JP2006171244A - Image processor and control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor, its control method and program with which displaying of input image and overlay image is controlled efficiently and appropriately. <P>SOLUTION: When an overlay display instruction is issued, a portion of the input image buffer region within an image buffer is released to secure an overlay image buffer region and the input image stored in the image buffer and the overlay image are composited and outputted, based on the image buffer control. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image, a control method thereof, and a program.

  Liquid crystal projectors that receive video signals from devices such as video players and PCs (personal computers) and project images on a screen have been developed. In such a liquid crystal projector, display functions such as menu display for various settings relating to image quality and projection, and display of device status are desired. This display function can be realized by, for example, overlaying and projecting another image (setting screen or status display screen) on the original input image for projection.

  Here, the input image and the overlay display target image (overlay image) are input at different timings. For this reason, normally, an input image buffer and an overlay image buffer are prepared. In addition, since the input image is often a moving image, flickering is likely to occur if a single buffer method in which writing and reading are performed in the same area in the input image buffer.

  This is because the writing speed to the buffer is performed at the frame rate of the input image, while the reading speed depends on the display device, so the reading / writing speed is different, and one read frame is temporally related to the input image. This is because it includes several different frames.

  Therefore, in a memory (for example, a VRAM) that is a buffer for input images, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the first area 200 corresponding to the necessary area in the single buffer system, the second of the same size is used. A double buffer method is used in which an area 201 is prepared, writing and reading are performed separately in the first and second areas, and the area to be written and read is switched for each frame.

  On the other hand, it is desirable that the amount of memory mounted on the projector is small in terms of cost, and different areas in the same memory can be used as buffers for input images and overlay images. Many.

  An area 202 in FIG. 2 is a remaining area (unused buffer) after securing an area for expanding an input image on a memory, and this area 202 is normally used as a buffer for an overlay image. . Here, due to the background described above, in an image display device such as a normal projector, an overlay image having a size exceeding the size that can be developed in the region 202 cannot be used.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 devises a technique for storing an input image buffer and OSD (On Screen Display) data and code for overlay display in the same memory. However, Patent Document 1 does not consider the case where data for overlay display may exceed the storage area (unused buffer).

In order to solve this problem, as a conventional technique, when an overlay display is attempted, a part of the input image is clipped to save the buffer area for the input image, and then the buffer area for the overlay image is set. A sufficiently secure method is used. An example of a memory map in this prior art is shown in FIG. In this case, the buffer for expanding the input image after clipping is the region 300 and the region 301. According to this method, the area 302 for developing the overlay image can be secured more than the area 202, and an overlay image having a somewhat large size can be displayed.
JP 2002-369092 A

  FIG. 9 shows a projected image when no overlay is displayed. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 400 denotes an image after the input image is projected. On the other hand, FIG. 10 shows a projected image at the time of overlay display in the prior art. Reference numeral 500 denotes an image after the input image is projected, and reference numeral 501 denotes an image after the overlay image is projected. As described above, in the conventional technique, a part of the input image 500 when the overlay image 501 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed is not displayed by clipping, compared to the input image 400 when the overlay is not displayed shown in FIG. Therefore, the conventional technique has a problem that an image projected during overlay display is unnatural and difficult to see.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program capable of efficiently and appropriately controlling an input image and an overlay image. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is, an image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
Writing means for writing the input image into an image buffer;
Overlay image writing means for writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
When there is an instruction for the overlay display, image buffer control means for releasing a part of the input image buffer area in the image buffer and securing the overlay image buffer area;
Output means for combining and outputting the input image and the overlay image stored in the image buffer based on control by the image buffer control means.

Preferably, the image buffer control means includes
A first method for securing at least two input image buffer areas in the image buffer;
Securing at least one of the input image buffer areas secured in the image buffer and releasing at least a part of the remaining input image areas to secure the overlay image buffer area; Switch between the two methods.

  Preferably, the image buffer control means uses the first method for the non-display of the overlay and uses the second method for the overlay display.

  Preferably, when the image buffer control unit shifts from the overlay non-display to the overlay display, the image buffer control means is based on the size of the currently unused area in the image buffer and the size of the overlay image to be displayed. , Switching from the first method to the second method.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
Image buffer control means for selectively switching between the first method and the second method as an image read / write method for the image buffer;
Writing means for writing the input image to the image buffer;
Overlay image writing means for writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
Image combining means for reading out and combining the input image and the overlay image stored in the image buffer;
Image output means for outputting the composite image as the display image;
In the first method, in the image buffer, at least two first areas for storing the input image are secured, and at the same time, the first area to be written is read so that writing / reading does not overlap with the same area. A target first area is selected for each frame, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is other than at least two first areas for storing the input image. And reading / writing the overlay image.
In the second method, in the image buffer, only one first area for storing the input image is secured, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is stored. A method for reading / writing the overlay image while securing the input image from a region other than the first region,
The image buffer control means selects the first method when the overlay image does not exist, and selects the second method when the overlay image exists.

