plane where Y and the vertical axis are RY. In an ideal system, the saturation of each hue is uniform regardless of the hue. Therefore, in the ideal system, the saturation (vector length) of each hue is the same, and the envelope at the tip of each light is a circle. This is referred to as a standard hue saturation curve 1.

The circular standard hue saturation curve 1 is corrected by the weighting coefficient H introduced above. In other words, the correction is performed by multiplying the uniform vector length of the ideal system by a weighting coefficient for each hue, with the yellow coefficient being a reference value of 1. As a result, the envelope at the tip of each vector does not become a circle, but becomes a closed curve as shown in the figure. This is designated as an apparent hue saturation curve 2. The apparent hue saturation curve 2 is an apparent threshold.

Next, a specific hue provided by the object to be inspected,
For example, the blue light 3 is superimposed on the apparent hue saturation curve 2 and plotted on a color signal plane. As a result,
If the vector length (saturation) of the light 3 provided by the inspected object is short, the tip of the light 3 is within the area inside the apparent hue saturation curve 2, and therefore the blue light provided by the inspected object is It is determined that the system has not yet reached saturation.

More specifically, in FIG. 1, the tip of the blue light 3 provided by the object to be inspected is outside the circular standard hue saturation curve 1, but the apparent hue saturation curve 2 More inside. This is because, in the utilization system, the detection sensitivity to blue light is low, and thus, in the ideal utilization system, a response similar to the color stimulus (reaction) obtained just above the standard hue saturation curve 1 is obtained in this utilization system. To obtain, the apparent hue saturation curve 2
It indicates that more than is required. Since the vector length (saturation) is the color density, this indicates that a deeper blue is needed.

The above description will be made with respect to color unevenness. In this use system, blue color unevenness is detected when dark blue is displayed as indicated by light 3A having a large vector length. Therefore, when a light blue color not exceeding the apparent hue saturation curve 2 is displayed, the color unevenness of the blue color is not detected. In other words, the allowable limit for the blue hue is large, and therefore, even if the hue exceeds the standard hue saturation curve 1, it can be determined as acceptable in this use system. Further, if the blue light provided by the object to be inspected protrudes from the apparent hue saturation curve 2, blue color unevenness is detected, and thus the object to be inspected is determined to be a rejected product.

In the above-described embodiment, the hue saturation curve reflects the color signal detection characteristic peculiar to the utilization system. The hue saturation curve is corrected to an apparent one and compared with the light provided by the object to be inspected. Was to do. That is, the above-described embodiment is configured by a combination of an apparent hue saturation curve and light. By the way, the contrast between the hue saturation curve and the light provided by the object to be inspected is relative, and therefore, another implementation of the configuration using a combination of the hue saturation curve and the apparent light is different from the above-described embodiment. Forms are also possible. FIG. 3 shows a color non-uniformity inspection method according to such another embodiment.

Like the apparent hue saturation curve 2 shown in FIG. 1, the hue saturation curve of this utilization system is an irregular curve. This is because the same hue was formed. Therefore, if the configuration is such that each of the graduations is normalized for each saturation of each hue, that is, if the graduations in the axial direction of each vector are plotted as apparent graduations, the hue saturation curve 11 is a circle.

On the other hand, for example, blue light provided by the object to be inspected is also plotted on the apparent scale. In the actual procedure, this corresponds to correcting the light provided by the object to be inspected with the weighting coefficient to obtain the apparent light 12. As described above, the pass / fail judgment can be made by combining the hue saturation curve 11 and the apparent light 12.

When the hue saturation curve 11 and the apparent light 12 are plotted on the color signal plane 10 in a superimposed manner, FIG.
If the apparent light 12 is in the region inside the circular hue saturation curve 11 as shown in (1), the blue color unevenness of the object to be inspected is below the detection limit, and the test object passes. on the other hand,
If the tip of the green light 13 is outside the circular hue saturation curve 11 as shown in the drawing, the color unevenness of the green of the inspected object is equal to or larger than the detection limit, and is rejected.

Next, a description will be given of an embodiment of a method of setting a weighting coefficient according to a color signal detection characteristic of a use system according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the utilization system is a person having color signal detection characteristics. Further, 16 colors including the reference color yellow are set as the hues to be inspected.

This utilization system, when receiving the above-mentioned 16 colors of light, is based on its own unique color signal detection characteristics, for example, such that the densities of two lights of different hues are determined to be the same. It has a structure capable of exhibiting a reaction that can be performed.

