JP4986835B2 - Collective display image output device, collective display image output method, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a collective display image output apparatus that generates and outputs a collective display image that is an image for displaying a plurality of figures collectively.

Conventionally, a technique for changing the layout of a figure by using a rule has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, a visual language called Viscuit has been developed, and animation and games can be easily created by using the visual language (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). In the biscuit, the figure can be moved or changed by using a predetermined rule regarding the change of the figure. Also, a plurality of rules can be used when changing the figure. In that case, the figure is changed by selecting the rule closest to the figure before the rule is applied and applying the selected rule to the figure.
JP 2005-18380 A Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Communication Science Laboratories, “Bisket”, [online], [December 13, 2007], Internet <URL: http://www.viscuit.com>

  On the other hand, setting information (for example, a rule) relating to a change in a figure is defined as in the case of creating a movie using a rule, and when changing a figure in accordance with the setting information, an initial figure and There is a problem that the predictability of the movement (change) of the graphic is low as in the case of Tween, in which the final graphic is specified and interpolated between them. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the change of the figure even though the change of the figure is determined by the initial figure and the setting information, so that the change of the figure as intended by the user is achieved. There is a problem that it is difficult to specify the figure and setting information.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and when a figure included in an initial image is changed according to setting information, the user can easily check each figure after the change. An object of the present invention is to provide a collective display image output device or the like that can be used.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes an initial image storage unit that stores an initial image including a graphic, a setting information storage unit that stores setting information that is information indicating a setting related to a change in the graphic, A graphic change unit that repeatedly executes a process of changing a graphic included in the initial image using the setting information and further changing the graphic after the change using the setting information, and the graphic change unit, An accumulation unit for accumulating an image including the changed figure, a collective display image creating unit for creating a batch display image for collectively displaying a predetermined number of graphic changes from the plurality of images accumulated by the accumulation unit, and An output unit that outputs the batch display image created by the batch display image creation unit, and the setting information includes a plurality of rules that are information indicating correspondence before and after the change of the attribute value of the figure And The graphic change unit includes a similarity calculation unit that calculates a similarity between an attribute value of a graphic included in the image before applying the rule and an attribute value of the graphic before the change indicated by the plurality of rules, and the similarity The selection means for selecting two or more rules having a high similarity calculated by the degree calculation means and the two or more rules selected by the selection means are combined at a ratio corresponding to the similarity calculated by the similarity calculation means. Using rule synthesis means, and rule application means for changing a figure included in an image before applying the rule, using the rules synthesized by the rule synthesis means, the similarity calculation means, the selection means, A collective display image output apparatus characterized in that the processing for changing the figure is performed by a rule synthesizing unit and the rule applying unit .
With such a configuration, even when a graphic change is determined by the initial graphic and setting information, the graphic change can be easily confirmed by using the batch display image. Therefore, it can be easily confirmed whether or not the graphic changes as intended by the user.

At this time, a collective display image showing a predetermined number of changes can be created.
Furthermore, a figure can be changed using a rule. In particular, by combining and applying rules, even if there are not many rules, it is possible to realize a variety of graphic changes. Further, by synthesizing the rules according to the similarity, it is possible to obtain the same effect as when a new rule for interpolating a preset rule is set. Further, since it is not necessary to prepare a large number of rules, the user's labor for setting the rules is also reduced.

In the collective display image output device described above, the collective display image creation unit creates a collective display image that also displays a graphic included in the initial image, and changes the graphic change unit in the collective display image. Each figure may be visually distinguishable from the figure included in the initial image.
With such a configuration, it is possible to clearly distinguish between a figure that can be directly changed by the user (a figure included in the initial image) and a figure that is not (a figure generated by the figure changing unit changing the figure). As a result, user convenience is improved.

In the collective display image output apparatus described above, the collective display image creation unit may create a collective display image in which each graphic changed by the graphic changing unit is translucent.
With such a configuration, each figure changed by the figure changing unit can be displayed so that the user can intuitively know that the user cannot directly change the figure.

In the batch display image output apparatus according to the present invention, an image change instruction information receiving unit that receives image change instruction information that is information for instructing change of the initial image, and an image change instruction received by the image change instruction information receiving unit. An image change unit that changes the initial image stored in the initial image storage unit according to the information may be further included.
With this configuration, the initial image can be changed according to the image change instruction information.

In the batch display image output device according to the present invention, a setting change instruction information receiving unit that receives setting change instruction information that is information for instructing change of the setting information, and a setting change instruction received by the setting change instruction information receiving unit A setting change unit that changes the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit according to the information may be further provided.
With such a configuration, the setting information can be changed by the setting change instruction information.