Preferably, the image buffer control means includes
If the occupied memory size of the overlay image exceeds a predetermined threshold, the first method is selected,
When the occupied memory size of the overlay image does not exceed the predetermined threshold value, the second method is selected.

Preferably, the overlay image is
A menu image for setting operating conditions of the image processing apparatus;
A state display image for displaying a state of the image processing device to a user;
It consists of at least one or any combination thereof with a modification image for modifying the state display image.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A method of controlling an image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
A writing step of writing the input image into an image buffer;
An overlay image writing step of writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
When there is an instruction for the overlay display, an image buffer control step of releasing a part of the input image buffer area in the image buffer and securing the overlay image buffer area;
An output step of synthesizing and outputting the input image stored in the image buffer and the overlay image based on the control by the image buffer control step.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A method of controlling an image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
An image buffer control step of selectively switching between the first method and the second method as a method of reading / writing an image to / from the image buffer;
A writing step of writing the input image to the image buffer;
An overlay image writing step of writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
An image combining step of reading and combining the input image and the overlay image stored in the image buffer;
An image output step of outputting the composite image as the display image,
In the first method, in the image buffer, at least two first areas for storing the input image are secured, and at the same time, the first area to be written is read so that writing / reading does not overlap with the same area. A target first area is selected for each frame, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is other than at least two first areas for storing the input image. And reading / writing the overlay image.
In the second method, in the image buffer, only one first area for storing the input image is secured, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is stored. A method for reading / writing the overlay image while securing the input image from a region other than the first region,
The image buffer control step selects the first method when the overlay image does not exist, and selects the second method when the overlay image exists.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A program for controlling an image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
A program code of a writing step for writing the input image into an image buffer;
Program code of an overlay image writing step of writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
When there is an instruction for the overlay display, a part of the input image buffer area in the image buffer is released, and a program code of an image buffer control process for securing the overlay image buffer area;
And an output process program code for combining and outputting the input image and the overlay image stored in the image buffer based on the control by the image buffer control process.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,

A program for controlling an image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
As a method for reading / writing an image to / from the image buffer, a program code for an image buffer control step for selectively switching between the first method and the second method,
A program code of a writing step for writing the input image to the image buffer;
Program code of an overlay image writing step of writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
A program code of an image synthesis step of reading and synthesizing the input image and the overlay image stored in the image buffer;
A program code of an image output process for outputting the composite image as the display image,
In the first method, in the image buffer, at least two first areas for storing the input image are secured, and at the same time, the first area to be written is read so that writing / reading does not overlap with the same area. A target first area is selected for each frame, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is other than at least two first areas for storing the input image. And reading / writing the overlay image.
In the second method, in the image buffer, only one first area for storing the input image is secured, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is stored. A method for reading / writing the overlay image while securing the input image from a region other than the first region,
The image buffer control step selects the first method when the overlay image does not exist, and selects the second method when the overlay image exists.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the image processing apparatus which can display-control an input image and an overlay image efficiently and appropriately, its control method, and a program can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

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

  This image processing apparatus functions as one of the components constituting an image display apparatus such as a so-called projector.

  Reference numeral 100 denotes an A / D converter which receives an input analog RGB signal, performs analog-digital conversion, and outputs a digital RGB signal. When this digital conversion is performed, the input image signal has an image processing function including color processing such as brightness and contrast.

  A video decoder 101 receives an input composite color video signal (composite YCrCb signal) and converts it into a YUV signal. When this conversion is performed, the input image signal has an image processing function including color processing such as brightness and contrast.

  In the present embodiment, the processing target signal is limited to the composite YCrCb signal and the analog RGB signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the component signal, other video signals, It is possible to apply an IEEE 1394 AV signal.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a normal scan converter, which has a function of recognizing the frequency and resolution of the input image from the input YUV signal and digital RGB signal and developing the image on the VRAM 103.

  There are two methods for expanding to the VRAM 103.

