JP2008052398A - Image composition apparatus, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image composition apparatus that can reduce the operational load of transparent image composition. <P>SOLUTION: The image composition apparatus 1 comprises a background image reading means 11, a composition area setting/conversion means 12, a texture image reading means 13, a transparency information separation means 14, an image composition means 15, a composite image display means 16 and a storage part 23. The background image reading means 11 reads in a selected background image 31. The composition area setting/conversion means 12 sets and converts a composition area. The texture image reading means 13 reads in a selected texture image 32. The transparency information separation means 14 separates transparency information from a transparent texture image 34. The image composition means 15 composites the background image 31 with the texture image in a nontransparent mode to create a general composite image, and composites the background image 31 with the texture image in a transparent mode with the use of the separated transparency information to create a transparent composite image. The composite image display means 16 outputs the general composite image and transparent composite image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image composition device that composes a plurality of images.

  Conventionally, an image composition device performs image composition by superimposing a plurality of images. In addition, there has been proposed a pattern change simulation system that combines a background image (original image) and a texture image (pattern image) in consideration of a curved surface and perspective (see, for example, [Patent Document 1]). This design change simulation system reads a background image, sets a synthesis area, converts a synthesis area in consideration of perspective and a curved surface, reads a texture image, and performs image synthesis.

JP 2002-342882 A

  However, when performing transparent image synthesis of texture images while maintaining background image information in the synthesis area using a general image synthesis application, advanced operation techniques and experience are required, which increases the workload. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image composition device that can reduce an operation burden related to transmission image composition.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the first invention provides a holding means for holding a background image and a transparent texture image, a background image reading means for selecting and reading the background image, and setting a synthesis area for the background image. Combining region setting conversion means for performing predetermined conversion processing, transparent texture image reading means for selecting and reading the transparent texture image, transparent information separation means for separating transparent information and color information from the transparent texture image, The transmission information and the color information are respectively subjected to predetermined conversion processing, and the transmission image composition means for synthesizing the transmission image in the synthesis area of the background image and the transmission composition image as a result of the transmission image composition are displayed. An image composition apparatus comprising: a transparent composite image display means for performing the above-described operation.

  The image composition apparatus reads a background image, sets a composition area in the background image, and performs predetermined conversion processing on the composition area. The image composition device reads the transparent texture image and separates the transmission information and the color information from the transmission texture image. The image composition device performs predetermined conversion processing on the transmission information and the color information, respectively, synthesizes the transmission image in the synthesis region of the background image, and displays the transmission combination image.

  The background image is an original image for image synthesis. The transparent texture image is a pattern image having transparency. The transparent texture image is, for example, image data in PNG format or TIFF format. The PNG format or TIFF format image data includes an R component, a B component, and a G component that indicate color information, and an α channel component that indicates transmission information.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the image synthesis device performs the conversion process by separating the transmission information included in the transmission texture image, and transparently combines the transmission texture image with the synthesis area of the background image. The load can be reduced. Transmission image synthesis can be performed without advanced operation techniques and experience.

The second invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the image composition device of the first invention.
A third invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the image composition device of the first invention is recorded.
The above-mentioned program may be held and distributed on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or the program can be transmitted and received via a communication line.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image synthesizing apparatus that can reduce an operation burden related to transparent image synthesis.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an image composition device will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to components having substantially the same functional configuration, and redundant description is omitted.

(1. Configuration of the image composition device 1)
First, the configuration of the image composition device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the image composition apparatus 1.

  The image composition device 1 is a workstation, a personal computer, or the like. The image synthesizing apparatus 1 includes a background image reading unit 11, a synthesis area setting conversion unit 12, a texture image reading unit 13, a transmission information separation unit 14, an image synthesis unit 15, a synthesized image display unit 16, a background image 31, and a texture image 32 ( A storage unit 23 that holds the general texture image 33 and the transparent texture image 34) is provided.