First, the reference hue is set to, for example, yellow Ye. Next, the light Y1 having the reference saturation Ys in the hue of yellow Ye is displayed for the subject, who is the user. Next, one of the remaining 15 hues, for example, the light G1 of green G, is adjusted in a state where its saturation can be freely adjusted.
It is displayed on the subject side by side with the light Y1. Then, based on the response to the color density of the subject, the density of light G1 is changed to light Y1.
Determine the degree of saturation that is perceived as equal to the concentration of 1. This saturation is the corresponding saturation Gs of the green G.

Next, the corresponding saturation Gs of the green G
The ratio of the yellow Ye to the reference saturation Ys is determined, and this ratio is set as the hue weighting coefficient HG of the green G. Alternatively, this reciprocal is calculated as a weighting coefficient H ·
G may be used.

When the above setting operation is performed for the remaining 14 colors, weighting coefficients for all 16 colors are obtained. This is performed on a plurality of (for example, 18) subjects, and the average value thereof is set as a weighting coefficient H, as shown in FIG. Further, more hues are to be inspected, and the reference
FIG. 4 shows the weighting coefficients when the orange-yellow OY of 6 to 150 degrees is used.

Also, since the above-mentioned utilization system is a human, the weighting coefficient is a coefficient that simulates human visual characteristics. However, by targeting other utilization systems, an arbitrary color signal detection characteristic is simulated. Can be obtained.

Next, an automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 shows a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the color unevenness automatic inspection apparatus according to the present invention. The color unevenness automatic inspection apparatus 20 according to the present invention is configured by a microcomputer system, and includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, an AD converter 23, and a RAM.
24, an HDD 25, and a display 26.

In the ROM 22, a weighting coefficient management unit 31, an apparent hue saturation curve generation unit 32, an apparent light generation unit 33, and a determination unit 34 are all included in the CPU 21.
Stored in a program format executable by
The HDD 25 stores the weighting coefficient data H
Is stored as a subject, and hue saturation curve data D is stored.

The light W supplied from the inspected object 30 is an analog signal, is converted into digital data 30 a via the AD converter 23, and is supplied to the apparent light generating means 33 and the determining means 34.

When the color unevenness automatic inspection apparatus 20 operates,
First, the configuration is confirmed by the CPU 21. If the configuration is based on a combination with an apparent hue saturation curve, the weighting coefficient management unit 31 is executed to access the weighting coefficient data H for the usage system from the HDD 25 and obtain the obtained configuration. The apparent hue saturation curve generating means 32 is executed based on the weighting coefficient H to obtain an apparent hue saturation curve 32a. Next, the apparent hue saturation curve 32a and the digital conversion data 3 of the light W supplied from the inspection object 30 are displayed.
On the basis of 0a, the judgment means 34 is operated to make a pass / fail judgment. The determination result is displayed on the display 26.

Further, if the configuration is a combination of a circular hue saturation curve and apparent light, the HDD 25 accesses the weighting coefficient data H for the utilization system, and obtains the obtained weighting coefficient H and the inspection object 30. The apparent light generating means 33 is executed based on the digital converted data 30a of the light W supplied from the controller and the apparent light 33a is obtained.
Next, based on the apparent light 33a and the hue saturation curve data D stored in the HDD 25, the judgment means 34 is operated to make a pass / fail judgment. The judgment result is displayed on the display 26.
Will be displayed.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment of the color non-uniformity automatic inspection apparatus according to the present invention. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
The color unevenness automatic inspection apparatus 120 according to the present embodiment is configured by a microcomputer system, and includes a CPU 21, a ROM 122,
A D converter 23, a RAM 24, an HDD 125, and a display 26 are provided.

In the ROM 122, a weighting coefficient generating means 131, an apparent hue saturation curve generating means 32, an apparent light generating means 33, and a judging means 34 are all provided with a CPU.
21 in the form of an executable program. In the HDD 125, data Vs of light of a reference hue related to the use system and data Vn of light of various hues related to the use system are both stored as objects. The data relating to these utilization systems is read out and used when the weighting coefficient generation means 131 is executed by the CPU 21.

When the color unevenness automatic inspection apparatus 120 is operated, the configuration is first confirmed by the CPU 21. If the configuration is based on a combination of an apparent hue saturation curve and light, the light of the reference hue applied to the use system is transmitted from the HDD 125. Weight data generating means 131 is executed while accessing the data Vs and the light data Vn of various hues concerning the utilization system, and the apparent hue saturation curve generating means 32 is executed based on the obtained weight coefficients. An apparent hue saturation curve 32a is obtained. Next, the apparent hue saturation curve 32
a, and the pass / fail judgment is made by operating the judging means 34 based on the digital data 30a of the light W supplied from the inspected object 30. The determination result is displayed on the display 26.