The present invention also provides a collective display image output comprising an initial image storage unit that stores an initial image including a graphic, and a setting information storage unit that stores setting information that is information indicating settings related to the graphic change. A batch display image output method processed using an apparatus, wherein in the batch display image output device, a figure changing unit changes a figure included in the initial image using the setting information, and changes the figure. A graphic change step for repeatedly executing a process for changing the figure after further using the setting information, a storage step for storing an image including the graphic changed in the graphic change step, and a collective display A batch display image creation step in which an image creation unit creates a batch display image for collectively displaying a predetermined number of graphic changes from the plurality of images accumulated in the accumulation step; Part is, have a, and outputting the batch display images created by the batch display image creating step, wherein the setting information includes a plurality of information indicating a correspondence after change before the change in the attribute value of the figure The graphic change step includes calculating a similarity between the attribute value of the graphic included in the image before applying the rule and the attribute value of the graphic before the change indicated by the plurality of rules. A degree calculating step, a selecting step for selecting two or more rules having a high similarity calculated in the similarity calculating step, and two or more rules selected in the selecting step are calculated in the similarity calculating step. A rule synthesis step for synthesizing at a ratio according to the degree of similarity, and a rule for changing a figure included in the image before applying the rule, using the rule synthesized in the rule synthesis step. And a step of applying, the similarity calculation step, said selecting step, said rule synthesis step, and, by the rule application step, batch display image output method for performing the processing for changing the shape, it is characterized by It is.

In addition, the present invention is a computer program that causes a computer to operate as the above-described batch display image output apparatus.
Further, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records the above-described computer program.

  According to the collective display image output device or the like according to the present invention, even when a change in a graphic is determined by an initial graphic and setting information, the change in the graphic can be easily confirmed by using the collective display image.

  Hereinafter, a graphic change device according to the present invention will be described using embodiments. In the following embodiments, components and steps denoted by the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and repetitive description may be omitted.

A batch display image output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a batch display image output apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the batch display image output apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an initial image storage unit 11, a setting information storage unit 12, a graphic change unit 13, a storage unit 14, a batch display image creation unit 15, An output unit 16, an image change instruction information receiving unit 17, an image changing unit 18, a setting change instruction information receiving unit 19, and a setting changing unit 20 are provided.

  The initial image storage unit 11 stores an initial image including a graphic. The initial image is the first image whose figure is changed by the figure changing unit 13. The image may be raster data or vector data. The figure is an object (object) whose attribute value is to be changed according to this rule. For example, the figure may be a figure such as a vehicle such as an automobile or an airplane, an animal, a person, a round shape, a square shape, It may be a figure such as a star or a character string, and is not limited to a specific one. The initial image is strictly information indicating the initial image, but is simply referred to as an initial image. The same applies to other images.

  The initial image storage unit 11 can be realized by a predetermined recording medium (for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.). The process in which the initial image is stored in the initial image storage unit 11 does not matter. For example, an initial image may be stored in the initial image storage unit 11 via a recording medium, and an initial image transmitted via a communication line or the like is stored in the initial image storage unit 11. Alternatively, the initial image input via the input device may be stored in the initial image storage unit 11. The storage in the initial image storage unit 11 may be temporary storage in RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like of performance data read from an external storage device or the like, or may be long-term storage.

  The setting information storage unit 12 stores setting information. Here, the setting information is information indicating a setting relating to a graphic change. The setting information may be, for example, settings relating to changes in the position and angle of the figure, color, shape, font of characters included in the figure, line thickness of the figure, and the like. In addition, this setting information may be information indicating a setting relating to a change in a figure (for example, that the figure moves 3 cm to the right) per predetermined time interval (for example, per frame), It may include a plurality of rules that are information indicating the correspondence before and after the change of the attribute value of the graphic. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the graphic change is set by a plurality of rules as in the latter case. Here, the rule is information indicating, for example, the correspondence before and after the change of the attribute value of the graphic. The attribute value of the figure may be, for example, the position of the figure, the angle of the figure, the color of the figure, the size of the figure, or the shape of the figure. It may be the thickness of a line for drawing a graphic, the size and type of a font included in the graphic, or a combination of two or more thereof. This rule may be, for example, information indicating the attribute value of the graphic before the change and the attribute value of the graphic after the change, and information indicating the attribute value of the graphic before the change and the change of the attribute value of the graphic (For example, a numerical value indicating the attribute value of the graphic before the change, a vector or a scalar indicating the change in the attribute value of the graphic, etc.), and information indicating the graphic before the change and the graphic after the change by an image. There may be other types of information. This rule is strictly information indicating a rule, but is simply referred to as a rule.

  The plurality of rules may be grouped into a plurality of groups. This grouping may or may not be done according to the attribute value. The former case may be, for example, a color change rule group, a movement group, etc., or, among movements, a straight movement group, a right movement group, a left movement group, etc. It may be a moving group or the like.

  The setting information storage unit 12 can be realized by a predetermined recording medium (for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.). The process in which the setting information is stored in the setting information storage unit 12 does not matter. For example, the setting information may be stored in the setting information storage unit 12 via a recording medium, and the setting information transmitted via a communication line or the like is stored in the setting information storage unit 12. Alternatively, the setting information input via the input device may be stored in the setting information storage unit 12. The storage in the setting information storage unit 12 may be temporary storage in RAM or the like of performance data read from an external storage device or the like, or long-term storage.

