JP2001083089A - Image-processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-processing device, with a simple circuit configuration for speedily displaying an image for monitoring with a desired contrast, based on digital image data having a wide dynamic range. SOLUTION: This image-processing device is provided with a highest order bit detection means 17 for detecting the highest-order bit of image data, that is generated by and interline-type CCD 6 and is at one digitized field, and a shifter 18 for generating image data for monitoring by reducing the number of bits of the image data of the other field, based on the highest-order bit of the image data of the one field being detected by the highest-order bit detection means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing device, and more particularly, to a simple circuit configuration.
The present invention also relates to an image processing apparatus capable of displaying a monitor image having a desired contrast based on high-speed digital image data having a wide dynamic range.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An immobilized polymer such as a protein or nucleic acid sequence is selectively labeled with a labeling substance that causes chemiluminescence upon contact with a chemiluminescent substance, and is selectively labeled with the labeling substance. The polymer is brought into contact with the chemiluminescent substance, and the chemiluminescence in the visible light wavelength region caused by the contact between the chemiluminescent substance and the labeling substance is photoelectrically detected, and a digital image signal is generated to perform image processing. A chemiluminescence detection system is known in which a chemiluminescence image is reproduced on a display means such as a CRT or a recording material such as a photographic film to obtain information on a macromolecule such as genetic information.

[0003] A fluorescence detection system using a fluorescent substance as a labeling substance is also known. According to this fluorescence detection system, by reading a fluorescence image, gene sequence, gene expression level, protein separation and identification, or molecular weight and property evaluation can be performed. D
After adding a fluorescent dye to the solution containing the NA fragment, a plurality of DNA fragments are subjected to electrophoresis on a gel support, or a plurality of DNA fragments are placed on a gel support containing a fluorescent dye.
The A fragment is electrophoresed, or a plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support, and then the gel support is immersed in a solution containing a fluorescent dye. By labeling, exciting a fluorescent dye with excitation light, and detecting the generated fluorescence, an image is generated, and the distribution of DNA on the gel support is detected. After electrophoresis on the support, the DNA is denaturated, and then at least a portion of the denatured DNA fragment is transferred onto a transfer support such as nitrocellulose by Southern blotting to obtain the desired DNA. A probe prepared by labeling DNA or RNA complementary to the DNA to be labeled with a fluorescent dye and a denatured DNA fragment is hybridized, and the probe DNA
Alternatively, only the DNA fragment complementary to the probe RNA is selectively labeled, and the excitation light excites the fluorescent dye,
By detecting the generated fluorescence, an image can be generated and the distribution of the target DNA on the transfer support can be detected. Further, a DNA probe complementary to the DNA containing the target gene labeled with the labeling substance is prepared, hybridized with the DNA on the transcription support, and the enzyme is reacted with the complementary DNA labeled with the labeling substance. After binding, by contacting with a fluorescent substrate, the fluorescent substrate is changed to a fluorescent substance that emits fluorescence, the generated fluorescent substance is excited by excitation light, and the generated fluorescence is detected.
An image can be generated to detect the distribution of the target DNA on the transfer support. This fluorescence detection system has an advantage that, unlike autoradiography, a gene sequence or the like can be easily detected without using a radioactive substance.

In such a chemiluminescence detection system or a fluorescence system, a chemiluminescence or a fluorescence is measured by a CCD camera,
In particular, detection by a cooled CCD camera and generation of a chemiluminescence image or a fluorescence image are generally performed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Such a cooled CCD
In an image generation system using a camera, it is required to generate a high-quality image with a wide dynamic range for the purpose of quantitative analysis or the like. When a lens is focused, a monitor image is displayed on a CRT or the like. In order to display a high-quality image, it takes a long time to transfer the image data. Conventionally, of the N-bit digital image data transferred from the CCD, M-bit (M <N) digital image data is used. Is used to display a monitor image on a CRT or the like.

