JP2001167278A - Image processor utilized for optical element connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that a conventional image processor requires a long time for processing an image. SOLUTION: Concerning the image processor for providing required information from a relevant image by operating an image signal fetched into a capture circuit 1, this circuit 1 has a cumulative adding function. The capture circuit 1 is provided with a signal converting part 3 for digitizing the image signal from a TV camera, a memory part 4 for storing the digitized image signal and an adding part 5 for cumulatively adding a new signal to the image signal stored in the memory part 4 and outputting it to this memory part 4. The capture circuit 1 is provided with at least two signal converting parts 3 and image signals outputted from each of the signal converting parts 3 can be switched and stored into the memory part 4. This device is provided with one or both of a function for outputting an image with which the image of the TV camera is rotated by 90 deg., and a function for reducing in size and outputting the images inputted from at least two signal converting part 3 so as to display each image on a single screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for processing an image photographed by a TV camera, and more particularly, to an optical element connecting apparatus such as an optical fiber fusion splicing apparatus. Shoot with a TV camera,
An optical element connection device used to process this image and output a preferable image by observing the optical element to a TV monitor or to output information necessary for optical axis alignment of the optical element. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus to be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an optical element connecting device, for example, an optical fiber fusion splicing device, a transmitted light image obtained by illuminating an optical fiber from its side is photographed by a TV camera, and the photographed image is processed. There is a device that obtains necessary information from the image and controls a series of operations from optical axis alignment of the optical fiber to fusion splicing based on the information. As shown in FIG. 5, this type of optical fiber fusion splicing device includes positioning pedestals C and D for separately setting two optical fibers A and B, and optical fibers A set on the positioning pedestals C and D. , B from the side thereof, and a TV camera F for taking an image of the light transmitted through the optical fibers A, B.
An image processing device G for processing an image of the TV camera F;
A drive control circuit I for driving a motor H for moving one of the positioning pedestals C based on a signal from the image processing device G, and an image signal input from the TV camera F is stored in a frame memory J of the image processing device G. The image signal (image data) stored in the frame memory J is arithmetically processed by an arithmetic unit K to obtain information necessary for adjusting the optical axes of the optical fibers A and B. Based on this information, the drive control circuit I The positioning pedestal C is output by outputting a signal to the pedestal C.
Optical fiber A set on the other side and positioning pedestal D on the other side
The optical axis of the optical fiber B set to the optical axis B is adjusted. The computing unit K outputs various information such as the processing result of the image data in the computing unit K and the progress of the connection work to the graphic circuit L. The graphic circuit L outputs a text (character) based on the input information. And video signals including graphics (graphics). The generated video signal is combined with the video signal from the TV camera F by the combining circuit M and output to the TV monitor N connected to the image processing device G. A microscope P is attached to the TV camera F so that the abutting portion of the optical fibers A and B can be enlarged and photographed. Also,
Although only one set of the light source E and the TV camera F is shown in FIG. 5, a large number of sets may be prepared to perform observation from multiple directions. In this case, the image processing apparatus G can support multiple inputs. I do.

A frame memory J of the image processing apparatus G is a memory having a capacity capable of storing at least one screen of image data, and a video signal input from a TV camera is input to an input circuit Q as shown in FIG. DC reproduction is performed, and the DC-reproduced video signal is digitized by the A / D converter R and input. Also,
The writing / reading of image data to / from the frame memory J is controlled by a signal from the flip-flop S. The generation of the signal of the flip-flop S is performed by the vertical synchronization signal VD and the horizontal synchronization signal output from the synchronization signal generator T. This is performed based on the HD. That is, the frame memory J, the input circuit Q, the A / D converter R,
The flip-flop S and the synchronization signal generator T as a whole
The capture circuit U is capable of writing image data and reading necessary image data when necessary.

