JP2005045606A - Image processing method, image processing device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing method capable of saving a snap shot from an animation at an optimum timing. <P>SOLUTION: A still image selecting screen 500 is displayed when a mouse pointer 403 is superposed on a still image designating icon 405 in a window 401 and a mouse is clicked within an animation reproduction screen 400. In a window 501, an example is displayed in which seven frames of still images are displayed around the timing of clicking. When the mouse pointer 403 is superposed on the still image designating icon 405 while an animation is reproduced, extracting of a still image data and temporary saving are started at a prescribed cycle from the animation data. When the mouse is clicked, a plurality of stored still images are displayed on the still image selecting screen 500. A user can select a still image of a required timing from the displayed still image to store it as a snap shot. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to image processing, and more particularly to an image processing method, an image processing apparatus, and a program for extracting a still image from a moving image according to a user operation.

  With increasing interest in security, surveillance systems for crime prevention have been introduced in many stores, houses, buildings, condominiums, and the like. In a normal monitoring system, the monitoring camera operates continuously for 24 hours, and an image captured by the monitoring camera is displayed on a monitoring monitor and recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape. In such a monitoring system, it may be necessary to select an image at a predetermined timing from a recorded moving image or a live moving image and save it as a snapshot.

  For example, when an event such as a criminal case occurs, a snapshot of timing related to the event may be extracted and used for analysis and distribution. Alternatively, for example, the digital camera displays a moving image captured by the camera for the user to capture a digital still image. The user can save a still image by pressing a shutter at a desired timing while checking a moving image displayed on a display screen such as a liquid crystal display device.

  As one usage mode of still images extracted from moving image data captured by a monitoring camera, a monitoring system that can use a still image as an index for a user to select a desired moving image has been proposed ( For example, see Patent Document 1). The predetermined moving image data imaged by the monitoring camera is stored together with predetermined search key information. Still image data is extracted from moving image data, and still image information and search key information are edited and displayed as a homepage in a form that is easy for the user to understand. A user can display a moving image from which a still image is extracted by selecting a target still image from a still image and a key information list on a homepage using a personal computer.

JP 2002-330378 A

  As described above, when saving an image of a required moment as a snapshot (still image) from an image displayed as a moving image, in a conventional typical saving method, the user needs to watch the moving image. The snapshot saving operation is performed at the timing when the image to be displayed is displayed. However, there may be a time difference for internal processing from the saving operation to the actual saving as a snapshot, or the saving operation by the user may be delayed from a desired timing. Alternatively, an image better than the image on which the save operation is actually performed may be displayed immediately after the save operation.

  As described above, in the conventional snapshot saving process, a still image optimal for the user may not be saved by one snapshot saving process. For this reason, when playing back a recorded video and saving a snapshot from the playback image, the recording rewinding and playback processes are repeated alternately until the optimal snapshot can be taken, and the image saving operation is repeated many times. I had to try. In other words, if the moving image for acquiring the snapshot is a live image, the user cannot obtain the image at the moment when the snapshot could not be taken again.

  Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide image processing that allows a user to effectively select a still image from a moving image. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing capable of storing a still image at a desired timing extracted from a moving image being displayed. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing capable of reducing a difference in timing between a user operation and a still image desired by the user. Another object of the present invention is to provide image processing that can select a still image at a more preferable timing for a user from among still images extracted from a moving image being displayed.

  One aspect of the present invention is an image processing method for selecting a still image from displayed moving images, wherein (a) a step of displaying a moving image, and (b) a plurality of still images at different timings are displayed. Extracting and storing from the displayed moving image; (c) displaying the plurality of stored still images in response to a user operation; and (d) the plurality of displayed still images. Storing a still image selected from the image. By having this configuration, the user can select a more preferable still image from the displayed moving images.

  The plurality of still images displayed in step (c) preferably include still images at a timing prior to a still image specifying operation in which a user specifies a still image from the displayed moving image. Thereby, for example, even when the still image designation operation is delayed, a still image at a preferred timing can be acquired. Preferably, the plurality of still images displayed in the step (c) include still images at a timing later than the still image specifying operation. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a deviation between the still image designation operation and the desired timing.

