JP2853396B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing for taking in an input image obtained by imaging an object to be measured, executing predetermined measurement processing and calculation, and calculating characteristic quantities such as a center of gravity and a principal axis angle. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image processing apparatus, an input image obtained by imaging an object to be measured is fetched from a television camera, and a window for designating a measurement area is set for the input image. For each of the image portions, feature amounts such as an area, a center of gravity, and a principal axis angle are calculated, and the object to be measured is recognized based on the calculated values.

For example, in the case of sequentially taking in input images from a plurality of television cameras and executing a center of gravity calculation, first,
The area and the first moment of one horizontal scanning line are measured during each horizontal blanking period while capturing the input image of one frame from the TV camera, and after the scanning of one frame is completed, the measurement is performed using the vertical blanking period. After executing the center of gravity calculation from the result, the image is switched to the input image from the second television camera, taken in to the image processing device, and the same measurement processing and the center of gravity calculation are performed.

FIG. 5A shows a required time T for processing input images from two television cameras. In the figure, T1 is a time for taking in an input image from the first TV camera and executing a measurement process, t1 is a time for executing a center of gravity calculation from the measurement result, and T2 is a time for executing a gravity center calculation from the second TV camera. T2 is a time for taking in the input image and performing the measurement processing, t2 is a time for executing the gravity center calculation from the measurement result, and a time required for processing the input images from the two television cameras is T Is T = T1 + t
1 + T2 + t2.

[0005]

However, in the conventional method, as shown in FIG.
Even when the image portion 31 of the measurement object exists in a part of the target object, since the center of gravity calculation is performed after scanning the entire input image 30, the time required for the process is long, and the processing speed is correspondingly reduced. In particular, when sequentially processing a plurality of input images, there is a problem that the time required for processing all the input images becomes extremely long.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and realizes a reduction in processing time and an improvement in processing speed by taking only necessary image portions of an input image and performing measurement processing and calculation. It is an object to provide an image processing device.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for taking in an input image and executing predetermined measurement processing and calculation, a measuring means for executing predetermined measurement processing on the input image taken, Counting means for counting the number of horizontal synchronization signals for the input image obtained, interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal when the count value of the counting means reaches a set value, and interrupt signal generating means Operation means for executing a predetermined operation using the measurement result of the measurement means in response to the input of the interrupt signal from the CPU.

[0008]

When performing a predetermined measurement process while capturing an input image, an interrupt signal is generated when an image portion necessary for the measurement process and calculation is captured, and the predetermined measurement is immediately performed using the measurement results up to that time. Is executed, the measurement processing for the unnecessary image portion is omitted, and the processing time can be reduced and the processing speed can be improved.

[0009]

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an image processing system embodying the present invention.
A, 1B, an image processing device 2, and an image display device 3. Each of the television cameras 1A and 1B captures the object to be measured 4A and 4B, for example, from above under appropriate illumination, and generates video signals Vd1 and Vd2.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of the image processing apparatus 2. In the figure, a camera switch 5 is for taking in a video signal Vd1 or Vd2 from one of the television cameras 1A and 1B. These video signals Vd1, Vd
2 is digitized by an 8-bit A / D converter 6, and is provided with a display control unit 7, a measurement unit 13, and a horizontal counter 9.
Output to

The video signal output to the display control unit 7 is converted into an analog signal through a D / A converter 8, and the image is displayed on the image display device 3. Image signals from the video rams 14 and 15 are also input to the display control unit 7, and the image control unit 7 selects and combines images, outputs the selected images to the D / A converter 8, and displays the corresponding images on an image display device. 3 is displayed. The video rams 14 and 15 are accessed by the CPU 16 to draw characters, figures, and the like.

The measuring section 13 receives a video signal from the A / D converter 6 and sets a window for designating a measuring area for an input image of one frame.
At the same time, the area and the first moment required for the center of gravity calculation are measured for each horizontal scanning line for the image in the window and the addition processing is performed.

FIG. 3A shows an input image 20A taken by the first television camera 1A, and FIG. 3B shows an input image 20B taken by the second television camera 2B. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes an image portion of the measurement object 4A, 4B, and 22 denotes a background image portion.
Rectangular windows W1 and W2 including A and 4B are set. Each of the input images 20A and 20B has n pixels in the horizontal direction (X direction) and m pixels in the vertical direction (Y direction).
One window W1 is in the range of Y coordinate values YA1 to YA2, and the other window W2 is Y coordinate values YB1 to YB.
2, respectively.

Returning to FIG. 2, the horizontal counter 9 counts the number of horizontal synchronizing signals of the video signal and outputs the counted value to the interrupt signal generating circuit 10. The interrupt signal generation circuit 10 has a coincidence determination circuit 11 and a register 12, and the register 12 has a set value designated by the CPU 16,
That is, the Y coordinate value YA of each window W1, W2
2, YB2. The coincidence determination circuit 11 compares the count value of the horizontal counter 9 with the set value for the corresponding input image set in the register 12, and generates an interrupt signal INT when the count value matches the set value. And outputs it to the CPU 16.