However, when the M-bit digital image data is simply selected from the N-bit digital image data and the monitor image is displayed on a CRT or the like, the density distribution of the image is high. When the density is biased to a low level, a monitor image cannot be displayed with a desired contrast in some cases.

The problem is that the digital image data is converted into M-bit digital image data by processing the digital image data in a software manner so that an optimum contrast can be obtained from the N-bit digital image data. The problem can be solved by displaying the image on a CRT or the like. However, when digital image data is processed in a software manner in order to display a monitor image on a CRT or the like, the circuit configuration However, there has been a problem that the method becomes complicated and causes a cost increase.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus capable of displaying a monitor image having a desired contrast based on digital image data having a simple circuit configuration, high speed, and a wide dynamic range. It is intended to do so.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is as follows.
A density distribution detecting means for detecting a density signal level distribution of one-field image data generated and digitized by the interline type CCD; and a one-field image data detected by the density distribution detecting means. This is achieved by an image processing apparatus including a monitor image data generating unit that generates the monitor image data by reducing the number of bits of the image data of the other one field based on the density signal level.

According to the present invention, the density distribution detecting means detects the density signal level distribution of the image data of one field, and based on the detected density signal level of the image data of one field, detects the other. Since the image data for the monitor is generated by reducing the number of bits of the image data of one field, it has a simple circuit configuration, and
It is possible to display a monitor image having a desired contrast based on digital image data having a high speed and a wide dynamic range.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the density distribution detecting means detects a highest-order bit of the image data of the one field, thereby detecting a density signal level distribution of the image data of the one field. The monitor image data generating means, from the highest bit detected by the density distribution detecting means, the lower the bit, monitor image data of a predetermined number of bits is generated, so that It is configured to reduce the number of bits of the image data of the other one field.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the density distribution detecting means detects the density signal level distribution of the image data of one field by detecting the most significant bit of the image data of one field. Then, the monitor image data generating means generates the other one field so that a predetermined number of bits of monitor image data is generated in a lower bit from the most significant bit detected by the density distribution detecting means. It is configured to reduce the number of bits of image data, so with a simple circuit configuration,
In addition, it is possible to display a monitor image having a desired contrast based on digital image data having a high speed and a wide dynamic range.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the density distribution detecting means detects a least significant bit of the image data of the one field so that a density signal of the image data of the one field is detected. A level distribution is detected, and the monitor image data generation unit generates a predetermined number of bits of monitor image data in a higher bit order from the lowest bit detected by the density distribution detection unit. The number of bits of image data of the other one field is reduced.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The density distribution detecting means detects the lowest bit of the image data of one field to detect the density signal level distribution of the image data of one field, and the monitor image data generating means detects the density distribution. It is configured to reduce the number of bits of the image data of the other one field so that a predetermined number of bits of monitor image data is generated from the least significant bit detected by the means to the higher bit. Therefore, it is possible to display a monitor image having a desired contrast based on digital image data having a simple circuit configuration, high speed, and a wide dynamic range. In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the monitor image data generating means is constituted by a shifter.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, monitor image data with a reduced number of bits is generated in a hardware manner, so that it has a simple circuit configuration and
It is possible to display a monitor image having a desired contrast based on digital image data having a high speed and a wide dynamic range.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an image generation system that generates image data to be processed by an image processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The image generation system is configured to detect a fluorescence from an image carrier carrying an image of a fluorescent substance and a chemiluminescence generated by a contact between the chemiluminescent substance and the labeling substance, and to generate a visible image.

In FIG. 1, the image generation system has a cooled CCD camera 1, a dark box 2, and a personal computer 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 3 includes a CRT 4 and a keyboard 5.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the cooled CCD camera 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the cooled CCD camera 1
A CCD 6 of an interline type, a heat transfer plate 7 made of metal such as aluminum, a Peltier element 8 for cooling the CCD 6, a shutter 9 arranged on the front surface of the CCD 6, and an analog signal generated by the CCD 6. A / D converter 10 for converting image data into digital image data
It has. An opening formed between the dark box 2 and the dark box 2 is closed by a glass plate 11, and a radiation fin 12 for radiating heat generated by the Peltier element 8 is provided around the cooled CCD camera 1 in the longitudinal direction. It is formed over almost the entire surface.