As shown in FIG. 6, the arithmetic unit K includes a CPU for executing an arithmetic operation, a ROM storing a program, and a ROM / RAM including a RAM serving as a work area of the program.
And a microcomputer comprising:

In the image processing apparatus, since the optical fiber itself is as thin as several tens to one hundred and several tens μm, high-precision image processing is required. Therefore, in order to reduce factors of image deterioration such as noise and jitter, image data is fetched a plurality of times, and these are added to calculate an accumulated value. Specifically, the CPU of the arithmetic unit K as shown in FIG. 7 sets the flip-flop (F / F) S of the capture circuit U to the write state according to the program of the ROM of the ROM / RAM. The flip-flop S set to the write state instructs writing (capture) of image data to the frame memory J upon seeing the synchronization signals (HD, VD) from the synchronization signal generator T as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU checks the flag of the flip-flop S to determine whether or not the writing to the frame memory J is being performed. During the writing, the CPU waits without proceeding to the next process. In state. The flip-flop S instructs to stop writing (freeze) image data to the frame memory J after one frame time has elapsed. At this time, the flag indicates the end, and the CPU stores the image data stored in the frame memory J in the ROM / RAM.
To the RAM. The transferred data is held in the RAM for cumulative addition. From the second time onward, the newly transferred image data is cumulatively added to the image data in the RAM, and the result is stored in the RAM as a cumulatively added value.
The process proceeds to the next process such as axis alignment using the cumulative addition value obtained by repeating the process.

[0006]

In order to realize high-precision image processing in the above-mentioned conventional image processing apparatus, image data for n frames should be fetched and cumulatively added, and a processing unit (CPU) advances the processing. All you need to do is
Only the cumulative addition value. However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, the CPU transfers the data fetched into the frame memory to the RAM each time, performs cumulative addition, and fetches the image data one frame at a time. Specifically, regarding the operation of the CPU for transferring the image data fetched into the frame memory to the RAM, since the accumulated value of the image data is held in the RAM in the arithmetic unit even though the frame memory is present, the image data is duplicated. Will be prepared. Also, a maximum of 1 between the frame memory and the RAM
Since a large amount of image data for a frame is transferred, the transfer time is long. Regarding the operation of the cumulative addition operation, the CPU takes a lot of time for the simple addition operation. Regarding the capture of the image data, since the synchronization is performed in accordance with the phase with the synchronization signal from the time when the flip-flop is set to the capture state to the time when the capture is actually started, a maximum waiting time of one frame is required every time. As a result of such a large amount of waste, a conventional image processing apparatus requires a maximum of 2n capture times to capture image data n times.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical element in which the capture speed and the cumulative addition are all performed by a capture circuit, and the arithmetic unit performs arithmetic processing only on the cumulative addition value to improve the processing speed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device used for a connection device.

An image processing apparatus used in the first optical element connection device of the present invention digitizes an image signal input from a TV camera for photographing a connection portion of an optical element such as an optical fiber or an optical component, and converts the image signal into a digital signal. The captured image signal is captured by a capture circuit, and the image signal captured by the capture circuit is subjected to arithmetic processing by another arithmetic unit, thereby obtaining desired information regarding the optical elements connected from the image. In an image processing device used for an optical element connection device, the capture circuit cumulatively adds a newly captured image signal to an already captured image signal, and the arithmetic unit reads out a cumulative addition value from the capture circuit to read the cumulative addition value. Is to be processed.

An image processing apparatus used in the second optical element connection device according to the present invention includes a signal converter for converting an image signal input from a TV camera into a digital signal by a capture circuit, and a digitized image signal. And an adder for accumulatively adding the image signal output from the signal converter to the image signal already stored in the memory and outputting the accumulated signal to the memory.

[0010] In the image processing apparatus used in the third optical element connection device of the present invention, the capture circuit includes two or more signal conversion units, and converts the image signals output from each of the signal conversion units at an arbitrary timing. It can be switched and stored in the memory unit.

[0011] In the image processing apparatus used in the fourth optical element connection device of the present invention, the signal conversion section has an input circuit for DC-reproducing the video signal input from the TV camera, and a digital signal for the DC-reproduced video signal. And an A / D converter for converting the signal into a signal. The memory unit is a frame memory having a capacity capable of storing an image signal for one screen or more, and the adding unit converts the stored image signal fed back from the memory. , An adder capable of accumulatively adding image signals newly input from the signal conversion unit and outputting the accumulated signal to the memory unit.