  The step (b) is preferably started in response to a pre-designation operation performed by a user before the still image designating operation. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently perform still image extraction and storage processing. Furthermore, it is preferable that the pre-designation operation is a movement of the pointer to a predetermined range on the display screen. Thereby, processing can be effectively started in image processing using a pointer. The predetermined range is preferably an area in which an icon for performing the still image designation operation is displayed. Thereby, the pre-designation operation can be detected effectively.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to perform image processing, wherein (a) while a moving image is displayed on the computer, a plurality of still images at different timings are extracted from the moving image, A process for storing; (b) a process for displaying the plurality of stored still images in response to a user operation; and (c) a user operation from the plurality of displayed still images. And a process for selecting one or more still images in response to. By having this configuration, the user can select a more preferable still image from the displayed moving images.

  It is preferable that the plurality of still images displayed by the process (c) include still images displayed at a timing before a still image specifying operation in which a user specifies a still image from the displayed moving image. Thereby, for example, even when the still image designation operation is delayed, a still image at a preferred timing can be acquired. Preferably, the plurality of still images displayed in the step (c) include still images at a timing later than the still image specifying operation. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a deviation between the still image designation operation and the desired timing.

  Another aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus capable of selecting a still image from a displayed moving image, and means for displaying the moving image and extracting a plurality of still images at different timings from the displayed moving image. Means, means for storing the plurality of extracted still images, means for displaying the stored plurality of still images in response to a user operation, and the plurality of displayed still images, Means for selecting a still image in response to a user operation. By having this configuration, the user can select a more preferable still image from the displayed moving images.

  The still image stored in the means for storing the still image preferably includes a still image at a timing prior to a still image specifying operation in which a user specifies a still image from the displayed moving image. Thereby, for example, even when the still image designation operation is delayed, a still image at a preferred timing can be acquired. Preferably, the still image stored in the means for storing the still image preferably includes a still image at a timing later than a still image specifying operation in which a user specifies a still image from the displayed moving image. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a deviation between the still image designation operation and the desired timing. Preferably, the means for storing the still image stores a predetermined number of still images, deletes the oldest still image, and stores a still image newly extracted from the displayed moving image. preferable. As a result, it is possible to store the extracted still image efficiently.

  According to the present invention, the user can select a more preferable still image from the displayed moving image.

  Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention can be applied will be described. The following description is to describe the embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. For clarity of explanation, the following description is omitted and simplified as appropriate. Moreover, those skilled in the art can easily change, add, and convert each element of the following embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of hardware and network configurations in the monitoring system 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 110a and 110b denote monitoring cameras that capture an image of a predetermined monitoring range. Reference numeral 130 denotes an image data server that stores an image captured by the monitoring camera 101 by recording it on a recording medium. A monitoring image processing apparatus 150 can display and edit an image captured by the monitoring camera. Each device is connected to the network 170, and image data captured by the monitoring camera 110 is communicated via the network 170.

  The monitoring camera 110 is arranged at an entrance of a building such as a building or a house, or a predetermined place indoors or outdoors, and transmits moving image data obtained by capturing an image of the state within the monitoring range via the network 170. The surveillance camera 110 can be used not only for security purposes but also for monitoring or observing various objects and people. The moving image data output from the monitoring camera 110 to the network 170 is transferred to the image data server 130 and stored. Alternatively, the moving image data from the monitoring camera 110 is transferred from the monitoring camera 110 or the image data server 130 to the monitoring image processing device 150. The monitoring image processing apparatus 150 presents the status of the monitoring range to the user by displaying the monitoring image on the display. The monitoring image processing apparatus 150 can further edit image data, and can extract and store still images (snap shots) from moving images in accordance with user operations. The image data editing process by the monitoring image processing apparatus 150 will be described later.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the image data server 130 and the monitoring image processing apparatus 150. The image data server 130 and the monitoring image processing device 105 can use a typical computer system, and include a central processing unit (CPU) 201 and a memory 204. The CPU 201 and the memory 204 are connected to a hard disk device 213 as an auxiliary storage device via a bus. Storage medium drive devices such as the flexiville disk device 220, the hard disk device 213, and the CD-ROM drive 226 are connected to the bus via various controllers such as the flexiville disk controller 219 and the IDE controller 225. A portable storage medium such as a flexivir disk is inserted into a storage medium drive such as the flexidisk disk device 220.