  The background image reading means 11 selects and reads the background image 31 that is the original image. The composite area setting conversion unit 12 sets a composite area and performs composite area conversion such as perspective conversion, curved surface conversion, and shadow processing. The texture image reading means 13 selects and reads a texture image 32 (general texture image 33 and transparent texture image 34) that is a pattern image. The transmission information separation unit 14 separates transmission information from the transmission texture image 34. The image synthesizing unit 15 performs general image synthesis or transmission image synthesis, and creates a general synthesis image or a transmission synthesis image. In the general image synthesis, the background image 31 and the general texture image 33 are non-transparently synthesized. In the transparent image synthesis, the background image 31 and the transparent texture image 34 are transparently synthesized. The composite image display means 16 outputs a general composite image or a transparent composite image that is an image composite result.

(2. Hardware configuration)
Next, the hardware configuration of the image composition device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image composition apparatus 1.
Note that the hardware configuration in FIG. 2 is an example, and various configurations can be adopted depending on the application and purpose.

  The image composition device 1 is configured by connecting a CPU 21, a memory 22, a storage unit 23, a display unit 24, an input unit 25, an output unit 26, and a communication unit 27 via a system bus 28.

  A CPU 21 (Central Processing Unit) is a device that performs arithmetic processing (four arithmetic operations, comparison operations, etc.) and operation control of hardware and software.

  The memory 22 is a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. A RAM (Random Access Memory) stores a ROM (Read Only Memory), an OS (Operating System) program read from the storage unit 23, an application program, and the like. The RAM functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 21.

  The memory | storage part 23 is an apparatus which memorize | stores various data, for example, is a hard disk. The storage unit 23 stores a program executed by the CPU 21, data necessary for program execution, an OS, various databases, and the like.

  The display unit 24 is a display device, such as a CRT monitor or a liquid crystal panel. The display unit 24 has a logic circuit (video adapter or the like) for realizing the video function of the computer.

  The input unit 25 is an input device for various data, such as a keyboard and a mouse. The output unit 26 is an output device for various data, and is, for example, a printer. Drive devices that perform data input / output with various media can also be used as the input unit 25 and the output unit 26.

  The communication unit 27 is a communication control device that connects and communicates with an external device via the network 7. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  The system bus 28 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals, data signals, and the like between the devices, and is, for example, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus, or a memory bus.

  The image composition device 1 loads a program (application program, OS program, etc.) stored in the storage unit 23, ROM, or recording medium into the RAM of the memory 22, and executes various processes under the control of the CPU 21.

(3. Information held by the image composition device 1)
Next, information held in the storage unit 23 of the image composition device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage unit 23 of the image composition device 1.

The storage unit 23 stores a plurality of background images 31, texture images 32, an OS 38, and an application program 39.
The background image 31 is an original image used for image composition.
The texture image 32 is a pattern image used for image composition. The texture image 32 is roughly divided into a general texture image 33 and a transparent texture image 34.
The general texture image 33 is image information having no transmission information. The general texture image 33 is, for example, image information in a bitmap (BMP) format.
The transparent texture image 34 is image information having transmission information (α channel). The transparent texture image 34 is, for example, image information in PNG format or TIFF format.

The OS 38 (Operating System) is a program that drives and controls each component of the image composition device 1.
The application program 39 is an execution program that defines the operation of the image composition device 1.

(4. Pixel data)
Next, pixel data of the texture image 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

(4-1. Pixel data of general texture image 33)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating pixel data of the general texture image 33. FIG. 4A shows the pixel 41 of the general texture image 33. FIG. 4B shows pixel data 42 of the pixel 41.

The pixel data 42 includes position information 43 and color information 44. The color information 44 includes fields of an R component 45, a G component 46, and a B component 47.
The position information 43 indicates the pixel position. The position information 43 is, for example, a coordinate position (0, 0) on the XY plane.
The R component 45, the G component 46, and the B component 47 indicate the values of the R component (red), G component (green), and B component (blue) of the three primary colors in the color space, respectively. The R component 45, the G component 46, and the B component 47 are, for example, “128”, “10”, and “50” in the case of 8 bits.