An image processing apparatus used in a fifth optical element connection device of the present invention has a function of outputting an image obtained by rotating an image of a TV camera by 90 degrees, and an image input from two or more signal conversion units. Is provided with both or one of the functions of reducing and outputting each image so that can be displayed on one screen.

[0013]

(Embodiment 1) Next, a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus used in an optical element connection device of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, this image processing apparatus includes a capture circuit 1 capable of writing and reading an image signal (image data) input from a TV camera for photographing an optical fiber or an optical component, and image data necessary when necessary. Is read from the capture circuit 1 and is subjected to arithmetic processing to generate an arithmetic unit 2 for obtaining necessary information on optical fibers and optical components from the image, and a text (character) and graphics (graphic). A graphic circuit 10 for outputting the video signal as a video signal, and a synthesizing circuit 12 for synthesizing a video signal output from the graphic circuit 10 with a video signal input from a TV camera and outputting the video signal to a TV monitor. 5, in combination with an optical fiber fusion splicer as in the conventional image processing apparatus shown in FIG.
The optical fiber to be connected set on the positioning pedestal is T
An image is taken by a V camera, and information necessary for the alignment of the optical fiber is obtained from the taken image. Based on this information, a signal is output to a drive control circuit that controls a motor for moving one of the positioning pedestals, and both lights are output. It is used to align fibers.

As shown in FIG. 1, the capture circuit 1 digitizes an image signal (video signal) input from the TV camera and outputs the signal, and writes the digitized image signal (image data). A readable memory unit 4, an addition unit 5 that accumulatively adds image data output from the signal conversion unit 3 to image data already written in the memory unit 4, and outputs the resultant data to the memory unit 4. A counter 14 for controlling the number of times of writing and reading of image data to and from the adder 5 and a synchronizing signal generator for generating a vertical synchronizing signal (VD) and a horizontal synchronizing signal (HD) as an operation reference of the counter 14 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the signal conversion unit 3 constituting the capture circuit 1 includes an input circuit 6 for DC-reproducing a video signal input from a TV camera, and a digital signal for DC-reproduced video signal by the input circuit 6. And an A / D converter 7 for converting the signal into a signal. The memory unit 4 is a frame memory having a capacity capable of storing at least one screen of image data. The adder 5 is an adder to which image data already written in the frame memory 4 is fed back, and to which the image data newly output from the signal converter 3 is cumulatively added and output to the frame memory 4. . The adder 5 allows the frame memory 4
Means that a read-modify-write operation is performed in which the previous value (image data) is read at the time of writing (taking in) image data, and the adder 5 adds the current value to this value.

As shown in FIG. 1, the arithmetic unit 2 has a CPU 18 for executing an operation, a ROM / R comprising a ROM storing a program and a RAM serving as a work area of the program.
It is a microcomputer provided with AM20.

An operation example of the image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. (1) As shown in FIG. 2, C of the arithmetic unit 2 shown in FIG.
The PU 18 controls the counter 14 of the capture circuit 1 according to the program stored in the ROM of the ROM / RAM 20.
Set the number of operations to. CPU with the number of calculations set
18 stands by until the end flag is raised from the capture circuit 1. (2) As shown in FIG. 1, the counter 14 of the capture circuit 1 in which the number of operations is set is set to the horizontal synchronization signal (HD) and the vertical synchronization signal (V) output from the synchronization signal generator 16.
Based on D), an image data write (capture) / write stop (freeze) command is output to the frame memory 4 so that the image data is accumulated a set number of times (n times), and an adder is added. ON of addition to 5 /
An OFF command is output. Thereby, the signal conversion unit 3
Are cumulatively added n times, and the cumulative added value is written to the frame memory 4. When the cumulative addition of n times ends, the counter 14 raises the end flag. (3) As shown in FIG. 2, when the end flag is raised from the counter, the CPU 18 of the arithmetic unit 2 reads out the accumulated value from the frame memory 4 and performs the following processing. Specifically, information and the like necessary for alignment of the optical fiber are obtained from the accumulated value and output to the drive control circuit. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 18 outputs information such as the progress of the arithmetic processing and the result thereof to the graphic circuit 10 as data, and the graphic circuit 10 to which the data is input is a text (character) based on the data. , Graphics (graphics), and the like, and outputs this to the synthesizing circuit 12 as a video signal. The synthesizing circuit 12 to which a video signal such as text or graphics is input is converted into a video signal output from the input circuit 6 (a video signal input from a TV camera).
And outputs it to the TV monitor.