The cooled CCD camera 1 includes a control box 13. The control box 13 includes a monitor image data generator 14 for reducing the number of bits in the image data digitized by the A / D converter 10, and a digital An image data buffer 15 for temporarily storing the converted image data and a camera control circuit 16 for controlling the operation of the cooled CCD camera 1 are provided. The monitor image data generator 14 includes a highest-order bit detector 17 and a shifter 18.
It has.

A camera lens 19 having a lens focus adjusting function is mounted in the dark box 2 on the front surface of the glass plate 11.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the dark box 2. FIG.
As shown in FIG.
A first blue LED light source 21 that emits 0 nm excitation light is provided. Above the first blue LED light source 21, a second blue LED light source 22 whose emission wavelength center emits 450 nm excitation light is provided. A third blue LED light source 23 is provided. A filter 24 is attached to the upper surface of the first blue LED light source 21, and the second blue LED light source 2
A filter 25 and a filter 26 are attached to the front surfaces of the second and third blue LED light sources 23, respectively. The filters 24, 25, and 26 cut light harmful to the excitation of fluorescent substances other than wavelengths near 450 nm,
It has the property of transmitting only light having a wavelength near nm.
On the front surface of the camera lens 19, a filter 27 that cuts off excitation light near 450 nm is provided detachably.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram around the personal computer 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the personal computer 3 includes the cooled CCD camera 1
, An image data transfer unit 31 that reads out image data generated by the cooled CCD camera 1 from the image data buffer 15, an image data storage unit 32 that stores image data, and an image data storage unit 32 that stores the image data. Image processing device 3 that performs image processing on the processed image data
3 and an image display means 34 for displaying a visible image on the screen of the CRT 4 based on the image data stored in the image data storage means 32. First blue LED light source 2
1. Second blue LED light source 22 and third blue LED
The light source 23 is controlled by light source control means 35,
The light source control unit 35 receives information from the keyboard 5 through the CPU 30.
The instruction signal is input via the. The CPU 30 is configured to output various signals to the camera control circuit 16 of the cooled CCD camera 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram around the CCD 6. As shown in FIG. 5, the CCD 6 includes a photoelectric sensor 40 and an output amplifier 42, and the charges accumulated in the photoelectric sensor 40 pass through a charge transfer path 44,
It is configured to be sent to the output amplifier 42 and output. The transfer of charges from the charge transfer path 44 is controlled by the read control circuit 46, and the read control circuit 46
Are controlled by the camera control circuit 16.

The image generating apparatus with the cooled CCD camera 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is produced by the contact of the fluorescent substance from the image carrier carrying the image of the fluorescent substance and the labeling substance with the chemiluminescent substance. It is configured to detect chemiluminescence and generate a fluorescence image and a chemiluminescence image. Here, the image carrier carries an image of a fluorescent substance means that the image carrier carries an image of a sample labeled with a fluorescent dye, and that the enzyme is combined with the labeled sample before the enzyme is fluoresced. Contacting with a substrate to convert the fluorescent substrate to a fluorescent substance that emits fluorescence, and carrying an image of the obtained fluorescent substance.

First, the first blue LE
The D light source 21 or the second blue LED light source 22 and the third blue LED light source 23 are turned on, and lens focusing is performed using the camera lens 19.

That is, when the user places an image carrier (not shown) carrying a fluorescent image on the filter 24 and inputs a lens focusing signal to the keyboard 5, the CPU 30 And outputs a lens focusing signal to the first blue LED light source 21.
Alternatively, the second blue LED light source 22 and the third blue L
The ED light source 23 is turned on. At the same time, the CPU 30 outputs a lens focusing signal to the camera control circuit 16 to open the shutter 9.

As a result, the first blue LED light source 21 or the second blue LED light source 22 and the third blue LED
Excitation light is emitted from the light source 23 toward the image carrier,
The fluorescent substance in the image carrier is excited and emits fluorescence. Here, a filter 24 is attached to the front surface of the first blue LED light source 21, and filters 25 and 26 are attached to the front surfaces of the second blue LED light source 22 and the third blue LED light source 23, respectively. The first blue LE
Excitation light emitted from the D light source 21 or the second blue LED light source 22 and the third blue LED light source 23 has wavelength components other than light having a wavelength near 450 nm cut off by the filters 24, 25, and 26. As a result, 450n
The fluorescent substance in the image carrier is excited by light having a wavelength near m to emit fluorescence.

The fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance in the image carrier enters the photoelectric surface of the CCD 6 of the cooled CCD camera 1 via the filter 27 and the camera lens 19, and forms an image on the photoelectric surface. The photoelectric sensor 40 of the CCD 6 receives the light of the image thus formed on the photoelectric surface and accumulates the light in the form of electric charges. Since light having a wavelength near 450 nm, which is excitation light, is cut off by the filter 27, only the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance in the image carrier is received by the photoelectric sensor 40 of the CCD 6.

In this embodiment, the CPU 30 controls the readout control circuit 46 by the camera control circuit 16 to transfer the charges accumulated in the photoelectric sensor 40 three times per second to the charge transfer path 44. Through the output amplifier 42
And output.

The analog image data generated by the interline type CCD 6 is output from the output amplifier 42 in the order of the odd field and the even field, and the A / D
It is sent to the converter 10. In the present embodiment, A / D
The converter 10 is configured to generate digital image data having a 14-bit dynamic range.

The digital image data of the odd field, which has been converted into 14-bit digital image data by the A / D converter 10, is output to the monitor image data generator 1.
4 is sent to the highest order bit detector 17. The highest-order bit detection unit 17 detects the highest-order bit of the digital image data of the odd-numbered field, and causes the shifter 18 to shift only the 8-bit image data from the highest-order bit to the lower bit. Shift the setting signal to shifter 18.
And the shifter 18 is set.

Next, the A / D converter 10 outputs 14
The even-field digital image data converted to the bit digital image data is sent to the shifter 18 of the monitor image data generator 14, and the 8-bit monitor display image data set by the highest-order bit detector 17. Are sent from the shifter 18 to the image data buffer 15 and are temporarily stored.

The image data for monitor display of M bits stored in the image data buffer 15 is read out by the image data transfer means 31 and stored in the image data storage means 32, and the CPU 30 displays the image display means 3.
4 is operated, and based on the 8-bit monitor display image data stored in the image data storage unit 32, C
A monitor image is displayed on the screen of RT4.

In the monitor image displayed on the screen of the CRT 4, the density signal level distribution of the image data of the odd field is detected, and the shifter 18 is set according to the density signal level distribution of the image data of the odd field. Since the image data of the even field is generated by converting the image data into 8 bits, even if the density signal level distribution of the image is biased toward high density or low density, an image for monitor having a desired contrast can be obtained. It can be displayed on the screen of the CRT 4.

Further, the image data of the odd field of the next frame is sent to the A / D converter 10 and converted into 14-bit digital image data. The highest-order bit detector 17 detects the highest-order bit of the digital image data of the odd field in the same manner, and shifter 18 shifts the highest-order bit from the highest-order bit to the lower bit by 8 bits. The shifter setting signal is output to the shifter 18 so as to pass only the image data of (i), and the shifter 17 is set.

The even-field digital image data converted to 14-bit digital image data by the A / D converter 10 is converted to 8-bit image data by the shifter 17, and similarly, an 8-bit even number A monitor image is displayed on the screen of the CRT 4 based on the image data of the field. In this way, the user operates the camera lens 19 to bring the lens into focus while observing the monitor image displayed on the screen of the CRT 4 one after another.

When the lens focus meeting is completed as described above, the user inputs a lens focus meeting completion signal to the keyboard. CPU 30
When the lens focus meeting completion signal is input,
A lens focus meeting completion signal is transferred to the light source control means 35 to turn off the first blue LED light source 21 or the second blue LED light source 22 and the third blue LED light source 23, and the lens to the camera control circuit 16 A focus meeting completion signal is transmitted, and the shutter 9 is closed. Thus, when the lens focus meeting is completed,
Reading of the fluorescence image carried by the image carrier is started.

First, when the dark box 2 is closed and an exposure start signal is input to the keyboard 5 by the user, the CP
U30 transfers the exposure start signal to the light source control means 35, and outputs the first blue LED light source 21 or the second blue LE
The D light source 22 and the third blue LED light source 23 are turned on, and excitation light is emitted toward the image carrier. at the same time,
The exposure start signal is sent from the CPU 30 to the cooled CCD camera 1.
Of the camera control circuit 16
Thereby, the shutter 9 is opened, and the exposure of the CCD 6 is started.

Excitation light emitted from the first blue LED light source 21 or the second blue LED light source 22 and the third blue LED light source 23 is filtered by filters 24, 25, and 26 except for light having a wavelength near 450 nm. The wavelength component is cut, and as a result, by light having a wavelength near 450 nm,
The fluorescent substance in the image carrier is excited and emits fluorescence.

The fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance in the image carrier enters the photoelectric surface of the CCD 6 of the cooled CCD camera 1 via the filter 27 and the camera lens 19, and forms an image on the photoelectric surface. The photoelectric sensor 40 of the CCD 6 receives the light of the image thus formed on the photoelectric surface and accumulates the light in the form of electric charges. The filter 27 cuts off the excitation light having a wavelength near 450 nm, so that only the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent substance in the image carrier 18 is subjected to the CCD.
6 is received by the photoelectric sensor 40.

When a predetermined exposure time has elapsed, the CPU 30
Outputs an exposure completion signal to the camera control circuit 12 of the cooled CCD camera 1. The camera control circuit 12 includes a CPU 30
When the exposure completion signal is received from the CPU, the read control circuit 46 is driven, and the analog image data accumulated in the form of electric charges by the photoelectric sensor 40 of the CCD 6 is transferred through the electric charge transfer path 44.
The signal is sent to the output amplifier 42 at a low speed of less than 10 frames / second, and further transmitted to the A / D converter 10.

The A / D converter 10 converts the analog image data generated by the CCD 6 into 14-bit digital image data, outputs it to the image data buffer 15, and stores it temporarily. At the same time as outputting the exposure completion signal to the camera control circuit 16, the CPU 30 outputs a data transfer signal to the image data transfer means 31 to read out the image data from the image data buffer 15 of the cooled CCD camera 1, The data is stored in the data storage unit 32.

Thereafter, when the user inputs an image generation signal to the keyboard 5, the image display means 34 reads out the image data stored in the data storage means 32, and, if necessary, the image processing apparatus 33 causes the image data to be read out. Based on the processed image data, the CR
A fluorescent image is displayed on the screen of T4.

On the other hand, when generating a chemiluminescent image,
The filter 27 is removed, and the first blue LED light source 21,
Both the second blue LED light source 22 and the third blue LED light source 23 are kept in the off state, and on the filter 24,
Image carrier, which is a sample that emits chemiluminescence (not shown)
Except that the chemiluminescence emitted from the image carrier is detected, exactly as in the case of generating a fluorescent image,
A lens focus meeting is performed, and the chemiluminescence emitted from the image carrier is photoelectrically detected by the CCD 6,
After the predetermined exposure time has elapsed, the cooling C
An exposure end signal is output to the camera control circuit 12 of the CD camera 1, and the generation of the chemiluminescent image by the cooled CCD camera 1 is completed. The obtained chemiluminescence image data is stored in the image data storage means 32 in exactly the same manner as the fluorescence image data.

According to the present embodiment, at the time of lens focusing, the highest-order bit detector 17 converts the analog image data generated by the CCD 6 into the A / D converter 1.
The highest order bit in the digital image data of the 14-bit odd field obtained by digitizing with 0 is detected, and the shifter 18 passes only the 8-bit image data from the highest order bit to the lower bit. Thus, the shifter 18 is set, the 14-bit image data of the even field is converted into 8 bits by the shifter 18, and the monitor image is displayed on the screen of the CRT 4 based on the obtained 8-bit image data. Therefore, even if the density signal level distribution of the image is biased toward high density or low density, it is possible to display the monitor image on the screen of the CRT 4 with a desired contrast.

Also, according to the present embodiment, only by setting the shifter 18 based on the most significant bit in the digital image data of the odd field, it is possible to hardly convert the 14-bit image data of the even field into 8 bits. Since the image data for monitor display in bits is generated, it is possible to display a monitor image having a desired contrast on the screen of the CRT 4 very easily and at low cost.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that it is a thing.

For example, in the above embodiment, the most significant bit detector 17 detects the most significant bit in the 14-bit image data of the odd field, and the shifter 18 determines the lower bit from the most significant bit. In order to allow only 8-bit image data to pass through,
Is set, the 14-bit image data of the even field is converted into 8 bits by the shifter 18, and a monitor image is displayed on the screen of the CRT 4 based on the obtained 8-bit image data. But instead,
The lowest bit in the 14-bit image data of the odd field is detected, and the shifter 18 detects the lowest bit from the lowest bit.
The shifter 18 is set so that only the 8-bit image data passes through the higher bit, and the 14-bit image data of the even field is converted by the shifter 18.
The image may be converted into 8-bit data and a monitor image may be displayed on the screen of the CRT 4 based on the obtained 8-bit image data.

In the above embodiment, the highest-order bit detecting section 17 detects the highest-order bit of the image data of the odd field, thereby detecting the density signal level distribution of the image data and detecting the image signal of the even field. Although image data for monitor display is generated by reducing the number of data bits, the density signal level distribution of the image data is detected by detecting the highest bit of the image data in the even field, and the odd number is detected. By reducing the number of bits of the image data of the field, image data for monitor display can be generated.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the highest-order bit detecting section 17 detects the highest-order bit of the image data of the odd-numbered field, thereby detecting the density signal level distribution of the image data, and detects the image signal of the even-numbered field. Image data for monitor display is generated by reducing the number of data bits. The density signal level distribution of the image data of one field is detected, and the density of the detected image data of one field is detected. Based on the signal level distribution, the number of bits of the image data of the other one field may be reduced to generate image data for monitor display, and by detecting the most significant bit of the image data, It is not always necessary to detect the density signal level distribution.

In the above embodiment, the cooling CC
Although the D camera 1 is used, a CCD camera without cooling means may be used depending on the intensity of the fluorescent light emitted by the fluorescent substance.

Further, in the above embodiment, the dark box 2
A first blue LED light source 21, a second blue LED light source 22, and a third blue LED light source 23 are provided therein. Only the first blue LED light source 21 or the second blue LED light source 22 is provided. Alternatively, only the third blue LED light source 23 may be provided.

In the above embodiment, the blue LED light source 2 which emits excitation light having an emission wavelength center of 450 nm
Although 1, 22, and 23 are used, an LED light source that emits excitation light having a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm can be selected and used according to the type of the fluorescent substance.

