Abstract: White light is irradiated onto the surface of a printed circuit board from an oblique direction to capture a color information image MG0. Infrared light is also irradiated from a substantially perpendicular direction to capture an infrared light image IRM. Region segmentation is performed based on the color information image MG0 produces an image MG3 representing an integrated color region which includes a gold region GL and a brown region BR. Using this image MG3 and the infrared light image IRM, the gold region GL can be distinguished from the brown region BR. In another embodiment, a plurality of images relating to a plurality of wavelength bands of light are respectively captured for an inspection region. Then, an image characteristic value is calculated for the plurality of images, and a wavelength band R7 which is appropriate for an inspection is selected on the basis of this image characteristic value.

Abstract: A two-dimensional image of a substrate surface targeted for polishing is periodically picked up, and the image is analyzed to obtain an entropy H1, H2 of the two-dimensional image. An end point of polishing is then determined according to the entropy H1, H2. Alternatively, other image characteristic value such as a difference statistic of the image may be employed instead of the entropy H1, H2.

Abstract: A color image of a circuit board is divided into respective color regions. Plural representative colors are set, and angle indices and distance indices are calculated for each pixel color in the color image in a predetermined color space. The angle indices for a particular pixel color represent angles between an individual color vector representing the particular pixel color and plural representative color vectors of the plural representative colors. The distance indices for a particular pixel color represent distances between the particular pixel color and the plural representative colors. Composite distance indices are then calculated for each pixel color in the color image, based on the distance indices and the angle indices. Each pixel in the color image is classified into plural representative color regions associated with the plural representative colors according to the composite distance indices, thereby dividing the image region of the color image into the plural representative color regions.

Abstract: An illuminance spectrum I of reflected light from a color print of an N-order color having an arbitrary dot percent d.sub.1-N is defined by a diffuse reflection coefficient Sb(d.sub.1-N,.lambda.) and a specular reflection coefficient Ss(d.sub.1-N,.lambda.). These reflection coefficients are obtained in the following manner. A plurality of reference colors are specified on each of N.times.2.sup.(N-1) sides that constitute an N-dimensional color space including the N-order target color. Each reflection coefficient is expressed by a linear combination of a plurality of reference reflection coefficients Sb and Ss, which are set in advance for the plurality of reference colors. The illuminance spectrum of reflected light is then determined according to these reflection coefficients Sb and Ss. Color data representing the colors of the print in a colorimetric system suitable for an output device are subsequently generated from the illuminance spectrum.

Abstract: An N-dimensional correction space is constructed with weighting coefficients .xi. and .eta. that are used for determining reflection coefficients for an N-order target color, where the weighting coefficients .xi. and .eta. specify the lengths of the sides constituting the N-dimensional correction space, and where 2.sup.N reference colors are located at the corners of the N-dimensional correction space. The N-dimensional correction space is divided by N pieces of (N-1)-dimensional spaces that run through the target color, into 2.sup.N partial N-order correction spaces. The reflection coefficient for the target color is determined by multiplying a reference reflection coefficient with respect to each of the 2.sup.N reference colors by the volume of a partial N-dimensional correction space that is located at a diagonal position against a coordinate point of each reference color and summing up the results of multiplication for the 2.sup.N reference colors.

Abstract: An illuminance spectrum I of reflected light from a color print of an arbitrary dot percent d is defined by a diffuse reflection coefficient Sb(d,.lambda.) and a specular reflection coefficient Ss(d,.lambda.). The diffuse reflection coefficient Sb(d,.lambda.) is determined by linear interpolation of a plurality of reference reflection coefficients Sb(d.sub.i,.lambda.) for a plurality of reference dot percents d.sub.i. The specular reflection coefficient Ss(d,.lambda.) is also determined by linear interpolation of a plurality of reference reflection coefficients Ss(d.sub.j,.lambda.) for a plurality of reference dot percents d.sub.j. The illuminance spectrum of reflected light is then determined according to these reflection coefficients Sb(d,.lambda.) and Ss(d,.lambda.). Color data representing the colors of the print in a calorimetric system suitable for an output device are subsequently generated from the illuminance spectrum.

Abstract: A subject color and a non-subject color of color change operation are specified and then a first color vector representing the subject color and a second color vector representing the non-subject color are obtained. A substitute color for replacing a component of the subject color is further specified, and a color vector representing the substitute color is obtained. A third color vector independent of the first and second color vectors is further determined. A color of each pixel in an original color image is expressed by linear combination of the first through third color vectors, thereby obtaining first through third coefficients for the first through the third color vectors. If the first coefficient is positive, the first color vector is replaced by the substitute color vector. The pixel color after the color change operation is then determined by producing a composite vector using the first through the third coefficients.

Abstract: A subject color and a non-subject color of a mask is specified, and a first color vector representing the subject color and a second color vector representing the non-subject color are determined. A third color vector is set to be linearly independent of the first and second color vectors. First through third coefficients are then determined for the first through third color vectors. Bit map data representing the distribution of the first coefficient is binarized to give binary mask data representing a mask. A mask area and a non-mask area are distinguishably displayed in the color image. Accordingly, the present invention will produce a mask area whose color is close to the subject color while excluding the non-subject color.

Abstract: There is provided a model where the illuminance of reflected light from the print is expressed with a linear combination of the illuminance of specular reflection light and that of internal reflection light. On the basis of the model, three methods are applicable to compute the colors of a print disposed in the three-dimensional space. In the first method, a specular reflection coefficient and an internal reflection coefficient, which are depending upon the wavelength, are interpolated by an angle of reflection .theta. and an angle of deviation .rho., and the illuminance spectrum of the reflected light is subsequently determined (step S2). Tristimulus values X, Y, and Z are then determined by integration of the illuminance spectrum according to the color matching functions (step S3). In the second method, the tristimulus values are determined for the specular reflection light, the internal reflection light, and the environmental light, respectively, and then interpolated by the reflection angle .theta.

Abstract: A benzothiazole of the following formula ##STR1## in which R represents a methyl, methoxy, carboxyl or methoxycarbonyl group. The compound is useful for treating rheumatic arthritis.