  The storage medium can store a computer program for implementing this embodiment by giving instructions to the CPU 201 and the like in cooperation with the operating system. The computer program is executed by being loaded into the memory 204. The computer program can be compressed or divided into a plurality of pieces and stored in a storage medium. The hardware configuration typically comprises user interface hardware. User interface hardware includes, for example, a display device 211 such as a pointing device (mouse 207, joystick, etc.) or keyboard 206 for inputting, or a liquid crystal display for presenting visual data to the user. . A modem can be connected via the serial port 215, and can be connected to a network via the serial port 215, modem or token ring or communication adapter 218 to communicate with other computer systems. The above configuration can be omitted as necessary. For example, the image data server 103 can be operated via a network without using directly connected user interface hardware.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating logical configurations of the monitoring camera 110, the image data server 130, and the monitoring image processing apparatus 150. Each logical block can be realized by a hardware configuration or a hardware configuration and software functioning together. Typically, the image data server 130 and the monitoring image processing apparatus 150 can be realized by starting and executing software on a computer. The surveillance camera 110 is a CCD or the like that converts incident light into an electrical signal and outputs it as moving image data, a moving image data processing unit 112 that processes moving image data acquired from the imaging unit 111, and a moving image. A communication interface unit 113 that performs data communication processing is provided.

  The video light signal incident on the imaging unit 111 from the monitoring range is converted into moving image data as an electric signal and input to the moving image data processing unit 112. The moving image data processing unit 112 performs predetermined encoding processing on moving image data such as compression processing according to a standard such as MPEG2. The encoded image data is packetized for communication via the network and input to the communication interface unit 113. The communication interface unit 113 executes data processing related to packet data and image data transfer processing via the network 170 according to a predetermined protocol.

  The image data server 130 includes an image data storage unit 131 that stores moving image data from the monitoring camera 110. The image data storage unit 131 includes a storage medium as an external storage device, and stores the acquired image data in the storage medium. As the storage medium, an appropriate type of recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or a magnetic disk is used as necessary. The image data management unit 133 manages data recorded in the image data storage unit 131 and executes processing such as data registration, reading, erasure, or update. The moving image data transmitted from the monitoring camera 110 is transferred to the image data management unit 133 via the communication interface unit 132. The image data management unit 133 records the acquired image data in the image data storage unit 131. Further, in response to the request from the monitoring image processing apparatus 150, the image data server 130 selects the requested stored image data from the storage medium and transmits it to the monitoring image processing apparatus 150.

  The monitoring image processing apparatus 150 can execute display and editing processing of moving image data received from the monitoring camera 110 or the image data server 130. The monitoring image processing apparatus 150 includes a communication interface unit 151 that performs communication processing of image data via the network 170, an image data processing unit 152 that executes a series of processing related to image data, a display unit 153 that displays image data, and a user. An input operation unit 154 that is operated and outputs data corresponding to a user operation, and an input operation determination unit 155 that determines an input operation by the user according to data from the input operation unit 154 are provided. Each functional block can be realized by a hardware configuration, or by a program and necessary data being loaded on the memory 204, and the CPU 201 executing a process in cooperation with other hardware configurations according to the program.

  The moving image data transferred via the network is input to the communication interface unit 151. The communication interface unit 151 executes processing related to the received packet data. When the recorded moving image data is downloaded from the image data server 130 or when live image data is acquired from the surveillance camera, the acquired moving image data can be stored in an external storage device 156 such as a hard disk. In order to display or edit the moving image data, the image data processing unit 152 acquires the moving image data stored in the external storage device 156.

