JP4336230B2 - Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing method for processing the bitmap image, the image processing method an image processing apparatus according to the, and relates to a computer program for realizing the image processing apparatus, a pseudo-halation especially for image the image processing method of generating a visual effect equal, the image processing apparatus, and relates to a computer program.

  In an image processing apparatus such as a video game apparatus, image processing such as halation and transmitted light processing may be performed on an image to be output in a pseudo manner. By performing such image processing, an image impression is obtained. It produces the effect of becoming stronger.

  However, when image processing such as pseudo-halation and transmitted light processing is performed using a technique such as a pixel shader, for example, there is a problem that the processing load becomes large, and it is difficult to add a moving image in a game that requires high-speed drawing processing. When applied to this, there is a problem that it is difficult to express smooth motion.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and reduces the number of pixels of the original image to reduce the size, enlarges the reduced image to the size of the original image, and between adjacent pixels forming the enlarged image. By smoothing the color difference, translucent the image with the smoothed color difference and overlaying it on the original image, it is possible to reduce the processing load required for image processing such as pseudo halation and transmitted light processing. the image processing method capable of easily expressing a smooth motion even when applied to, the image processing method an image processing apparatus according to the, and to provide a computer program for realizing the image processing apparatus Objective.

The present invention according to claim 1 is an image processing method using an image processing apparatus that processes a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels, wherein the image processing apparatus determines the number of pixels of the first image. generating a second image reduced by subtracting, superimposed on the first image by opacifying the second image, a third of an enlarged portion corresponding to the second image within the first image to the size of the first image generating an image to generate a fourth image by smoothing the color differences between adjacent pixels forming the third image to generate a fifth image of extensive fourth image on the first image and translucent A sixth image is generated by replacing a portion corresponding to the second image in the fifth image with a predetermined image .

According to the present invention, an image processing method using an image processing apparatus that processes a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels includes a second image reduced by reducing the number of pixels of the first image by the image processing apparatus. generates, superimposed on the first image by opacifying the second image to generate a third image obtained by enlarging a portion corresponding to the second image within the first image to the size of the first image, said Generating a fourth image in which color differences between adjacent pixels forming three images are smoothed, generating a fifth image that is translucent to the fourth image, and overlaying the first image ; A sixth image is generated by replacing a portion corresponding to the second image with a predetermined image .

In the image processing method of the present invention, the original image is reduced once and then enlarged to the original size to generate a mosaic-like image with a low apparent resolution, and the low resolution image is processed by bilinear filtering or the like. By smoothing the color difference between the pixels using this method, an image simulating the out-of-focus state is generated, and the image in the out-of-focus state is made translucent and processed by alpha blending to overlay the original image. An image with pseudo-halation is generated. In the image processing method of the present invention, an image obtained by superimposing the second image generated by reducing the first image on the first image is generated, and a position corresponding to the second image in the fifth image is determined in advance. For example, a process of covering with black is performed.

With this configuration, image processing such as pseudo-halation is overprocessed by simple processing such as enlargement, reduction, synthesis by alpha blending, and processing using functions provided in advance such as bilinear filtering. It can be implemented without requiring a load, and the processing load required for image processing can be reduced. For example, even when applied to video processing expressed in a video game, smooth motion video can be easily obtained. It is possible to express With this configuration, since the second image can be stored in the drawing buffer memory for storing the first image, a storage area other than the drawing buffer memory can be used for storing other information, so that the storage area can be effectively used. Further, by covering the portion corresponding to the second image with, for example, black, it is possible to prevent the trace of the second image from being displayed on the image to be finally displayed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for processing a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels, and means for generating a second image reduced by reducing the number of pixels of the first image. and means for superimposing the first image by opacifying the second image, means for generating a third image obtained by enlarging a portion corresponding to the second image within the first image to the size of the first image, the Means for generating a fourth image in which a color difference between adjacent pixels forming the third image is smoothed, means for generating a fifth image semi-transparently superimposed on the first image , and An image processing apparatus comprising: means for generating a sixth image in which a portion corresponding to the second image in the fifth image is replaced with a predetermined image .