  The graphic change unit 13 changes the graphic included in the initial image stored in the initial image storage unit 11 using the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 12. Further, the graphic change unit 13 further changes the graphic after the change of the graphic included in the initial image using the setting information. As described above, the graphic changing unit 13 repeatedly executes the process of further changing the graphic after being changed using the setting information. In this way, an image including the changed figure is sequentially created.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the graphic changing unit 13 when changing the graphic using the rules included in the setting information. The graphic change unit 13 includes a similarity calculation unit 21, a selection unit 22, a rule synthesis unit 23, and a rule application unit 24.
The similarity calculation means 21 calculates the similarity between the attribute value of the graphic included in the image before applying the rule and the attribute value of the graphic before change indicated by the plurality of rules stored in the setting information storage unit 12. calculate. The image before applying the rule may be, for example, an initial image stored in the initial image storage unit 11 or an image stored in the storage unit 14. The similarity of position may be determined according to, for example, the proximity of a figure, the similarity of angle may be determined, for example, according to a difference in angle, and the similarity of shape may be determined, for example, as a shape A feature point may be extracted from the image, and it may be determined according to whether the feature point is approximate. When the shape change pattern is determined in advance, the shape similarity is determined by pattern matching, for example. May be. Since a method for calculating the similarity of various attribute values (for example, position, angle, shape, color, etc. as described above) of these figures is already known, detailed description thereof will be omitted. When calculating the similarity, for example, if it is necessary to calculate the attribute value from the figure before the change indicated by the rule or the figure included in the image before the rule is applied, the calculation process is also performed. Shall be made. Further, when calculating the similarity, it is not necessary to use all the attribute values of the graphic. For example, the similarity may be calculated using only the figure angle among the figure color, position, and angle.

  The selection unit 22 selects two or more rules having a high similarity calculated by the similarity calculation unit 21. High similarity means that it is higher than the similarity of other rules. Selecting a rule may be, for example, a process of storing information for identifying the selected rule in a predetermined recording medium. The following can be used as a method for selecting this rule.

(1) Select a predetermined number from those with higher similarity;
The selecting unit 22 specifies only a predetermined number from the highest similarity among the plurality of similarities calculated by the similarity calculating unit 21, and sets rules corresponding to the specified similarities. You may choose. In this case, for example, information indicating a predetermined number is stored in a recording medium (not shown), and the selection unit 22 may perform a selection process using the information.

(2) Select a similarity with a threshold value or higher;
The selection unit 22 specifies a similarity level equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value from among the plurality of similarity levels calculated by the similarity level calculation unit 21 and selects a rule corresponding to each of the specified similarity levels. Also good. In this case, for example, information indicating a predetermined threshold value is stored in a recording medium (not shown), and the selection unit 22 may perform a selection process using the information. Note that when a selection is made using a threshold value, there may be a case where only one rule can be selected, but a plurality of rules can be selected by appropriately setting the threshold value. Can be done.

(3) Select a predetermined number from those whose similarity is equal to or greater than a threshold value;
The selection unit 22 identifies a similarity level that is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold among the plurality of similarity levels calculated by the similarity level calculation unit 21, and has the highest similarity level among the specified similarity levels From this, only a predetermined number may be specified, and a rule corresponding to each specified similarity may be selected.

(4) Selection for each group;
When the rules are grouped, the selection unit 22 may select a group having a high similarity calculated by the similarity calculation unit 21. Selecting a group having a high degree of similarity means selecting each rule included in the group having the highest degree of similarity. Note that the similarity corresponding to the group in this case may be an average value of the similarity regarding each rule included in the group, and when the number of rules included in each group is the same, the similarity May be the total value.

  The rule synthesizing unit 23 synthesizes two or more rules selected by the selecting unit 22 at a ratio corresponding to the similarity calculated by the similarity calculating unit 21. For example, when the rule A and the rule B are selected, and the similarity with the rule A is higher than the similarity with the rule B, the rule synthesizing unit 23 determines that the rule is more than the rule B. Rule A and rule B are combined so as to be closer to A. For example, the rule synthesizing unit 23 can synthesize the rule by multiplying the change amount indicated by the rule and the ratio of the degree of similarity of the rule and adding the result for each selected rule. When the rules are grouped, the rule synthesis unit 23 may synthesize two or more rules included in the group selected by the selection unit 22. A specific rule composition method will be described later.

  The rule applying unit 24 uses the rule synthesized by the rule synthesizing unit 23 to change the figure included in the image before applying the rule. More specifically, the rule applying unit 24 applies the rule synthesized by the rule synthesizing unit 23 to the graphic included in the initial image or the graphic included in the image accumulated by the accumulation unit 14. Change the shape. The change depends on the content of the rule. The change is, for example, movement or rotation, color change, shape change, or the like. A specific rule application method will be described later.

  As described above, the similarity calculation unit 21, the selection unit 22, the rule synthesis unit 23, and the rule application unit 24 change the graphic included in the initial image and the graphic included in the image accumulated by the accumulation unit 14. become.

  As described above, FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the figure changing unit 13 when a figure is changed using the rule included in the setting information, and the figure changing unit is set using the setting information other than the rule. Needless to say, when the figure 13 changes the figure, the figure changing unit 13 may have another structure. In this embodiment, a case is described in which rules are combined according to the degree of similarity and the combined rules are applied. However, the rules may not be combined. For example, the selection unit 22 selects any one rule having the highest similarity, and the rule application unit 24 applies the selected rule to a graphic included in the initial image or an image stored by the storage unit 14. You may apply to the change of the figure contained. In this case, the rule synthesizing means 23 is not necessary.

  The accumulating unit 14 accumulates an image including the graphic changed by the graphic changing unit 13 in a predetermined recording medium. The recording medium is, for example, a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or the like, and may be included in the storage unit 14 or may exist outside the storage unit 14. Further, this recording medium may or may not store an image temporarily. When an image is temporarily stored, a volatile recording medium (for example, a main memory or a register) may be used.