(Embodiment 2) A second embodiment of the image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The basic configuration of this image processing apparatus is the same as that shown in FIG. The difference is that two signal converters 3 are provided as shown in FIG. 2, and the image data output from each signal converter 3 can be switched to a single adder 5 by switching by a selector 30 in a frame unit or a field unit. By doing so, two or more images taken from different directions by two or more TV cameras (not shown) can be processed, and all or a part of the two or more images can be reduced at a desired magnification. All of two or more images as 1
That is, the scanning conversion unit 8 capable of displaying the images on the screen collectively is provided.

The selector 30 shown in FIG. 3 switches the image data output from the two signal converters 3 in frame units or field units in accordance with an instruction from the counter 14.

The scanning converter 8 shown in FIG. 3 receives the respective video signals output from the two signal converters 3 as shown in FIG. 3 so that the two input images can be displayed on one screen. At a predetermined magnification.
The video signal output from the scan converter 8 is synthesized with the video signal generated by the graphic circuit 10 by the synthesizing circuit 12 as in the case of FIG. 1 and output to the TV monitor.

Further, the scan converter 8 has a function of outputting an image obtained by rotating the image of the TV camera by 90 degrees. Specifically, the scan conversion unit 8 includes a memory having a capacity capable of writing image data for at least two screens, and an image obtained by rotating the image of the TV camera by 90 degrees by changing the read / write address of the memory. Can be output.

(Embodiment 3) A third embodiment of the image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The basic configuration of this image processing apparatus is the same as that shown in FIG. The difference is that two adders 5 and two frame memories 4 are provided for the two signal conversion units 3 respectively. This gives two T
Image data captured from two different directions by the V camera can be simultaneously loaded into the frame memory 4.

(Embodiment 4) When image data from two or more TV cameras can be fetched and processed as described in the second or third embodiment, desired image data is fetched from each TV camera. Enables image processing and prepares two or more image capturing means, and can switch these image capturing means automatically in conjunction with the progress of image processing or independently of the progress of image processing It can be. In this case, image capturing means capable of capturing image data from each TV camera in frame units, and switching the TV camera in frame units sequentially to capture image data from each TV camera, and a field unit from each TV camera. Image capturing means capable of capturing image data from each TV camera by sequentially switching the TV camera in field units, and capturing image data in pixel units from each TV camera; In addition, it is desirable to prepare at least two image capturing units among image capturing units capable of capturing image data by sequentially switching the TV camera in pixel units. The specific contents of each of the image capturing means are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-68596 filed earlier by the present applicant.

[0024]

The image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device of the present invention has an effect that the fetching of the image data and the accumulative addition processing are accelerated, and the speed of the entire image processing is improved. To demonstrate this effect, a comparison was made between a conventional image processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus of the present invention, assuming a case where image data for two screens was captured eight times on each side and cumulative addition processing was performed thereon. The results are shown below. In addition, CP
The time (synchronization time) from the start of the image data fetching instruction from U to the actual start of fetching varies, but this time on average was set to フ レ ー ム frame time.
One screen has 300,000 pixels.

Under the above conditions, the time (T ₁ ) required for the conventional image processing apparatus to take in the image data and to perform the cumulative addition processing.
Is T ₁ = (t ₁ + t ₂ + t ₃ + t ₄ ) × 2n t ₁ : synchronization time = １ ／ frame time = 1 field time = 16 [msec] t ₂ : capture time = 1 frame time = 33 [msec] t ₃ : transfer time to RAM = screen × access time = 30
0000 × 0.8 [usec] = 240 [msec] t ₄ : Cumulative addition operation time = screen × operation time = 30000
0 × 2.1 [usec] = 640 [msec] n: Number of captures T ₁ = (16 [msec] +33 [msec] +240 [msec] +640 [msec]) × 2 × 8 = (924 [msec] ]) × 2 × 8 = 14.5 [sec]

