GB2168508A - Method for command processing in image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to make is possible to utilize know-how possessed by a system operator when processing commands in an image processing system are to be continuously executed, a command procedure file is provided for storing command parameters. There is also provided a know-how file for storing rules according to which the next processes are determined on the basis of estimated values for processed results complying with the individual processing commands. An estimation calculation unit estimates the processed results. Should any alteration of control flow be required in accordance with the estimated result, confirmation is required of the operator. The operator may accept the estimation of the know-how file, or overrule it, in which case the know-how file is modified, to change its estimation of the process accordingly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method for command processing in image processing system Method for command processing in an image processing system. The present invention relates to an image processing computer system with which a user performs the processing, modification, accumulation, retrieval etc. of image data while facing a CRT terminal, and more particularly to a command processing method which is well suited to gradually accumulating processing know-how complying with commands.

With successive executed processing commands, for example, 'edge extraction', 'filtering' and 'contrast emphasis', a prior-art image processing system is operated by a method which inputs parameter values together with the respective processing commands. In image processing, it is often the case that original image data is continuously subjected to several sorts of processes. With some results of a particular process, however, it becomes necessary to cancel the last process without carying forward a next scheduled process and to execute a process after changing the parameter.When it is intended to operate the prior art method to continuously execute several sorts of processes automatically, input commands and parameter values from a keyboard or the like are set and are stored in a memory such as an optical disc, to prepare a so-called command procedure file, the contents of which are sequentially read out and processed. With this method, it has been impossible to control, according to circumstances such as flow of processes, whether the next process is performed or a parameter is changed to execute the process again, following consideration of the result of the aforementioned particular process.

Therefore it is desirable to overcome the disadvantage of the prior-art method as described above, and to provide in continuous execution of processing commands in an image processing system, a command processing method which makes it possible to determine a process to-be-subsequently-executed according to the result of a particular process, and which stores within the system a result determined at the time of the alteration of the flow of processes, thereby making it possible to accumulate know-how possessed by a system user.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of command processing for an image processing system comprising reviewing a processed result for each process request command to determine whether or not the processing is to be shifted upon execution of a next command, thereby to control the processing operation; storing in a memory judgment criteria of the processed results based on the control and obtained following the said review; and preparing estimative indices for terms corresponding to the stored judgment criteria, on the basis of the processed results.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an image processing system including a first storage file for storing commands and parameters (a command procedure file); a second storage file (a know-how file) for storing rules for determining next processes on the basis of estimative values for individually processed results, and an estimative calculation routine which is arranged to estimate the processed results such that when a scheduled control operation is to be altered according to an estimated result, confirmation is required of an operator on each occasion, the judged results of the operator on such occasions being sequentially accumulated in the know-how file.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a computerised system showing an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagram showing functional models required for performing the present invention and the relations thereof; and Figure 3 is a flow chart showing processing steps at the performance of the present invention.

In Fig. 1 is shown a schematic diagram of a computer system for performing the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, numeral 101 designates a CRT terminal to which commands are applied and also the processed results of image data are confirmed and monitored. Numeral 102 is a central processing unit which processes data, and numeral 103 is an auxiliary memory, for example, a magnetic disc which is used as a command procedure file and a know-how file for storing a processing program, image data etc. In addition, numeral 104 indicates a main memory which is used for the storage of a basic processing program, the temporary storage of various processing programs, the execution of processes, etc.

Fig. 2 discloses in detail the allotment of functions in the system of Fig. 1. The system operator inputs a command via terminal 201 so as to execute necessary processes. A command interpreter 202 interprets a content needed, and to ensure continuous processes, it refers to the content of command procedure file 203, to call command programs 206 in succession and to execute a corresponding command processing program 207. After a selected process has ended, whether or not know-how file 204 contains description on the result of the process, the process is checked.

In the presence of the description, a corre sponding calculation routine is called from a user definition program 205. Utilising an estimated result, it is determined whether the processing shafts to a next process described in the command procedure or whether operator judgment is required to make the necessary adjustment.

Fig. 3 depicts the above processing in the form of a flow chart in order to show the processing steps more clearly. Firstly, the command procedure file 203 is searched (Step 301) to confirm the presence or absence of an execution command (Step 302). In the absence of the execution command, the processing is ended (Step 311). In the presence of the execution command, the flow proceeds to the execution of the command (Step 303).