(4-2. Pixel Data of Transparent Texture Image 34)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating pixel data of the transparent texture image 34. FIG. 5A shows the pixel 51 of the transparent texture image 34. FIG. 5B shows pixel data 52 of the pixel 51.

The pixel data 52 includes position information 53, color information 54, and transmission information 58. The color information 54 includes fields of an R component 55, a G component 56, and a B component 57. The transmission information 58 has a field of an α component 59.
The position information 53, R component 55, G component 56, and B component 57 are the same as the position information 43, R component 45, G component 46, and B component 47 of FIG. 4, respectively.
The α component 59 indicates the transmittance. The α component 59 is, for example, “0 (non-transmission)”, “50 (semi-transmission)”, and “100 (complete transmission)”.

(5. Operation of the image composition device 1)
Next, the operation of the image composition device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. A case where general image synthesis is performed using the general texture image 33 (FIG. 6) and a case where transmission image synthesis is performed using the transparent texture image 34 (FIG. 10) will be described separately.

(5-1. General image composition)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image composition apparatus 1 in general image composition.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the main screen 61.

  The CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 displays the main screen 61 on the display unit 24. When the background image 31 is selected via the input unit 25, the CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 reads the background image 31 from the storage unit 23 and displays it on the display unit 24 (step 1001).

FIG. 8 shows the main screen 61a.
When the point 63 is designated (for example, a mouse click operation) via the input unit 25, the CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 displays the main screen 61a on the display unit 24. The CPU 21 of the image composition apparatus 1 extracts the composition area 64 from the background image 31 and displays it on the display unit 24 (step 1002).
The CPU 21 of the image composition apparatus 1 performs a predetermined conversion process on the composition area 64 (step 1003). The predetermined conversion processing is, for example, perspective conversion, curved surface conversion, or shadow processing. The perspective conversion is a process of converting the coordinate value of the texture image 32 into a coordinate value on the background image 31 by performing projective normalization coordinate conversion. The curved surface conversion is a process for calculating a functional expression of a curved surface area included in the background image 31.

  A texture image list 65 is displayed on the display screen 61a. A pattern 66 and a file name 67 are displayed in the texture image list 65. The pattern 66 indicates a pattern such as a picture or a pattern of the texture image 32. The file name 67 is the file name of the image data of the texture image 32.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a main screen 61b in general image composition.
When the item 70b is selected via the input unit 25 (for example, a mouse double click operation), the CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 reads the general texture image 33 indicated by the item 70b from the storage unit 23 (step 1004).
When the setting size 68 and the setting luminance 69 are input via the input unit 25, the CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 sets the size of the general texture image 33 based on the parameter value of the setting size 68 (step 1005). .

The CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 starts general image composition processing (step 1006).
The CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 performs the conversion process of the general texture image 33 in the same manner as the conversion process of the synthesis area 64 in Step 1003 (Step 1007). The conversion processing of the general texture image 33 is perspective conversion, curved surface conversion, and shadow processing.
The CPU 21 of the image composition apparatus 1 performs image composition by pasting the texture image 71b after the conversion process on the composition region 64 of the background image 31 (step 1008).

The CPU 21 of the image composition apparatus 1 adjusts the brightness of the general composite image based on the parameter value of the set brightness 69 (step 1009).
The CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 displays the general composite image 72b after the brightness adjustment on the display unit 24 (step 1010).

Through the above process, the image composition device reads a background image, sets a composition area in the background image, and performs predetermined conversion processing on the composition area. The image composition device reads a general texture image. The image composition apparatus performs a predetermined conversion process on the general texture image in the same manner as the composition area. The image composition apparatus performs image composition by superimposing the texture image after the conversion process on the composition region of the background image in a non-transparent manner. The image composition device adjusts the luminance of the general composite image and displays the general composite image.
The image information of the background image 31 is not reflected at all in the texture image 71b portion of the general composite image 72b.