According to the present invention, an image processing apparatus that processes a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels generates a second image reduced by reducing the number of pixels of the first image, and the second image forming means for superimposing the first image and opacifying, means for generating a third image obtained by enlarging a portion corresponding to the second image within the first image to the size of the first image, the third image Means for generating a fourth image in which the color difference between adjacent pixels is smoothed; means for generating a fifth image obtained by translucently transposing the fourth image onto the first image; and a fifth image in the fifth image. Means for generating a sixth image in which a portion corresponding to the two images is replaced with a predetermined image .

In the image processing device of the present invention, the original image is reduced once and then enlarged to the original size, thereby generating a mosaic-like image with a low apparent resolution, and processing such as bilinear filtering for the low-resolution image. By smoothing the color difference between the pixels using this method, an image simulating the out-of-focus state is generated, and the image in the out-of-focus state is made translucent and processed by alpha blending to overlay the original image. An image with pseudo-halation is generated. In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, an image obtained by superimposing the second image generated by reducing the first image on the first image is generated, and a position corresponding to the second image in the fifth image is determined in advance. For example, a process of covering with black is performed.

With this configuration, image processing such as pseudo-halation is excessively performed by simple processing such as enlargement, reduction, synthesis by alpha blending, and processing using functions pre-installed in the apparatus such as bilinear filtering. It can be realized without requiring a processing load, and the processing load required for image processing can be reduced. For example, even when applied to video processing expressed in a video game, a smooth motion video can be obtained. It can be expressed easily. With this configuration, since the second image can be stored in the drawing buffer memory for storing the first image, a storage area other than the drawing buffer memory can be used for storing other information, so that the storage area can be effectively used. Further, by covering the portion corresponding to the second image with, for example, black, it is possible to prevent the trace of the second image from being displayed on the image to be finally displayed.

The present invention according to claim 5 is a computer program for causing a computer to process a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels, wherein the second image is reduced by reducing the number of pixels of the first image. and procedures to generate a computer, the procedure causes superimposed on the first image by opacifying the second image generated, the computer, the portion corresponding to the second image within the first image to the size of the first image A procedure for generating an enlarged third image, a procedure for generating a fourth image in which a color difference between adjacent pixels forming the generated third image is smoothed, and a computer for generating the generated fourth image and procedures to generate a fifth image superimposed on the first image and semi-transparent, the computer, the portion corresponding to the second image of the generated in the fifth image, the sixth image is replaced with a predetermined image A computer program characterized by executing the steps which made.

According to the present invention, a computer program for causing a computer to process a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels causes the computer to generate a second image reduced by reducing the number of pixels of the first image; a step of causing superimposed on the first image to opacify the second image, the procedure for generating a third image obtained by enlarging a portion corresponding to the second image within the first image to the size of the first image, the A step of generating a fourth image in which a color difference between adjacent pixels forming the third image is smoothed; a step of generating a fifth image that is translucent to the fourth image and superimposed on the first image ; And a procedure for generating a sixth image in which a portion corresponding to the second image in the fifth image is replaced with a predetermined image .

In the computer program of the present invention, when executed on a computer such as a video game device, the computer operates as an image processing device, and after the original image is reduced once and then enlarged to the original size, the apparent size is increased. A mosaic-like image with low resolution is generated, and an image simulating the out-of-focus state is generated by smoothing the color difference between the pixels using a processing method such as bilinear filtering. An image subjected to pseudo halation is generated by a process such as alpha blending for translucent the blurred image and superimposing it on the original image. In the computer program of the present invention, an image obtained by superimposing the second image generated by reducing the first image on the first image is generated, and a portion corresponding to the second image in the fifth image is set to a predetermined position. The image is replaced, for example, covered with black.