Further, if the configuration is a combination of a circular hue saturation curve and apparent light, the HDD 125
The weighting coefficient generation unit 131 is executed while accessing the light data Vs of the reference hue according to the use system and the light data Vn of various hues according to the use system, and the obtained weighting coefficient and the supply from the inspection object 30 are provided. Based on the digital converted data 30a of the light W
Step 3 is performed to obtain the apparent light 33a. Next, based on the apparent light 33a and the hue saturation curve data D stored in the HDD 125, the judgment means 34 is operated to make a pass / fail judgment. The determination result is displayed on the display 26.

In the above description, the CCD solid-state imaging device is applied to a human-based use system. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For a use system having another color signal detection characteristic and no human involvement. However, the present invention can be applied effectively. For example, a CCD solid-state imaging device is incorporated into a color-based non-destructive inspection device, and the color tone of fruits and vegetables stored in a closed warehouse or factory building where a special spectrum lighting environment is applied. If used for fully automatic non-destructive inspection based on color, or used for bio-industry of fungal growth and color control for quality control of bulk pharmaceuticals, chemical raw materials, etc. Based on the light beam used or permitted to be used in the field environment, the color tone of the irradiated test object is measured and automatically determined.

Therefore, it is necessary to perform the inspection based on the hue saturation characteristic suitable for the actual use environment. That is, it is necessary to set the hue saturation characteristic in the automatic inspection device in accordance with the color signal detection characteristics of the utilization system. As described above, the present invention can easily cope with any color signal detection characteristics. Can be applied effectively. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to arbitrarily set a weighting coefficient and a hue saturation curve that are optimal for each application system or application.

[0071]

According to the color unevenness inspection method according to the first aspect of the present invention, an apparent hue saturation corrected by using a weighting coefficient which is a condition reflecting an optical signal detection characteristic in a use system is applied. The color curve and the light provided by the object to be inspected are superimposed and displayed on the color signal plane, and the comparison is used to determine whether or not the color unevenness characteristics of the object to be inspected pass or fail. As a result, the optical signal detection characteristic is more closely simulated as close to reality as possible. In addition, there is an effect that an inspection method with a wide applicable range that can easily cope with different optical signal detection characteristics of various utilization systems can be realized.

In the color unevenness inspection method according to the second aspect of the present invention, if light of a specific hue provided by an object to be inspected is within an area surrounded by an apparent hue saturation curve of the utilization system, Since the configuration is such that the color unevenness of the inspection object is determined to be acceptable, it is possible to make a determination based on a hue saturation curve that is more realistic, and the inspection accuracy is improved. Moreover, there is an effect that an inspection method having a wide application range applicable to various utilization systems can be realized.

In the color unevenness inspection method according to a third aspect of the present invention, the light provided by the object to be inspected is corrected by using a given weighting coefficient in which an optical signal detection characteristic in a utilization system is reflected. In this way, the apparent light simulated close to reality is superimposed on the hue saturation curve on the color signal plane as light provided by the inspected object, and compared with the hue saturation curve to determine whether the color unevenness characteristic of the inspected object is acceptable. Is determined, by introducing the apparent light, the light provided by the object to be inspected can be made to accurately reflect the optical signal detection characteristics in the utilization system, and thus inspection with less error becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to realize an inspection method having a wide applicable range that can freely cope with different optical signal detection characteristics of various utilization systems.

The color non-uniformity inspection method according to claim 4 of the present invention has a configuration in which if there is apparent light in a region surrounded by the hue saturation curve, the color non-uniformity characteristic of the inspected object is determined to be acceptable. Thus, the light provided by the object to be inspected can be displayed in a more realistic manner on the color signal plane, so that not only the accuracy of the determination is improved, but also a wide applicable inspection method applicable to various use systems. It is possible.

Since the weighting coefficient setting method according to claim 5 of the present invention has a configuration in which the weighting coefficient is determined by the saturation ratio of the use system itself, the color signal detection characteristic of the use system as it is is strict. Can be obtained without any deviation from the characteristic inherent in the actual use system, which is reflected in the above. Moreover, by using the method of setting the weighting coefficients, it is possible to freely simulate various color signal detection characteristics of various arbitrary use systems, and thus has an excellent effect that the application range is extremely wide.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus, wherein an apparent hue saturation corrected by using a weighting coefficient which is a condition reflecting an optical signal detection characteristic in a use system is applied. The curve and the light provided by the object to be inspected are superimposed and displayed on the color signal plane, and the pass / fail of the color unevenness characteristic of the object to be inspected is determined by comparison. As a result, the optical signal detection characteristics are simulated more closely and realistically, so that an inspection with less errors is possible. In addition, there is an effect that an automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus having a wide applicable range and capable of easily coping with different optical signal detection characteristics of various utilization systems can be realized.

