JP3090978B2 - Image cutout 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 cutout processing apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for cutting out only a required pattern portion from a document image such as a photograph, excluding a background portion, to form a plate making film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a plate making film is prepared from a manuscript such as a photograph, it is necessary to cut out only necessary picture portions in the manuscript image and remove unnecessary background portions. Conventionally, the following methods are known as methods for performing such image clipping processing. (1) Method by hand A cut mask is superimposed on the film plate of the manuscript, and the cut mask is cut out along the outline of the pattern by hand using a cutter or the like to create a mask plate. (2) Method using a cut-out mask creation device An original or a film version of the original is enlarged and projected on a digitizer, and the contour position of the picture is specified while looking at the projected image, and the coordinate data input to the digitizer Create a mask plate based on. (3) Image processing method using a layout scanner, etc. An image of a document is input as digital data by a layout scanner and displayed on a monitor. Then, the contour position of the picture in the display image is designated using a pointing device such as a mouse or a light pen, and mask data is created based on the coordinate data input by the pointing device. Finally, a clipping process is performed on the input image using the mask data, and the layout scanner outputs the clipped image to film.

[0003]

However, any of the above-described conventional image clipping methods has problems. That is, in the above-mentioned method (1), the skill of the operator is required, and the working efficiency is greatly reduced as the cutout image becomes finer. In addition, (2) and
In the method (3), the skill of the operator is not required as much as in the method (1), but the work of plotting and designating the outline of the picture one by one is required. Therefore, the operation of the pointing device becomes complicated, and the work efficiency is still low.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image clipping processing device having good operability and high working efficiency.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) The first invention of the present application is an image cutout processing apparatus, wherein an image input means for taking in an image to be processed as image data, and an image storage for storing the taken image data Means, an image display means for displaying an image based on the image data, a function of inputting the position with one point on the image displayed by the image display means as a designated point, and ON / OFF of a predetermined switch.
Position input means having a function of detecting an OFF state, contour point storage means for storing information indicating the position of a plurality of contour points to be registered, and position point means for when a switch of the position input means is ON. The distance between the designated point and the contour point last registered in the contour point storage means is calculated, and if the distance exceeds a predetermined value, the designated point at this time is stored as a new contour point. Contour point registering means for registering the contour point storing means, and contour point connecting means for performing processing for dividing a captured image into two regions using a line connecting a plurality of contour points registered in the contour point storing means as a boundary line. It is provided.

(2) The second invention of the present application is the image clipping processing apparatus according to the first invention, wherein when the switch of the position input means changes from the ON state to the OFF state, it is registered in the contour point storage means. ON of the previous contour point
Interpolation processing means for extracting a plurality of contour points registered in the state as interpolation target contour points, generating new contour points between adjacent interpolation target contour points, and performing interpolation.

(3) A third aspect of the present invention is an image cutout processing apparatus, comprising: an image input means for taking an image to be processed as image data; an image storage means for storing the taken image data; Image display means for displaying an image, a function of inputting the position of one point on the image displayed by the image display means as an indication point, and a function of detecting the ON / OFF state of a predetermined switch , A plurality of contour points to be registered, contour point storage means for storing information indicating the positions, and each time the switch of the position input means changes from the OFF state to the ON state, First point registration means for registering the designated point as a new contour point in the contour point storage means, the designated point when the switch of the position input means is ON, and the contour point storage Calculating a distance from the contour point last registered in the means, and if the distance exceeds a predetermined value, registering the designated point at this time as a new contour point in the contour point storage means; Contour point registering means, selecting means for selectively operating one of the first contour point registering means and second contour point registering means, and a plurality of contour points registered in the contour point storing means. With the line connecting
Contour point connecting means for performing a process of dividing the captured image into two regions.