  For example, when live video data from the monitoring camera 110 or moving image data from the image data server 130 is displayed by streaming, the image data processing unit 152 uses the moving image data received by the communication interface unit 151. , Acquired from the communication interface unit 151. The image data processing unit 152 performs necessary decoding processing on the moving image data acquired from the communication interface unit 151 or the external storage device 156. The decoded moving image data is transferred to the display unit 153, and the display unit 153 displays a moving image on the display. The live moving image from the monitoring camera 110 can be stored in the external storage device 156 at the same time as the display unit 153 displays it.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen when a moving image is displayed on the display. FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen that displays a recorded moving image. The moving image 404 is displayed in the window 401, and the display image can be controlled by operating the mouse. Various icons for image operation are displayed in the window 401, and the display image can be operated by selecting these icons using the input operation unit 154 such as a mouse. For example, a moving image can be reproduced by moving the mouse pointer 403 on the reproduction icon 402 and clicking the mouse on the icon. Other operations such as fast forward / rewind, rest, and end can be performed in the same manner.

  The monitoring image processing apparatus 150 can extract a still image from a moving image and generate a still image snapshot. For example, when an event occurs in the monitoring area of the monitoring system 100, a still image at a specific moment in the video captured by the monitoring camera 110 may be required. The still image snapshot generation function is useful when, for example, a still image of a moment that is particularly relevant to an occurrence event is extracted from a moving image and attached to a report. In this embodiment, the user can select a desired still image from a plurality of still images. FIG. 5 shows an example of a display screen 500 displayed by the display unit 153 to select a still image.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the monitoring image processing apparatus 150 selects a plurality of still images extracted from a moving image when a still image specifying operation is performed by an input operation unit 154 such as a mouse or a keyboard during moving image reproduction. Is displayed on the display unit 153. A plurality of still image data extracted from the moving image data is temporarily stored in the memory 157, and a plurality of candidate still images are displayed on the still image selection screen 500 in response to a still image specifying operation of the input operation unit 154. Is done. The user performs a still image designation operation with the input operation unit 154 at a timing when a desired image is displayed during moving image reproduction.

  Further, the snapshot is saved in the storage device 156 by the selection / save operation on the still image selection screen. Accordingly, one or a plurality of still images required by the user can be selected from a plurality of still images and saved as a snapshot. Preferably, a still image displayed before the still image designation operation timing and a plurality of still images after the still image are displayed on the display screen 500. More preferably, a plurality of still images displayed at a time spanning before and after the still image designation operation timing are displayed. By including the still image before the still image designating operation, the delay of the still image designating operation can be covered, or the delay of the still image extraction and storage processing can be covered. On the other hand, including the still image after the still image designating operation can cope with the case where the most preferable still image timing is after the still image designating operation, such as when the subject performs a better operation after the still image designating operation. .

  In the example of FIG. 5, the still image selection screen 500 is displayed by moving the mouse pointer 403 over the still image designation icon 405 in the window 401 on the moving image playback screen 400 and performing a mouse click operation. A mouse click operation corresponds to a still image designation operation. In the window 501, an example is shown in which seven frames of still images before and after the click operation timing are displayed. In the example of FIG. 5, the still image designated in (4) corresponds to the timing of the click operation. Each still image is laid out in accordance with the passage of time from the past to the future, and still images are arranged according to the passage of time from the upper left image to the lower right image. The numbers given to the still images are given in order according to the passage of time.

  The user can select one or a plurality of still images from the displayed plurality of still images by operating the mouse or the keyboard. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the still image (3) is selected. Furthermore, a desired snapshot can be generated and saved by selecting the save icon and setting it to ON. FIG. 5 shows an example in which snapshot saving processing is performed by a mouse operation. However, the processing may be executed in response to an operation of another input device such as a keyboard or an input pen, not limited to a mouse. it can.