The CPU 16 is a main body for control and calculation, and via a bus 19, the above-mentioned components, a ROM 17 for storing programs, and an RA for storing various data.
It is electrically connected to M18 and the like.

FIG. 4 shows a control procedure by the CPU 16. In step 1 (shown as "ST1" in the figure) of the figure, the CPU 16 first sets the Y coordinate values YA2 and YB2 in the register 12 of the interrupt signal generation circuit 10 as set values, and then switches the camera in the next step 2. A switching signal is output to the television set 5 and the camera switching unit 5 is switched to the first television camera 1.
Set to A.

When the CPU 16 instructs the first television camera 1A to output the video signal Vd1 in the next step 3, the video signal Vd1 is input from the television camera 1A to the image processing device 2 via the television switch 5 and A After being digitized by the / D converter 6, the digital signal is input to the measuring unit 13 and the horizontal counter 9.

The measuring section 13 and the CPU 16 measure the area and the first moment for one horizontal scanning line during each horizontal blanking period, and accumulate the measured values (step 4). On the other hand, the horizontal counter 9 counts the number of horizontal synchronization signals, and outputs the counted value to the coincidence determination circuit 11 of the interrupt signal generator 10. The coincidence determination circuit 11 compares the count value with the set value YA2, and determines whether or not both match.

When the count value of the horizontal counter 9 matches the set value YA2, the match determination circuit 11 generates an interrupt signal INT and outputs it to the CPU 16. As a result, the determination in step 5 becomes “YES”, and the CPU 16 calculates the position of the center of gravity using the measurement results so far, that is, dividing the first moment by the area (step 6).

When the calculation of the center of gravity by the CPU 16 is completed,
The determination in step 7 becomes “YES”, and then the CPU 1
6 resets the system other than the CPU 16 and outputs a switch signal to the camera switch 5 to switch the camera switch 5 to the second position.
(Step 8).

Then, when the CPU 16 instructs the second television camera 1B to output the video signal Vd2, the video signal Vd2 is output from the television camera 1B to the television switch 5.
The digital signal is input to the image processing apparatus 2 through the A / D converter 6 and then converted into a digital signal by the measuring unit 13.
And input to the horizontal counter 9 (step 9).

The measuring section 13 and the CPU 16 measure the area and the first moment for one horizontal scanning line during each horizontal blanking period, and accumulate the measured values (step 10). On the other hand, the horizontal counter 9 counts the number of horizontal synchronization signals, and outputs the counted value to the coincidence determination circuit 11 of the interrupt signal generator 10. The coincidence determination circuit 11 compares the count value with the set value YB2, and determines whether or not both match.

When the count value of the horizontal counter 9 matches the set value YB2, the match determination circuit 11 generates an interrupt signal INT and outputs it to the CPU 16. As a result, the determination in step 11 becomes “YES”, and the CPU 16 calculates the position of the center of gravity using the measurement results so far, that is, dividing the first moment by the area (step 12). And CPU1
When the calculation of the center of gravity by 6 is completed, the determination in step 13 becomes “YES”, and the processing related to the measurement of the center of gravity is completed.

FIG. 5 (2) shows the time T required for processing the input images from the two television cameras 1A and 1B by the image processing device 2. In the figure, T3 is the first
For capturing the input image from the television camera 1A and executing the measurement process, t3 is the time for executing the center of gravity calculation from the measurement result, and T4 is the time for capturing the input image from the second television camera 1B. The time for performing the measurement processing, t4 is the time for executing the center of gravity calculation from the measurement result, and is the time T (T = T3 + t3) required for processing the input images from the two television cameras 1A and 1B.
+ T4 + t4) is the required time T (T = T1 +
(t1 + T2 + t2) is shorter by the time ΔT.

In the above embodiment, the input images obtained by imaging with the two television cameras 1A and 1B are sequentially processed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and more images are processed by the same method. It is also possible.

[0026]

As described above, the present invention counts the number of horizontal synchronizing signals for a fetched input image when executing a predetermined measurement process while fetching an input image, and the count value becomes a set value. When the interrupt signal is generated, the interrupt signal is generated, and in response to the input of the interrupt signal, the predetermined calculation is immediately performed using the measurement result up to that time.
Measurement processing for unnecessary image parts is omitted, and processing time can be reduced and processing speed can be improved. Particularly, when multiple input images are sequentially processed, the time required for processing all input images is significantly reduced. It has a remarkable effect that it can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image processing system in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an input image.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of a CPU.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a time for processing an input image.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an input image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1A, 1B TV camera 2 Image processing device 9 Horizontal counter 10 Interrupt signal generation unit 11 Match determination circuit 12 Register 13 Measurement unit 16 CPU

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G06T 1/00-1/20 G06T 7/00-7/60

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus which captures an input image and executes predetermined measurement processing and calculation, a measuring means for performing predetermined measurement processing on the captured input image, and horizontal synchronization of the captured input image. Counting means for counting the number of signals; interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal when the count value of the counting means reaches a set value; and inputting an interrupt signal from the interrupt signal generating means. And an operation means for executing a predetermined operation using the measurement result of the measurement means in response to the request.