  The collective display image creation unit 15 creates a collective display image that is an image for collectively displaying each graphic included in each image from the plurality of images accumulated by the accumulation unit 14. The collective display image creation unit 15 may or may not create a collective display image that also displays graphics included in the initial image. In the present embodiment, the former case will be described.

  Note that the collective display image creation unit 15 may create a collective display image by, for example, displaying a plurality of images accumulated by the accumulation unit 14 in a superimposed manner, or a plurality of images included in the plurality of images. Only a figure (object) may be taken out and a batch display image for displaying the plurality of figures may be newly created, and the method for creating the batch display image is not limited. In the latter case, the batch display image may or may not include an image other than a graphic, for example, a background. When an image such as a background other than a graphic is included in the batch display image, the image other than the graphic may be, for example, an image prepared for the batch display image or accumulated by the storage unit 14. It may be an image used in any of a plurality of images.

  Further, the collective display image creation unit 15 may create a collective display image that collectively displays a figure after a predetermined number of changes. The predetermined number of times is stored in a recording medium (not shown), and the collective display image creation unit 15 may read and use it. This predetermined number is generally a value of 2 or more. The figure after the change for the predetermined number of times is generally the number after the change from the initial image. For example, when the predetermined number of times is set to “10”, the figure included in the initial image You may make it include even the figure changed 10 times in a batch display image. The collective display image creation unit 15 may create a collective display image that collectively displays each graphic included in each successive image, or collects each graphic included in each non-continuous image. A batch display image to be displayed may be created. In the latter case, for example, when the predetermined number of times is set to “10”, a batch display image is displayed in which one figure is skipped from the figure included in the initial image to the figure changed 20 times. May be. Further, the figure after the predetermined number of changes is generally the number of times after the change from the initial image, but this need not be the case. It may be the number of times starting from a specific changed figure. In addition, if the number of images (frames) included per second is fixed (for example, when the frame rate is fixed), the predetermined number of times is specified by specifying the time for creating the batch display image It is also possible to do.

  Further, the collective display image creating unit 15 may make it possible to visually distinguish each graphic changed by the graphic changing unit 13 from the graphic included in the initial image in the collective display image. For example, the collective display image creation unit 15 may create a collective display image in which each graphic changed by the graphic changing unit 13 is translucent, and the color of each graphic changed by the graphic changing unit 13 changes. A batch display image that is displayed may be created, or a batch display image that is displayed by changing the display method (for example, blinking, etc.) of each of the graphics changed by the graphic changing unit 13 may be created. Also good. Note that the display method is not limited to the above as long as the two can be distinguished. By doing so, it is possible to distinguish between a figure that can be directly changed by the user (for example, a figure included in the initial image) and a figure that is not (a figure changed by the figure changing unit 13). Become. In particular, when each figure changed by the figure changing unit 13 is displayed translucently, it can be intuitively presented to the user that the user cannot directly change the changed figure.

  The output unit 16 outputs the batch display image created by the batch display image creation unit 15. Here, the output may be, for example, display on a display device (for example, a CRT or a liquid crystal display), transmission via a communication line to a predetermined device, printing by a printer, or output to a recording medium. It may be accumulated. The output unit 16 may or may not include an output device (for example, a display device or a printer). The output unit 16 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives these devices.

  The image change instruction information receiving unit 17 receives image change instruction information which is information for instructing change of the initial image. The change of the initial image may be, for example, a change of the position and angle of the graphic included in the initial image, the color, the shape, the font of the character included in the graphic, the thickness of the line of the graphic, and the like. Here, the reception may be, for example, reception of information input from an input device (for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc.), reception of information transmitted via a wired or wireless communication line, Information read from a recording medium (for example, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory) may be accepted. Note that the image change instruction information receiving unit 17 may or may not include a device (for example, a modem or a network card) for receiving. Further, the image change instruction information receiving unit 17 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a predetermined device.

  The image changing unit 18 changes the initial image stored in the initial image storage unit 11 in accordance with the image change instruction information received by the image change instruction information receiving unit 17. By this change, the change instructed by the image change instruction information is made to the initial image.

  The setting change instruction information receiving unit 19 receives setting change instruction information which is information for instructing a change of the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 12. The change of the setting information may be, for example, a change of a rule included in the setting information, or other changes. Here, the reception may be, for example, reception of information input from an input device (for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc.), reception of information transmitted via a wired or wireless communication line, Information read from a recording medium (for example, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory) may be accepted. The setting change instruction information receiving unit 19 may or may not include a device (for example, a modem or a network card) for receiving. The setting change instruction information receiving unit 19 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a predetermined device.

The setting change unit 20 changes the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 12 according to the setting change instruction information received by the setting change instruction information receiving unit 19. By this change, the change instructed by the setting change instruction information is made to the setting information.
The initial image storage unit 11, the setting information storage unit 12, and the predetermined recording medium on which the storage unit 14 stores images may be realized by the same recording medium or by different recording media. Also good. In the former case, for example, the area storing the initial image is the initial image storage unit 11, and the area storing the setting information is the setting information storage unit 12.

  Next, the operation of the batch display image output apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described using a flowchart.