  A preferred example of image processing for generating and storing a still image snapshot from a moving image will be described. In this example, in response to the overlap of the mouse pointer 403 and the still image designation icon 403, processing for extracting still image data from the moving image data and storing it in the memory is started. In a state where the still image designation icon 403 is selected by the mouse pointer 403, when the mouse click operation is performed as the still image designation operation, the still image data stored in the memory 157 is displayed on the still image selection screen 500. Is displayed.

  Referring to FIG. 3, input operation determination unit 155 determines from the coordinate data of mouse pointer 403 and still image designation icon 405 that mouse pointer 403 is within the area of still image designation icon 405. When the input operation determination unit 155 determines that the mouse pointer 403 is within the area of the still image designation icon 405, the input operation determination unit 155 notifies the image data processing unit 152 of the determination result. In response to the determination result, the image data processing unit 152 starts extracting still image data from the moving image data being displayed and temporarily storing the still image data in the memory 157. The sampling period of still image data and the number of still images stored in the memory 157 can be determined in advance by the user.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the process which produces | generates a snapshot from a moving image is demonstrated. The process of extracting still image data from the moving image data and storing it in the memory is started in response to a predetermined previous operation of the still image designating operation. In this example, when the mouse enters the predetermined area, in particular, when the mouse pointer 403 is overlapped with the still image designation icon 405, the trigger for starting the extraction and temporary storage processing of the still image data is started. A predetermined number of still images are stored in the memory, and when the predetermined number is exceeded, the oldest data is erased and new data is stored. Extraction and storage of still images continues until a predetermined timing after the still image designation icon 405 is set to the ON state by mouse click. After the still image designation icon 405 is set to the ON state, a plurality of still images stored in the memory are displayed on the still image selection screen 500. In the following description, each process is executed by the image data processing unit 152 unless otherwise specified.

  When the mouse pointer 403 enters and overlaps the area of the still image designation icon 405 (S601), predetermined initialization processing relating to flags and variables is executed (S602). After the initialization process is completed, it is determined whether or not the storage continuation flag is in an ON state (S603). The storage continuation flag is a flag that determines whether to temporarily store still image data extracted from the moving image data in the memory. If the save continuation flag is ON, it is determined whether the number of still image data stored in the memory 157 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (S604). When the number of still image data stored in the memory 157 is less than a predetermined number, still image data extracted from the moving image data is stored in the memory 157 (S605). On the other hand, if the number of still image data stored in the memory 157 has reached a predetermined number, the oldest still image data is deleted and the latest still image data is stored in the memory (S606).

  The input operation determination unit 155 determines that the mouse pointer 403 is within the region of the still image designation icon 405 (S607), and if it is out of the region, erases the candidate still image data in the memory (S608). ) End processing (S615) is executed. When the mouse pointer 403 is maintained within the area of the still image designation icon 403, the input operation determination unit 155 determines whether or not the still image designation icon 403 is set to the ON state by the mouse click operation ( S609). If it is not set to the ON state, the process returns to the storage continuation flag determination process (S603), and the processes from S604 onward are repeated.

  When the still image designation icon 403 is set to the ON state, it is determined whether the storage continuation count is 1 or more (S610). The number of times of preservation determines how many still image data are stored after a still image designating operation (clicking on a still image designating icon). The storage continuation count is set to a predetermined value in the initialization process. When the number of preservation continuations is initialized to 0, only the still images displayed before the still image designation operation are displayed on the still image selection screen. Preferably, the storage continuation count is set so that still images before and after the still image designation operation (clicking on the still image designation icon) are displayed.

  When the storage continuation count is 1 or more, the storage continuation count is decremented by 1 (S611), and the process returns to the storage continuation flag determination process (S603). Since the storage continuation flag is maintained in the ON state, the processes after S604 are repeated. If the save continuation count is 0, the save continuation flag is set to the OFF state (S612), and the process returns to the save continuation flag determination process (S603). Since the save continuation flag is set to OFF, a plurality of candidate still images stored in the memory 157 are transferred to the display unit 153. The display unit 153 displays the still image on the still image selection screen (S613). In response to the operation of the input operation unit 154, the selected still image is stored or canceled (S614). When the still image selection process ends, the candidate still image data stored in the memory 157 is deleted (S608), and the end process (S615) is executed.