The color unevenness automatic inspection apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention provides a device for automatically inspecting a color unevenness provided that light of a specific hue provided by an object to be inspected is within an area surrounded by an apparent hue saturation curve of the utilization system. Since the configuration is such that the color unevenness of the inspected object is determined to be acceptable, it is possible to make a determination based on a hue saturation curve that is more realistic, and the inspection accuracy is improved. In addition, there is an effect that a color unevenness automatic inspection apparatus having a wide application range applicable to various use systems can be realized.

An automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention includes a microcomputer, and further includes a weighting coefficient management unit executable by the microcomputer, an apparent hue saturation curve generation unit, and a determination unit. Since the configuration is provided, the simulation in the digital data format is executed, so that an automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus capable of performing scalable, quick and highly accurate processing can be realized.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus which performs correction using a given weighting coefficient in which light provided by an object to be inspected reflects an optical signal detection characteristic in a utilization system. Thus, the apparent light simulated close to reality is superimposed on the hue saturation curve on the color signal plane as light provided by the inspected object, and compared with the hue saturation curve, the color unevenness characteristics of the inspected object are compared. Since the pass / fail is determined, by introducing the apparent light, the light provided by the object to be inspected can be one in which the optical signal detection characteristics in the utilization system are strictly reflected, so that inspection with less error becomes possible. Moreover, it is possible to realize a color unevenness automatic inspection apparatus having a wide applicable range, which can freely cope with different optical signal detection characteristics of various utilization systems.

The automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention has a configuration in which if there is apparent light in a region surrounded by the hue saturation curve, the color non-uniformity characteristic of the inspected object is determined to be acceptable. In addition, the light provided by the object to be inspected can be displayed in a more realistic manner on a color signal plane, so that not only the judgment accuracy is improved, but also a wide range of color non-uniformity automatic that can cope with various use systems. An inspection device can be provided.

An automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus according to claim 11 of the present invention includes a microcomputer, and further includes a weighting coefficient management unit executable by the microcomputer, an apparent light generation unit, and a determination unit. As a result, the simulation in the digital data format is executed, so that a color unevenness automatic inspection apparatus capable of performing scalable, quick and highly accurate processing can be realized.

As described above, according to the present invention, at the time of automatic inspection and measurement of color unevenness, a target color data detection characteristic, for example, a coefficient in consideration of a human visual characteristic is applied to target color data. By introducing and correcting and updating the saturation of each hue, it is possible to perform an inspection closer to the result of a visual inspection as compared with a conventional method or apparatus.