  (Step S101) The graphic change unit 13 determines whether to create a batch display image. If a batch display image is to be created, the process proceeds to step S102. If not, the process proceeds to step S109. Note that the timing at which the graphic changing unit 13 determines to create a batch display image does not matter. For example, it may be determined to create a batch display image at the timing when an instruction to create a batch display image is input to the batch display image output apparatus 1, or may be determined to periodically create a batch display image. Alternatively, it may be determined that the batch display image is created at other timing.

  (Step S <b> 102) The graphic change unit 13 reads an initial image from the initial image storage unit 11. The read initial image may be temporarily stored in a recording medium (not shown) of the graphic change unit 13.

(Step S103) The graphic changing unit 13 changes the graphic included in the image read immediately before using the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 12. This read image may be the initial image read in step S102 or the image read in step S106 described later. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
(Step S104) The accumulating unit 14 accumulates an image including a graphic changed by the graphic changing unit 13 in a predetermined recording medium.

  (Step S105) The graphic change unit 13 determines whether or not to end the graphic change. If the process is to end, the process proceeds to step S107. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S106. For example, the graphic change unit 13 may determine that the graphic change is to be ended when the graphic is changed a preset number of times, or may be determined to end the graphic change in response to an instruction from the user. Alternatively, it may be determined that the graphic change is finished at another timing.

  (Step S106) The graphic change unit 13 reads the latest image among the images accumulated by the accumulation unit 14. The read image may be temporarily stored in a recording medium (not shown) of the graphic change unit 13. Then, the process returns to step S103.

(Step S <b> 107) The batch display image creation unit 15 creates a batch display image using the images accumulated by the storage unit 14. The batch display image creation unit 15 may use an initial image for creating a batch display image.
(Step S108) The output unit 16 outputs the batch display image created by the batch display image creation unit 15. Then, the process returns to step S101.

(Step S109) In step S101, when it is determined not to create a batch display image, the image change instruction information receiving unit 17 determines whether image change instruction information has been received. And when it receives, it progresses to step S110, and when that is not right, it progresses to step S111.
(Step S110) The image changing unit 18 changes the initial image according to the image change instruction information received by the image change instruction information receiving unit 17. Then, the process returns to step S101.

(Step S111) When it is determined in step S109 that image change instruction information has not been received, the setting change instruction information receiving unit 19 determines whether setting change instruction information has been received. If the setting change instruction information is received, the process proceeds to step S112. If not, the process returns to step S101.
(Step S112) The setting changing unit 20 changes the setting information according to the setting change instruction information received by the setting change instruction information receiving unit 19. Then, the process returns to step S101.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process is terminated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the process (step S103) for changing the figure in the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, a case is described in which the setting information includes a rule, and the graphic is changed using the rule. However, as described above, the graphic change is not limited to this. Absent.

  (Step S201) The similarity calculation means 21 reads the latest image accumulated by the accumulation unit 14, reads the attribute value of the figure before the change in the plurality of rules stored in the setting information storage unit 12, and the read latest The similarity with the attribute value of the figure included in the image is calculated. This process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S202) The selection unit 22 selects two or more rules having a high similarity calculated by the similarity calculation unit 21.
(Step S203) The rule synthesizing unit 23 reads two or more rules selected by the selecting unit 22 from the setting information storage unit 12, and synthesizes these rules. As described above, the rules are combined at a rate corresponding to the similarity calculated by the similarity calculation means 21.
(Step S204) The rule application unit 24 reads the latest image accumulated by the accumulation unit 14, and applies the rule synthesized by the rule synthesis unit 23 to the graphic included in the read latest image. By this application, the figure is changed. And it returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the process of calculating the similarity (step S201) in the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S301) The similarity calculation means 21 sets a counter i to 1.
(Step S302) The similarity calculation unit 21 reads the i-th rule from the setting information storage unit 12, reads the latest image accumulated by the accumulation unit 14, and the attribute value of the figure before the change in the read rule And the similarity between the attribute value of the graphic contained in the latest read image is calculated.
(Step S303) The similarity calculation means 21 temporarily stores the calculated similarity in association with information for identifying the rule used in the calculation in a predetermined recording medium.

(Step S304) The similarity calculation means 21 increments the counter i by 1.
(Step S305) The similarity calculation unit 21 refers to the setting information storage unit 12 and determines whether or not the i-th rule exists. And when it exists, it returns to step S302, and when it does not exist, it returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the operation of the batch display image output apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described using a specific example. In this specific example, description will be made using an airplane figure. The change due to the rule is assumed to be the movement of the airplane and the change (rotation) of the direction. Further, it is assumed that the selection means 22 selects the rule having the highest similarity from the top two.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of rules stored in the setting information storage unit 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the graphic before the change and the graphic after the change are associated with each other. The rule ID is information for identifying each rule. For example, the rule indicated by the rule ID “1” defines a rule that the airplane moves forward.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a rule description method different from FIG. In this description method, the figure before and after the change (in this example, an airplane figure) is displayed on the same screen. Set the x-axis in the horizontal direction and the y-axis in the vertical direction with the reference point of the figure before the change (in this example, the center of the airplane) as the origin, and the main axis of the figure (in this example, the longitudinal direction of the fuselage of the airplane) And the angle θi between the x axis and the axis. In addition, by setting a vector Vi (xi, yi) starting from the reference point of the graphic before and after the change and ending with the reference point of the graphic after the change and a relative angle difference Φi between the graphic before and after the change. Write the rules. Accordingly, the rule shown in FIG. 7 indicates that the vector moves by Vi and rotates counterclockwise by the angle Φi. In the example of FIG. 7, two axes are taken in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. However, any two axes can be taken as long as they are orthogonal with the reference point of the figure before the change as the origin.