By way of example, it is assumed that the process be 'contrast emphasis'. It is also assumed that processed image data is obtained by subjecting certain image data to the contrast emphasis process. It is further assumed that a process to-be-subsequently-executed is an 'edge emphasis' process for the image with its contrast emphasized. In accordance with the present invention, before the operation of the system proceeds to the 'edge emphasis' process, the know-how file 204 is searched to check whether or not there is description on the 'contrast emphasis' process (Step 304). In the absence of description in the know-how file, the system automatically shifts to the next process as in the prior-art method. However, when the description is detected, the system does not simply shift to the next process.By way of example, it is assumed that the following rule concerning the 'contrast emphasis process' is described in the know-how file 204, (Contrast Emphasis, (IF (Highest density~Lowest density) < 0.4 THEN Parameter P,=PI+AP, Re-execution, Confirmation Required) (Density Calculation Routine)) The significance of the above rule is as follows.

In the case where the difference between the highest density and the lowest density is smaller than 0.4 in data resulting from the execution of the contrast emphasis process, it is often meaningless to further execute the next process by the use of the processed data. In such a case, it is necessary that the value of the parameter Pl for use in the contrast emphasis process routine is increased by Asp1, whereupon the routine is re-executed.

Moreover, in order to estimate this rule, the density calculation routine needs to be executed for the image data so as to compute the highest density and the lowest density.

Even in a case where, as in this example, the re-execution is determined as the result of the execution of an estimation program (Step 305) and the check of estimation terms (Step 306), the system does not immediately shift to the re-execution upon operator judgment, but confirmation is required of the operator (Step 307) when the description of 'Confirmation required' is contained in the rule as exemplified above. In the case of the above disclosed example, when the operator sees the image obtained by the contrast emphasis process and judges it is problematic to shift to the next edge extraction according to the processing know-how described in the rule (Step 308), he or she enters his or her intention to the system side through keyboard inputting or the like.In that case, the system modifies the parameter and executes the contrast emphasis again in accordance with an indication of the described content of the rule of the know-how file 204 (Step 309). Processing is suspended at this stage with some rule contents, and the process to which the system shifts is not restricted solely to the re-execution of the last process. When unlike the above, the operator descides against the rule in the know-how file 204, to ensure that the image obtained by the contrast emphasis poses no problem, the corresponding description in the know-how file is modified (Step 310), and the system shifts to the next process (in this case, the edge emphasis process).In this example, when the difference between the highest density and the lowest density of the contrast emphasis image obtained is 0.3 and nevertheless the operator admits it to be good, the criterion parameter 0.4 in the aforementioned rule is modified to 0.3. Thereupon, the processing returns to the command procedure search process (Step 301). In consequence, when a similar process is subsequently performed, data whose density difference is at least 0.3 can be automatically supplied to carry forward the edge extraction process.

As described above, according to the present invention, processing know-how is not merely fixedly handled as rules to control the flow of processes, but a procedure by which the judgments of an operator are formed on data obtained anew is adopted, whereby the sequential maintenance of rules in a know-how file becomes possible. Thus, the processing know-how acquired by the system operator can be gradually transferred into the system, and an image processing system furnished with a kind of learning function can be realized.

Claims (5)

1. A method of command processing for an image processing system comprising reviewing a processed result for each process request command to determine whether or not the processing is to be shifted upon execution of a next command, thereby to control the processing operation; storing in a memory judgment criteria of the processed results based on the control and obtained following the said review; and preparing estimative indices for terms corresponding to the stored judgement criteria, on the basis of the processed results.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the preparation of the estimative index includes judging whether or not the processing is to be continued, by the intervention of a system operator when the judged result of the processed result negates proceeding to the next process; and modifying description of the judgment criteria with the estimative index obtained this time, whereupon the processing is continued.

3. An imaging processing system including a first storage file for storing commands and parameters a second storage file for storing rules for determining next processes on the basis of estimative values for individually processed results, and an estimative calculation routine which is arranged to estimate the processed results such that when a scheduled control operation is to be altered according to an estimated result, confirmation is required of an operator on each occasion, the judged results of the operator on such occasions being sequentially accumulated in the know-how file.

4. A command processing method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. An image processing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.