  According to the present embodiment, even when a snapshot of a subject whose movement is relatively fast and whose movement at the next moment is difficult to predict is saved, a snapshot at a moment that is optimal for the user can be saved. In particular, by displaying a still image from before the still image selection operation, it is possible to prevent a delay in user operation with respect to a desired timing or a timing shift due to an operation time from the still image designation operation. Further, by displaying the still image after the still image selection operation, even when the most preferable still image timing is after the still image selection operation, it is possible to prevent the timing difference between the still image selection operation and the desired still image.

  In the above example, the overlap of the still image designation icon area and the mouse pointer is the pre-operation of the still image designation operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the overlap of the other display area and the mouse pointer is defined as the pre-operation. be able to. In this embodiment, the still image extraction process is controlled in response to a mouse operation, but the process can be controlled by operating another input device such as a keyboard. For example, a still image selection is assigned to a predetermined key, and a piezoelectric element for detecting finger contact is mounted on the key. The piezoelectric element detects that the finger touches the still image selection key, and as a pre-operation of the still image designation operation, still image data extraction / storage processing from the moving image data is started.

  When it is detected that the still image selection key is pressed and turned on, a plurality of stored still images are displayed on the still image selection screen, and a still image selection process is executed. In addition, it can detect that the finger | toe was applied to the still image selection key with other detection apparatuses, such as a photocoupler, instead of a piezoelectric element. Alternatively, a two-stage switch can be used to perform processing according to the amount of key press. For example, when the first stage switch is set to the ON state according to a predetermined pressing amount, it is processed as a previous operation, and when the second stage switch is further pressed, the second stage switch is set to the ON state. Is processed as

  Although the snapshot processing in the monitoring system has been described in the present embodiment, the snapshot generation processing of the present invention is performed by a recording / playback device such as a DVD or VCR, an imaging device such as a digital camera or digital video, etc. Can be applied to. In this embodiment, the still image data is stored in response to the operation of the input operation unit 154. However, the moving image data is temporarily stored, and the still image data can be extracted from the moving image data. These points are the same in the following embodiments.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Another preferred example of image processing for generating a still image from a moving image will be described. In Embodiment 1, the still image data extraction process from the moving image data is started when the mouse pointer enters the predetermined area. In this example, the image data processing unit 152 starts the moving image reproduction. In response, still image data is extracted from the moving image data and temporarily stored in the memory. This is particularly useful when the timing for starting still image data extraction cannot be taken by user operation. Extraction and storage of still image data is continuously performed during moving image reproduction. The still image is stored in the memory 157 with a predetermined number of frames in a predetermined sampling cycle, and the latest still image data is stored by sequentially deleting old still image data. As a still image specifying operation, a still image at a timing before and after the operation is displayed on the selection screen 500 by clicking a still image specifying icon. In the following, with reference to FIG. 7, another preferred processing example for generating a snapshot will be described. In the following description, each process is executed by the image data processing unit 152 unless otherwise specified.

  When the moving image reproduction is started (S701), predetermined initialization processing relating to flags and variables is performed (S702). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the storage continuation flag is in an ON state (S703). In response to the start of moving image playback, the save continuation flag is set to ON, and in the next step, it is determined whether the number of still image data stored in the memory 157 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. (S704). When the number of still image data stored in the memory 157 is less than a predetermined number, still image data extracted from the moving image data is stored in the memory 157 (S705). On the other hand, when the number of still image data stored in the memory has reached a predetermined number, the oldest still image data is deleted (S706), and the latest still image data is stored in the memory 157 (S705). ). The number of image data stored in the memory 157 or the sampling period can be set in advance.

