The colour combination method for human-machine interfaces driven by colour images

ABSTRACT

To reduce dependence on the subjective experiences of designers, a colour combination design method for human-machine interfaces was proposed based on colour images, gray clustering and a hierarchical interactive genetic algorithm. First, colour samples were divided into groups, and the representative colours were selected from each group using the Jiro Kawakita (KJ) method. The relationship between the unicolour samples and the semantic adjectives ‘dynamic – calm’ was investigated using the semantic differential method. Second, the gray clustering method was used to predict the tendency of the complete colour image of the human-machine interface with multiple colours. Then, a colour image positioning value was used to obtain colour combinations, and a colour database of the feasible solutions was established. Next, a hierarchical search was used to reduce the search space and to accelerate convergence in the population. The users’ interactive evaluation results were taken as an evolution condition, and a hierarchical interactive genetic algorithm was used to optimise the colour combination scheme. Finally, a colour combination design system for human-machine interfaces driven by colour images was developed, and the colour combination design of the driller console on a drilling rig was presented as an example to verify the proposed method.

KEYWORDS:

• Color combination design
• human-machine interface
• color image
• gray clustering
• hierarchical interactive genetic algorithm

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their constructive comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Li Deng http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5635-4412

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the [Sichuan Social Science Key Research Base—Sichuan Tourism Development Research Center]; under [grant number LYC16-20]; and [Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Equipment, Ministry of Education (Southwest Petroleum University)]; under [grant number OGE201403-23].