  In the first method (first method), at least two areas for storing the frame of the input image are secured on the VRAM 103, and at the same time, the first area to be written and the reading are read so as not to overlap writing / reading in the same area. This is a double buffer method in which a target first area is selected for each frame and an input image is read / written.

  The second (second method) is a single buffer method in which one area for storing one frame of the input image is secured on the VRAM 103 and writing is performed in that area for each frame.

  The scan converter 102 asynchronously reads the image information stored in the VRAM 103 from an area opposite to the writing side in the case of the double buffer method, and is written in the case of the single buffer method. Is read out from the area, and output to the OSD control circuit 104 at a predetermined resolution and frequency.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a VRAM, which is a video RAM that temporarily stores an input image and an image (overlay image) to be displayed on the input image. The stored input image is read from the scan converter 102 asynchronously with writing. The stored overlay image is read from the OSD control circuit 104.

  An OSD control circuit 104 reads an overlay image from the VRAM 103 and has an overlay processing function for overwriting (overlaying) the image information output from the scan converter 102. After the processing, the image information is output to the D / A converter 105.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a D / A converter, which converts digital RGB image information output from the OSD control circuit 104 into an analog signal for driving the display unit 106 and outputs the analog signal.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a display unit, which is a display device composed of a transmissive liquid crystal panel, a reflective liquid crystal panel, or a mirror device that is driven based on a video signal output from the D / A converter 105. The display unit 106 projects an image on a screen (not shown) through a lens device (not shown) by transmitting or reflecting light from a light source (not shown).

  Reference numeral 107 denotes a RAM, which is a memory device necessary for the microcomputer 109 to operate, and includes a stack and a work area.

  Reference numeral 108 denotes a ROM, which is a memory device necessary for the operation of the microcomputer 109, and includes program and data areas. The overlay image is stored in the form of compression, non-compression, or a specific program.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a microcomputer that controls various components of the image processing apparatus.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a menu switch, which is a switch for accepting an instruction to shift to a menu setting mode for performing setting by a menu from the user. By operating the menu switch 110, a transition from a menu non-display state (overlay non-display state) to a menu display state (overlay display state) and a focus transition between menu items in the menu display state are performed.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes a menu determination switch, which is a switch for receiving an instruction to save the changed setting from the user in the menu setting mode. By operating the menu determination switch 111, the transition from the menu display state to the menu non-display state and the application of the color processing by the set value set by the menu are performed.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a menu right switch, which is a switch for accepting a menu operation instruction for moving the cursor right from the user in the menu setting mode. By operating the menu right switch 112, the setting value of the selected menu item in the menu display state is adjusted.

  Reference numeral 113 denotes a menu left switch, which is a switch for accepting a menu operation instruction to move the cursor left from the user in the menu setting mode. By depressing the menu left switch 113, the setting value of the selected menu item in the menu display state is adjusted.

  Reference numeral 114 denotes an input change switch, which is a switch for receiving an instruction to switch between the composite video signal and the analog RGB signal from the user. When the microcomputer 109 receives a signal generated by the operation of the input change switch 114, whether the scan converter 102 receives an input signal to be written to the VRAM 103 from the video decoder 101 or the A / D converter 100. Send a command to switch between.

  Here, the VRAM 103 corresponds to the “image buffer unit” in the present invention, the microcomputer 109 corresponds to the “image buffer control unit” and the “overlay image writing unit”, and the scan converter 102 includes the “input image writing unit”. The scan converter 102 and the OSD control circuit 104 correspond to an “image composition unit”, and the D / A converter 105 and the display unit 106 correspond to an “image output unit”.

  Here, a map of the VRAM 103 when the overlay is not displayed is shown in FIG. At this time, the VRAM 103 has a first area 200 for an input image buffer, a second area 201 for an input image buffer, and an unused area 202.

  On the other hand, a map of the VRAM 103 at the time of overlay display is shown in FIG. At this time, the VRAM 103 has a single area 600 for the input image buffer and an area 601 for the overlay image buffer.

  FIG. 4 shows a first example of a projected image at the time of overlay display, where 700 is a projected input image, 701 is a menu for setting operating conditions of the image processing apparatus displayed on the overlay. It is an image.

  The menu image 701 has two menu items of “brightness” and “contrast”, and values from 0 to 99 can be set respectively. When the menu switch 110 is operated in the menu non-display state, the brightness value and contrast value stored in the RAM 107 are read by the microcomputer 109 and the menu image 701 is displayed.

  When the menu switch 110 is operated in the menu display state, the focus is switched between these two items, and the menu right switch 112 and the menu left switch 113 can increase or decrease the value of the focused item. Yes.

