JP2010187093A - Image editing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image editing apparatus which enables a user to set the value of the parameter of image processing more freely and easily than before without making him/her be conscious of the parameter of the image processing. <P>SOLUTION: The image editing apparatus includes: an image processing section 12 for executing image processing; a parameter reference value determination section 13 for determining the reference value of the parameter to be utilized in the image processing; a parameter variation width determination section 14 for determining the variation width of the parameter; a preview display section 15 for displaying a first preview image indicating the result of the image processing wherein the reference value is the value of the parameter and at least one second preview image indicating the result of the image processing wherein the value for which the reference value is varied by the variation width is the value of the parameter; and a preview image selection section 16 for making one preview image be selected from the first and second preview images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image editing apparatus, and more particularly to an image editing apparatus that edits an image by image processing that requires parameters.

  A wide variety of image editing software for editing images by image processing, from paid ones to free ones, is provided. Examples of image processing applied to an image include a binarization process that converts the image into black and white, a smoothing process that moderates the luminance change of the image, and a sharpening process that sharpens the outline of characters and the like. Can be mentioned.

  When the user wants to perform certain image processing on the image, it is necessary to specify the target image processing in the image editing software and set various parameter values representing the intensity and the like. In general image editing software, a method in which a user selects a parameter value from a predetermined range is generally used.

  For example, in the binarization process, the user selects one value between 0 and 255, and if a value close to 0 is selected, a bright black-and-white image with many white parts can be obtained, and if a value close to 255 is selected, black is selected. A dark black and white image with many parts can be obtained.

  Although the selection method and range of parameter values differ depending on the image editing software, many image editing software require the user to input values directly or to select values using a controller such as a slider.

  However, when executing specific image processing with conventional image editing software, it is necessary for the user to specify the value of the parameter of the image processing to be executed, and what value should be set specifically? Confusing.

  In particular, the values of these parameters are not necessarily meaningful for the user even if they are meaningful for image processing. For example, in the case of binarization processing, a threshold value for determining whether to set each pixel to white or black is specified as a parameter value. It is difficult for the user to intuitively understand whether it can be obtained.

  In order to improve the incomprehensibleness, there is image editing software that executes image processing with a specified parameter value and displays a preview image representing the result of the image processing when a parameter value is specified by the user. .

  However, the parameter value and the result of image processing are not directly linked to the user, and it is difficult to select the parameter value, and the parameter value is compared while comparing a plurality of result images to obtain a target image. Needs to be adjusted finely, or after changing the parameter value, it returns to the previous value.

  Since the purpose of executing image processing by the user is to obtain the intended image, not to determine the value of the parameter, a mechanism is required that allows the user to obtain the desired image without being aware of the parameter. It is.

  In order to realize such a mechanism, even if the user is unfamiliar with image editing, it is possible to display the result of applying a plurality of image processings in different orders and allow the user to select a desired processing result. There is one that can be edited (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the user can select the order of image processing, and the value of the image processing parameter is automatically determined. Therefore, the user can freely set the value of the image processing parameter. And there was a problem that it could not be set easily.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and allows a user to set a value of an image processing parameter more freely and easily than a conventional one without making the user aware of the image processing parameter. An object of the present invention is to provide an image editing apparatus capable of

  An image editing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image processing unit that executes image processing, a parameter reference value determination unit that determines a reference value of a parameter used for the image processing, and a parameter variation range that determines a variation range of the parameter A first preview image representing a result of the image processing with the reference value determined by the parameter reference value determination unit as the parameter value, and a variation range determined by the parameter variation range determination unit A preview display unit that displays at least one second preview image representing a result of the image processing in which the value that has changed the reference value is the value of the parameter; and one from the first and second preview images And a preview image selection unit for selecting a preview image.

  With this configuration, the image editing apparatus of the present invention allows the preview image representing the result of the image processing using the determined reference value as the parameter value, and the value obtained by changing the reference value within the determined fluctuation range as the parameter value. In order to set the image processing parameter value by allowing the user to select one preview image from the displayed preview image, and to set the value of the image processing parameter. The image processing parameter values can be set more freely and easily than the conventional ones without being aware of the above.

  The parameter reference value determination unit may determine the parameter reference value based on the characteristics of the image obtained by analyzing the image to be processed.

  With this configuration, the image editing apparatus of the present invention can present a value suitable for the image to be processed as an initial value of the reference value of the image processing parameter to the user.

  The parameter variation range determination unit may determine the parameter variation range based on characteristics of the image obtained by analyzing the image to be processed.

  With this configuration, the image editing apparatus of the present invention can present a value suitable for the image to be processed to the user as the initial value of the fluctuation range of the image processing parameter.

  The image processing unit includes at least one of binarization processing, smoothing processing, sharpening processing, brightness adjustment processing, contrast adjustment processing, saturation adjustment processing, hue adjustment processing, gamma correction processing, histogram adjustment processing, and grayscale conversion processing. One is executed as the image processing.

  The preview image selection unit includes a first selection function for selecting the preview image to adjust the parameter value, and a second selection function for selecting the preview image to determine the parameter value. Have.

  The preview display unit may display the first and second preview images side by side in a one-dimensional manner.

  At this time, the preview display unit may display the first and second preview images in the same size.

  In addition, the preview display unit displays a symbol representing a scale between the first and second preview images and a third preview representing the result of the image processing using the value corresponding to the corresponding position as the parameter value. You may make it display at least one of an image.

  With this configuration, the image editing apparatus of the present invention can suppress the number of operations for the user to select a preview image by increasing the number of parameter values that can be selected on one screen. It is possible to save the user from setting time.

  The preview display unit may display the first and second preview images side by side in two dimensions.

  For example, the preview display unit displays a preview image that represents the result of the image processing in which the value of the first parameter among the parameters is changed, arranged in the scanning direction, and for each result of the image processing The preview image representing the result of the image processing in which the value of the second parameter is changed may be displayed side by side in the sub-scanning direction.

  With this configuration, the image editing apparatus according to the present invention allows each value of two image processing parameters or each value of two parameters of one image processing to be transmitted to the conventional value without making the user aware of the image processing parameters. It can be set more freely and easily than anything.

  Here, the preview display unit may display all the first and second preview images in the same size.

  The preview display unit may display the first and second preview images side by side in a three-dimensional manner.

  For example, the preview display unit displays a preview image that represents the result of the image processing in which the value of the first parameter among the parameters is changed, arranged in the scanning direction, and for each result of the image processing A preview image representing the result of the image processing that has changed the value of the second parameter is displayed side by side in the sub-scanning direction, and the value of the third parameter is changed for each result of the image processing. Alternatively, preview images representing the results of the image processing may be displayed side by side in the depth direction.

  With this configuration, the image editing apparatus of the present invention allows each value of three image processing parameters, one value of two parameters of one image processing, and one image processing without making the user aware of the image processing parameters. It is possible to set the values of the three parameters of one of the above or the values of the three parameters of one image processing more freely and easily than the conventional ones.

  The preview display unit may display all the first and second preview images in the same size and display at least a part of the preview images displayed side by side in the depth direction.

  With this configuration, the image editing apparatus of the present invention can display the first and second preview images side by side in a three-dimensional manner.

  The image editing program of the present invention includes an image processing step for executing image processing, a parameter reference value determining step for determining a reference value of a parameter used for the image processing, and a parameter for determining a fluctuation range of the parameter. A variation range determination step, a first preview image representing a result of the image processing using the reference value determined in the parameter reference value determination step as the parameter value, and the variation determined in the parameter variation range determination step A preview display step for causing the display device to display at least one second preview image representing a result of the image processing in which a value obtained by changing the reference value with a width is used as the parameter value; and the first and second steps A preview image selection step for selecting one preview image from the preview images; It is intended to be executed by the computer.

  Therefore, the image editing program of the present invention uses the preview image representing the result of the image processing using the determined reference value as the parameter value, and the value obtained by changing the reference value within the determined fluctuation range as the parameter value. Since the preview image representing the result of the image processing is displayed on the display device and the user selects one preview image from the displayed preview image, the image processing parameter value is set. The image processing parameter values can be set more freely and more easily than the conventional one without making the user aware of the above.

  The present invention can provide an image editing apparatus capable of setting values of image processing parameters more freely and easily than conventional ones without making the user aware of the image processing parameters.

It is a hardware block diagram of the image editing apparatus as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image editing apparatus as a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image edit window displayed by the preview display part which comprises the image editing apparatus as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image edit window where the preview image was displayed by the preview display part which comprises the image editing apparatus as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of an image editing window when the preview image shown in FIG. 4 is selected. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an image editing window after a preview image is selected as illustrated in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the image editing operation | movement of the image editing apparatus as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart following FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of an image editing window when another preview image is selected in the image editing window shown in FIG. 4. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image edit window after a preview image is selected as shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image edit window displayed by the preview display part which comprises the image editing apparatus as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of an image edit window displayed by the preview display part which comprises the image editing apparatus as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of the image editing window shown in FIG. 12 when the cursor is placed on another preview image. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image edit window displayed by the preview display part which comprises the image editing apparatus as the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image edit window displayed by the preview display part which comprises the image editing apparatus as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another display example of the image editing window shown in FIG. 15.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, an image editing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 4, A storage medium that reads information from a storage medium such as a hard disk device 5, an input device 6 composed of a keyboard device or a pointing device, a display device 7 composed of a liquid crystal display, and a CD (Compact Disc) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) It is constituted by a general computer device provided with a reading device 8 and a communication module 9 for communicating with an external device via the Internet network or the like.