  Processing for applying the rule shown in FIG. 7 to the graphic before application of the rule shown in FIG. 8 will be described. The x axis and the y axis are set so that the main axis of the graphic before application of the rule in FIG. 8 and the main axis of the graphic in FIG. At the set xy coordinates, the rule set in FIG. 7 is applied, that is, the translation by the vector Vi and the rotation operation of the angle difference Φi are performed. Thereby, a rule for a figure can be applied.

Next, a rule synthesis method will be described. Here, a case where the following two rules are combined will be described.
(Rule 1): Vector V1, rotation angle φ1
(Rule 2): Vector V2, rotation angle φ2

Further, it is assumed that the similarity between the attribute value of the figure to which the rule is applied and the attribute value of the figure before the change of the rule is as follows. A method for calculating the similarity will be described later.
(Rule 1): Similarity r1
(Rule 2): Similarity r2

  In this case, the combined vector V is as follows.

  Further, the rotation angle φ after synthesis is expressed by the following equation.

  As for the application of the rule after synthesis, only the vector V after synthesis and the rotation angle φ after synthesis are applied to the figure before the rule application, and it is the same as described above.

Next, a series of processes from when images including changed figures are sequentially accumulated and a batch display image is created and output using the images will be described.
First, it is assumed that the initial image shown in FIG. 9 is stored in the initial image storage unit 11. Further, in the collective display image, it is assumed that the graphic after five changes is displayed in a batch. In such a situation, it is assumed that the user inputs an instruction to create a batch display image to the batch display image output apparatus 1. Then, the graphic change unit 13 determines that it is time to create a batch display image (FIG. 3: step S101), and reads the initial image shown in FIG. 9 from the initial image storage unit 11 (FIG. 3: step S102). . Then, the graphic change unit 13 performs a process of changing the graphic included in the initial image (FIG. 3: step S103).

  As a process of changing a figure, first, a similarity calculation process is performed by the similarity calculation means 21 (FIG. 4: step S201). Specifically, the similarity calculation unit 21 reads the rule with the rule ID “1” shown in FIG. 6 from the setting information storage unit 12, the figure attribute value before the change of the rule, and the accepted figure. The similarity with the attribute value of the graphic included in the image indicated by 9 is calculated (FIG. 4: steps S301 and S302). Here, the similarity calculation means 21 calculates the similarity r using the following equation.

  Here, W is a constant value to be appropriately selected. Further, θ is the angle of the graphic included in the image read by the graphic changing unit 13, and θi is the angle of the graphic before the change in the rule ID “i”. As shown in FIG. 10, θ is an angle between the X axis of the XY coordinate system, which is an absolute coordinate system set for the image, and the orientation of the figure. That is, the angle is used as the attribute value of the figure for calculating the similarity. The orientation of the figure is set in the longitudinal direction of the airplane fuselage as described above. The same applies to rules. Therefore, the angle difference between the graphic before the change of the rule and the graphic included in the image read by the graphic changing unit 13 is obtained by | θi−θ |. The similarity is a value corresponding to the difference in angle. The similarity r becomes closer to 1 as the difference between the values of θi and θ is smaller (that is, as the difference between the angles is smaller), and as the difference between the values of θi and θ is larger (that is, as described above). The larger the angle difference, the closer to 0.

  Assume that the similarity between the angle of the figure before the change in the rule of rule ID “1” and the angle of the figure included in the image read by the figure changing unit 13 is 0.5. Then, the similarity calculation unit 21 temporarily stores the similarity “0.5” in association with the rule ID “1” (FIG. 5: step S303). The first record in FIG. 11 shows the correspondence between the rule ID temporarily stored in this way and the similarity. Thereafter, the similarity calculation means 21 sequentially calculates the similarity for each rule ID (FIG. 5: steps S304, S305, S302, S303). Finally, it is assumed that the information for associating the temporarily stored rule ID with the similarity is as shown in FIG. The similarity calculation unit 21 passes the table shown in FIG. 11 to the selection unit 22.

  Upon receiving the table, the selection means 22 sorts the records included in the table in descending order of similarity, and selects the top two rule IDs (FIG. 4: step S202). Here, it is assumed that the selected rule IDs are “1” and “2”. Then, the selection unit 22 passes the selected rule ID and the corresponding degree of similarity to the rule synthesis unit 23.

  The rule synthesizing unit 23 reads the rules with the rule IDs “1” and “2” received from the selection unit 22 from the setting information storage unit 12, respectively. From the read rules, the vector V and the rotation angle are read as described above. φ is calculated (FIG. 4: Step S203). Then, the calculated vector V and the rotation angle φ are passed to the rule applying means 24.

  The rule applying unit 24 changes the figure included in the initial image shown in FIG. 9 as described above using the vector V received from the rule synthesizing unit 23 and the rotation angle φ (FIG. 4: step). S204). As a result, the figure is changed as shown in FIG. The image shown in FIG. 12 shows the outline of the screen to which the rule shown in FIG. 6 is applied, and the position of the figure is not accurate.