With this configuration, image processing such as pseudo-halation is excessively performed by simple processing such as enlargement, reduction, synthesis by alpha blending, and processing using functions pre-installed in a computer such as bilinear filtering. It can be realized without requiring a processing load, and the processing load required for image processing can be reduced. For example, even when applied to video processing expressed in a video game, a smooth motion video can be obtained. It can be expressed easily. With this configuration, since the second image can be stored in the drawing buffer memory for storing the first image, a storage area other than the drawing buffer memory can be used for storing other information, so that the storage area can be effectively used. Further, by covering the portion corresponding to the second image with, for example, black, it is possible to prevent the trace of the second image from being displayed on the image to be finally displayed.

The present invention is defined in claim 2, an image processing method using an image processing apparatus for processing a bitmap image to be formed by multiple pixels, the image processing apparatus, the brightness of the first image generating a second image high and the second image, the first to generate a fourth image of extensive third image of smaller size than the second image, by reducing by subtracting the number of pixels of the fourth image 5 image generates, the fifth image to generate a sixth image enlarged to the size of the fourth image, and generates a seventh image by smoothing the color differences between adjacent pixels forming the sixth image an image processing method characterized by generating an eighth image overlaid the seventh image in the fourth image and semi-transparent.

According to the present invention, an image processing method using an image processing apparatus for processing a bitmap image to be formed by multiple pixels, the image processing apparatus, generating a second image obtained by increasing the brightness of the first image and, wherein the second image to generate a fourth image of extensive third image of smaller size than the second image, to generate a fifth image reduced by subtracting the number of pixels of the fourth image, the the fifth image to generate a sixth image enlarged to the size of the fourth image, the sixth image to generate a seventh image by smoothing the color differences between adjacent pixels to form a semi the seventh image An eighth image that is transparent and superimposed on the fourth image is generated .

In the image processing method of the present invention, by increasing the brightness of an image used as a background of a tennis court or the like, a so-called “white-blown” image should be generated, and the generated image should be drawn as a layer in front of the background An image in which an image showing a character such as a tennis player is made opaque is generated. Then, the generated image is used as an original image, and the original image is reduced once and then enlarged to the original size, thereby generating a mosaic-like image with a low apparent resolution. Processes such as alpha blending that smoothes the color difference between pixels using a processing method, generates an image that simulates the out-of-focus state, makes the in-focus image semi-transparent and overlays it on the original image Thus, an image subjected to pseudo transmitted light processing is generated.

  With this configuration, image processing such as pseudo transmitted light processing can be performed by simple processing such as brightness adjustment, composition, enlargement, reduction, etc., and processing using functions pre-installed in a computer such as bilinear filtering. It can be realized without requiring an excessive processing load, and the processing load required for image processing can be reduced. For example, even when applied to video processing expressed in a video game, smooth motion Can be easily expressed.

The present invention described in claims 4 and 6 is an image processing apparatus and a computer program corresponding to the present invention described in claim 2 .

According to the first , third, and fifth aspects of the present invention, an image processing apparatus that processes a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels is used, and the number of pixels of the first image is reduced. A reduced second image is generated, and the second image is enlarged to the size of the first image, thereby generating a third image having a low apparent resolution, and forming the third image. A fourth image that imitates the out-of-focus state using a processing method such as bilinear filtering that smoothes the color difference between the pixels, alpha blending that makes the fourth image semi-transparent and overlays the first image, etc. The fifth image is generated by the process.

  With this configuration, image processing such as pseudo-halation is achieved by simple processing such as enlargement, reduction, synthesis by alpha blending, and processing using an image processing chip provided in an image processing device such as bilinear filtering. Can be realized without requiring an excessive processing load, and the processing load required for image processing can be reduced. For example, even when applied to moving image processing expressed in a video game, smooth processing is possible. It is possible to easily express moving videos. Therefore, for example, when applied to a video game imitating tennis, an effective visual effect can be produced in a scene where a tennis player makes full use of a special technique, so that a player who enjoys a video game can play a game Since the scene in which the excitement of the game reaches its climax is produced from the viewpoint of visual effects, it is possible to further enhance the sense of excitement for the game, and the effects are excellent.