Under the above conditions, the time (T ₂ ) required for the image processing device used in the optical element connection device of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 to take in the image data and to perform the accumulative addition process is T ₂ = t ₁ + (t) ₂ × 2n) + t ₃ T ₂ = 16 [msec] + (33 [msec] × 2 × 8) +240 [msec] = 16 [msec] + (5.8 [sec]) + 240 [msec] = 6 .1 [sec] In this case, the processing speed of the image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device of the present invention is about 2.4 times that of the conventional image processing apparatus.

Under the above conditions, the time (T ₃ ) required for the image processing device used in the optical element connection device of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 to take in the image data and to perform the cumulative addition process is T ₃ = t ₁ + t ₂ × n + t ₃ T ₃ : 16 [msec] + (33 [msec] × 8) T ₃ = 16 [msec] +2.6 [sec] +240 [msec] = 2.9 [sec] In this case, the present invention is applied. The processing speed of the image processing device used for the optical element connection device is five times that of the conventional image processing device.

Further, the image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device of the present invention does not need to hold the accumulated value of the image data (2 to 4 Mbytes per screen) in the RAM in the arithmetic unit. There is no occupation of image data. Further, the load on the CPU is reduced, and the overall operation is accelerated. The software is also lighter.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus used in an optical element connection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation flowchart of an image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of the image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an optical fiber fusion splicing device including an image processing device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a conventional image processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation flowchart of a conventional image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 capture circuit 2 arithmetic unit 3 signal conversion unit 4 memory unit (frame memory) 5 addition unit (adder) 6 input circuit 7 A / D converter 8 scan conversion unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F065 AA15 CC23 DD06 FF04 JJ03 JJ05 JJ26 PP24 QQ03 QQ24 QQ27 SS02 SS13 UU05 5B057 BA19 CD03 CD05 CH09 DA13 DC08

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image signal inputted from a TV camera for photographing a connection portion of an optical element such as an optical fiber or an optical component is digitized, and the digitized image signal is taken into a capture circuit (1). The image signal fetched in (1) is subjected to arithmetic processing by another arithmetic unit (2) to be used in an optical element connection device for obtaining desired information on an optical element connected from the image. In the image processing apparatus, the capture circuit (1) cumulatively adds an image signal newly captured to an image signal already captured, and the arithmetic unit (2) reads out the cumulative addition value from the capture circuit (1) and An image processing apparatus used in an optical element connection device, which performs an arithmetic processing on this. 2. An image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device according to claim 1, wherein the capture circuit (1) digitizes an image signal input from the TV camera and outputs the signal. A memory unit (4) for storing digitized image signals, and a memory unit for accumulating and adding image signals output from the signal conversion unit (3) to image signals already stored in the memory unit (4). An image processing apparatus for use in an optical element connection device, comprising: an addition unit (5) for outputting to the unit (4). 3. An image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device according to claim 1, wherein the capture circuit (1) includes two or more signal conversion units (3), and each of the signal conversion units. An image processing apparatus used in an optical element connection device, wherein an image signal output from (3) can be switched at an arbitrary timing and stored in a memory unit (4). 4. An image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device according to claim 1, wherein
The signal converter (3) includes an input circuit (6) for DC-reproducing a video signal input from the TV camera, and an A / D converter (7) for converting the DC-reproduced video signal into a digital signal.
The memory unit (4) is a frame memory having a capacity capable of storing image signals for one screen or more,
The adder (5) accumulates the image signal newly input from the signal converter (3) to the stored image signal fed back from the memory (4) and adds the image signal to the memory (4). An image processing apparatus used in an optical element connection device, which is a device. 5. An image processing apparatus used in the optical element connection device according to claim 1, wherein:
A function of outputting an image obtained by rotating the image of the TV camera by 90 degrees, and a function of reducing and outputting each image input from two or more signal conversion units (3) so that the image can be displayed on one screen. An image processing apparatus for use in an optical element connection device, comprising: