JPH0377710B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image output device that reproduces and transmits a plurality of pieces of image information in a set order.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, devices have been known that record a plurality of still images (for example, about 100 images) as digital information on a disk-shaped recording medium, reproduce the images, and display them on a monitor. Such a device is used, for example, at a TV station as a programming device for an image transmission control device that uses a plurality of VTRs to automatically advance programs in a preprogrammed order. In this programming device, video information or text information representing the content of one program or commercial is recorded in the form of one still image information on a floppy disk, etc., and this is read out when creating a program. They are arranged in a required order, and the image transmission control device is controlled using this arrangement information.

With this kind of programming device, it takes about 0.4 seconds to play back one field of still images.
For color images with 4 fields as one unit
It takes 1.6 seconds. Therefore, it takes an extremely large amount of time to search for a necessary picture. It is conceivable to select the necessary image information by attaching an index using a document, but it is not possible to completely express the contents of a picture using a document, and it takes a lot of time to create an index.

In order to solve this problem, the applicant has reduced the size of the still image information and displayed it as an index in each of the subdivided areas of one screen. We have proposed an image output device that allows each area of the screen to be arbitrarily selected on the screen.

Using such an index screen greatly simplifies the program arrangement work. That is, by looking at the index screen, the contents of a plurality of images can be clearly seen at a glance, without having to reproduce and display each still image one by one. Furthermore, by selecting arbitrary images in a desired order on the index screen, the program progress program can be completed.

You can also check the order of program progression on the index screen. That is, by sequentially writing the selected reduced image information into the image memory and reproducing it, the set program is displayed on the index screen in the form of an array of reduced images. In this case, it becomes necessary to change the order of each reduced image on the index screen arranged according to the program or to search between the reduced images.

An object of the present invention is to enable the above-mentioned interpolation operation to be performed easily and without error.

The image output device of the present invention is an image output device that controls the sending order of a series of image information to be reproduced using a recording medium in which a plurality of still images are recorded in the form of digital information. In order to display one index screen 12 in which still images are divided into segments, the above-mentioned recording medium in which reduced still image information corresponding to each still image is recorded in a specific recording area, and the above-mentioned recording medium a reproducing device 3 for reproducing still image information and reduced still image information; an index memory 5 for obtaining a video signal forming the index screen by writing and reading out the reproduced output of the reduced still image information; Selection means (light pen 1
0) and a selection signal formed by selecting one segment and one of the boundary areas by the selection means, the selected image information is an image of the segments on both sides of the selected boundary area. memory switching control means 11 for rearranging the arrangement of the image information in the index memory so that the segments are rearranged with the segments inserted between the information; It is characterized by controlling the output order of images based on the segment arrangement.

With this configuration, it becomes possible to easily and quickly set the reproduction and transmission order of image information without making any errors.

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

An input video signal a is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter 1, and still image information for one frame is written into an image memory 2. The read output of the memory 2 is supplied to a disk recording/reproducing device 3 and recorded. By repeating this recording operation,
A plurality of pieces of still image information are recorded on the disk.
Note that the read speed of the image memory 2 is changed to match the rotation speed of the disk.

The output of the image memory 2 is also provided to a reduction device 4. This reduction device 4 has a function of reducing the image to 1/4, and for example, thins out 3 out of 4 scanning lines and thins out 3 out of 4 sampling points during A/D conversion on the scanning line. It is configured to thin out three pieces. The output of the reduction device 4 is sent to the disk recording/reproducing device 3 and recorded in a predetermined portion thereof, that is, an area for index recording.

At the time of reproduction, first, the reproduction output of the index recording area 3 during disk recording and reproduction is sent to the index memory 5, and one index screen information is stored. The output of the index memory 5 is sent via a switch 6 to a D/A converter 7, where it is converted to an analog video signal and then displayed on the monitor TV.
sent to.

As a result, the second screen appears on the monitor TV screen 12.
As shown in the front view of the screen in the figure, a reduced still image is displayed in each index area (1 to 16) divided into a plurality (for example, 16). In addition, each index area has a reference number (1 to 16) superimposed on the image.
Or written and displayed on a transparent board on the screen.

In this way, the index screen 12 in FIG.
By looking at the information you need, you can select the information you need. Necessary still image information is reproduced by instructing the disk recording/reproducing device 3 with an index reference number, and is stored in the image memory 8.

Index reference numbers can also be automatically detected with a light pen. That is, by applying the light pen 10 to the target reduced image plane as shown in FIG. 2, the information of the corresponding index reference number is detected by the light pen position detector 9 of FIG. The output of this position detector 9 is given to the disk recording/reproducing device 3 as image selection information.
Necessary still image information is reproduced and stored in the image memory. The output of the image memory 8 is given to the monitor TV via the switch 6 and the D/A converter 7, and the selected still image is displayed.