Furthermore according to claim 1, claim 3, and according to the present invention described in claim 5, the second image generated by reducing the first image to generate an image superimposed on the first image, also the fifth A portion corresponding to the second image in the image is replaced with a predetermined image, for example, a process of covering with black is performed.

  With this configuration, since the second image can be stored in the drawing buffer memory that stores the first image, a storage area other than the drawing buffer memory can be used for storing other information. It has excellent effects such as being possible. In addition, the trace of the second image is not displayed on the image that is finally displayed by covering the portion corresponding to the second image with, for example, black, and thus the displayed image is not displayed to the player. It is possible to prevent a natural impression from being given, and an excellent effect is exhibited.

According to the second, fourth, and sixth aspects of the present invention, the image processing apparatus that processes a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels is used as a background of a tennis court or the like. By increasing the brightness of one image, a so-called “whitened” second image is generated, and a third image showing a character such as a tennis player to be drawn as a front layer on the background is opaque in the second image. A fourth image that is superimposed and generated is generated. Then, a fifth image that is reduced by reducing the number of pixels of the generated fourth image is generated, and the fifth image is enlarged to the size of the fourth image, whereby a sixth image having a low apparent resolution is obtained. Is generated using a processing method such as bilinear filtering that smoothes the color difference between adjacent pixels forming the sixth image, and the seventh image is translucent. Then, an eighth image is generated by processing such as alpha blending that is superimposed on the fourth image.

  With this configuration, image processing such as pseudo transmitted light processing is performed by simple processing such as brightness adjustment, composition, enlargement, and reduction, and processing using functions provided in the image processing apparatus in advance such as bilinear filtering. Can be realized without requiring an excessive processing load, and the processing load required for image processing can be reduced. For example, even when applied to moving image processing expressed in a video game, smooth processing is possible. It is possible to easily express moving videos. Therefore, for example, when applied to a video game imitating tennis, an effective visual effect can be produced in a scene where a tennis player makes full use of a special technique, so that a player who enjoys a video game can play a game Since the scene in which the excitement of the game reaches its climax is produced from the viewpoint of visual effects, it is possible to further enhance the sense of excitement for the game, and the effects are excellent.

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

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 100 is a kind of computer using a home video game apparatus, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 that controls the entire apparatus, and image data and audio data generation processing based on the control of the CPU 101. A signal processor 102 that performs signal processing, an image rendering processor 103 that performs processing related to rendering of an image such as bilinear filtering, a ROM (Read Only Memory) cartridge that records various information such as the computer program 201 and data of the present invention, a CD Auxiliary for reading various information from a recording medium 200 such as a ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), CD (Compact Disc) drive, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive, etc. Storage means 104, calculation data, image data for display, etc. And a RAM (Random Access Memory) 105 for temporarily storing broadcast.

  Various information such as the computer program 201 and data of the present invention recorded on the recording medium 200 is read by the auxiliary storage means 104, stored in the RAM 105, and executed by the CPU 101, so that it can be used as a home video game apparatus. The computer operates as the image processing apparatus 100 of the present invention. The recording medium 200 includes not only the computer program 201 that executes the image processing method of the present invention but also a main program that executes a video game. The processing by the computer program 201 of the present invention is the execution of the main program. It is executed when a visual effect such as pseudo halation is generated on an image to be displayed.

  The RAM 105 is not composed of a single memory chip, but is composed of a plurality of memory chips having different storage area sizes and different reading speeds depending on the size of data to be recorded and the frequency of use. Used for various purposes such as a drawing buffer memory 105a for recording image data to be displayed and a texture buffer memory 105b for recording a pattern indicating the texture of the image. The image data recorded in the drawing buffer memory 105a is data for displaying a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels. For each pixel forming the image to be displayed, an R (Red) component, G ( Data indicating the respective stimulus values of the Green component and the B (Blue) component is recorded. Each stimulus value indicates a class classified in a plurality of stages such as 2 to the 8th power, 2 to the 16th power, and 2 to the 24th power.

  The image drawing processor 103 has various calculation functions required for the image drawing processing. As one of the functions, each pixel forming an image is smoothed by weighted average of the color difference between adjacent pixels. There is bilinear filtering. Here, the color difference is a numerical value indicating a difference in stimulation value of each component constituting the image.

  Furthermore, an operation mechanism 300 such as a dedicated controller is connected to the image processing apparatus 100 via an input interface circuit (I / F) 106, and the operation mechanism 300 includes operation means 301 such as various buttons and an analog joystick. Is provided.

  The image processing apparatus 100 also includes an audio output interface circuit (I / F) 107 used for outputting audio data. The audio data that is a digital signal output from the audio output interface circuit 107 is an audio D / D. A speaker that outputs an audio signal based on audio data after the analog signal converted by the A converter (D / A) 108 is amplified by the pre-main amplifier 109 after being converted by the audio D / A converter 108 Are sent to the audio output mechanism 400.

  The image processing apparatus 100 further includes an image output interface circuit (I / F) 110 that is used to output image data. The image data that is a digital signal output from the image output interface circuit 110 is image D / D. The analog signal is converted into an analog signal by an A converter (D / A) 111 and sent to a display mechanism 500 such as a television monitor that outputs an image based on the image data. Note that one television monitor may be used as an apparatus that combines the audio output mechanism 400 and the display mechanism 500.

  Next, processing executed by the image processing apparatus 100 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. For example, during the execution of a video game simulating tennis, in a scene where a tennis player makes full use of a special technique, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention is controlled by the CPU 101 that executes the computer program 201 stored in the RAM 105, as shown in FIG. The following processing to be described will be executed. The image processing apparatus 100 generates a second image reduced by reducing the number of pixels of the first image corresponding to the original image before the processing of the image processing method of the present invention (S101), and makes the generated second image opaque to make the second image A composition process for superimposing on one image is performed (S102). The generation process of the second image in step S101 is a process of reducing the number of pixels of the first image that is a bitmap image by thinning. For example, the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the image to be displayed is 800, and the vertical direction By thinning out pixels of the first image whose number of pixels is 600 (hereinafter, a similar representation of the number of pixels is indicated by a notation method of 800 × 600) at the same ratio in both the horizontal and vertical directions, the number of pixels is 80 This is processing for generating a second image of × 60. At this time, the R component, G component, and B component for the pixels after thinning may be subjected to a color difference smoothing process as necessary. The first image is recorded in the drawing buffer memory 105a, and the second image generated in step S101 is recorded in the texture buffer memory 105b. In step S102, the second image recorded in the texture buffer memory 105b is read out and combined with the first image recorded in the drawing buffer memory 105a. The process of making the second image opaque in step S102 and superimposing it on the first image is to combine the second image as a front layer of the first image, and the second portion for the portion where the first image and the second image overlap. A process for displaying an image will be described.