  The accumulating unit 14 accumulates the image shown in FIG. 12 created by the figure changing unit 13 in a predetermined recording medium (FIG. 3: step S104). In this specific example, since it is set to collectively display the graphic after five changes, the graphic changing unit 13 determines not to end the graphic change (FIG. 3: step S105). 12), the storage unit 14 reads the image shown in FIG. 12 from the recording medium on which the image is stored (FIG. 3: step S106).

  Thereafter, the graphic changing unit 13 changes the graphic by performing the same processing as the above-described processing on the graphic included in the image shown in FIG. 12 (FIG. 3: step S103). Then, the storage unit 14 stores the changed image of the figure on a recording medium (not shown) (FIG. 3: step S104). In this way, the process of changing the graphic and the process of accumulating the image including the graphic after the change are repeated a total of five times.

  After the accumulating unit 14 accumulates the image with the graphic changed five times, the graphic changing unit 13 determines that the process of changing the graphic is finished (FIG. 3: step S105), and the collective display image creating unit 15 collects the image. Give instructions to create a display image. Then, the collective display image creation unit 15 reads the five images accumulated by the accumulation unit 14 and the initial image stored in the initial image storage unit 11. Then, a batch display image is created so that the graphic included in the initial image is displayed as it is, and the graphic included in each image stored by the storage unit 14 is displayed semi-transparently (FIG. 3: Step S107). ). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the batch display image. In the collective display image, the figure after the change is shown as translucent (in the figure, the broken line indicates translucent). Note that the image shown in FIG. 13 shows an outline of the screen to which the rule shown in FIG. 6 is applied, and the graphic change or the like is not accurate.

  The output unit 16 displays the batch display image shown in FIG. 13 created by the batch display image creation unit 15 on a predetermined display device (FIG. 3: step S108). In this way, the user of the batch display image output apparatus 1 can know the result of changing the figure included in the initial image a plurality of times according to the setting information. If the movement is not desired, the movement can be changed by changing the graphic or setting information included in the initial image. Note that the process of changing the initial image or changing the setting information is conventionally known and will not be described in detail.

In this specific example, a moving image is generated by sequentially displaying the images accumulated by the accumulation unit 14. Since the two rules are combined and used in the generation of the moving image, it is possible to generate a moving image utilizing each rule.
Further, in this specific example, the case where the degree of similarity is calculated using the angle of the graphic as the attribute value has been described. However, the degree of similarity may be calculated using an attribute value other than the angle of the graphic, The degree of similarity may be calculated using other attribute values together with the angle. In this specific example, the case where the similarity is in the range of 0 to 1 has been described, but this need not be the case.
Further, in this specific example, the case where the graphic is changed by movement and angular change (rotation) has been described. However, as described above, other changes may be made. For example, a shape change, a size change, a color change, or the like may be performed.
Further, in this specific example, the case where two rules are combined has been described, but the same can be done when three or more rules are combined. For example, it can be synthesized as follows. However, N is an integer greater than or equal to 3.

Further, in this specific example, the case has been described in which the graphics after five changes are collectively displayed, but needless to say, this need not be the case. The graphic after the change more than 5 times may be displayed at once, or the graphic after the change less than 5 times may be displayed at once.
Further, in this specific example, the case where only the graphic is included in the image has been described, but the image may include a graphic other than the graphic to be changed. For example, the background may be included, and other objects may be included.

  As described above, according to the collective display image output apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, by creating and outputting a collective display image including a plurality of changed figures, the figure included in the initial image is set according to the setting information. In this case, the user can easily check each figure after the change. Therefore, the user can easily confirm whether or not the change is intended, and if the change is not intended, the user can change the initial image and setting information. be able to. Then, using the changed initial image and setting information, the user can confirm again whether or not the change is intended.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores a plurality of images including the graphic after the change in an overlapping manner in the same recording area, so that the plurality of images stored by the storage unit 14 can be collectively displayed. An image may be constructed. In this case, the collective display image creation unit 15 can create a collective display image by reading the image from an area where the plurality of images are recorded in an overlapping manner. Thus, the creation of the batch display image includes reading of the batch display image.

  In each of the above embodiments, each processing or each function may be realized by centralized processing by a single device or a single system, or distributed processing by a plurality of devices or a plurality of systems. May be realized.

  In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component can be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU (central processing unit) reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. The software that realizes the batch display image output apparatus in the above embodiment is the following program. In other words, this program uses the setting information, which is information indicating settings relating to the change of the figure, to the computer to change the figure included in the initial image including the figure, and further changes the figure after the change to the setting information. A graphic change step for repeatedly executing the process using the graphic change step, a storage step for storing an image including the graphic changed in the graphic change step, and a plurality of images stored in the storage step. A batch display image creation step for creating a batch display image, which is an image for collectively displaying each contained figure, and an output step for outputting the batch display image created in the batch display image creation step are executed. Is for.

