JP2000069272A - Image superimposing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate the image signal of a superimposed image in a way such that a background map image is seen through under a graphic image by generating the signal of the superimposed image, where a gradation value is converted based on a specific equation respectively on a part, where one image is not superimposed on other image and on a part where one image is superimposed on other image. SOLUTION: The signal of a superimposed image is generated, where a gradation value is converted for a part in which other image is not superimposed on one image based on the equation C=B, and for a part in which other image is superimposed on one image based on the equation C=(1-α).A+α.B, where A is the gradation value of one image, B is the gradation value of the other image, C is the gradation of a superimposed image, and α is a transparency adjustment value (0<=α<=1). An α value generating circuit 6 of this device generates a value α which corresponds to the operation of a transparency switch 5 and outputs it to a look-up table(LUT) 4. The LUT 4 references a synthesis conversion table, corresponding to the α value to generate an image resulting in a graphics image which is superposed on a map image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image superimposing apparatus used for superimposing and displaying two images such as an image image and a graphics image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In some cases, an image image and a graphic image are superimposed on a display. For example, a graphics image is superimposed on a map image in a navigation liquid crystal display or the like mounted on an aircraft. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a conventional image superimposing apparatus that superimposes an image to perform such superimposed display.

In FIG. 1, a map image processing circuit 1 reads corresponding map data from a map database 2 based on position information and the like to generate a map image. The graphics image processing circuit 3 generates a graphics image to be superimposed on the map image (for example, a symbol or a character not in the map database).

A look-up table unit (hereinafter referred to as LUT) 4 generates an image (hereinafter referred to as a superimposed image) obtained by superimposing (synthesizing) a graphics image on a map image according to the following conversion rule. When A = 0, C = B (1) When A ≠ 0, C = A (2) where A is the gradation value of the graphics image B is the gradation value of the map image C is the gradation value of the superimposed image Gradation value

In a portion where the graphics image is not superimposed on the map image (A = 0), the gradation value B of the map image becomes the gradation value C of the superimposed image as it is according to the equation (1), and the graphics image is superimposed on the map image. In the portion (A ≠ 0) to be performed, the gradation value A of the map image is directly used as the gradation value C of the superimposed image according to the equation (2). As a result, an image in which the graphics image is superimposed on the map image is generated. Note that the LUT 4 is provided with a combination conversion table of Expressions (1) and (2), and superimposes images based on this table.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional apparatus, a superimposed image is generated according to the conversion rules of equations (1) and (2). No map image is displayed in the portion where the image is superimposed, and no map information of that portion is obtained. Therefore, when the display area of the superimposed graphics image is large or the number of displayed images is large, there is a problem that much map information cannot be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and to provide an image superimposing apparatus capable of generating an image signal such that a map image is transmitted below a graphics image in a superimposed image. .

[0008]

To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image superimposing apparatus for generating a superimposed image signal of two images, wherein one image is replaced by another image. Are superimposed on the basis of the following equation (1-1) in the portion where the image is not superimposed, and on the basis of the following equation (1-2) in the portion where the other image is superimposed on the one image. It is characterized in that a signal is generated. C = B (1-1) C = (1-α) · A + α · B (1-2) where A is the tone value of the one image and B is the tone value of the other image. C is the gradation value of the superimposed image α is the transmission adjustment value (0 ≦ α ≦ 1)

With such a configuration, it is possible to easily obtain a composite image in which one image is transmitted below the other image. In this case, one image can be a map image and the other image can be a graphics image.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a composite conversion table of a plurality of α values is provided, a composite conversion table corresponding to a desired α value is selected by designating, and an image is superimposed based on the table. According to such a configuration, there is an advantage that the display of only one of the images or the superimposed display of the two images can be performed, and the degree of transmission in the superimposed display can be adjusted.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image superimposing device according to the present invention. In the present invention, the synthetic conversion rule for the portion (A ≠ 0) where the graphics image is superimposed on the map image is changed to the following expression (3) instead of the conventional expression (2). When A ≠ 0 C = (1−α) · A + α · B (3) where α is a transmission adjustment value representing the degree of transmission, and 0 ≦
α ≦ 1.