  3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams showing images processed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a first image which is an original image, and an image showing the face of the tennis player is drawn. FIG. 4 shows a first image in which the second image generated by the composition processing in step S102 is made opaque and superimposed. As is clear from FIG. 4, a second image obtained by reducing the first image shown in FIG. 3 is superimposed on the upper left corner of FIG.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 generates a third image in which a portion corresponding to the second image in the first image is enlarged to the size of the first image (S <b> 103). By enlarging in step S103, a third image having a larger number of pixels than the second image is generated. However, at the stage of generating the second image reduced by reducing the number of pixels of the first image, information such as the color components of the thinned pixels is lost, so the third image is the first image that is the original image. It is not the same image as the image. For example, when a second image having 80 × 60 pixels is enlarged to generate a third image having 800 × 600 pixels, one pixel, R component, G component, and B component in the second image are generated. A third image having 10 × 10 pixels having the same is generated.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a third image obtained by enlarging the second image. As shown in FIG. 5, the third image obtained by enlarging the second image increases the size of the image by increasing one pixel in the second image and pixels having the same R component, G component, and B component. Since it is an enlarged image, it becomes a mosaic image with a low apparent resolution.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 generates a fourth image in which the color difference between adjacent pixels forming the third image is smoothed (S104). The smoothing process in step S <b> 104 is performed by a calculation to which bilinear filtering, which is one of the calculation functions of the image drawing processor 103, is applied. Bilinear filtering is a well-known technique used as a kind of image interpolation method when image processing such as enlargement, reduction, rotation, and deformation is performed. In an image arranged in a matrix, four linear filters are adjacent to each other. The color component of one pixel is determined by performing linear color difference interpolation so as to smooth the color difference of each pixel.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a fourth image obtained by smoothing the third image. As shown in FIG. 6, the fourth image obtained by smoothing the color difference between adjacent pixels in the third image has a small color difference between adjacent pixels because the color difference between the pixels is smoothed. Although the apparent resolution is not low, the image gives the impression of being out of focus.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 performs a synthesis process for generating a fifth image that is translucent and superimposed on the first image (S105). The process of translucent the fourth image in step S105 to generate the fifth image superimposed on the first image means that the fourth image is translucent when the fourth image is synthesized as a front layer of the first image. Therefore, it is a process of compositing so as to give an impression as if the first image is seen through, and in the pixels affected by both the components forming the fourth image and the pixels forming the first image. A fifth image is formed. Here, a method called alpha blend for synthesizing the fourth image and the first image using a coefficient called an alpha value is used. Specifically, each pixel of the fourth image and the first image is expressed by the following Expression 1. The stimulation value for each component of each pixel forming the fifth image is obtained from the stimulation value for each component. The fifth image is recorded in the drawing buffer memory 105a.

Zij = α · Xij + (1−α) Yij Equation 1
Where α: alpha value (synthesis coefficient); 0 ≦ α ≦ 1
Xij: Stimulus value of the pixel at the position where the coordinates in the superimposed image (fourth image) are (i, j) Yij: The pixel at the position where the coordinates in the original image (first image) are (i, j) Stimulus value Zij: Stimulus value of the pixel at the position where the coordinates in the composite image (fifth image) are (i, j)

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a fifth image generated by translucently overlaying the fourth image on the first image. As shown in FIG. 7, the fifth image obtained by synthesizing the fourth image and the first image by alpha blending is an image in which outlines of hair, face, body, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. are blurred, and the first image The image is a pseudo-halation process. However, the trace of the image corresponding to the second image is shown in the upper left corner.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 generates a sixth image in which a portion corresponding to the second image in the fifth image is replaced with a predetermined image (S106), and shows the generated sixth image. The image data is sent from the image output interface circuit 110 to the image D / A converter 111, converted into an analog signal by the image D / A converter 111, and the converted image data is sent to the display mechanism 500 ( In step S107, the display mechanism 500 displays an image based on the received image data.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a sixth image in which a portion corresponding to the second image in the fifth image is replaced with a predetermined image. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the portion corresponding to the second image is replaced with a black image. In addition to replacing the portion corresponding to the second image, the replacement of the portion corresponding to the second image can be made to the player by replacing the upper end portion and the lower end portion in the fifth image with the belt-like black images respectively. In addition to preventing an unnatural impression, the entire image gives a tight impression.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, halation is performed on the original image in a pseudo manner by simple processing such as enlargement, reduction, and composition, and processing using the function of the image rendering processor 103. Generate an image that caused

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The second embodiment is a mode in which image processing different from the pseudo halation in the first embodiment is performed. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Note that the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given and description thereof is omitted.

  Processing executed in the image processing apparatus 100 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the image processing apparatus 100 of the present invention, the following processing described with reference to FIG. 10 is executed under the control of the CPU 101 that executes the computer program 201 stored in the RAM 105. The image processing apparatus 100 generates a second image in which the brightness of the first image is increased (S201), and an opaque third image having a smaller size than the second image is superimposed on the generated second image. A synthesis process for generating four images is performed (S202). In steps S201 and S202, the first image is an image drawn as the last layer in the original original image, and the third image is drawn as a layer in front of the first image in the original original image. This is an image. As a specific example, in a video game imitating tennis, the first image is an image serving as a background, and the third image is an image of a tennis player. That is, the original image is created by superimposing the third image on the front surface of the first image. In steps S201 and S202, the brightness of the first image is increased. Specifically, each component of the first image is A synthesis process for generating a fourth image in which the third image is superimposed on the background of the so-called “whitened” background is performed by increasing the stimulus value.