Further, in the above embodiment, when a lens focusing signal or an exposure start signal is input to the keyboard 5, the light source control means 35 causes the first blue LED light source 21 or the second blue LED light source 22 And the third blue LED light source 23 is turned on. However, it is not always necessary to configure the light source control means 35 to be controlled by the personal computer 3, and the light source control means 35 is manually operated. You may make it.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image generating apparatus is configured such that the filter 27 for cutting the excitation light near 450 nm is detachable, and by removing the filter 27, the extremely weak chemiluminescence is detected. Therefore, it is configured to be able to generate a chemiluminescence image,
The filter 27 may be fixedly provided on the front surface of the camera lens 19, and may be configured to generate only a fluorescence image in the fluorescence detection system.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first blue LED light source 21, the second blue LED light source 22, and the third blue LED light source 23 are provided. When used as an image generation device that generates only the first blue LED light source 21, the second blue LED light source 22, and the third blue LED light source 2,
3 is unnecessary, and the filters 24, 25, 26, 2
There is no need for 7.

In the above embodiment, the radiation fins 14 for radiating the heat generated by the Peltier element 8 are formed around the CCD camera 1 over almost half of the longitudinal direction. Over all of
The radiation fins 14 may be provided, and the extent to which the radiation fins 14 are provided around the CCD camera 1 can be arbitrarily determined.

Furthermore, in the present invention, means does not necessarily mean physical means, but also includes cases where the function of each means is realized by software. Further, the function of one unit may be realized by two or more physical units, or the function of two or more units may be realized by one physical unit.

[0059]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus capable of displaying a monitor image having a desired contrast based on digital image data having a high speed and a wide dynamic range with a simple circuit configuration. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an image generation system that generates image data to be processed by an image processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a cooled CCD camera.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a dark box.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the periphery of a personal computer.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram around a CCD.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooling CCD camera 2 Dark box 3 Personal computer 4 CRT 5 Keyboard 6 CCD 7 Heat transfer plate 8 Peltier element 9 Shutter 10 A / D converter 11 Glass plate 12 Heat radiation fin 13 Control box 14 Monitor image data generation part 15 Image data buffer 16 Camera Control Circuit 17 Highest Bit Detector 18 Shifter 19 Camera Lens 21 First Blue LED Light Source 22 Second Blue LED Light Source 23 Third Blue LED Light Source 24 Filter 25 Filter 26 Filter 27 Filter 30 CPU 31 Image Data Transfer Means 32 Image data storage means 33 Image processing device 34 Image display means 35 Light source control means 40 Photoelectric sensor 42 Output amplifier 44 Charge transfer path 46 Read control circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/20 G06F 15/62 395 F-term (Reference) 2G043 AA03 BA16 CA03 DA02 EA01 FA01 GA08 GB07 GB21 HA01 JA03 KA02 KA05 LA03 2G054 AA06 CA22 CA23 EA01 EA03 EB01 EB04 FA17 FA19 FA23 FA32 FA33 FA44 FA50 FB02 GA03 GB01 GB10 JA04 5B057 AA10 BA02 BA12 BA17 BA21 BA25 CA02 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB02 CB08 CB12 DB17 DC18 DB18 PA85 PA92 XA14 ZA01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A density distribution detecting means for detecting a density signal level distribution of image data of one field generated and digitized by an interline type CCD, and one piece detected by the density distribution detecting means. Image processing comprising: monitor image data generation means for generating monitor image data by reducing the number of bits of image data of the other one field based on the density signal level of the image data of the field apparatus. 2. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein said density distribution detecting means detects a density signal level distribution of the image data of said one field by detecting a highest order bit of image data of said one field. The image data generating means generates an image of the other one field so that a predetermined number of bits of monitor image data is generated in a lower bit direction from the highest bit detected by the density distribution detecting means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of bits of data is reduced. 3. The monitor for detecting the density signal level of the image data of the one field by detecting the least significant bit of the image data of the one field by the density distribution detecting means. The image data generating unit generates an image of the other one field so that a predetermined number of bits of monitor image data is generated in a higher bit order from the least significant bit detected by the density distribution detecting unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of bits of data is reduced. 4. The monitor image data generating means,
3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the structure is constituted by a shifter.
Or the image processing apparatus according to 3.