  When the menu determination switch 111 is operated, the menu image 701 is not displayed, and the values set in the menu are written into the RAM 107 by the microcomputer 109 so that the values are reflected on the A / D converter 100. Settings are made with the video decoder 101.

  The sequence for setting the menu image 701 to the display state and the sequence for setting the menu image 701 to the non-display state will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart described later.

  FIG. 5 shows a second example of a projected image at the time of overlay display, in which 800 is a projected input image, 801 is a message image overlaid thereon, and 802 is an icon that modifies the message image 801. It is an image.

  The message image 801 is a “status display image” indicating the current status display, and the icon image 802 functions as a “modification image” for modifying the status display image. The message image 801 displays whether the current input image signal is an analog RGB signal or a composite video signal. When the input change switch 114 is operated to switch the input image signal, a corresponding status display is displayed. An image is displayed. Further, when a certain time has elapsed after display, the message image 801 is not displayed.

  Note that the sequence for displaying the message image 801 and the icon image 802 and the sequence for setting the non-display state will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts described later.

  Next, display control processing when performing overlay display will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing display control processing when performing overlay display according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As a premise, in a state where overlay display is not performed, the scan converter 102 operates in a double buffer system, and the OSD control circuit 104 outputs image information through the overlay processing function. Further, FIG. 9 shows an example of the projected image at this time.

  When an overlay display start event (overlay display request) that triggers the start of overlay display occurs, display control processing starts. When the overlay display start event occurs, for example, when the menu switch 110 is operated in the menu non-display state as described with reference to FIG. 4, or when the input change button 114 is operated as described with reference to FIG. In some cases, the input signal is switched.

  First, in step S901, a command for changing from the double buffer method to the single buffer method is transmitted from the microcomputer 109 to the scan converter 102. As a result, the scan converter 102 releases one of the two input image areas reserved on the VRAM 103 and thereafter operates in a single buffer system.

  In step S902, the microcomputer 109 acquires information about the free area of the VRAM 103, secures an area for the overlay image in the free area of the VRAM 103, reads the overlay image from the ROM 108, and stores the area for the overlay image on the VRAM 103. Forward to.

  In step S903, the microcomputer 109 sets overlay display to the OSD control circuit 104, and transmits a command indicating the start of overlay display.

  This overlay display setting includes image display information such as the overlay display position, the size of the overlay image, and setting information such as the storage address of the overlay image on the VRAM 103. Thereafter, the OSD control circuit 104 reads an overlay image from the VRAM 103 according to the setting information, overwrites (synthesizes) the overlay image with the image from the scan converter 102, and outputs the overlay image. Examples of the overlay image include the menu image 701 in FIG. 4, the message image 801 and the icon image 802 in FIG.

  In step S904, it is determined whether or not there is an overlay display end event (overlay display end request) that triggers the end of overlay display.

  When the overlay display end event occurs, for example, when the menu image 701 is displayed, the menu determination button 111 for instructing the intention to end the menu setting may be operated. When the message image 801 is displayed, a timer (not shown) connected to the microcomputer 109 may notify that a certain time has elapsed after the message image 801 is displayed.

  If there is an overlay display end request (YES in step S904), the process advances to step S907. On the other hand, if there is no overlay display end request (NO in step S904), the overlay display is continued. In step S905, it is determined whether or not there is an overlay display change event (overlay display change request) that triggers the overlay display change.

  The case where the overlay display change event occurs is, for example, a case where the menu switch 100, the menu right switch 112, or the menu left switch 113 is operated while the menu image 701 is displayed.

  If there is no overlay display change request (NO in step S905), the process returns to step S904. On the other hand, if there is an overlay display change request (YES in step S905), the process advances to step S906.

  In step S906, based on the content specified by the overlay display change request, a new overlay image is read from the ROM 108 and written in the corresponding area on the VRAM 103. The new overlay image is, for example, an image composed of a new setting value when the contrast value or the brightness value is changed in a state where the menu image 701 is displayed.

  In step S907, the microcomputer 109 transmits a command indicating the end of overlay display to the OSD control circuit 104. Thereafter, the OSD control circuit 104 outputs image information through the overlay processing function.

  In step S908, the microcomputer 109 releases the overlay image area on the VRAM 103.

  In step S909, a command for changing from the single buffer system to the double buffer system is transmitted from the microcomputer 109 to the scan converter 102. As a result, the scan converter 102 secures two areas for the input image that have been secured on the VRAM 103, and thereafter operates in a double buffer system.