  The image processing apparatus 100 generates a fifth image that is reduced by reducing the number of pixels of the fourth image (S203), performs a synthesis process of making the generated fifth image opaque and overlaying the fourth image (S204). A portion corresponding to the fifth image in the four images is enlarged to generate a sixth image (S205), and a seventh image in which the color difference between adjacent pixels forming the generated sixth image is smoothed is generated ( (S206), the seventh image is made translucent and an eighth image is generated by superimposing the fourth image on the fourth image (S207), and a portion corresponding to the fourth image in the eighth image is changed to a predetermined image. The replaced ninth image is generated (S208). In the image processing apparatus 100, the image data indicating the generated ninth image is sent from the image output interface circuit 110 to the image D / A converter 111 and converted into an analog signal by the image D / A converter 111. The image data converted into a signal is sent to the display mechanism 500 (S209), and the display mechanism 500 displays an image based on the received image data. Note that the processing in steps S203 to S209 in the second embodiment corresponds to the processing in steps S101 to S107 in the first embodiment.

  11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams illustrating images processed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows the original image, and FIG. 12 shows the ninth image generated in step S208. In the original image shown in FIG. 11, the upper end portion and the lower end portion in the image are respectively replaced with belt-like black images for comparison with the ninth image shown in FIG. The original image shown in FIG. 11 is an image obtained by synthesizing the tennis player indicated by the third image on the background indicated by the first image. In FIG. 11, a tennis court and a referee stand are drawn as a background, and a tennis player is drawn in front of the background. The background of the tennis court, the net and the net post, which are the background, are clearly drawn, and the tennis player is also clearly drawn from the face, body, arms, legs, racket and gut. . On the other hand, in FIG. 12, the process of steps S201 to S208 performs a pseudo transmitted light process in which the background image is whitened and the outline of the player character is blurred.

  As a method for generating an image obtained by subjecting the original image to pseudo transmitted light processing using the image processing apparatus 100 of the present invention, all pixels constituting the seventh image are made semitransparent and synthesized in step S207. Thus, not only a method for generating an image as shown in FIG. 12, but also an image subjected to pseudo transmitted light processing is generated by combining only a part of pixels in a translucent state in step S207. It is also possible. Specifically, in the process of synthesizing the image by the alpha blend shown by the above-described formula 1, the alpha value for the pixel in the third image, that is, the portion corresponding to the tennis player is set to zero. By setting the alpha value to 0 only for the pixels corresponding to the third image, for the pixels corresponding to the tennis player, the seventh image is made transparent and combined, so it corresponds to the tennis player of the fourth image. The pixel to be processed, that is, the third image which is the original image is drawn as it is. Therefore, the background is whitened and the outline is blurred, but only the tennis player is drawn with a clear outline, and an image that gives the impression that the tennis player is lifted from the entire image can be generated. Such an impression becomes more conspicuous when the alpha value of a pixel other than the portion corresponding to the third image, that is, the pixel corresponding to the background is brought close to 1 or is set to 1.

  In the above embodiment, the video game apparatus of the present invention is realized by executing the computer program on the home video game apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. It may be realized. 2 and 10, such as generation of the second image, generation of the third image, generation of the fourth image, generation of the fifth image, generation of the sixth image, generation of the seventh image, and generation of the eighth image. By using a ROM chip that executes various processes described with reference to the above, it may be developed in a commercial video game apparatus, and further applied to a video game apparatus in which an operation mechanism and a display mechanism are integrated. You may make it do.