FIG. 1 differs from FIG. 2 in that a rocker switch 5 for adjusting the degree of transparency of a map image (hereinafter simply referred to as a transmission switch), an α value generation circuit 6 for generating a transmission adjustment value, and a plurality of LUTs 4 are provided. The point is that a combination conversion table for α values is provided.

The α value generation circuit 6 generates an α value corresponding to the operation of the transmission switch 5 and outputs the generated α value to the LUT 4. LUT4
Generates an image in which a graphics image is superimposed on a map image with reference to a synthesis conversion table corresponding to the α value.

The portion where the graphics image is not superimposed on the map image (A = 0) is determined by α
Regardless of the value, the gradation value B of the map image becomes the gradation value C of the superimposed image as it is.

In a portion (A ≠ 0) where the graphics image is superimposed on the map image, a synthesis conversion table corresponding to the α value generated by the α value generation circuit 6 in the LUT 4 is selected in accordance with Equation (3), This is the gradation value C of the superimposed image, which is an image through which the map image is transmitted below the image.

As a result, the map image is transparently displayed at the portion where the graphics image is superimposed, and the map information is obtained when the display area of the superimposed graphics image is large or the number of displays is large. The problem of being unable to do so is resolved.

Note that a plurality of α values (0 ≦ α ≦
1) (the LUT # 1 (α =
0)... LUT # 1 (α = 1) table is prepared, and a setting α value is designated by the transmission switch 5 so that a corresponding composite conversion table can be selected. The degree of transmission of the map image below can be arbitrarily adjusted in the range of 0 to 1.

For example, in LUT4, α = 0, α = 0.2
When five synthesis conversion tables of 5, α = 0.5, α = 0.75, and α = 1 are prepared, when a synthesis conversion table of α = 0 is selected, only a graphics image is displayed, and α When the combination conversion table of = 1 is selected, only the map image is displayed. Intermediate value, ie α = 0.2
When any of the composite conversion tables 5, 5, and 0.75 is selected, the map image under the graphics image is superimposed and transparent, and the map image is displayed under the graphics image with a transparency corresponding to the α value. The image is displayed.

As described above, the display of only the graphics image, the display of only the map image, or the superimposed display of the graphics image and the map image can be appropriately selected. In the superimposed display, the degree of transparency of the map image can be adjusted. It is possible to generate an image signal for obtaining an optimum display according to the purpose of use.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and many modifications and changes are possible. For example, the present invention can be applied not only to two images to be superimposed but also to three or more images. Further, the application range of the device of the present invention is not limited to a liquid crystal display for navigation mounted on an aircraft, but can be applied to any superimposed image display.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the first aspect of the invention, when one image, for example, a map image is superimposed on another image, for example, a graphics image, the map image is displayed so as to be transparently displayed on a portion where the graphics image is superimposed. Therefore, even if the display area of the graphics image is large or the number of displays is large, there is no concern that map information cannot be obtained.

Further, since a composite conversion table of a plurality of α values is prepared and a composite conversion table can be selected, a display of only a graphics image, a display of only a map image, or a display of a graphics image is provided. Any one of the superimposed display of the image and the map image can be selected as appropriate, and the degree of transmission of the map image can be adjusted in the superimposed display, so that an image signal that guarantees optimal image display according to the purpose of use is output. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image superposition apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a conventional image superposition apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 map image processing circuit 2 map database 3 graphics image processing circuit 4 LUT 5 transmission switch 6 α value generation circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image superimposing apparatus for generating a superimposed image signal of two images, wherein a portion where one image is not superimposed on another image is superimposed on one image based on the following equation (1-1). An image superimposing apparatus, wherein a signal of a superimposed image whose tone value is converted is generated based on the following equation (1-2) in a portion where an image is superimposed. C = B (1-1) C = (1-α) · A + α · B (1-2) where A is the tone value of the one image and B is the tone value of the other image. C is the gradation value α of the superimposed image, and α is the transmission adjustment value (0 ≦ α ≦ 1). 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said one image is a map image, and said other image is a graphics image. 3. A synthesizing means for superimposing two images based on the formulas (1-1) and (1-2), wherein the synthesizing means synthesizes a plurality of α values based on the formula (1-2). 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion table, wherein a synthesis conversion table corresponding to a desired α value can be selected by designation, and an image is superimposed based on the selected synthesis conversion table. Image superposition device.