[0008]

[Operation] (1) In the image cutout processing device according to the first invention of the present application, the user performs the work of tracing the contour of the image displayed on the image display means while keeping the switch of the position input means ON. Accordingly, a plurality of contour points can be registered on the traced contour line. In addition, the contour point registration means performs registration processing so that the distance between the last registered contour point and the contour point to be newly registered is always equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Are arranged at a predetermined interval or more. In other words, when the operator traces a continuous contour line using the position input means, contour points are defined at predetermined intervals on the trace locus and registered. For this reason, the work of the operator becomes very simple, and the work efficiency is greatly improved.

(2) In the image clipping processing device according to the second invention of the present application, the device according to the first invention is further provided with interpolation processing means. For this reason, even if the distance between the contour points registered by the contour point registration means is large, a new contour point is interpolated during this time. Therefore, a smooth cutting operation can be performed.

(3) In the image clipping processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, two methods are prepared for registering a contour point, and one of them can be selected at any time. The first method is to define a contour point each time the switch of the position input means is changed from OFF to ON. By performing a switch operation at an arbitrary position on the outline of the displayed image, the operator can define an outline point at that position. The second method is the method according to the first invention. That is, the operator can define contour points at predetermined intervals on the contour by tracing the contour of the displayed image while keeping the switch of the position input means ON. 2
Since one of the methods can be selected, it is possible to select a method with good operability in consideration of the shape of the contour line and perform the operation.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. Here, an embodiment in which the image cutout processing device according to the present invention is incorporated in a part of an image layout device will be described.

[0012]Overall configuration of the device  FIG. 1 shows the basics of the image layout apparatus according to this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration. The scanner device 1 has an input
An input drum 1A having a drum 1A and an output drum 1B;
By setting the document 2 on the
It is taken into the control device 3. The control device 3 includes a plotter 4
Is connected, on which the layout sheet 5 is set.
You. The control device 3 further includes a display device 6 and a position input.
The device 7 and the memory 8 are connected. The control device 3
Computer and connected devices
And control image layout.
Has functions.

An image layout operation by this apparatus will be briefly described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, allocation data is input. This is an operation of setting the layout sheet 5 on the drawing machine 4 and inputting layout data. The plotter 4 constitutes a digitizer,
By tracing the layout graphic on the layout board 5 with the pointing device 4A, layout data including information on the shape and position of the layout graphic can be input. Note that the plotter 4 is provided with a command instructing section 4B, and can input various commands necessary for this input operation.

Subsequently, in step S2, an original is input. This is an operation of inputting an image from the original 2 using the input drum 1A. The original 2 is set on the input drum 1A at a predetermined angle and scanned, and the image is captured as digital data at a predetermined magnification. . This image data is stored in the memory 8.

When image input is completed for all originals, an image positioning operation is performed in step S3.
That is, the layout graphic in the layout data input in step S1 and the image input in step S2 are displayed on the display device 6, and the two are aligned. At this time,
A scaling process and a rotation process are added to the image data as needed.

When the positioning for all the images is completed in this way, an image clipping process is performed in step S4. This work is to define the outline of the picture included in the image whose positioning has been completed, and to extract only the inside or outside of this outline. The present invention
The processing efficiency of the cutting operation is improved by a novel method, and the processing in step S4 is a processing which is a feature of the present invention. Therefore, the processing in step S4 will be described later in detail.

When the cutout operation for all the images is completed, a layout calculation process is performed in step S5. This is a calculation process executed in the control device 3.
This is a process of extracting a portion surrounded by the layout graphic positioned in step 3 and arranging the extracted portion at the position specified by the layout sheet 5. In the case where the clipping process is performed in step S4, only the portion of the picture clipped along the contour is arranged. The image data after such a layout calculation process is stored in the memory 8.

Finally, in step S6, an image is output. This is a process of outputting the image after the layout calculation process from the output drum 1B to a film. In this manner, the layout work for arranging a desired pattern in a desired document image at a desired position is completed.