In the above program, the output step for outputting information does not include at least processing performed only by hardware, for example, processing performed by a modem or an interface card in the output step.
Further, this program may be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like, and a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like) is read out. May be executed by
Further, the computer that executes this program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the external appearance of a computer that executes the program and realizes the batch display image output apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The above-described embodiment is realized by computer hardware and a computer program executed on the computer hardware.
14, a computer system 100 includes a computer 101 including a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) drive 105 and an FD (Flexible Disk) drive 106, a keyboard 102, a mouse 103, and a monitor 104.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a computer system. In FIG. 15, in addition to the CD-ROM drive 105 and the FD drive 106, a computer 101 is connected to a CPU 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112 for storing a program such as a boot-up program, and the CPU 111, and an application A RAM (Random Access Memory) 113 that temporarily stores program instructions and a temporary storage space, a hard disk 114 that stores application programs, system programs, and data, and a CPU 111 and a ROM 112 are interconnected. And a bus 115. The computer 101 may include a network card (not shown) that provides connection to the LAN.

  A program that causes the computer system 100 to execute the functions of the batch display image output apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the CD-ROM 121 or the FD 122, inserted into the CD-ROM drive 105 or the FD drive 106, and the hard disk. 114 may be transferred. Alternatively, the program may be transmitted to the computer 10 via a network (not shown) and stored in the hard disk 114. The program is loaded into the RAM 113 at the time of execution. The program may be loaded directly from the CD-ROM 121, the FD 122, or the network.

The program does not necessarily include an operating system (OS) or a third-party program that causes the computer 101 to execute the functions of the batch display image output apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment. The program may include only a part of an instruction that calls an appropriate function (module) in a controlled manner and obtains a desired result. How the computer system 100 operates is well known and will not be described in detail.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the collective display image output device or the like according to the present invention, it is possible to easily check the figure after the change, for example, create a moving image by changing the figure included in the initial image according to the setting information. This is useful in systems that

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a batch display image output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the figure change part in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the batch display image output device by the embodiment. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the batch display image output device by the embodiment. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the batch display image output device by the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the rule in the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the rule in the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating application of the rule in the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the initial stage image in the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating calculation of the similarity in the same embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the similarity in the same embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the image to which the rule in the same embodiment was applied. The figure which shows an example of the batch display image in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the external appearance of the computer system in the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the computer system in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Batch display image output device 11 ... Initial image storage part 12 ... Setting information storage part 13 ... Graphic change part 14 ... Accumulation part 15 ... Collective display image creation part 16 ... Output part 17 ... Image change instruction information reception part 18 ... Image Change unit 19 ... Setting change instruction information receiving unit 20 ... Setting change unit 21 ... Similarity calculation means 22 ... Selection means 23 ... Rule composition means 24 ... Rule application means

Claims (4)

An initial image storage unit for storing an initial image including a graphic;
A setting information storage unit that stores setting information that is information indicating settings related to the change in the graphic;
A graphic change unit that repeatedly executes a process of changing a graphic included in the initial image using the setting information, and further changing the graphic after the change using the setting information,
An accumulating unit that accumulates an image including a graphic changed by the graphic changing unit;
A batch display image creation unit for creating a batch display image for collectively displaying a predetermined number of graphic changes from a plurality of images accumulated by the storage unit;
An output unit for outputting the batch display image created by the batch display image creation unit;
Equipped with a,
The setting information includes a plurality of rules that are information indicating correspondence before and after the change of the attribute value of the figure,
The graphic change part is
Similarity calculation means for calculating the similarity between the attribute value of the graphic included in the image before applying the rule and the attribute value of the graphic before the change indicated by the plurality of rules;
Selecting means for selecting two or more rules having a high similarity calculated by the similarity calculating means;
A rule synthesizing unit that synthesizes two or more rules selected by the selecting unit at a ratio according to the similarity calculated by the similarity calculating unit;
Using rule synthesized by the rule synthesizing means, rule applying means for changing a figure included in an image before applying the rule, and
Performing the process of changing the figure by the similarity calculation means, the selection means, the rule synthesis means, and the rule application means;
A collective display image output device characterized by the above. Processed using a collective display image output device comprising an initial image storage unit for storing an initial image including a figure, and a setting information storage unit for storing setting information which is information indicating settings relating to the change of the figure. A batch display image output method,
In the batch display image output device,
A graphic change step in which a graphic change unit repeatedly executes a process of changing a graphic included in the initial image using the setting information and further changing the graphic after the change using the setting information; ,
An accumulating step for accumulating an image including the graphic changed in the graphic changing step;
A batch display image creation unit for creating a batch display image for collectively displaying a predetermined number of graphic changes from a plurality of images accumulated in the accumulation step;
An output unit that outputs the batch display image created in the batch display image creation step;
I have a,
The setting information includes a plurality of rules that are information indicating correspondence before and after the change of the attribute value of the figure,
The graphic change step includes:
A similarity calculation step of calculating the similarity between the attribute value of the graphic included in the image before applying the rule and the attribute value of the graphic before the change indicated by the plurality of rules;
A selection step for selecting two or more rules having a high similarity calculated in the similarity calculation step;
A rule synthesis step of synthesizing two or more rules selected in the selection step at a ratio according to the similarity calculated in the similarity calculation step;
A rule applying step of changing a figure included in an image before applying the rule, using the rule synthesized in the rule synthesizing step;
Performing the process of changing the figure by the similarity calculation step, the selection step, the rule synthesis step, and the rule application step;
A batch display image output method characterized by the above. A computer program for causing a computer to operate as the batch display image output apparatus according to claim 1 . The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the computer program of Claim 3 .

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