  A number of techniques for performing some kind of processing on an image displayed as a video game have been announced, but the contents considered to be highly relevant to the present invention as an image processing method that produces visual effects such as pseudo-halation. The applicant of the present application could not find the prior art document describing the above at the time of filing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image processed with the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image processed with the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image processed with the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image processed with the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image processed with the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image processed with the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image processed with the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image processed with the image processing apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Image processing apparatus 101 CPU
102 signal processor 103 image drawing processor 104 auxiliary storage means 105 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 106 Input interface circuit 107 Audio | voice output interface circuit 108 Audio | voice D / A converter 109 Pre-main amplifier 110 Image output interface circuit 111 Image | video D / A converter 200 Recording medium 201 Computer program 300 Operation mechanism 301 Operation means 400 Audio | voice output mechanism 500 Display mechanism

Claims (6)

An image processing method using an image processing apparatus for processing a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Generating a reduced second image by reducing the number of pixels of the first image;
Making the second image opaque and overlaying it on the first image;
Generating a third image obtained by enlarging a portion corresponding to the second image within the first image to the size of the first image,
Generating a fourth image in which the color difference between adjacent pixels forming the third image is smoothed;
Generating a fifth image that is translucent to the fourth image and superimposed on the first image ;
An image processing method comprising: generating a sixth image in which a portion corresponding to the second image in the fifth image is replaced with a predetermined image . An image processing method using an image processing apparatus for processing a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Generating a second image with increased brightness of the first image;
Generating a fourth image in which a third image smaller than the second image is superimposed on the second image;
Generating a reduced fifth image by reducing the number of pixels of the fourth image;
Generating a sixth image obtained by enlarging the fifth image to the size of the fourth image;
Generating a seventh image in which a color difference between adjacent pixels forming the sixth image is smoothed;
The seventh image is made translucent to generate an eighth image superimposed on the fourth image.
An image processing method. An image processing apparatus for processing a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels,
Means for generating a reduced second image by reducing the number of pixels of the first image;
Means for making the second image opaque and superimposing it on the first image;
Means for generating a third image in which a portion corresponding to the second image in the first image is enlarged to the size of the first image;
Means for generating a fourth image in which a color difference between adjacent pixels forming the third image is smoothed;
Means for generating a fifth image obtained by translucently superposing the fourth image on the first image;
Means for generating a sixth image in which a portion corresponding to the second image in the fifth image is replaced with a predetermined image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing apparatus for processing a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels,
Means for generating a second image with increased brightness of the first image;
Means for generating a fourth image in which a third image smaller in size than the second image is superimposed on the second image;
Means for generating a reduced fifth image by reducing the number of pixels of the fourth image;
Means for generating a sixth image obtained by enlarging the fifth image to the size of the fourth image;
Means for generating a seventh image obtained by smoothing a color difference between adjacent pixels forming the sixth image;
Means for making the seventh image translucent and generating an eighth image superimposed on the fourth image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A computer program for causing a computer to process a bitmap image formed by a plurality of pixels,
Causing the computer to generate a second image reduced by reducing the number of pixels of the first image;
Making the computer opaque the generated second image and superimposing it on the first image;
A procedure for causing a computer to generate a third image in which a portion corresponding to the second image in the first image is enlarged to the size of the first image;
A step of causing a computer to generate a fourth image in which a color difference between adjacent pixels forming the generated third image is smoothed;
A procedure for causing a computer to generate a fifth image that is translucent and superimposed on the first image;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for generating a sixth image in which a portion corresponding to the second image in the generated fifth image is replaced with a predetermined image . A computer, a computer program for processing the bit map image formed by a plurality of pixels,
Causing the computer to generate a second image having a higher brightness of the first image;
A procedure for causing a computer to generate a fourth image in which a third image having a size smaller than the second image is superimposed on the generated second image;
A step of causing a computer to generate a reduced fifth image by reducing the number of pixels of the generated fourth image;
Causing the computer to generate a sixth image obtained by enlarging the generated fifth image to the size of the fourth image;
A step of causing a computer to generate a seventh image in which a color difference between adjacent pixels forming the generated sixth image is smoothed;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute a procedure of making the generated seventh image translucent and generating an eighth image superimposed on the fourth image .

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