[0019]Image clipping process  Then, the image clipping process (FIG.
Step S4) will be described. In this processing, the display device 6
A screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. This screen displays
It is divided into an image display section 61 and a command display section 62. Picture
The image display section 61 includes an image including a pattern to be cut out.
Is displayed, and the command display unit 62 displays
Are displayed. On the other hand, FIG.
The position input device 7 shown in FIG.
And has two functions. The first function is an image display unit
61 or one point on the command display unit 62 as the designated point.
It is a function to input. With this function, the position of the designated point
Is input to the control device 3. In particular,
Movement of the mouse 7 causes a mouse cursor on the display device 6
Moves. And this mouse cursor position information
Is input to the control device 3. This mouse 7
To specify an arbitrary point in the image display section 61
And any command displayed on the command display 62.
Commands can also be selected and instructed. The second function is
This function detects the ON / OFF state of a given switch.
You. Specifically, the mouse 7 is provided with a mouse button.
The mouse button is pressed by the operator
(ON state) and released state (OFF state)
Is notified to the control device 3
It is.

Now, the essential meaning of the cutting process will be described. Now, as shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the image display unit 61. In the figure, the inside of the pattern Z is hatched. In such a pattern Z, the position of the outline Zc is not necessarily recognized as data. As described above, the image data is raster data obtained by scanning the input drum 1A. In other words, it is represented as a set of a large number of pixels having a predetermined pixel value. Therefore, the contour line Zc is not necessarily recognized on the data.
The clipping process performed here specifies pixels existing on the contour line Zc, causes the contour line Zc to be recognized as data, divides a large number of pixels into two groups with the contour line Zc as a boundary, and includes pixels belonging to one group. It is nothing but a process of extracting only.

In order to perform such a cutting process, it is necessary to define a plurality of contour points on a contour line and recognize the contour line Zc as data as a polygon connecting the plurality of contour points. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, if points P1 to P6 on the contour line Zc are registered as contour points on the image display unit 61, the contour line Zc is formed by a line connecting these contour points. It is determined. Therefore, the operation performed by the operator in the clipping process is to register such a plurality of contour points. In the apparatus of the embodiment shown here, this contour point registration work can be performed in two ways. Here, the mode performed by the first method is referred to as “normal mode”, and the mode performed by the second method is referred to as “contour tracking mode”.

[0022]Normal mode processing  First, the outline point registration method in the "normal mode" is explained.
I will tell. This method is a conventionally known method.
Each time the button changes from OFF to ON,
Register the designated point of the mouse cursor at that time as a contour point
It is a way to do it. The operator operates the screen of the display device 6
Mouse cursor over a predetermined point on the contour line Zc
Move the sol and press the mouse button
I just need. That is, the mouse car on the screen by the mouse
Move the cursor Cu and move the mouse cursor Cu to the desired position.
By pressing the mouse button at the position,
Position can be registered as a contour point. Thus, in order
Next, points P1, P2,... On the contour line Zc are registered as contour points.
After recording, the contour line Zc is determined. But this
Strictly, the line segment connecting the contour points P1, P2,.
It does not completely match the contour line Zc. Therefore, the operation
The radiators are spaced at intervals that provide sufficient accuracy for
The contour point registration is performed. Position of registered contour point
Is stored in the memory 8 shown in FIG.
You. The control device 3 calculates the plurality of contour points thus registered.
Using the connecting line as a boundary line, the captured image
Perform processing to divide into areas.

Here, FIG. 3 is referred to again. The command A (in-life mask) and the command B (out-of-life mask) displayed in the command area 62 are commands for performing the clipping process. When these command modes are selected, the contour points P1, P2, P3,... Shown in the image display section 61 can be sequentially input by the mouse as described above. In this way, when a closed area is formed by a large number of contour points, in the command A mode, the inside of the closed area is extracted as a picture, and in the command B mode, the outside of the closed area is extracted as a picture. Will be. To delete the contour point once input, a command C (contour point deletion) is input. Thereby, the one contour point input last is erased. Also,
Command D (mask erase) is a command for erasing a specified closed area. The command E (contour tracking) is a command for shifting to the “contour tracking mode” that is the second mode. When the command E is indicated by a mouse (by moving the mouse cursor to the position of the command E and pressing the mouse button), the "contour tracking mode" can be entered. Every time the command E is instructed by the mouse, the mode is alternately switched from “normal mode” to “contour tracking mode” to “normal mode”. Hereinafter, the processing in the “contour tracking mode” will be described. The command F is an instruction to complete all operations.