(5-2. Transmission image composition)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image composition apparatus 1 in the transparent image composition.
The processing in steps 2001 to 2003 is the same as the processing in steps 1001 to 1003 in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a main screen 61c in general image composition.
When the item 70c is selected via the input unit 25 (for example, a mouse double-click operation), the CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 reads the transparent texture image 34 indicated by the item 70c from the storage unit 23 (step 2004).

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the separation of the color information 54 and the transmission information 58.
The CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 separates the transparent texture image 34 into color information 54 and transparent information 58 (step 2005).
The CPU 21 of the image composition apparatus 1 creates the non-transparent texture image 35 using the color information 54 (step 2006). The non-transparent texture image 35 is the same as the general texture image 33, and is image information having no transmission information. The non-transparent texture image 35 is image information in a bitmap (BMP) format, for example.

  When the setting size 68 and the setting luminance 69 are input via the input unit 25, the CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 sets the size of the non-transparent texture image 35 based on the parameter value of the setting size 68 (step 2007). ).

The CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 starts the transparent image composition process (step 2008).
The CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 performs the conversion process of the non-transparent texture image 35 in the same manner as the conversion process of the synthesis region 64 in Step 2003 (Step 2009). The conversion processing of the non-transparent texture image 35 is perspective conversion, curved surface conversion, and shadow processing. Note that the processing in step 2009 is the same as the processing in step 1007 in FIG.
The CPU 21 of the image synthesizing apparatus 1 performs a conversion process of the transmission information 58 separated from the transmission texture image 34 in the process of step 2005 (step 2010). The conversion processing of the transmission information 58 is perspective conversion and curved surface conversion.
The CPU 21 of the image synthesizing apparatus 1 uses the non-transparent texture image 35 and the transmission information 58 after the conversion process to perform transparent image synthesis by transparently superposing the texture image 71c on the synthesis region 64 of the background image 31 (step 2011). ).

The CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 adjusts the brightness of the transparent composite image based on the parameter value of the set brightness 69 (step 2012).
The CPU 21 of the image composition device 1 displays the transmission composition image 72c after the brightness adjustment on the display unit 24 (step 2013).

Through the above process, the image composition device reads a background image, sets a composition area in the background image, and performs predetermined conversion processing on the composition area. The image composition device reads a transparent texture image. The image synthesis device separates the transparent texture image into color information and transparent information, and creates a non-transparent texture image from the color information. The image composition apparatus performs a predetermined conversion process on the non-transparent texture image and the transmission information. The image composition device performs transparent image composition by transparently superimposing texture images using the non-transparent texture image and the transmission information after the conversion process in the composition region of the background image. The image composition device adjusts the brightness of the transmission composite image and displays the transmission composite image.
The image information 73 of the background image 31 is reflected in the portion of the texture image 71c of the transparent composite image 72c.

(6. Effect)
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a transparent texture image is selected, the image composition device separates color information and transparent information. The image composition device performs a conversion process on the non-transparent texture image and the transmission information created from the color information, respectively, and synthesizes the texture image transparently in the composition region of the background image.
In this way, the image composition apparatus performs the conversion process by separating the transmission information of the transparent texture image, and synthesizes the texture image transparently in the synthesis area of the background image, thus reducing the work load related to the transparent image synthesis. be able to. Transmission image synthesis can be performed without advanced operation techniques and experience.

(7. Modifications)

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an image composition system 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
In the above-described embodiment, the image synthesizing apparatus is described as a single stand-alone apparatus. However, the function of the image synthesizing apparatus may be used from a terminal device via a network.

The image composition system 100 is configured by connecting an image composition device 101 and a terminal device 102 via a network 103. Usually, a plurality of terminal devices 102 are connected to the network 103.
The image composition apparatus 101 to the terminal apparatus 102 can communicate with each other via the network 103.