  Next, the input operation determination unit 155 determines whether or not the still image designation icon 403 is set to the ON state by the mouse click operation (S707). If it is not set to the ON state, the process returns to the storage continuation flag determination process (S703), and the processes after S704 are repeated. When the still image designation icon 403 is set to the ON state, it is determined whether the storage continuation count is 1 or more (S708). When the storage continuation count is 1 or more, the storage continuation count is decremented by 1 (S709), the process returns to the protection continuation flag determination process (S703), and the processes after S704 are repeated. The number of preservation continuations is set to a predetermined number in the initial setting. The number of still images corresponding to the number of times of continuation is saved after the still image instruction operation. If the storage continuation count is not 1 or more (S708), the storage continuation flag is set to OFF (S710), and the process returns to the protection continuation flag determination process (S703). Since the protection continuation flag is set to OFF, a plurality of candidate still images stored in the memory 157 are transferred to the display unit 153, and the display unit 153 displays them on the still image selection screen 500 (S711).

  In response to the operation of the input operation unit 154, the selected still image is stored or canceled (S712). When the still image selection process is completed, a plurality of candidate still image data stored in the memory 157 is deleted (S713), and an end process is executed (S714). According to the present embodiment, a plurality of still images can be extracted and stored without detecting a user's pre-designation operation. Therefore, even when the timing for starting the still image extraction cannot be taken, a snapshot at a timing desired by the user can be saved.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the hardware of the monitoring system which concerns on this Embodiment, and a network structure. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the hardware constitutions of the image data server which concerns on this Embodiment, and a monitoring image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the logical path structure of the monitoring system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the moving image reproduction screen which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the still image selection screen which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a preferable example of the snapshot production | generation process in the monitoring image processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the other preferable example of the snapshot production | generation process in the monitoring image processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Surveillance camera, 111 Image pick-up part, 112 Moving image data processing part, 113 Communication interface part, 130 Image data server, 131 Image data storage part, 133 Image data management part, 132 Communication interface part, 150 Surveillance image processing apparatus, 151 Communication interface unit, 152 image data processing unit, 153 display unit, 154 input operation unit, 155 input operation determination unit, 170 network, 156 storage device for storing image data such as moving images, 157 memory for storing still image data

Claims (13)

An image processing method for selecting a still image from a displayed video,
(A) displaying a video;
(B) extracting and storing a plurality of still images at different timings from the displayed moving image;
(C) displaying the plurality of stored still images in response to a user operation;
(D) storing a still image selected from the plurality of displayed still images;
An image processing method.   The plurality of still images displayed in the step (c) include still images at a timing prior to a still image specifying operation in which a user specifies a still image from the displayed moving image. Image processing method.   The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of still images displayed in step (c) include still images at a timing later than the still image designation operation.   The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein the step (b) is started in response to a pre-designation operation performed by a user before the still image designating operation.   The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the pre-designation operation is a movement of a pointer to a predetermined range on a display screen.   The image processing method according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined range is an area in which an icon for performing the still image designation operation is displayed. A program for causing a computer to execute image processing.
(A) a process for extracting and storing a plurality of still images at different timings from the moving image while the moving image is displayed;
(B) a process for displaying the plurality of stored still images in response to a user operation;
(C) processing for selecting one or more still images in response to a user operation from the displayed still images;
A program that executes   The plurality of still images displayed by the processing (c) include still images displayed at a timing before a still image specifying operation in which a user specifies a still image from the displayed moving image. The program described in.   The plurality of still images displayed in the step (c) include still images at a timing later than a still image specifying operation in which a user specifies a still image from the displayed moving image. The listed program. An image processing device capable of selecting a still image from a displayed video,
A means of displaying videos,
Means for extracting a plurality of still images at different timings from the displayed moving image;
Means for storing the extracted still images;
Means for displaying the plurality of stored still images in response to a user operation;
Means for selecting a still image in response to a user operation from the displayed still images;
An image processing apparatus.   The still image stored in the means for storing the still image includes a still image at a timing prior to a still image specifying operation in which a user specifies a still image from the displayed moving image. Image processing device.   The still image stored in the means for storing the still image includes a still image at a timing later than a still image specifying operation in which a user specifies a still image from the displayed moving image. The image processing apparatus described.   The means for storing the still image stores a predetermined number of still images, deletes the oldest still image, and stores a still image newly extracted from the displayed moving image. The image processing apparatus described.

Images