[0024]Contour tracking mode processing  Next, in the “contour tracking mode”, which is a feature of the present invention,
A registration method of a contour point to be created will be described. This method uses the mouse
Point indicated by mouse when button is ON
Calculates the distance between the contour point registered in
If the specified value is exceeded, the designated point at this time is
It is registered as a Guo point. Hereinafter, this processing is specifically described.
Explanation will be given based on an example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the operator in the "contour tracking mode". Now, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the picture Z is displayed on the image display section 61, it is considered that a plurality of contour points are registered on the contour Zc. The operator first designates the above-mentioned command F with a mouse in order to enter the “contour tracking mode”. Then, the mouse cursor Cu is moved to the start point P1, where the mouse button is pressed. Subsequently, while keeping the mouse button pressed, the trace is performed by tracing over the outline Zc with the mouse cursor. The arrow indicated by a thick line in FIG. 5A indicates the locus of the mouse cursor Cu. In the "contour tracking mode", when such an operation is performed, contour points P1, P2, and P3 are defined at predetermined intervals on the locus of the mouse cursor Cu as shown in FIG. 8 is registered. Fig. 4 (b) and Fig. 5 (a)
Comparing with the above, the difference between the operation in the “normal mode” and the operation in the “contour tracking mode” can be understood. That is, in the "normal mode", the cursor is moved to the position of the point P1, and the mouse button is pressed and released. Then, the cursor is moved to the position of the point P2, the mouse button is pressed and released, and the cursor is moved to the position of the point P3. By moving the mouse button down and pressing and releasing the mouse button and continuing the operation of..., Registration is performed while designating contour points one by one. In contrast, the “contour tracking mode”
When the mouse cursor Cu is moved while keeping the mouse button pressed, contour points are automatically defined and registered at predetermined intervals on the locus. In addition,
Even if the mouse cursor is moved with the mouse button released, no contour point is defined on the locus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device 3 in the "contour tracking mode". When this mode is entered, first, in step S10, the starting point indicated by the mouse cursor when the mouse button is pressed for the first time is registered as the first contour point. For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, the start point P1 is registered as the first contour point. Next, in step S11, the state of the mouse button is detected. When the mouse button is pressed, that is, when the mouse button is ON, in step S12,
The position of the designated point pointed by the mouse cursor at that time is input. In the following step S13, a distance x between the input designated point and the last registered contour point is obtained. For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, the contour point registered last (that is, the starting point P1) and the designated point at this time (the starting point P1 when the operator moves the mouse).
A distance x from another point that is separated by a movement distance from 1 (the same point as the start point P1 when the mouse is not moved) is obtained. Then, in step S14, the distance x is compared with a predetermined set value D, and if x> D, step S
At 15, the designated point is registered as a new contour point and the process returns to step S11. If x ≦ D, the process returns to step S11 without registration. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, a point P2 separated from the point P1 by a distance D or more is registered as a contour point next to the point P1, and a point P3 further separated from the point P1 by a distance D is
It will be registered as the next contour point. Thus, as long as the mouse button is kept pressed, step S
The processes from 11 to S15 are continuously executed. After all,
When the mouse is moved as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, contour points P1, P2, and P3 are registered.
Here, the minimum interval between these contour points is the set value D.
Therefore, if the set value D is determined in advance according to the required accuracy, the contour points can be obtained with the desired accuracy. If D is reduced, the accuracy is improved accordingly, but the number of contour points is increased and a large memory area is required. Conversely, if D is increased, the memory area is reduced, but the accuracy is reduced.

