INTERFACE UNIT AND APPARATUS WITH SUCH AN INTERFACE UNIT AND PROCESS FOR GENERATING AN IMAGE SIGNAL CONTAINING COLOR IMAGE DATA FOR ACTIVATING A COLOR MONITOR

An interface unit, a device with the interface unit and a process for generating an image signal containing color image data is provided for activating a color monitor from an image signal containing monochrome image data. The interface unit has an input terminal (16), an output terminal (17) and a processor (18) coupled between the input terminal (16) and the output terminal (17). This processor (18) is set up to receive, via the input terminal (16), a first image signal issued by a monitor activating device (1) of an apparatus for activating a monochrome monitor. The signal contains monochrome image data, at least a part of which represents a number of graphic objects (9, 10), and which is set up to activate a monochrome monitor, such that the graphic objects (9, 10) are displayed on this monitor. One or more colors are assigned to each graphic object (9, 10) by the processor (18) on the basis of a predetermined dependence stored in this processor (18). The processor (18) generates a second image signal containing color image data for activating a color monitor (2′) in such a way and prepares it via the output terminal (17) in such a way that with the second image signal, a color monitor (2′) connected to the output terminal (17) can be activated, such that the graphic objects (9, 10) with the colors assigned to them are displayed.