The image processing apparatus 101 is the same as the image composition apparatus 1 in the above-described embodiment.
The terminal device 102 is a device that exchanges various data with the image composition device 101 via the network 103, and is, for example, a personal computer, an information portable terminal, a cellular phone, or the like.
The network 103 is a network such as the Internet, and may be wired or wireless.

In the image composition system 100, a background image and a texture image are selected from the terminal device 102 via the network 103, and the composite image synthesized by the image composition device 101 is displayed on the terminal device 102.
For example, the image composition system 100 is realized by using WWW (World Wide Web) technology. The image composition device 101 is equipped with a Web server. The terminal device 102 is equipped with a Web browser. The image composition apparatus 101 and the terminal apparatus 102 transmit and receive data via a web server and a web browser, respectively.

  As a result, the user of the image composition system 100 (the operator of the terminal device 102) can view the composite image on the terminal device 102 without going to a store or the like where the image composition device 101 is installed. In addition, since the image processing system 100 can handle a plurality of users at the same time, it is possible to efficiently promote purchase willingness for a larger number of system users in a short time. Can also reduce the burden.

  The preferred embodiments of the image composition apparatus according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

Configuration diagram of image composition apparatus 1 Hardware configuration diagram of the image composition apparatus 1 The figure which shows the information which the memory | storage part 23 of the image composition apparatus 1 hold | maintains The figure which shows the pixel data of the general texture image 33 The figure which shows the pixel data of the transparent texture image 34 A flowchart showing the operation of the image composition device 1 in general image composition The figure which shows the main screen 61 The figure which shows the main screen 61a The figure which shows the main screen 61b in a general image composition Flowchart showing the operation of the image composition device 1 in transparent image composition The figure which shows the main screen 61c in a general image composition The figure which shows separation of the color information 54 and the transmission information 58 Configuration diagram of image composition system 100

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ......... Image composition apparatus 11 ......... Background image reading means 12 ......... Composition area setting conversion means 13 ......... Texture image reading means 14 ......... Transparent information separation means 15 ......... Image composition means 16 ... ... Composite image display means 21 ... ... CPU
23 ......... Storage unit 24 ......... Display unit 25 ......... Input unit 31 ......... Background image 32 ......... Texture image 33 ......... General texture image 34 ......... Transparent texture image 54 ......... Color information 58 ......... Transparent information 61, 61a, 61b, 61c ......... Main screen 64 ......... Composite area 65 ...... Texture image list 66 ......... Pattern 67 ......... File name 70b ......... Item (general texture) image)
71b ... Texture image (when composing a general image)
72b .... General composite image 70c ......... Item (transparent texture image)
71c ......... Texture image (when transparent image is synthesized)
72c ......... Transparent composite image 73 ......... Image information of background image 100 ......... Image composition system 101 ......... Image composition device 102 ......... Terminal device 103 ......... Network

Claims (7)

Holding means for holding a background image and a transparent texture image;
Background image reading means for selecting and reading the background image;
A synthesis area setting conversion means for performing a predetermined conversion process by setting a synthesis area in the background image;
A transparent texture image reading means for selecting and reading the transparent texture image;
Transmission information separating means for separating transmission information and color information from the transmission texture image;
A transmission image combining means for performing predetermined conversion processing on the transmission information and the color information, respectively, and combining the background image with a transmission image;
A transparent composite image display means for displaying a transparent composite image as a result of the transparent image combination;
An image composition apparatus comprising:   The image synthesizer according to claim 1, wherein the transmissive image synthesizing unit performs at least one of perspective transformation and curved surface transformation on the transmissive information.   The said transparent image synthetic | combination means performs at least any one of perspective transformation, curved surface transformation, or a shadow process with respect to the non-transparent texture image produced from the said color information, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image composition device.   The transmission texture image is image data including an R component, a B component, and a G component that indicate the color information, and an α channel component that indicates the transmission information. The image composition device according to any one of the above.   The image synthesizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transparent texture image is image data in PNG format or TIFF format.   A program for causing a computer to function as the image composition device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the image composition device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is recorded.

Images