When the mouse button is released after tracing the outline while holding down the mouse button,
When the state is set to FF, the above-described processing is interrupted. At this time, the present apparatus has a function of performing an interpolation process. That is, in step S11, it is determined that the state of the mouse button is OFF, and in step S16, if the interpolation process has not been completed,
Seventeen interpolation processes are performed. This interpolation processing is performed when the mouse button changes from the ON state to the OFF state, extracts the contour point registered in the immediately preceding ON state as the interpolation target contour point, and extracts the adjacent interpolation target contour point. This can be said to be a process of performing interpolation by generating a new contour point in between. Specifically, for example, let us consider a case where the mouse button is turned on, a locus indicated by a thick arrow is drawn in FIG. 5A, and the mouse button is turned off here.
At this time, the contour point P registered in the immediately preceding ON state
1, P2, and P3 are contour points to be interpolated, and interpolation is performed by generating new contour points between these contour points. For example, a new contour point P12 between the contour points P1 and P2
To generate a new contour point P between the contour points P2 and P3.
23, and finally the contour points P1, P12, P2
An interpolation process for registering P23 and P3 is performed.

The reason for performing such an interpolation process is as follows. That is, as shown in step S14 of FIG. 6, the lower limit of the distance between the plurality of contour points registered in the processing of steps S11 to S15 is the set value D, but the upper limit is not determined. For example, in FIG. 5B, when the mouse cursor is rapidly moved from the point P1 to the point P3, the mouse cursor is moved from the point P1 to the point P1 in the time from step S10 to step S12 in FIG. A situation occurs where the vehicle passes through P2 and reaches point P3. In this case, the second contour point registered in step S15 is the point P
It will be point P3 instead of 2. Therefore, the point P1
An interpolation point is required between the point and the point P3. Step S17
Is a process for performing such interpolation. In this embodiment, the interpolation points are generated one by one between all the contour points. However, the positions where the interpolation points are generated may be limited. For example, the distance between adjacent contour points may be calculated, and if the distance L is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, an interpolation point may be generated there. A quotient obtained by dividing the distance L by the set value D is M, and (M-1) interpolation points can be generated between the adjacent contour points.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the interpolation processing. here,
In a state where the contour points P1, P2, and P3 are defined, an interpolation point P12 is generated between the points P1 and P2,
A process for registering this as a new contour point is shown. The interpolation point P12 can be obtained by the following procedure. First, a triangle P1 is formed by connecting the points P1 and P3.
Considering P2P3, the length d of the perpendicular drawn from the vertex P2 to the base P1P3 is obtained. Then, a point P12 located on a perpendicular line drawn to the midpoint Q of the side P1P2 and located at a distance d / n (n is a predetermined constant, in this example, n = 4) from the midpoint Q is set as an interpolation point.

[0030]Two modes  The two modes for registering contour points have been described above.
did. The feature of the device shown here is that these two modes are selected.
It can be used alternatively. As previously mentioned,
Each time a command E in FIG.
The two modes will alternate. like this
In addition, freely select two modes to register the contour points
Since it is performed, the operability is improved. This is shown in FIG.
Let me show you an example. A pattern with an outline as shown in FIG.
Therefore, when performing the registration work of the contour points, the contour points P1 to P7
For the registration work up to this point, the "normal mode" is convenient. sand
That is, move the mouse cursor to the point P1, and
Button, and then move the mouse cursor to point P2.
Click on the mouse button,
You just have to go over and over. Thus, a relatively long straight
The part that can be approximated by a line should be registered in "Normal mode".
Good. Register such a part in "contour tracking mode"
I must carefully trace a relatively long contour line
Therefore, work efficiency is reduced. Against this
And registration work for the part R enclosed by the dashed line in the figure
Is convenient to register in the "contour tracking mode". fine
Since there are many curves, the work of tracing the outline
Is suitable. Register such a part R in the "normal mode".
Recording, it is necessary to frequently click the mouse button.
In other words, work efficiency is reduced. This
As described above, two modes are prepared, and the operator
To be able to select any mode freely
Thereby, workability can be significantly improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the two modes are exchanged by the instruction of the command E shown in FIG. 3. However, the switching can be performed by a mouse button. For example, if the mouse button is continuously ON for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second or more), the camera automatically enters the “contour tracking mode”. If the user always returns to the “normal mode”, the clipping process can be performed only by operating the mouse. If the operator wants to register in the "normal mode", he or she can click the mouse button in a pulsed manner. Hold down and continue tracing.