  Next, an application example of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the configuration of FIG. 6, when displaying an overlay image, the input buffer and the overlay image are always displayed by switching from the double buffer method to the single buffer method. In this case, depending on the frame rate of the input image, since there is one area for the buffer for the input image, the writing rate according to the frame rate of the input image does not match the reading rate for the area. There is a possibility that an unnatural flickering in which a synthesized frame of temporally different frames is periodically displayed on an image may occur.

  However, when displaying an overlay image, considering that the display period is not so long and that the user's eyes are gazed at the overlay image, the input image displayed in the background of the overlay image Even if an unnatural flicker occurs, there is no problem for the user.

  Alternatively, depending on the size of the overlay image, the buffer for the overlay image can be secured with only the unused buffer in the double buffer method. Therefore, when displaying the overlay image, the size of the overlay image and the size of the unused buffer are set. Accordingly, the double buffer method and the single buffer method may be adaptively switched.

  Therefore, as an application example of FIG. 6, processing in the case where display control of overlay display is performed by adaptively switching between the double buffer method and the single buffer method will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an application example of display control processing when performing overlay display according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In step S1000, the microcomputer 109 compares the size of the free capacity (free space size) of the VRAM 103 with the overlay image size (occupied memory size) to be displayed. If the overlay image size is larger than the free area size (NO in step S1000), the process proceeds to step S1001. On the other hand, if the empty area size is larger than the overlay image size (NO in step S1001), the process proceeds to step S1002. The free space size of the VRAM 103 here functions as a “threshold value” for switching processing contents.

  Hereinafter, step S1001 to step S1009 and step S1011 correspond to step S901 to step S909 in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S1010, it is determined whether or not the currently used method is a single buffer method. If it is not the single buffer method (NO in step S1010), that is, if it is the double buffer method, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the single buffer method is used (YES in step S1010), the process advances to step S1009.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, only when displaying an overlay image in a state where an input image is displayed by the double buffer method, switching to the single buffer method is relatively large like a projector. Even in a device incapable of mounting a memory of a capacity, an input image can be displayed normally while sufficiently securing a memory area for displaying an overlay image.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the double buffer method is used, even when the size of the unused buffer 202 is smaller than the size of the overlay image to be displayed, the overlay image can be developed in the memory. .

  In other words, in the present embodiment, at the time of overlay display, by switching from the double buffer method to the single buffer method, the input image buffer area becomes a single area 600 as shown in FIG. An area 601 can be secured as an area, and normal overlay display can be performed.

  As described above, when the memory area for the overlay image in the image buffer unit is insufficient, the input image is clipped in the conventional technique, whereas in the present embodiment, the overlay image 701 is as shown in FIG. The input image 700 can be displayed without clipping, and output of an unnatural and difficult-to-see image can be suppressed.

  In addition, the application example adaptively switches between the double buffer method and the single buffer method according to the size of the overlay image to be displayed and the size of the unused area, so that limited memory resources are more efficient and effective. Therefore, a more suitable image display environment can be provided.

  In the above embodiment, at least two input image buffers are secured in the image buffer unit, and at the time of overlay display, one of them is opened to secure the overlay image buffer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the capacity of the image buffer unit is relatively large, three or more input image buffers are secured, and at the time of overlay display, one of them is released, or depending on the size of the overlay image Alternatively, the number of input image buffers to be opened may be controlled.

  Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on an instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the memory map of VRAM at the time of overlay non-display of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the memory map of VRAM at the time of the overlay display of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the projection image at the time of the overlay display of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the projection image at the time of the overlay display of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the display control process at the time of performing the overlay display of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the application example of the display control process at the time of performing the overlay display of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the memory map of VRAM at the time of the conventional overlay display. It is a figure which shows an example of the projection image at the time of overlay non-display. It is a figure which shows an example of the projection image at the time of the conventional overlay non-display.

