Abstract: A programmable controller that allows input and output modules to be changed during an on-line mode with minimal interaction by the user. The controller includes a request table that separately stores change request signals generated by each module. In a first embodiment, the controller periodically polls this request table to determine whether any module has issued a change request. The controller disables each module that issues a change request. When a new module is loaded, the controller enables this module once the corresponding change request signal is removed from the request table. In a second embodiment, the controller uses an interrupt circuit to interrupt processing when a change request is initiated.

Abstract: A picture image color separating apparatus to be used when block copies for dyeing use are made in a dyeing business, wherein a region the above described other representative color occupies may not exist on a straight line connecting the above described adjacent two representative color positions on the color space when the other representative color exists near the adjacent two representative colors on the original picture image from among a plurality of representative colors selected by the given procedure by the representative color selecting portion from the illustration inputted from the picture image inputting portion, whereby noises by the above described representative color are not caused on the boundary of the above described adjacent two representative colors.