When creating a program for program progression, the index images are read from the disk recording/reproducing device 3 in the same manner as described above, and the necessary images on the index screen are selected in order using the light pen 10. By operating the selection key of the key input section (not shown), the image selection information output from the light pen position detector 9 is sent to the memory replacement control circuit 11, and the reduced image information selected based on this information is transferred to the image memory. 8 will be transferred one after another. At the same time, the index reference numbers of the selected images are stored in the program storage section of the index memory 5 in the programmed order.

When a series of program programs is completed, the contents of the image memory 8 are transferred to the index memory 5 again by operating the end key of the key input section. The contents of the index memory 5 are displayed on a monitor screen via a switch 6 and a D/A converter 7. The programmed program order 1, 2, 3... is displayed on the multi-screen 12 as shown in FIG.
You can find out.

By pointing the images on this multi-screen with a light pen, it is possible to change the program order. For example, when changing the order of the programs represented by reduced images 6 and 7 in FIG.
to specify screen areas 6 and 7, and then operate the change key in the key input section. As a result, the memory exchange control circuit 11 operates, and the reduced image information corresponding to areas 6 and 7 of the index memory 5 are exchanged with each other. At the same time, the index reference numbers written in the program storage section in the index memory 5 are interchanged.

Next, the operation for inserting another program between two programs will be explained.

One method is, for example, when inserting image 5 between reduced images 1 and 2, first use the light pen 10.
to specify image 1, then 5, and then operate the insert key on the key input section. With this operation, the memory exchange control circuit 11 operates in the same manner as in the exchange described above, and image 5 is inserted between images 1 and 2, and images 2, 3, 4 are sequentially shifted one area at a time.

This operation is error prone. because,
When the operator wants to insert image 5 before image 2, without operating the above steps (1 → 5 → insert key) correctly, he points to image 2 with the light pen 10, and then inserts image 5. The insert key may be operated after the instruction is given. As a result of this interpolation, the image order becomes 1, 2, 5, 3, 4, etc., resulting in an operation error.

In order to prevent such errors, in this embodiment, an area 13 between each image area is provided on the monitor screen, as shown by the hatched area in FIG. This intermediate region 13 can be represented by a gate signal created based on horizontal and vertical synchronization signals, and when this intermediate region 13 is indicated with the light pen 10, it can be detected based on the gate signal. I can do it.

When inserting image 5 between images 1 and 2, specify image 5 with the light pen 10, then specify the intermediate area 13 between images 1 and 2, and then press the insert key in the key input section. Manipulate. As a result, the respective outputs of the light pen position detector 9 and the key input section are sent to the memory exchange control circuit 11, and the exchange of the reduced images and their reference numbers is executed.
As a result, it is possible to create a program in the order displayed on the monitor screen 12 in FIG. 3. The above-mentioned interpolation operation is extremely simple, and there is no possibility of erroneous operation.

Note that an X-Y coordinate input device can be used in addition to the light pen 10. This input device may be a well-known device in which a matrix-like key switch array 14 corresponding to the reduced image area as shown in FIG. 4 is formed using a transparent conductive film or the like. By placing this coordinate input device closely in front of the monitor screen and operating the coordinate keys corresponding to the reduced index images on the monitor screen, a desired image can be selected.

Further, the key switch row 15 corresponding to the intermediate region 13 in FIG. 2 can be arranged between the key switch rows 14 on each image region as shown in FIG. 4, and these can be used during the interpolation operation. The interpolation operation is the same as that for the light pen; the image to be interpolated is selected using the key switch row 14, and then the key switch row 15 indicating the interpolation location is operated.

As described above, the present invention displays a plurality of reduced still images on one index screen divided into segments, and displays the boundary areas of the segments and a specific one.
Segments can be rearranged (interpolated) by specifying one segment on the screen, so it is possible to set the order in a device that controls the playback and transmission order of image information based on the segment arrangement order. It becomes possible to perform operations easily and quickly without errors. Therefore, particularly in television broadcasting stations, it becomes possible to perform processes such as sudden changes in the order of image transmission, sequential transmission of temporary screens or subtitle screens in the event of a failure on the transmission side, etc., extremely easily and reliably.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing device showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are front views of a monitor screen, and FIG. 4 is an X-Y
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the coordinate input device. In addition, in the symbols used in the drawings, 2...
...Image memory, 5...Index memory,
9...Light pen position detector, 10...Light pen, 11...Memory exchange control circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An image output device configured to control the transmission order of a series of image information to be reproduced using a recording medium in which a plurality of still images are recorded in the form of digital information, comprising: In order to display the still images of 2000 on a single segmented index screen, the above-mentioned recording medium in which reduced still image information corresponding to each still image is recorded in a specific recording area, and the still images from the above-mentioned recording medium a reproducing device for reproducing information and reduced still image information; an index memory for obtaining a video signal forming the index screen by writing and reading out the playback output of the reduced still image information; a selection means for selecting a boundary area of each segment and an adjacent segment on the screen;
In response to a selection signal formed by selecting one of the border regions, the segments are rearranged such that the selected image information is inserted between the image information of the segments on either side of the selected border region. and memory replacement control means for rearranging the arrangement of the image information in the index memory, and controlling the output order of images based on the segment arrangement of the image information in the index memory. image output device.