Explanation of symbols

100 A / D converter 101 Video decoder 102 Scan converter 103 VRAM
104 OSD control circuit 105 D / A converter 106 Display unit 107 RAM
108 ROM
109 Microcomputer 110 Menu Switch 111 Menu Determination Switch 112 Menu Right Switch 113 Menu Left Switch 114 Input Change Switch

Claims (11)

An image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
Writing means for writing the input image into an image buffer;
Overlay image writing means for writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
When there is an instruction for the overlay display, image buffer control means for releasing a part of the input image buffer area in the image buffer and securing the overlay image buffer area;
An image processing apparatus comprising: output means for combining and outputting the input image stored in the image buffer and the overlay image based on control by the image buffer control means. The image buffer control means includes:
A first method for securing at least two input image buffer areas in the image buffer;
Securing at least one of the input image buffer areas secured in the image buffer and releasing at least a part of the remaining input image areas to secure the overlay image buffer area; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two methods are switched and used. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image buffer control unit uses the first method for the non-display of the overlay and uses the second method for the overlay display. When the image buffer control means shifts from the overlay non-display to the overlay display, the first method is based on the size of the currently unused area in the image buffer and the size of the overlay image to be displayed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus is switched to the second method. An image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
Image buffer control means for selectively switching between the first method and the second method as an image read / write method for the image buffer;
Writing means for writing the input image to the image buffer;
Overlay image writing means for writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
Image combining means for reading out and combining the input image and the overlay image stored in the image buffer;
Image output means for outputting the composite image as the display image;
In the first method, in the image buffer, at least two first areas for storing the input image are secured, and at the same time, the first area to be written is read so that writing / reading does not overlap with the same area. A target first area is selected for each frame, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is other than at least two first areas for storing the input image. And reading / writing the overlay image.
In the second method, in the image buffer, only one first area for storing the input image is secured, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is stored. A method for reading / writing the overlay image while securing the input image from a region other than the first region,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the image buffer control unit selects the first method when the overlay image does not exist, and selects the second method when the overlay image exists. The image buffer control means includes:
If the occupied memory size of the overlay image exceeds a predetermined threshold, the first method is selected,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second method is selected when an occupied memory size of the overlay image does not exceed the predetermined threshold value. The overlay image is
A menu image for setting operating conditions of the image processing apparatus;
A state display image for displaying a state of the image processing device to a user;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, comprising at least one of a modification image for modifying the state display image or any combination thereof. A method of controlling an image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
A writing step of writing the input image into an image buffer;
An overlay image writing step of writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
When there is an instruction for the overlay display, an image buffer control step of releasing a part of the input image buffer area in the image buffer and securing the overlay image buffer area;
A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: an output step of combining and outputting the input image stored in the image buffer and the overlay image based on control by the image buffer control step. A method of controlling an image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
An image buffer control step of selectively switching between the first method and the second method as a method of reading / writing an image to / from the image buffer;
A writing step of writing the input image to the image buffer;
An overlay image writing step of writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
An image combining step of reading and combining the input image and the overlay image stored in the image buffer;
An image output step of outputting the composite image as the display image,
In the first method, in the image buffer, at least two first areas for storing the input image are secured, and at the same time, the first area to be written is read so that writing / reading does not overlap with the same area. A target first area is selected for each frame, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is other than at least two first areas for storing the input image. And reading / writing the overlay image.
In the second method, in the image buffer, only one first area for storing the input image is secured, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is stored. A method for reading / writing the overlay image while securing the input image from a region other than the first region,
In the image buffer control step, when the overlay image does not exist, the first method is selected, and when the overlay image exists, the second method is selected. Method. A program for controlling an image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
A program code of a writing step for writing the input image into an image buffer;
Program code of an overlay image writing step of writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
When there is an instruction for the overlay display, a part of the input image buffer area in the image buffer is released, and a program code of an image buffer control process for securing the overlay image buffer area;
And a program code of an output step of combining and outputting the input image stored in the image buffer and the overlay image based on the control by the image buffer control step. A program for controlling an image processing apparatus that processes an input image input for each frame and outputs a display image,
As a method for reading / writing an image to / from the image buffer, a program code for an image buffer control step for selectively switching between the first method and the second method,
A program code of a writing step for writing the input image to the image buffer;
Program code of an overlay image writing step of writing an overlay image to be overlaid on the display image by the input image to the image buffer;
A program code of an image synthesis step of reading and synthesizing the input image and the overlay image stored in the image buffer;
A program code of an image output process for outputting the composite image as the display image,
In the first method, in the image buffer, at least two first areas for storing the input image are secured, and at the same time, the first area to be written is read so that writing / reading does not overlap with the same area. A target first area is selected for each frame, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is other than at least two first areas for storing the input image. And reading / writing the overlay image.
In the second method, in the image buffer, only one first area for storing the input image is secured, the input image is read / written, and the second area for storing the overlay image is stored. A method for reading / writing the overlay image while securing the input image from a region other than the first region,
The image buffer control step selects the first method when the overlay image does not exist, and selects the second method when the overlay image exists.

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