  The ROM 4 and the hard disk device 5 store a program for causing the CPU 2 to execute the computer device so as to function as the information communication device of the present invention. The CPU 2 executes the program using the RAM 3 as a work area.

  The hard disk device 5 stores at least one image file. This image file may be read from the storage medium reading device 8 into the hard disk device 5 or may be read into the hard disk device 5 via the communication module 9.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image editing apparatus 1 includes an image file storage unit 10 that stores image files, and an image to be processed (hereinafter simply referred to as an image processing target image) from among the image files stored in the image file storage unit 10. An image file selection unit 11 that allows the user to select an image file representing “processing target image”), an image processing unit 12 that performs image processing on the processing target image, and a reference value of an image processing parameter A parameter reference value determination unit 13 that performs parameter variation range determination unit 14 that determines a parameter variation range, a preview display unit 15 that displays a preview image representing a result of image processing, and a preview displayed on preview display unit 15 And a preview image selection unit 16 that selects one preview image from the image.

  Here, the image file storage unit 10 is configured by the hard disk device 5, and the image file selection unit 11 and the preview image selection unit 16 are configured by the CPU 2 and the input device 6. The image processing unit 12, the parameter reference value determining unit 13, and the parameter fluctuation range determining unit 14 are configured by the CPU 2.

  The image processing unit 12 performs image processing on the processing target image represented by the image file selected by the image file selection unit 11 from the image files stored in the image file storage unit 10.

  Specifically, the image processing unit 12 changes the reference value by the image processing using the reference value determined by the parameter reference value determining unit 13 as the parameter value and the fluctuation range determined by the parameter fluctuation range determining unit 14. Image processing is performed using each of the values that have been set as parameter values.

  Here, image processing executed by the image processing unit 12 includes binarization processing, smoothing processing, sharpening processing, brightness adjustment processing, contrast adjustment processing, saturation adjustment processing, hue adjustment processing, gamma correction processing, Image processing that requires parameters such as histogram adjustment processing and gray scale conversion processing is included.

  A threshold (for example, a range of 0 to 255) for determining whether each pixel of the image is white or black is set as the binarization parameter. A weighting matrix element is set as the parameter of the smoothing process.

  A weighting matrix element is set as a parameter for the sharpening process. An offset representing the lightness correction amount is set in the lightness adjustment processing parameter. At least one of an offset representing the density average correction amount and a gain representing the density range magnification is set as the contrast adjustment parameter.

  An offset representing the saturation correction amount is set as the saturation adjustment processing parameter. A correction angle representing the rotation angle of the hue circle is set as the parameter of the hue adjustment process. A gamma value is set as the parameter of the gamma correction process. As a parameter for the histogram adjustment process, at least one of an offset representing a histogram average correction amount and a histogram range magnification is set. Each weight of the R, G, and B components is set as a parameter of the gray scale conversion process.

  The parameter reference value determination unit 13 determines the reference value of the parameter of the image processing executed by the image processing unit 12 based on the characteristics of the processing target image obtained by analyzing the image file selected by the image file selection unit 11. It comes to decide.

  For example, when the binarization process is executed by the image processing unit 12, the parameter reference value determination unit 13 uses the intermediate value or average value of the pixel values assigned to each pixel constituting the processing target image as a reference. It is to be determined as a value.

  The parameter reference value determination unit 13 may determine a value that is determined in advance according to the image processing executed by the image processing unit 12 and stored in advance in the hard disk device 5 or the like as the reference value.

  The parameter variation range determination unit 14 determines the variation range of the parameters of the image processing executed by the image processing unit 12 based on the characteristics of the processing target image obtained by analyzing the image file selected by the image file selection unit 11. It comes to decide.

  For example, when the binarization process is executed by the image processing unit 12, the parameter fluctuation range determination unit 14 calculates the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixel values assigned to each pixel constituting the processing target image. A value obtained by dividing the difference by a predetermined numerical value is determined as the fluctuation range.

  The parameter fluctuation range determination unit 14 may determine a value that is predetermined according to the image processing executed by the image processing unit 12 and stored in advance in the hard disk device 5 or the like as the fluctuation range.

  The preview display unit 15 includes a first preview image representing a result of image processing using the reference value determined by the parameter reference value determination unit 13 as a parameter value, and a variation range determined by the parameter variation range determination unit 14. A second preview image representing the result of image processing using the value that has changed the reference value as the parameter value is displayed.

  For example, the preview display unit 15 displays an image editing window 30 as shown in FIG. The image editing window 30 includes an original image display area 31 for displaying the original processing target image represented by the image file selected by the image file selection unit 11, and a preview image indicating the result of the image processing on the processing target image. A preview image display area 32 for displaying a file, a file button 33 for displaying a menu for file operation, an effect button 34 for displaying a menu for image processing, and an option button 35 for displaying a menu for additional settings. Assigned.

  In FIG. 3, three buttons including a file button 33, an effect button 34, and an option button 35 are shown, but the number of buttons assigned to the image editing window 30 is not limited and is necessary. You may increase / decrease suitably according to it.

  Although the original image display area 31 is not necessarily provided in the image editing window 30, the user can select parameters while comparing the original processing target image with each preview image displayed in the preview image display area 32. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when an image file is selected by the image file selection unit 11, the preview display unit 15 displays an original processing target image 36 represented by the selected image file in the original image display area 31. It has become.

  The image file selection by the image file selection unit 11 is, for example, an image displayed when “Open” is selected from a list of menu items displayed when the file button 33 is operated using the input device 6. This is done by allowing the user to select one image file from the file list.

  Furthermore, when the image processing to be executed by the image processing unit 12 is selected from the list of image processing displayed when the effect button 34 is operated using the input device 6, the preview display unit 15 is illustrated in FIG. As described above, the preview image is displayed in the preview image display area 32 of the image editing window 30.

  FIG. 4 shows a display example when the binarization process is executed by the image processing unit 12 when the reference value is 192 and the fluctuation range is 32. In FIG. 4, three preview images are shown. In the present invention, the preview display unit 15 displays at least two preview images including a preview image corresponding to the reference value. What is necessary is just to make it display on the area | region 32. FIG.

  The preview display unit 15 includes a first preview image 37 representing a result of image processing using the reference value determined by the parameter reference value determination unit 13 as a parameter value, and a variation range determined by the parameter variation range determination unit 14. The second preview images 38 and 39 representing the result of image processing using the value that has changed the reference value as the parameter value are all displayed in the preview image display area 32 with the same size. Here, the preview display unit 15 displays the preview images 37 to 39 in a one-dimensional array in the order corresponding to the values of the corresponding parameters.

  The preview display unit 15 displays parameter values below the preview images 37 to 39. The display of the parameter value may be omitted, or may be turned on / off on a setting window (not shown) displayed when the option button 35 is operated.

  It should be noted that if an actual size image is displayed in the original image display area 31 and the preview image display area 32, the size of the image editing window 30 will increase or the memory consumption will increase. The unit 15 creates a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the processing target image and displays the thumbnail image in the original image display area 31, and creates a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image processing result as a preview image and displays the thumbnail image in the preview image display area 32. It is desirable to make it.

  In FIG. 2, the preview image selection unit 16 allows the user to select one preview image from the preview images 37 to 39 displayed by the preview display unit 15 as shown in FIG.

  The preview image selection unit 16 has a first selection function that allows the user to select a preview image in order to adjust the parameter value, and a second selection function that allows the preview image to be selected in order to determine the parameter value.

  Specifically, for example, the first selection function is activated when a preview image is clicked by the input device 6, and the preview image selection unit 16 is based on the value of the parameter corresponding to the clicked preview image. The parameter reference value determination unit 13 and the parameter fluctuation range determination unit 14 are caused to determine the reference value and the fluctuation range again, and the image processing unit 12 is caused to execute image processing again.

  Here, the parameter reference value determination unit 13 determines a parameter value corresponding to the selected preview image as a new reference value, and the parameter variation range determination unit 14 performs a new variation so as to be shorter than the current variation range. The width is determined.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the preview image 37 is clicked using the input device 6, the parameter reference value determination unit 13 determines the reference value as 192, and the parameter fluctuation range determination unit 14 The fluctuation range is determined to be half.

  Then, the image processing unit 12 executes binarization processing with parameter values of 176 and 208, respectively, and the preview display unit 15 updates the preview images 38 and 39 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the preview display unit 15 has already created the preview image 37 corresponding to the reference value, there is no need to newly create it.

  On the other hand, the second selection function operates when “Save” is selected from a list of menu items displayed by operating the file button 33 using the input device 6, for example, and the preview image selection unit 16. Uses the second selection function to cause the image processing unit 12 to generate an image file representing the result of the image processing performed with the parameter value corresponding to the selected preview image, and to cause the image file storage unit 10 to It is designed to accumulate.

  Here, when data representing the actual size image of the selected preview image is not held in the image processing unit 12, the image processing unit 12 sets the image with the parameter value corresponding to the selected preview image. The processing unit 12 is configured to execute image processing on the processing target image again, generate an image file representing the result of the image processing, and store the image file in the image file storage unit 10.

  The image editing operation of the image editing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 7, first, when an image file representing an image to be processed is selected by the image file selection unit 11 (step S1), the operation of the image editing apparatus 1 is the type of image processing to be executed by the image processing unit 12. Wait for selection (step S2).

  When the image processing to be executed by the image processing unit 12 is selected, the parameters of the image processing executed by the image processing unit 12 are determined based on the characteristics of the processing target image obtained by analyzing the selected image file. The reference value is determined by the parameter reference value determination unit 13 (step S3), and the image processing unit 12 performs image processing on the processing target image using the reference value as the parameter value (step S4).

  Further, based on the characteristics of the image to be processed obtained by analyzing the image file selected by the image file selection unit 11, the parameter variation range of the image processing executed by the image processing unit 12 is determined as the parameter variation range. The image processing unit 12 executes image processing on the image to be processed using each value determined by the unit 14 (step S5) and having changed the reference value within the fluctuation range as a parameter value (step S6). .

  In step S6, the image processing by the image processing unit 12 is skipped for the parameter value for which the corresponding preview image has already been created.

  Next, a preview image representing each result of the image processing executed in steps S4 and S6 is displayed by the preview display unit 15 (step S7). In FIG. 8, the operation of the image editing apparatus 1 waits for a preview image to be selected by the preview image selection unit 16 (step S8).

  When the preview image is selected by the preview image selection unit 16, this selection is not a selection for adjusting the parameter value (step S9: NO), that is, a selection for determining the parameter value. The image processing unit 12 generates an image file representing the result of the image processing performed on the processing target image using the value corresponding to the selected preview image as the parameter value, and stores it in the image file storage unit 10. Accumulated (step S10), the operation of the image editing apparatus 1 ends.

  On the other hand, when the selection by the preview image selection unit 16 is a selection for adjusting the value of the parameter (step S9: YES), the parameter value corresponding to the selected preview image is used as the new reference value as the parameter reference. It is determined by the value determination unit 13 (step S11), and a new variation range is determined by the parameter variation range determination unit 14 so as to be shorter than the current variation range (step S12). Here, the operation of the image editing apparatus 1 returns to step S6.

  In step S12, when the current fluctuation range cannot be further shortened, the current fluctuation range is determined again as a new fluctuation range. For example, the shortest value of the current fluctuation range may be 1, or may be set on a setting window displayed by operating the option button 35 using the input device 6.

  As described above, the image editing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the preview image representing the result of image processing using the determined reference value as the parameter value, and the reference value with the determined fluctuation range. The image processing parameter value is displayed by displaying a preview image representing the result of the image processing using the value that has been changed as the parameter value, and allowing the user to select one preview image from the displayed preview image. Therefore, the value of the image processing parameter can be set more freely and easily than the conventional one without making the user aware of the image processing parameter.

  In addition, the image editing apparatus 1 as the first embodiment of the present invention allows the user to confirm how the image to be processed changes with the change of the parameter value using a plurality of preview images. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, when the preview image is selected by the preview image selection unit 16 to adjust the parameter value, the parameter variation range determination unit 14 performs a new variation so as to be shorter than the current variation range. In the present invention, the parameter variation range determination unit 14 may always determine the current variation range as a new variation range.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the preview image 38 is selected by the first selection function of the preview image selection unit 16 while the image editing window 30 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 9, the preview image 38 corresponding to the parameter value 184 is used as the preview image 37 corresponding to the reference value (= 184) in FIG. 10, and the preview image 37 corresponding to the parameter value 192 in FIG. 10 is used as a preview image 39 in FIG.

  Also, the preview display unit 15 newly creates a preview image 38 that represents the result of image processing using 176 displayed in the preview image display area 32 as a parameter value.

  At this time, in addition to the preview image 39 corresponding to the previous reference value, the preview display unit 15 has already created the preview image 37 corresponding to the parameter value 184, so the preview images 37 and 39 are displayed. There is no need to create a new one.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the image file storage unit 10 is configured by the hard disk device 5 has been described. However, in the present invention, a server device connected to a computer device configuring the image editing device 1 via a network. The image file storage unit 10 may be configured as described above.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention is realized by changing the program to be executed by the CPU 2 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the functional blocks are similarly classified. Therefore, the second embodiment of the present invention The embodiment will be described using the image editing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  Also, the image editing operation in the second embodiment of the present invention can be easily conceived based on the image editing operation in the first embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment of the present invention in that the display of the preview image display area 32 of the image editing window 30 by the preview display unit 15 is as shown in FIG. .

  That is, the preview display unit 15 includes a first preview image 37 that represents the result of image processing using the reference value determined by the parameter reference value determination unit 13 as a parameter value, and the variation determined by the parameter variation range determination unit 14. Corresponding to the corresponding position between the second preview images 38 and 39 representing the result of the image processing using the value that has changed the reference value according to the width as the parameter value, and the first and second preview images 37 to 39 The third preview images 40 and 41 representing the result of the image processing with the value to be set as the parameter value are displayed in the preview image display area 32. Here, the preview display unit 15 displays the preview images 37 to 41 one-dimensionally in an order corresponding to the value of the corresponding parameter.

  The preview display unit 15 displays the third preview images 40 and 41 in a smaller size than the other preview images 37 to 39 in order to display more second preview images in the preview image display area 32.

  In FIG. 11, five preview images are shown, but the number of preview images displayed in the preview image display area 32 by the preview display unit 15 is not limited.

  In addition, the preview display unit 15 displays markers 42 to 45 as symbols representing scales provided between the preview images and buttons 46 and 47 for shifting the preview image in the preview image display area 32. It has become.

  FIG. 11 shows a display example in the case where the binarization process is executed by the image processing unit 12 when the reference value is 192 and the fluctuation range is 32. Here, the third preview image 40 corresponds to a parameter value 176 that is an intermediate value between the parameter value 160 corresponding to the second preview image 38 and the parameter value 192 corresponding to the first preview image 37. Yes.

  Similarly, the third preview image 41 corresponds to a parameter value 208 that is an intermediate value between a parameter value 192 corresponding to the first preview image 37 and a parameter value 224 corresponding to the second preview image 39. Yes.

  The markers 42 to 45 can be selected using the input device 6, and each marker 42 to 45 corresponds to a parameter value that is an intermediate value between the preview images on both sides. That is, the marker 42 corresponds to the parameter value 168, the marker 43 corresponds to the parameter value 184, the marker 44 corresponds to the parameter value 200, and the marker 45 corresponds to the parameter value 216. Yes.

  The preview display unit 15 shifts the preview image when any of the buttons 46 and 47 is operated. For example, when the button 47 is operated using the input device 6, the preview display unit 15 displays the second preview image 38 at the position where the second preview image 39 was displayed.

  Further, the image processing unit 12 performs image processing using the new values corresponding to the positions where the first preview image 37, the second preview image 38, and the third preview images 40 and 41 are displayed as parameter values. The preview display unit 15 displays each result of the image processing at a corresponding position. In addition, the value of the parameter corresponding to each marker 42 to 45 is also subtracted by the shift amount (= 64).

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the preview display unit 15 displays the preview image display area 32 of the image editing window 30 as shown in FIG. 12 in contrast to the first embodiment of the present invention. You may make it do.

  That is, the preview display unit 15 includes a first preview image 37 that represents the result of image processing using the reference value determined by the parameter reference value determination unit 13 as a parameter value, and the variation determined by the parameter variation range determination unit 14. Second preview images 50 to 55 representing the result of image processing using the value that has changed the reference value according to the width as the parameter value are displayed in the preview image display area 32. Here, the preview display unit 15 displays the preview images 37 and 50 to 55 in a one-dimensional array in the order corresponding to the corresponding parameter values.

  In FIG. 12, seven preview images are shown, but the number of preview images displayed in the preview image display area 32 by the preview display unit 15 is not limited.

  The preview display unit 15 displays markers 56 to 61 provided between the preview images and buttons 46 and 47 for shifting the preview image in the preview image display area 32.

  FIG. 12 shows a display example when the binarization process is executed by the image processing unit 12 when the reference value is 192 and the fluctuation range is 8. Here, the second preview image 50 corresponds to the parameter value 168, the second preview image 51 corresponds to the parameter value 176, and the second preview image 52 corresponds to the parameter value 184.

  The second preview image 53 corresponds to the parameter value 200, the second preview image 54 corresponds to the parameter value 208, and the second preview image 55 corresponds to the parameter value 216.

  The markers 56 to 61 can be selected using the input device 6, and each of the markers 56 to 61 corresponds to a parameter value that is an intermediate value between the preview images on both sides. That is, the marker 56 corresponds to the parameter value 172, the marker 57 corresponds to the parameter value 180, the marker 58 corresponds to the parameter value 188, the marker 59 corresponds to the parameter value 196, The marker 60 corresponds to the parameter value 204, and the marker 61 corresponds to the parameter value 212.

  The preview display unit 15 shifts the preview image when any of the buttons 46 and 47 is operated. For example, when the button 47 is operated using the input device 6, the preview display unit 15 displays the second preview image 50 at the position where the second preview image 55 was displayed.

  Further, the image processing unit 12 executes image processing using new values corresponding to the positions where the first preview image 37 and the second preview images 50 to 54 are displayed as parameter values, and the preview display unit 15. Displays each result of the image processing at a corresponding position. The parameter values corresponding to the markers 56 to 61 are also subtracted by the shift amount (= 48).

  The preview display unit 15 displays the preview image on which the cursor is placed using the input device 6 in an enlarged manner. 12 shows a state where the cursor is placed on the first preview image 37, and FIG. 13 shows a state where the cursor is placed on the second preview image 53.

  As described above, the image editing apparatus 1 as the second embodiment of the present invention can be selected on one screen in addition to the functions and effects of the image editing apparatus 1 as the first embodiment of the present invention. By increasing the number of possible parameter values, it is possible to reduce the number of operations for the user to select a preview image, and to save the user from setting the parameter values.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention is realized by changing the program to be executed by the CPU 2 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the functional blocks are similarly classified. Therefore, the third embodiment of the present invention The embodiment will be described using the image editing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS.

  Also, the image editing operation in the third embodiment of the present invention can be easily conceived based on the image editing operation in the first embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment of the present invention in that the display of the preview image display area 32 of the image editing window 30 by the preview display unit 15 is as shown in FIG. .

  That is, in the first embodiment of the present invention, one type of parameter value is selected using the image editing window 30, but in this embodiment, two types of values are selected using the image editing window 30. The parameter value can be selected.

  In FIG. 14, the preview display unit 15 is determined by the first preview image 37 representing the result of image processing using the reference value determined by the parameter reference value determination unit 13 as the parameter value, and the parameter fluctuation range determination unit 14. The second preview images 70 to 77 representing the result of the image processing using the value that has changed the reference value within the fluctuation range as the parameter value are all displayed in the preview image display area 32 with the same size. Yes.

  Here, the preview display unit 15 displays the preview images 37 and 70 to 77 in a two-dimensional array in the order corresponding to each value of the corresponding parameter. In FIG. 14, nine preview images are shown, but the number of preview images displayed in the preview image display area 32 by the preview display unit 15 is not limited.

  The preview display unit 15 displays buttons 80 to 83 for shifting the preview image in the preview image display area 32.

  In FIG. 14, the preview display unit 15 displays preview images representing the results of binarization processing by the image processing unit 12 side by side in the scanning direction, and contrast adjustment by the image processing unit 12 for each result of binarization processing. An example in which preview images representing processing results are displayed side by side in the sub-scanning direction is shown.

  The preview display unit 15 shifts the preview image when any of the buttons 80 to 83 is operated. For example, when the button 81 is operated using the input device 6, the preview display unit 15 displays the second preview images 75 to 77 at the positions where the second preview images 70 to 72 were displayed.

  Further, the image processing unit 12 performs image processing using the new values corresponding to the positions where the first preview image 37 and the second preview images 73 to 77 are displayed as parameter values, and the preview display unit 15. Displays each result of the image processing at a corresponding position.

  In the present embodiment, the parameter reference value determination unit 13 determines a reference value for each image processing parameter, and the parameter fluctuation range determination unit 14 determines each image processing parameter. The range of fluctuation is determined.

  As described above, the image editing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is conscious of the parameters of the image processing in the same manner as the image editing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Without this, each value of two image processing parameters or each value of two parameters of one image processing can be set freely and more easily than the conventional one.

  Further, the image editing apparatus 1 as the third embodiment of the present invention allows the user to confirm how the image to be processed changes with the change of the value of each parameter using a plurality of preview images. be able to.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment of the present invention is realized by changing the program to be executed by the CPU 2 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the functional blocks are similarly classified. The embodiment will be described using the image editing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  Also, the image editing operation in the fourth embodiment of the present invention can be easily conceived based on the image editing operation in the first embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  The fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment of the present invention in that the display of the preview image display area 32 of the image editing window 30 by the preview display unit 15 is as shown in FIG. .

  That is, in the first embodiment of the present invention, one type of parameter value is selected using the image editing window 30, but in this embodiment, three types of values are selected using the image editing window 30. The parameter value can be selected.

  In FIG. 15, the preview display unit 15 is determined by the first preview image 37 representing the result of image processing using the reference value determined by the parameter reference value determination unit 13 as the parameter value, and the parameter variation range determination unit 14. The second preview images 90 to 100 representing the result of image processing using the value that has changed the reference value within the fluctuation range as the parameter value are all displayed in the preview image display area 32 with the same size. Yes.

  Here, the preview display unit 15 displays the preview images 37 and 90 to 100 in a three-dimensional manner in an order corresponding to the corresponding parameter values. In FIG. 15, twelve preview images are shown, but the number of preview images displayed in the preview image display area 32 by the preview display unit 15 is not limited.

  The preview display unit 15 displays buttons 80 to 83 for shifting the preview image and a viewpoint change button 110 for changing the arrangement of the preview image in the preview image display area 32.

  In FIG. 15, the preview display unit 15 displays preview images representing the results of the binarization processing by the image processing unit 12 in the scanning direction, and contrast adjustment by the image processing unit 12 for each result of the binarization processing. Preview images representing the processing results are displayed side by side in the sub-scanning direction, and at least a part of the preview image representing the result of the sharpening processing for each result of the binarization processing and the contrast adjustment processing is overlapped in the visual depth direction. However, the example is shown side by side.

  Since the buttons 80 to 83 are provided for the same purpose as the buttons 80 to 83 described in the third embodiment of the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted.

  The viewpoint change button 110 is provided to display the preview images arranged in the scanning direction in the visual depth direction, and to display the preview images arranged in the visual depth direction in the scanning direction. Yes.

  That is, when the viewpoint change button 110 is operated using the input device 6, the preview display unit 15 displays the preview image display area 32 as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 16, the preview display unit 15 displays a viewpoint change button 111 in the preview image display area 32 instead of the viewpoint change button 110.

  The viewpoint change button 111 is provided to display the preview images arranged in the scanning direction in the visual depth direction, and to display the preview images arranged in the visual depth direction in the scanning direction. Yes.

  That is, when the viewpoint change button 111 is operated using the input device 6, the preview display unit 15 displays the preview image display area 32 as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the parameter reference value determination unit 13 determines a reference value for each image processing parameter, and the parameter fluctuation range determination unit 14 determines each image processing parameter. The range of fluctuation is determined.

  As described above, the image editing apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is conscious of the parameters of the image processing for the user, similarly to the image editing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Otherwise, each value of three image processing parameters, a combination of each value of two parameters of one image processing and each value of one parameter of one image processing, or three values of one image processing Each parameter value can be set more freely and easily than the conventional one.

  Further, the image editing apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention allows the user to confirm how the image to be processed changes with the change of the value of each parameter using a plurality of preview images. be able to.

1 Image editing device 2 CPU
3 RAM
4 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Hard disk apparatus 6 Input apparatus 7 Display apparatus 8 Storage medium reader 9 Communication module 10 Image file storage part 11 Image file selection part 12 Image processing part 13 Parameter reference value determination part 14 Parameter fluctuation range determination part 15 Preview display part 16 Preview image Selection unit 30 Image editing window 31 Original image display area 32 Preview image display area

Japanese Patent No. 3890096

Claims (16)

An image processing unit for executing image processing;
A parameter reference value determining unit for determining a reference value of a parameter used for the image processing;
A parameter fluctuation range determination unit for determining the fluctuation range of the parameter;
A first preview image representing a result of the image processing using the reference value determined by the parameter reference value determination unit as the value of the parameter, and the reference value with a variation range determined by the parameter variation range determination unit A preview display unit for displaying at least one second preview image representing a result of the image processing using the changed value as the value of the parameter;
An image editing apparatus comprising: a preview image selecting unit that selects one preview image from the first and second preview images.   2. The image editing according to claim 1, wherein the parameter reference value determining unit determines a reference value of the parameter based on a feature of the image obtained by analyzing an image to be processed in the image processing. apparatus.   The parameter variation range determination unit determines the parameter variation range based on the characteristics of the image obtained by analyzing the image to be processed in the image processing. The image editing apparatus described.   The image processing unit includes at least one of binarization processing, smoothing processing, sharpening processing, brightness adjustment processing, contrast adjustment processing, saturation adjustment processing, hue adjustment processing, gamma correction processing, histogram adjustment processing, and grayscale conversion processing. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one image processing is executed as the image processing.   A first selection function for selecting the preview image for adjusting the value of the parameter; and a second selection function for selecting the preview image for determining the value of the parameter. 5. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image editing apparatus.   The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preview display unit displays the first and second preview images side by side in a one-dimensional manner.   The image editing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the preview display unit displays the first and second preview images in the same size.   The preview display unit includes a symbol representing a scale between the first and second preview images, and a third preview image representing a result of the image processing with the value corresponding to the corresponding position as the value of the parameter; The image editing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least one of them is displayed.   The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preview display unit displays the first and second preview images side by side in two dimensions.   The preview display unit displays a preview image that represents the result of the image processing in which the value of the first parameter among the parameters is changed, arranged in a scanning direction, and for each result of the image processing, The image editing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein preview images representing results of the image processing in which two parameter values are changed are displayed side by side in the sub-scanning direction.   The image editing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the preview display unit displays the first and second preview images all in the same size.   The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preview display unit displays the first and second preview images side by side in a three-dimensional manner.   The preview display unit displays a preview image that represents the result of the image processing in which the value of the first parameter among the parameters is changed, arranged in a scanning direction, and for each result of the image processing, The preview image representing the result of the image processing that has changed the value of the two parameters is displayed side by side in the sub-scanning direction, and the value of the third parameter is changed for each result of the image processing. The image editing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein preview images representing the results of image processing are displayed side by side in the depth direction.   The preview display unit displays all of the first and second preview images in the same size and displays at least a part of preview images displayed side by side in the depth direction. Item 14. The image editing device according to Item 13. An image processing step for performing image processing;
A parameter reference value determining step for determining a reference value of a parameter used for the image processing;
A parameter variation range determination step for determining a variation range of the parameter;
A first preview image representing a result of the image processing using the reference value determined in the parameter reference value determining step as the parameter value, and the reference value with the fluctuation range determined in the parameter fluctuation range determining step. A preview display step of causing the display device to display at least one second preview image representing the result of the image processing using the changed value as the value of the parameter;
An image editing program for causing a computer to execute a preview image selection step of selecting one preview image from the first and second preview images.   A recording medium on which the image editing program according to claim 15 is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

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