Although the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but can be implemented in various other modes. For example, the interpolation processing in the above-described embodiment is not always necessary, and this function can be omitted. Although a mouse is used as the position input device in the above-described embodiment, any device that has a switch for detecting the ON / OFF state and has a function of designating a position on the display screen may be used. May be used.

[0033]

As described above, according to the image clipping processing apparatus of the present invention, the distance between the designated point when the switch of the position input means is ON and the contour point registered last is calculated. When the distance exceeds a predetermined value, the designated point at this time is registered as a new contour point, so that the operability of the cutting process is improved and the work efficiency can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an embodiment in which an image clipping processing device according to the present invention is incorporated in an image layout device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an image layout process by the image layout device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when an image clipping process is performed by the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in a state where contour points are registered in a first mode (normal mode) in order to perform an image clipping process by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in a state in which contour points are registered in a second mode (contour tracking mode) in order to perform image clipping processing by the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a contour point registration process in the second mode shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interpolation process in the flowchart of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a difference in usage between a first mode and a second mode.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... Scanner device 1A ... Input drum 1B ... Output drum 2 ... Document 3 ... Control device 4 ... Drawing machine 4A ... Pointing device 4B ... Command menu 5 ... Layout sheet 6 ... Display device 61 ... Image display unit 62 ... Command display section 7 ... Position input device (mouse) 8 ... Memory Z ... Picture Zc ... Contour line Cu ... Mouse cursor P1 to P7 ... Contour points P12, P23 ... Interpolation points

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An image input unit that captures an image to be processed as image data; an image storage unit that stores the captured image data; an image display unit that performs image display based on the image data; A position input unit having a function of inputting the position of one point on an image displayed by the image display unit as a designated point, a function of detecting the ON / OFF state of a predetermined switch, A contour point storing means for storing information indicating the position of the contour point, an instruction point when the switch of the position input means is ON, a contour point last registered in the contour point storing means, Contour point registering means for registering the designated point at this time as a new contour point in the contour point storage means, if the distance exceeds a predetermined value,
An image cut-out processing apparatus, comprising: a contour point connecting unit that performs a process of dividing the image into two regions with a line connecting a plurality of contour points registered in the outline point storage unit as a boundary line. . 2. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a switch of the position input means changes from an ON state to an OFF state, the last one of the contour points registered in the contour point storage means is turned on. Interpolation processing means for extracting a plurality of contour points registered in the state as interpolation target contour points, generating a new contour point between adjacent interpolation target contour points, and performing interpolation is further provided. Image cutout processing device. 3. An image input unit for capturing an image to be processed as image data, an image storage unit for storing the captured image data, an image display unit for displaying an image based on the image data, A position input unit having a function of inputting the position of one point on an image displayed by the image display unit as a designated point, a function of detecting the ON / OFF state of a predetermined switch, The contour point storage means for storing information indicating the position of the contour point, and the switch of the position input means is turned off.
Each time the state changes from the ON state to the ON state, first contour point registration means for registering the designated point at that time as a new contour point in the contour point storage means; The distance between the designated point and the contour point last registered in the contour point storage means is calculated. If this distance exceeds a predetermined value, the designated point at this time is set as a new contour point. A second contour point registration means for registering in the point storage means, a selection means for selectively operating one of the first contour point registration means and the second contour point registration means, An image cutout processing device comprising: a contour point connecting unit that performs processing of dividing the image into two regions using a line connecting a plurality of contour points registered in the contour point storage unit as a boundary line.