Further, by freely responding to the hue saturation of various industrial use systems, it can be easily applied to various use systems and can perform inspection with high accuracy. This has a remarkable effect that excellent color characteristic automatic inspection in industry can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a color unevenness inspection method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a weighting coefficient according to a weighting coefficient setting method according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the color unevenness inspection method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the weighting coefficient according to the method of setting the weighting coefficient according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of an automatic color unevenness inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment of the color unevenness automatic inspection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a color signal plane on which light is plotted.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 standard hue saturation curve, 2 ... apparent hue saturation curve, 3 ... light provided by the object to be inspected, 3A ... light for detecting color unevenness, 5 ... color signal plane, Y1 ... reference Light, L
…… Standard saturation, Gs …… Green corresponding saturation, HG ……
Green weighting factor.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A light source having a specific hue is supplied from an object to be inspected by coloring, transmitting, or reflecting, and has a color signal detection characteristic corresponding to a plurality of hues including the specific hue. Inspecting the color unevenness of the specific hue by using a structure that exhibits a quantifiable reaction based on the color signal detection characteristic when receiving light of the hue,
The method for inspecting color unevenness of the object to be inspected, wherein a weighting coefficient for each hue is set separately using a saturation determined based on the quantifiable reaction in the utilization system. A standard hue saturation curve having a uniform hue color level on a color signal plane, and an apparent hue saturation curve in the use system with a curve corrected by the weighting coefficient; and Comparing the light of the specific hue provided by the method with the apparent hue saturation curve in the utilization system to determine whether or not the color unevenness of the inspected object is acceptable. 2. If the light of the specific hue provided by the object to be inspected is within a region surrounded by the apparent hue saturation curve relating to the utilization system, the color unevenness of the object to be inspected is passed. 2. The color unevenness inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed. 3. A light source having a specific hue is supplied from an object to be inspected by coloring, transmitting, or reflecting, and a color signal detection characteristic corresponding to a plurality of hues including the specific hue is provided. Inspecting the color unevenness of the specific hue by using a structure that exhibits a quantifiable reaction based on the color signal detection characteristic when receiving light of the hue,
The method for inspecting color unevenness of an object to be inspected, wherein a hue weighting coefficient separately set using a saturation degree determined based on the quantifiable reaction in the utilization system is given. The light of the specific hue provided by the inspection object is corrected to the apparent light by performing the correction by the weighting coefficient, and the apparent hue is corrected by the circular hue saturation curve and the weighting coefficient on the color signal plane. A color non-uniformity inspection method characterized by determining whether color non-uniformity of the object to be inspected is acceptable or not by comparing with light. 4. The color non-uniformity inspection according to claim 3, wherein if the apparent light is within a region surrounded by the hue saturation curve, the color non-uniformity of the inspected object is determined to be acceptable. Method. 5. A quantification method based on the color signal detection characteristics when receiving light of a plurality of hues, the color signal detection characteristics corresponding to light of a plurality of hues including light of a specific hue supplied from an object to be inspected. In a system utilizing a structure exhibiting a reaction that can be performed, the saturation when light of a predetermined reference hue implements a predetermined reaction is defined as a reference saturation, and the same as the predetermined reaction for light of the specific hue. A method of setting a weighting coefficient, wherein a saturation at the time of realizing a reaction is defined as a corresponding saturation, and a ratio of the corresponding saturation to the reference saturation is used as a weighting coefficient of the specific hue in the utilization system. 6. An object to be inspected which is supplied with light of a specific hue by coloring, transmission or reflection, and has a color signal detection characteristic corresponding to light of a plurality of hues including the light of the specific hue. Inspecting the color unevenness of the specific hue by using a structure that exhibits a quantifiable reaction based on the color signal detection characteristic when receiving light of the hue,
The color unevenness automatic inspection device for the object to be inspected, wherein a hue weighting coefficient separately set using a saturation determined based on the quantifiable reaction in the utilization system is given, A standard hue saturation curve having a uniform hue color level on a color signal plane, and an apparent hue saturation curve in the use system with a curve corrected by the weighting coefficient; and A color nonuniformity inspection apparatus for determining whether or not color nonuniformity of the inspected object is acceptable by comparing light of the specific hue provided by the method with the apparent hue saturation curve in the utilization system. 7. If the light of the specific hue provided by the object to be inspected is within a region surrounded by the apparent hue saturation curve relating to the utilization system, the color unevenness of the object to be inspected is passed. The automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the determination is performed. 8. The color non-uniformity automatic inspection device includes a microcomputer, further using a weighting coefficient management unit programmed to be executable by the microcomputer, and a weighting coefficient supplied from the weighting coefficient management unit. An apparent hue saturation curve generating means for updating the hue saturation curve; digital data obtained by converting light supplied from the inspection object; and an apparent hue saturation supplied from the apparent hue saturation curve generating means. 8. The automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether color non-uniformity is acceptable based on the curve. 9. A light source having a specific hue supplied from the inspection object by coloring, transmitting, or reflecting, and having a color signal detection characteristic corresponding to light of a plurality of hues including the light of the specific hue. Inspecting the color unevenness of the specific hue by using a structure that exhibits a quantifiable reaction based on the color signal detection characteristic when receiving light of the hue,
The color non-uniformity automatic inspection device for the object to be inspected, wherein a hue weighting coefficient separately set using a saturation determined based on the quantifiable reaction in the utilization system is given, The light of the specific hue provided by the object to be inspected is subjected to correction by the weighting coefficient to produce apparent light, and the apparent hue is corrected by the circular hue saturation curve and the weighting coefficient on a color signal plane. A color non-uniformity automatic inspection apparatus for determining whether or not the color non-uniformity of the object to be inspected is acceptable by comparing with the light of the above. 10. The automatic color non-uniformity according to claim 9, wherein if the apparent light is within a region surrounded by the hue saturation curve, the color non-uniformity of the inspected object is determined to be acceptable. Inspection equipment. 11. The automatic color non-uniformity inspection apparatus includes a microcomputer, and further uses a weighting coefficient management unit programmed to be executable by the microcomputer and a weighting coefficient supplied from the weighting coefficient management unit. Apparent light generating means for updating the light supplied from the object to be inspected, and determining means for determining whether or not color unevenness is acceptable based on the hue saturation curve and the apparent light supplied from the apparent light generating means. The color non-uniformity automatic inspection apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the automatic inspection apparatus is configured to include: