JP5092888B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method. Specifically, even if the number of detected feature areas is changed by determining the cutout range so that a feature area including a characteristic part of the subject is included and transmitting image information of this cutout range, the user Does not require manual adjustment of the cutout range, and relates to an image processing apparatus or the like that is intended to improve the user-friendliness.

  In a videophone using a conventional PC (Personal Computer) or a portable terminal, there is usually one speaker. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for adjusting a face image of one speaker to an optimal image frame and transmitting the image.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 26A, in a communication system in which a video camera 200 and a PC (Personal Computer) 300 are connected via a USB cable 400, the following Such video stream transmission is possible. 26B shows an example of image display on the display panel 210 of the video camera 200, and FIG. 26C shows an example of image display on the display panel of the PC 300.

In this case, in the video camera 200, a detection frame FLa including a face is determined from the captured image as shown in FIG. In the video camera 200, the image data of the detection frame FLa is cut out from the captured image data and is streamed to the PC 300. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26C, an image corresponding to the above-described detection frame FLa is displayed on the display panel 310 of the PC 300 as shown in FIG.
JP 2002-51315 A

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 described above cannot be applied to a video conference when there are a plurality of speakers. In this case, it is necessary to manually adjust the image frame of the camera so that all the speakers are in the image frame, which is not convenient for the user.

  An object of the present invention is to improve user convenience.

The concept of this invention is
A feature area detection unit that detects a feature area of the captured image including a characteristic part of the subject based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject;
A cutout range determination unit for determining a cutout range including the detected feature area based on the area information of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit;
An image cutout unit that cuts out image information of the cutout range from image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject based on the region information of the cutout range determined by the cutout range determination unit;
An image transmission unit that transmits the image information cut out by the image cutout unit ,
The feature area detector
Periodically, the feature area is detected based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject,
A storage unit for storing feature area information of each feature area to which a feature area number is assigned;
Each time the feature area is detected,
The feature areas stored in the storage unit are sequentially processed. When overlapping feature areas are detected, the detection count is incremented and the feature area information is updated. When no overlapping feature areas are detected, detection is performed. When the count is decremented and the detection count reaches a specified value, the corresponding feature area information is deleted from the storage unit,
When there is detection of a feature area that does not overlap with any of the feature areas to be processed, feature area information of the feature area is newly assigned a feature area number and stored in the storage unit as a detection count of 1,
The cutout range determination unit
Among the feature areas stored in the storage unit, a feature area whose detection count is equal to or greater than a specified value is set as an activated feature area, and the activated feature area is based on the area information of the activated feature area. The image processing apparatus determines a cutout range including a feature area .

  In the present invention, the feature area detection unit detects the feature area of the captured image based on the image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject. The characteristic area is an area that includes a characteristic part of the subject, for example, part or all of a human face, a specific object, a specific animal, and the like. For example, when a feature area including a human face is detected, a conventionally known face detection method is used.

  The cutout range determination unit determines the cutout range including the detected feature area based on the position information of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit. In this case, when there are a plurality of detected feature areas, the cutout range is determined so as to include all of the detected feature areas.

  For example, the clipping range is determined so as to have a predetermined aspect ratio for convenience of use on the receiving side. For example, in the detection feature area, the leftmost value is L, the uppermost value is T, the rightmost value is R, the lowermost value is B, and the distance from the uppermost edge to the upper end of the cutout range and the lowermost value When the distance to the lower end of the cutout range is a, the distance from the leftmost end to the left end of the cutout range, the distance from the rightmost end to the right end of the cutout range is b, and the aspect ratio is h: v, {| R- L | + 2b}: {| B−T | + 2a} = h: The distance a and the distance b are obtained so as to satisfy the expression v, and the cutout range is determined. Here, the area of the distance a and the distance b is a “margin area” for setting the aspect ratio of the cutout range to h: v.

  The detected feature area and the determined clipping range are displayed on the display panel that displays the captured image, for example, by the graphic display unit so as to overlap the captured image. With this display, the user can easily recognize the detected feature area and the cutout range determined thereby.

  Based on the position information of the cutout range determined by the cutout range determination unit, the image cutout unit cuts out image information of the cutout range from the image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject. Then, the image information cut out by the image cutout unit is transmitted by the image transmission unit. In this case, the image information cut out by the image cutout unit is transmitted directly or after being compressed and encoded. For example, it is transmitted to an external device such as a PC connected by a USB cable.

  As described above, in the present invention, the cutout range is automatically determined so that the detected feature area is included, and image information of this cutout range is transmitted, and the user adjusts the cutout range. There is no need to do this, and usability is improved.

  In this invention, for example, it further includes a user operation unit that sets to exclude a predetermined feature area from the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit, and cancels this setting. Of the feature areas detected by the feature area detection unit, a cutout range including other feature areas excluding the feature areas excluded from the cutout target by the user operation unit may be determined. By operating the user operation unit, the user can exclude a predetermined feature area from the cut-out target or cancel the exclusion, and can select whether to transmit image information of the predetermined feature area. It becomes possible.

  In this case, as described above, the user operation unit uses the display of the feature area displayed on the display panel by the graphic display unit, and performs setting and cancellation, for example, by pressing the touch panel arranged on the display panel. Alternatively, it may be configured. The user can easily perform the setting and canceling operations by performing the setting and canceling using the display of the characteristic area of the display panel. In this case, the graphic display unit changes the display mode of the predetermined feature area excluded from the cutout target, so that the user can easily exclude the predetermined feature area from the cutout target. It becomes possible to confirm.

  In the present invention, for example, the feature area detection unit periodically detects the feature area based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject, and the feature area detection unit is excluded from the cut target by the user operation unit. The storage unit that stores the image information of the predetermined feature area that is set to be compared with the image information of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit and the image information stored in the storage unit An exclusion determination unit that determines whether or not the feature area detected by the area detection unit is a feature area corresponding to a predetermined feature area that is set to be excluded from the extraction target; The unit is based on the position information of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit and the determination result of the exclusion determination unit, and among the feature areas detected by the feature area detection unit, Determining a clipping range that includes the other features area excluding the feature area excluded from the cut target at work section, it may be adapted.

  The image information of the predetermined feature area set to be excluded from the extraction target is stored in the storage unit, and the image information of the feature area detected periodically is stored in the storage unit. In comparison, it is configured to determine whether or not the detected feature area is excluded from the extraction target, so that the feature area excluded from the extraction target is once out of the captured image and then again in the captured image. Even in the case of entering, it is possible to continue to handle the feature area as being excluded from the extraction target.

  In the present invention, for example, the characteristic part of the subject included in the feature area is a human face, and the feature area detection unit detects the feature area based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject. A speaker determination unit that determines whether or not the face of the speaker is the face of the speaker, and the cutout range determination unit includes the position information of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit and the determination result of the speaker determination unit When the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit includes a feature area that includes the speaker's face, the cutout range including the feature area that includes the speaker's face is determined. May be. In this case, since the cutout range is determined so as to include the feature area including the face of the speaker, the image information centered on the face of the speaker can be cut out and transmitted.

  For example, the cutout range may be determined so as to include the feature area of the speaker's face as described above only when the sound level detected by the sound level detection unit is equal to or greater than the threshold value. In this case, it becomes possible to supplement the determination error by the speaker determination unit. That is, when there is an error in the determination of the speaker's face in the speaker determination unit, the voice level is expected to be smaller than the threshold, and it can be seen that the determination by the speaker determination unit is incorrect. In this case, as the size of the feature area including the face of the speaker increases, the threshold is increased, so that the speaker can be detected stably.

  Further, in the present invention, for example, a user setting unit that sets on / off of the speaker detection mode is further provided, and the cut-out range determination unit has a feature area when the speaker detection mode is set on by the user setting unit. When the feature area detected by the detection unit includes a feature area including the face of the speaker, a cutout range including the feature area including the face of the speaker may be determined. In this case, the user can use the user setting unit to select whether to include all the detected feature areas in the cutout range or to include at the center the feature area including the face of the speaker.

  For example, the setting state of the speaker detection mode is displayed on the display panel by the graphic display unit. Thereby, the user can easily confirm whether the speaker detection mode is on or off. In this case, the user setting unit may be configured to use the display of the setting state of the speaker detection mode described above, and to set on or off by, for example, pressing a touch panel arranged on the display panel. The user can easily perform the setting operation by performing the setting of ON or OFF using the display of the setting state of the speaker detection mode on the display panel in this way.

  In the present invention, for example, the feature area detection unit periodically detects a feature area based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject, and the cutout range determination unit periodically detects the feature area detection unit. A cutout range determination unit further comprising: a user setting unit that determines a cutout range including the detected feature area based on the position information of the feature area detected in step S1 and sets on / off of a lock mode of the cutout range. When the lock mode is set to ON in the user setting unit, the cutout range may be locked to the previously determined cutout range. In this case, the user can select whether to fix the cutout range or change the cutout range according to the detection result of the feature area by the user setting unit.

  For example, the setting state of the lock mode is displayed on the display panel by the graphic display unit. Thereby, the user can easily confirm whether the lock mode is on or off. In this case, the user setting unit may be configured to use the display of the setting state of the lock mode described above, and to set on or off by, for example, pressing a touch panel arranged on the display panel. The user can easily perform the setting operation by performing the setting of ON or OFF using the display of the setting state of the lock mode of the display panel as described above.

  According to the present invention, the cutout range is determined so that the feature area including the characteristic part of the subject is included, and the image information of the cutout range is transmitted, and the detected number of feature areas changes. Even if it exists, the user does not need to manually adjust the cutout range, and the user-friendliness can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a video camera (camcorder) 100 as an embodiment. This video camera recorder 100 is capable of outputting USB (Universal Serial Bus) video streaming images.

  The video camera 100 includes a control unit 101 and a user operation unit 102. The video camera 100 also includes an imager 111, an imaging processing unit 112, a baseband processing unit 113, a microphone 115, an A / D converter 116, a compression / decompression unit 117, and a recording / playback unit 118. have.

  The video camera 100 also includes an interface 121, a D terminal 122, a D / A converter 123, and an audio output terminal 124. In addition, the video camera 100 includes a superimposing unit 131, an LCD driver 132, an LCD panel 133, an OSD unit 134, a touch panel 135, and a coordinate detection unit 136. Furthermore, the video camera 100 includes an image compression unit 141, a USB control unit 142, a USB interface 143, and a feature area detection unit 144.

  The control unit 101 controls each unit of the video camera 100. The control unit 101 includes a CPU 103, a flash ROM 104, and an SDRAM 105. The flash ROM 104 stores a control program for the CPU 103 and the like. The SDRAM 105 is used for temporary storage of data necessary for the control processing of the CPU 220. The CPU 103 develops the program and data read from the flash ROM 104 on the SDRAM 105 and activates the program to control each unit of the video camera 100.

  In addition, the control unit 101 includes a cutout range determination unit 106 and a speaker voice detection unit 107. For example, when the USB interface 143 is connected to an external device via a USB cable and is in the video meeting mode, the cutout range determination unit 106 is based on the position information of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit 140. The cutout range is determined so as to include the detected feature area. Details of the processing of the cutout range determination unit 106 will be described later.

  The speaker voice detection unit 107 detects a voice level based on voice data (voice information) output from the A / D converter 116, and determines whether or not the voice level is equal to or higher than a threshold value. In this sense, the speaker voice detection unit 107 constitutes a voice level detection unit and a level determination unit. Details of the processing of the speaker voice detection unit 107 will be described later.

  As will be described later, the detection result of the speaker voice detection unit 107 is used to supplement the determination when the face included in the feature area is determined to be the face of the speaker. That is, when the face included in the feature area is determined to be the face of the speaker and the sound level is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold, the face included in the feature area is the face of the speaker. Based on the determination, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines the cutout range so as to include the feature area including the face of the speaker.

  The user operation unit 102 constitutes a user interface and is connected to the control unit 101. The user operation unit 102 includes keys, buttons, dials, and the like arranged on a housing surface (not shown) of the video camera 100. A user can operate recording, reproduction, and the like of the video camera 100 using the user operation unit 102.

  The imager 111 is configured by, for example, a C-MOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. The imaging processing unit 112 processes the imaging signal obtained by the imager 111 to generate image data (image information) corresponding to the captured image of the subject. In the imaging processing unit 112, for example, processing such as sample hold and gain control, conversion from an analog signal to a digital signal, white balance adjustment, and gamma correction is performed on an imaging signal (analog signal) output from the imager 111. Is called. The A / D converter 116 converts the audio signal obtained by the microphone 115 from an analog signal to a digital signal, and obtains audio data corresponding to the captured image data obtained by the imaging processing unit 112 described above.

  The baseband processing unit 113 includes an SDRAM 114 for temporarily storing the image data generated by the imaging processing unit 112. The baseband processing unit 113 supplies the image data generated by the imaging processing unit 112 to the LCD driver 132 through the superimposing unit 131. Further, the baseband processing unit 113 supplies the image data generated by the imaging processing unit 112 and the audio data obtained by the A / D converter 116 to the compression / decompression unit 117 at the time of recording.

  The baseband processing unit 113 supplies the reproduced image data obtained by the compression / decompression unit 117 to the LCD driver 132 through the superimposing unit 131 and outputs it to the D terminal 122 through the interface 121 during reproduction. The interface 121 converts the image data from the baseband processing unit 113 from a digital signal to an analog signal. Further, the baseband processing unit 113 outputs the reproduced audio data obtained by the compression / decompression unit 117 to the audio output terminal 124 through the D / A converter 123 during reproduction. The D / A converter 123 converts the audio data from the baseband processing unit 113 from a digital signal to an analog signal.

  For example, when the USB interface 143 is connected to an external device via a USB cable and is in the video meeting mode, the baseband processing unit 113 performs the following processing. That is, the image data in the cutout range determined by the cutout range determination unit 106 is cut out from the image data generated by the imaging processing unit 112. In this sense, the baseband processing unit 113 constitutes an image cutout unit. Also, the image data in this cutout range is converted into a streaming size, for example, 640 × 480 pixels (VGA: Video Graphics Array) or 320 × 240 pixels (QVGA: Quarter Video Graphics Array), and the image is converted into an image. It supplies to the compression part 141.

  At the time of recording, the compression / decompression unit 117 compresses image data and audio data by, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) system, and multiplexes the compressed image data and audio data. Further, the compression / decompression unit 117 separates image data and audio data from the MPEG signal supplied from the recording / reproduction unit 118 at the time of reproduction, and further decompresses the image data and audio data before the data compression process. The data is restored and supplied to the baseband processing unit 113.

  The recording / playback unit 118 records the MPEG signal generated by the compression / decompression unit 117 on the recording medium 119 during recording. Further, the recording / playback unit 118 reads from the recording medium 119 during playback to obtain an MPEG signal. For example, the recording medium 119 is an optical disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

  An OSD (On Screen Display) circuit 134 generates a display signal for a GUI screen under the control of the control unit 101. Examples of the display signal include a display signal indicating a feature area detected by the feature area detection unit 140, a display signal indicating a cutout range determined by the cutout range determination unit 106, and the like. Here, the control unit 101 and the OSD unit 134 constitute a graphic display unit.

  The superimposing unit 131 superimposes the screen display signal from the OSD unit 134 on the image data (captured image data and reproduction image data) supplied from the baseband processing unit 113 and supplies the superimposed image to the LCD driver 132. The LCD driver 132 drives the LCD panel 133 based on the image data supplied from the superimposing unit 131 and displays a captured image or a reproduced image on the LCD panel 133.

  As described above, when the display signal for the GUI screen is superimposed on the image data by the superimposing unit 131, the captured image or the reproduced image displayed on the LCD panel 133 is the one on which the GUI screen is superimposed. The touch panel 135 constitutes a position specifying unit that specifies a position on the screen of the LCD panel 133, and is arranged on the screen of the LCD panel 133. Using the touch panel 135 disposed on the LCD panel 133, the user can operate an imaging operation, a recording operation, etc. during imaging, and a reproducing operation, etc. during reproduction.

  The touch panel 135 is connected to the control unit 101 via the coordinate detection unit 136. The user can specify the position on the screen by touching the touch panel 135 directly with a finger or with a pen.

  For example, when the USB interface 143 is connected to an external device via a USB cable and the image compression unit 141 is in the video meeting mode, the image compression unit 141 performs data processing on the streaming size image data supplied from the baseband processing unit 113. Perform compression processing. The image compression unit 141 uses, for example, a compression method such as motion JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group).

  The USB control unit 142 controls communication via the USB interface 143. The USB interface 143 includes a connector (not shown) for attaching a communication cable (USB cable). The USB control unit 142 and the USB interface 143 constitute an image transmission unit. The USB interface 143 transmits / receives data to / from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) via a USB cable.

  For example, when the USB interface 143 is connected to an external device via a USB cable and is in the video meeting mode, the feature area detection unit 144 performs the following processing. That is, the feature area detection unit 144 detects a feature area as a rectangular region including a characteristic part of the subject based on the captured image data temporarily stored in the SDRAM 114 of the baseband processing unit 113. In this embodiment, the characteristic part of the subject is a human face. Details of the processing of the feature area detection unit 144 will be described later.

  The operation of the video camera 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  First, operations during imaging and recording will be described.

  The imaging signal obtained by the imager 111 is supplied to the imaging processing unit 112 and processed, and the imaging processing unit 112 obtains image data (image information) corresponding to the captured image of the subject. Also, the audio signal obtained by the microphone 115 is supplied to the A / D converter 116 and converted from an analog signal to a digital signal to obtain imaged audio data corresponding to the imaged image data. The captured image data obtained by the imaging processing unit 112 and the captured audio data obtained by the A / D converter 116 are supplied to the baseband processing unit 113.

  The captured image data supplied to the baseband processing unit 113 is supplied to the LCD driver 132 through the superimposing unit 131. Thereby, the captured image is displayed on the LCD panel 133, and the user can confirm the captured image by the display.

  In this state, under the control of the control unit 101, the OSD unit 134 generates a display signal for a GUI screen that is used for a user to operate an imaging operation, a recording operation, and the like. This display signal is supplied to the superimposing unit 131 and superimposed on the captured image data supplied from the baseband processing unit 113.

  As a result, a GUI screen used for the user to operate the imaging operation, the recording operation, and the like is displayed on the captured image displayed on the LCD panel 133 in an overlapping manner. Therefore, the user can operate an imaging operation, a recording operation, and the like using the touch panel 135 disposed on the LCD panel 133. It should be noted that the user can operate the imaging operation, the recording operation, and the like in the same manner even by using a key or the like constituting the user operation unit 102.

  In the above-described imaging state, when the user gives a recording instruction, the recording operation of the captured image data and the captured audio data is started. That is, the captured image data and the captured audio data are supplied from the baseband processing unit 113 to the compression / decompression unit 117. Then, in the compression / decompression unit 117, the image data and the audio data are each compressed by, for example, the MPEG method, and then both are multiplexed to obtain an MPEG signal. This MPEG signal is supplied to the recording / reproducing unit 118 and recorded on the recording medium 119.

  Next, the operation during reproduction will be described.

  The recording / reproducing unit 118 reads an MPEG signal from the recording medium 119. This MPEG signal is supplied to the compression / decompression unit 117. In the compression / decompression unit 117, image data and audio data are separated from the MPEG signal supplied from the recording / reproducing unit 118, and further decompressed to obtain image data and audio data before the data compression process. . These reproduced image data and reproduced audio data are supplied to the baseband processing unit 113.

  The reproduced image data supplied to the baseband processing unit 131 is supplied to the LCD driver 132 through the superimposing unit 131. Thereby, the reproduced image is displayed on the LCD panel 133, and the user can confirm the reproduced image by the display.

  In this state, under the control of the control unit 101, the OSD unit 134 generates a display signal for a GUI screen that is used for a user to operate a reproduction operation or the like. This display signal is supplied to the superimposing unit 131 and superimposed on the reproduced image data supplied from the baseband processing unit 113.

  As a result, the GUI image used for the user to operate the reproduction operation or the like is displayed on the reproduction image displayed on the LCD panel 133 in an overlapping manner. Therefore, the user can operate a reproduction operation or the like using the touch panel 135 disposed on the LCD panel 133. It should be noted that the user can operate the reproduction operation and the like in the same manner by using the keys and the like constituting the user operation unit 102.

  The reproduced image data supplied from the compression / decompression unit 117 to the baseband processing unit 113 is converted from a digital signal to an analog signal by the interface 121 and output to the D terminal 122. Similarly, reproduced audio data supplied from the compression / decompression unit 117 to the baseband processing unit 113 is converted from a digital signal to an analog signal by the D / A converter 123 and output to the audio output terminal 124.

  Next, for example, the operation of each unit when the USB interface 143 is connected to an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) via a USB cable and is in the video meeting mode will be described.

  When in the video meeting mode, the feature area detection unit 144, the control unit 106, the baseband processing unit 113, and the USB control unit 142 of the video camera 100 perform processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 2 for each frame.

  First, in step ST1, the feature area detection unit 144 detects a feature portion of the subject, that is, a feature area including a face in this embodiment, based on image data (image information) corresponding to the captured image of the subject. To do. The feature area detection unit 144 supplies the region coordinates (region information) of the detected feature area to the control unit 101.

  Next, in step ST <b> 2, the cutout range determination unit 106 of the control unit 101 determines a cutout range including the detected feature area based on the region coordinates of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit 144. The cutout range determination unit 106 supplies the region coordinates (region information) of the determined cutout range to the baseband processing unit 113.

  Next, in step ST <b> 3, the baseband processing unit 113 cuts out the image information of the cutout range from the image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject based on the region coordinates of the cutout range determined by the cutout range determination unit 106. Further, the baseband processing unit 113 converts the resolution of the clipped image information into a streaming size (for example, 640 × 480 pixels, 320 × 240 pixels), and supplies the converted image information to the image compression unit 141.

  Next, in step ST <b> 4, the USB control unit 142 outputs the image data in the cutout range that has been subjected to the data compression processing by the image compression unit 141 to the USB interface 143 as transmission information.

  Here, the video meeting mode selection operation will be described. In the video camera 100, when the USB interface 143 is connected to an external device via a USB cable, which USB device (protocol) is used for communication can be selected in advance from the setup menu of the video camera 100. It has become. FIG. 3 shows a selection example of the setup menu displayed on the LCD panel 133 of the video camera 100.

  In this selection example, a mode of “mass storage”, “PictBridge”, “video streaming”, or “video meeting” can be selected. For example, the user can select a desired mode by pressing the display location of each mode on the touch panel 135. In the selection example of FIG. 3, it can be seen that the cursor CA is moved to the display position of “video meeting” and “video meeting” is selected.

  As described above, “video meeting” is selected in the setup menu, and the USB interface 143 is connected to an external device with a USB cable, thereby entering a video meeting mode in which a video stream image is transmitted. FIG. 4 shows an image display example on the LCD panel 133 in the process of connecting to an external device with a USB cable.

  FIG. 4A shows a state before connection, that is, a display state in the normal mode. In this display state, a captured image is displayed. FIG. 4B shows a state immediately after connection, and a USB connection preparation screen (black screen) is displayed. FIG. 4C shows a state after a predetermined time has elapsed since the connection, that is, a display state of the video meeting mode. In this display state, a captured image is displayed, and a frame ARa indicating the detected feature area and a frame ARb indicating the determined cutout range are further displayed over the captured image.

  Also, a lock mode and a speaker detection mode are prepared as submodes of the video meeting mode. The lock mode is a mode for locking the cutout range (image frame) of the currently transmitted video stream image. In the speaker detection mode, when there is a feature area including the face of the speaker, the cutout range is determined so as to include the feature area.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, in the display state of the video meeting mode, as the GUI display, in addition to the display of the frames ARa and ARb described above, the lock mode ON (locked) or OFF (unlocked) setting button A setting button BTb for setting on / off of BTa and speaker detection mode is also displayed. The display signals of the frames ARa and ARb and the setting buttons BTa and BTb are generated by the OSD unit 134 under the control of the control unit 101 and are superimposed on the captured image data by the superimposing unit 131.

  The user can toggle the lock mode from on to off and from off to on by pressing the part corresponding to the setting button BTa of the touch panel 135 disposed on the LCD panel 133. it can. In this case, the character display of the setting button BTa is “locked” when the lock mode is on, and “unlocked” when the lock mode is off. The character display of the setting button BTa in FIG. 4C indicates that the lock mode is on (locked).

  In addition, the user presses a portion corresponding to the setting button BTb of the touch panel 135 disposed on the LCD panel 133, so that the speaker detection mode is toggled from on to off and from off to on. You can switch to In this case, the character display of the setting button BTb is “speaker detection on” when the speaker detection mode is on, and “speaker detection off” when the speaker detection mode is off. The character display of the setting button BTb in FIG. 4C indicates that the speaker detection mode is on.

  Next, a feature area detection operation in the feature area detection unit 144 will be described. The feature area detection unit 144 periodically detects a human face as a characteristic portion of the subject based on image data (image information) corresponding to the captured image of the subject for each frame in this embodiment. Detect feature areas that contain it.

  First, the feature area detection unit 144 detects a face image by searching for a distribution pattern of luminance values unique to the face image from the captured image. FIG. 5 shows an example of a distribution pattern of luminance values unique to a face image. This distribution pattern example shows a distribution pattern of a portion having a high luminance value, as shown by hatching.

  Next, the feature area detection unit 144 detects the positions of the eyes and mouth from the detected face image as shown in FIG. In this case, the feature area detection unit 144 detects the positions of the eyes and mouth by, for example, patterning the detected face image into a dark part and a bright part.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7A, the feature area detection unit 144 calculates the rectangular area coordinates (Left, Top, Right, Bottom) of the feature area using a rectangular area made up of the positions of the eyes and mouth. To do. That is, the feature area detection unit 144 forms a rectangular area having a vertical length of a and a horizontal length of b from the positions of the eyes and mouth.

  Then, the feature area detection unit 144 obtains a position further left by b from the left end of the rectangular area as Left, and obtains a position moved further right by b from the right end of the rectangular area as Right. Further, the feature area detection unit 144 obtains a position further 2a above the upper end of the rectangular area as Top, and obtains a position further lower by a from the lower end of the rectangular area as Bottom.

  FIG. 7B shows an example of a face image included in the feature area detected as described above.

  As described above, the feature area detection unit 144 detects the feature area of the captured image based on image data (image information) corresponding to the captured image of the subject for each frame. In this case, although depending on the detection accuracy, the same feature area is not always detected continuously in each frame because of a change in the imaging state. For this reason, when the cutout range is determined using the feature area detected in each frame as it is, the cutout range changes drastically and the stability is extremely poor.

  Therefore, the feature area detection unit 144 performs a feature area validation process, and sends only information about the validated feature area to the control unit 101, thereby achieving stability of the cutout range. The feature area validation processing in the feature area detection unit 144 will be described.

  The feature area detection unit 144 reserves a main buffer and a temporary buffer in the SDRAM 114 in order to perform the validation process. The main buffer stores feature area information (see FIG. 14B) of each feature area to which a feature area number is assigned at the time of the previous frame. The feature area information includes seat information indicating the feature area.

  The temporary buffer stores feature area information (see FIG. 14B) of each feature area detected in the current frame.

  The feature area detection unit 144 sequentially processes each feature area to which a feature area number related to storage in the main buffer is assigned. Based on the feature area information stored in the main buffer and the temporary buffer, the feature area detection unit 144 includes a feature area partially or wholly overlapped with the feature area to be processed in the feature area detected in the current frame. Judge whether there is.

  If there is an overlapping feature area, the feature area detection unit 144 determines that the overlapping feature area is the feature area having the same feature area number as the processing target feature area, and detects the processing target feature area detection count. When the detection count is equal to or greater than a specified value (for example, 30 frames), it is registered if it is not yet registered as an effective feature area. Further, when there are overlapping feature areas, the feature area detection unit 144 updates the rectangular area coordinates of the feature area to be processed to the rectangular area coordinates of the feature area detected in the overlapping current frame.

  Also, the feature area detection unit 144 decrements the detection count of the feature area to be processed when there are no overlapping feature areas. When the detection count reaches a specified value (for example, 0 frame), the feature area detection unit 144 deletes the feature area to be processed from the feature area number assignment target. With this deletion, the feature area detection unit 144 deletes the feature area information (see FIG. 14B) of the feature area to be processed from the main buffer, and if it is registered, the feature area information is registered. Delete and disable.

In addition, the feature area detection unit 144 performs the above-described processing on all feature areas, and then a feature area (unprocessed feature area) that does not overlap with any of the feature areas to be processed is detected in the current frame. the near-Ru If in the area, the following process is performed. That is, the feature area detection unit 144 newly assigns a feature area number to the unprocessed feature area of the current frame, and sets the detection count to one frame. In addition, the feature area detection unit 144 additionally stores feature area information (see FIG. 14B) of the unprocessed feature area of the current frame in the main buffer.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8A, feature areas ARa1 and ARa2 to which feature area numbers are assigned are stored in the main buffer, and in the temporary buffer, as shown in FIG. 8B, Consider a case where feature areas ARa1 and ARa2 detected in the current frame are stored.

  First, the feature area ARa1 of the main buffer is set as a processing target. As shown in FIG. 9, the feature area ARa1 overlaps with the temporary buffer feature area ARa3. Therefore, the feature area detection unit 144 determines that the feature area ARa3 of the temporary buffer is a feature area having the same feature area number as the feature area ARa1 of the processing target main buffer, and increments the detection count of the processing target feature area ARa1. If the detection count is not less than a specified value (for example, 30 frames), it is registered if it is not yet registered as an effective feature area. Also, the feature area detection unit 144 updates the rectangular area coordinates of the feature area ARa1 of the main buffer to the rectangular area coordinates of the feature area ARa3 of the temporary buffer.

  Next, the feature area ARa2 of the main buffer is set as a processing target. As shown in FIG. 9, the temporary buffer does not have a feature area overlapping with the feature area ARa2. Therefore, the feature area detection unit 144 decrements the detection count of the feature area ARa2 of the main buffer to be processed, and when the detection count reaches a specified value (for example, 0 frame), assigns the feature area ARa2 to the feature area number. Remove from target.

  After performing the above-described processing on the feature areas ARa1 and ARa2 of the main buffer, the temporary buffer has a feature area ARa4 that does not overlap with any of the feature areas ARa1 and ARa2 to be processed, as shown in FIG. . The feature area detection unit 144 assigns a new feature area number to the feature area ARa4 and sets the detection count to one frame. In addition, the feature area detection unit 144 additionally stores the feature area information (see FIG. 14B) of the feature area ARa4 in the main buffer.

  The flowchart of FIG. 10 shows the procedure of the activation process in the above-described feature area detection unit 144.

  In step ST11, the feature area detection unit 144 starts the validation process, and then proceeds to the process in step ST12. In step ST12, the feature area detection unit 144 determines whether there is an unprocessed feature area in the main buffer. When there is an unprocessed feature area, the feature area detection unit 144 searches for feature area information (table seat information) of each feature area stored in the temporary buffer in step ST13. That is, the feature area detection unit 144 checks whether a feature area that overlaps the feature area to be processed is within the feature area detected in the current frame.

  Next, in step ST14, the feature area detection unit 144 determines whether or not a feature area that overlaps with the feature area to be processed is within the feature area detected in the current frame based on the investigation result in step ST13. Judging.

  When there are overlapping feature areas, the feature area detection unit 144 increments the detection count of the feature area number assigned to the feature area to be processed in step ST15. In step ST16, the feature area detection unit 144 determines whether or not the detection count is equal to or greater than a specified value (for example, 30 frames).

  When the value is equal to or greater than the specified value, the feature area detection unit 144 determines whether or not the feature area is a registered feature area in step ST17. If not registered, the feature area detection unit 144 registers and validates the feature area to be processed in step ST18.

  The feature area detection unit 144 proceeds to the process of step ST19 after the process of step ST18. When the detection count is not greater than or equal to the specified value in step ST16 and when it has been registered in step ST17, the feature area detection unit 144 immediately moves to the process in step ST19.

  In step ST19, the feature area detection unit 144 updates the rectangular area coordinates of the feature area to be processed to the rectangular area coordinates of the feature area detected in the overlapping current frame. After the process of step ST19, the feature area detection unit 144 returns to the process of step ST12 described above, and proceeds to the next process target process.

  When there are no overlapping feature areas in step ST14, the feature area detection unit 144 decrements the detection count of the feature area number assigned to the feature area to be processed in step ST20. Then, in step ST21, the feature area detection unit 144 determines whether or not the detection count has reached a specified value (for example, 0 frame).

  When the detection count reaches the specified value, in step ST22, the feature area detection unit 144 deletes the feature area to be processed from the feature area number assignment target. With this deletion, the feature area detection unit 144 deletes the feature area information (see FIG. 14B) of the feature area to be processed from the main buffer, and if it is registered, the feature area information is registered. Delete and disable.

  After the process of step ST22, the feature area detection unit 144 returns to step ST12 and proceeds to the next process target process. When the detection count has not reached the specified value in step ST21, the feature area detection unit 144 immediately returns to step ST12 and proceeds to the next processing target process.

  If there is no unprocessed feature area in step ST12, the feature area detection unit 144 proceeds to the process of step ST23. In step ST23, the feature area detection unit 144 has a feature area (unprocessed feature area) that does not overlap any of the feature areas to be processed among the feature areas detected in the current frame stored in the temporary buffer. Determine whether or not.

  When there is an unprocessed feature area, in step ST24, the feature area detection unit 144 newly assigns a feature area number to the unprocessed feature area of the current frame, and sets the detection count to one frame. Then, the feature area detection unit 144 additionally stores the feature area information (see FIG. 14B) of the unprocessed feature area of the current frame in the main buffer. On the other hand, when there is no unprocessed feature area, the feature area detection unit 144 immediately moves to the process of step ST25 and ends the validation process.

  Next, a speaker (speaker) determination operation in the feature area detection unit 144 will be described. Based on the image data (image information) corresponding to the captured image of the subject, the feature area detector 144 sequentially sets each detected feature area (registered enabled feature area) as a feature area to be determined. Then, it is determined whether or not the face included in the feature area to be determined is the face of the speaker (speaker). In this sense, the feature area detection unit 144 constitutes a speaker determination unit.

  First, the feature area detection unit 144 pays attention to the mouth area of the captured image of the feature area to be determined, and determines a rectangular area ARm for detecting the mouth movement, as shown in FIG. That is, the feature area detection unit 144 obtains a position a / 2 above the center position in the vertical direction of the mouth as the upper end of the rectangular area ARm, and determines a position a / 2 below the center position in the vertical direction of the mouth. Obtained as the lower end of the rectangular area ARm. In addition, the feature area detection unit 144 obtains a position left by b from the center position in the left-right direction of the mouth as the left end of the rectangular area ARm, and sets a position right by b from the center position in the left-right direction of the mouth to the right end of the rectangular area ARm. Asking.

  Here, a is the vertical (vertical direction) length of the rectangular area (see FIG. 7A) formed from the positions of the eyes and mouth when the feature area to be determined is detected. Similarly, b is the horizontal (horizontal direction) length of the rectangular area (see FIG. 7A) formed from the positions of the eyes and mouth when the feature area to be determined is detected. FIG. 11B shows an example of the rectangular area ARm determined on the captured image of the feature area as described above.

  Next, the feature area detection unit 144 detects a motion vector indicating the movement of the mouth by the optical flow with respect to the rectangular area ARm determined as described above. Then, the feature area detection unit 144 determines that the face included in the feature area to be determined is the face of the speaker (speaker) when it can be estimated from the mouth movement (motion vector) whether or not the voice is produced. In this case, the feature area to be determined is the feature area in which the speaker's utterance is detected.

  Next, an operation for determining an exclusion area in the feature area detection unit 144 will be described. As described above, in the video meeting mode display state, the frame ARa indicating the detected feature area is displayed as the GUI display (see FIG. 4C). The user can set to exclude the predetermined feature area from being cut out, and can cancel the setting by pressing the part of the predetermined feature area of the touch panel 135 disposed on the LCD panel 133. This setting and canceling operation can also be performed by operating the user operation unit 102 using the display of the feature area displayed on the LCD panel 133.

  As described above, when a predetermined feature area is excluded and set by a user operation, the feature area number of the predetermined feature area is notified from the control unit 101 to the feature area detection unit 144. The feature area detection unit 144 stores image data (image information) of a predetermined feature area that is excluded based on the notified feature area number in the built-in SDRAM 145.

  Here, when a predetermined feature area is excluded, the display signal generated by the OSD unit 134 is changed under the control of the control unit 101, and the display mode of the predetermined feature area is changed. 12A shows a display state when there is no feature area set to be excluded, and FIG. 12B shows an example of a display state when the right feature area is set to be excluded.

  When the image data of the excluded feature area is stored in the SDRAM 145, the feature area detection unit 144 sequentially detects each detected feature area (registered enabled feature area) as a feature area to be determined. Then, it is determined whether or not the feature area to be determined is a feature area that is excluded. In this sense, the feature area detection unit 144 constitutes an exclusion determination unit.

  In this case, the feature area detection unit 144 uses the image data of the feature area to be determined and the feature area image data stored in the SDRAM 145 to determine whether the feature area image to be determined and the feature area image set to be excluded. A conventionally well-known matching operation is performed. When the feature area detection unit 144 determines that both images match based on the matching calculation result, the feature area detection unit 144 determines that the feature area to be determined is a feature area that is excluded.

  The flowchart of FIG. 13 shows a processing procedure in the video meeting mode of the feature area detection unit 144 described above. The feature area detection unit 144 performs the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 13 for each frame.

  The feature area detection unit 144 starts the process in step ST31, and then proceeds to the process of step ST32. In step ST32, the feature area detection unit 144 determines whether or not the video meeting mode is set. When the video meeting mode is not set, the feature area detection unit 144 immediately moves to step ST45 and ends the process. On the other hand, in the video meeting mode, the feature area detection unit 144 proceeds to the process of step ST33.

  In step ST33, the feature area detection unit 144 detects a feature area including a human face as a characteristic part of the subject based on image data (image information) corresponding to the captured image of the subject (FIG. 5). (See FIG. 7). Then, in step ST34, the feature area detection unit 144 performs feature area validation processing based on the feature area detected in step ST33 and the feature area to which the feature area number is assigned at the time of the previous frame. (See FIGS. 8 to 10).

  Next, in step ST <b> 35, the feature area detection unit 144 determines whether or not there is an unprocessed feature area (registered activated feature area) regarding speaker (speaker) determination and exclusion area determination. to decide. When there is an unprocessed feature area, in step ST36, the feature area detection unit 144 determines whether image data (image information) of the feature area excluded and set is stored in the SDRAM 145.

  When the image data of the excluded feature area is stored, the feature area detection unit 144 uses the feature area image data to be determined and the feature area image data stored in the SDRAM 145 in step ST37. A conventionally well-known matching operation is performed between the feature area image to be determined and the feature area image set to be excluded.

  Next, in step ST38, the feature area detection unit 144 determines whether or not the feature area image to be determined matches the feature area image set to be excluded based on the matching calculation result obtained in step ST37. To do.

  When determining that they match, in step ST39, the feature area detection unit 144 sets “true” indicating that the feature area that is excluded is set as the value of the item “feature area matching result” of the feature area information to be determined. "Is set. On the other hand, when determining that they do not match, the feature area detection unit 144 determines that the feature area that has been excluded is not matched as the value of the item “feature area matching result” of the feature area information to be determined in step ST40. Set "false" to indicate.

  The feature area detection unit 144 proceeds to the process of step ST41 after the process of step ST39 or step ST40. In step ST41, the feature area detection unit 144 determines a rectangular area ARm for detecting mouth movement (see FIG. 11), and detects a motion vector indicating mouth movement by optical flow for the rectangular area ARm. . In step ST42, the feature area detection unit 144 determines whether or not a voice is produced from the mouth movement (motion vector), that is, the face included in the feature area to be determined is the face of the speaker (speaker). Determine whether or not.

  When determining that the face is the speaker's face, in step ST43, the feature area detection unit 144 uses the “speaker utterance detection result” item value of the feature area information to be determined as the value of the face in the feature area. Set to "true" to indicate that On the other hand, when determining that the face is not the speaker's face, the feature area detecting unit 144 determines that the face in the feature area is the value of the item “speaker utterance detection result” of the feature area information to be determined in step ST44. Set "false" to indicate that you are not speaking.

  The characteristic area detection unit 144 performs the process of step ST43 or step ST44, returns to step ST35, and moves to the next process target process. When there is no unprocessed feature area in step ST35, the feature area detection unit 144 immediately proceeds to step ST45 and ends the process.

  The information about the activated feature area registered is supplied to the control unit 101 from the feature area detection unit 144 as a result of the above-described feature area detection processing for each frame. FIG. 14B shows an example of feature area information. The feature area information includes the value of the feature area number assigned to the feature area. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a number between 0 and 20 is assigned as the feature area number.

  Further, the feature area information includes values of rectangular region coordinates (Left, Top, Right, Bottom) indicating the feature area. In this coordinate, for example, as shown in FIG. 14A, the upper left position is the origin (0 pixel, 0 pixel). As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the left end coordinate Left and the right end coordinate Right are values between 0 and 3200 pixels. Further, as illustrated, in this embodiment, the upper end coordinate Top and the lower end coordinate Bottom are values between 0 and 2400 pixels.

  The feature area information includes a “feature area matching result” indicating whether or not the feature area that is excluded is matched, and “speaker utterance detection” indicating whether or not a face in the feature area is uttered. "Result" is included.

  Next, the cutout range determination operation in the cutout range determination unit 106 of the control unit 106 will be described.

  Based on the information of the feature area (registered activated feature area) detected by the feature area detection unit 144, the cutout range determination unit 106 basically includes all the feature areas. The cutout area ARb is determined. In this embodiment, the cutout range determination unit 106 further adjusts the cutout range ARb so that the aspect ratio of the video stream image is obtained.

  Here, in the detected feature area (one or a plurality of feature areas), the leftmost value is L, the highest value is T, the rightmost value is R, and the lowest value is B. Further, the distance from the uppermost end of the detected feature area to the upper end of the cutout area ARb and the distance from the lowermost end of the detected feature area to the lower end of the cutout area ARb are set as a. Also, let b be the distance from the leftmost end of the detected feature area to the left end of the cutout area ARb and the distance from the rightmost end of the detected feature area to the right end of the cutout area ARb. Furthermore, the aspect ratio of the video stream image is h: v.

  The cutout range determination unit 106 determines the cutout range ARb by obtaining the distance a and the distance b so as to satisfy the expression (1).

  {| R−L | + 2b}: {| B−T | + 2a} = h: v (1)

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, consider a case where the feature area detection unit 144 detects three feature areas (registered activated feature areas) of feature areas 1 to 3. Note that the size of the video streaming image (streaming size) is 640 × 480 pixels, and the aspect ratio is 4: 3.

  In this case, the leftmost end of the feature area is the left end L1 of the feature area 1, the uppermost end of the feature area is the upper end T2 of the feature area 2, and the rightmost end of the feature area is the right end R3 of the feature area 3. Is the lower end B1 of the feature area 1. Therefore, the distance a and the distance b are obtained so as to satisfy the expression (2).

  {| R3-L1 | + 2b}: {| B1-T2 | + 2a} = 4: 3 (2)

  In this case, the left end of the cutout range ARb is determined as (L1-b), the upper end is determined as (T2-a), the right end is determined as (R3 + b), and the lower end is determined as (B1 + a).

  As described above, the cutout range determination unit 106 of the control unit 101 basically determines the cutout range ARb so that all the feature areas detected by the feature area detection unit 144 are included.

  The cut-out range determination unit 106 determines a cut-out range so that the feature area that is set to be excluded is not included even in the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit 144. The cutout range determination unit 106 can recognize whether or not the feature area has been excluded from the value of the item “matching result of feature area” of the feature area information sent from the feature area detection unit 144 (see FIG. 14 (b)). In other words, the cutout range determination unit 106 recognizes that the feature area whose value of the “feature area matching result” item is “true” is the excluded feature area.

  For example, consider a case where the feature area detection unit 144 detects three feature areas 1 to 3. FIG. 16A shows a case where none of the feature areas 1 to 3 is an excluded feature area, and the cutout range determination unit 106 includes a cutout range ARb so that all of the feature areas 1 to 3 are included. Is determined. On the other hand, FIG. 16B shows a case where the feature areas 1 and 2 are not excluded feature areas, but the feature area 3 is an excluded feature area. Then, the cutout area ARb is determined so as to include the feature areas 1 and 2 except for the feature area 3.

  In addition, the cut-out range determination unit 106 is set to speaker detection mode ON, and a feature area in which the face of the speaker (speaker) is included in the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit 144. If there is an actual voice input, the following processing is performed. That is, the cutout range determination unit 106 sets the cutout range ARb so as to include a feature area (one or more) including the face of the speaker (speaker).

  The cutout range determination unit 106 determines whether or not the feature area includes the face of the speaker (speaker) by referring to “speaker utterance detection result” of the feature area information sent from the feature area detection unit 144. "(See FIG. 14B). That is, the cut-out range determination unit 106 recognizes that the feature area in which the value of the “speaker utterance detection result” item is “true” is a feature area including the face of the speaker (speaker). To do.

  In addition, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines whether there is actually a voice input based on the level determination result of the speaker voice detection unit 107. As described above, the speaker voice detection unit 107 detects the level of voice data (voice information) output from the A / D converter 116 and determines whether or not the voice level is equal to or higher than a threshold value. When the speaker voice detection unit 107 determines that the voice level is equal to or higher than the threshold, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines that there is actually a voice input.

  Note that it is not necessarily required that there is actually a voice input. However, by adding this condition, the determination error of the determination operation of the speaker (speaker) in the feature area detection unit 144 described above can be supplemented.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the threshold of the voice level in the speaker voice detection unit 107 is increased as the area of the feature area to be processed increases. FIG. 17A shows a case where the area of the feature area to be processed is large, and the threshold values are set to −THa and + THa. On the other hand, FIG. 17B shows a case where the area of the feature area to be processed is small, and the threshold values are -THb and + THb. Here, the relationship is | THa |> | THb |. As described above, by changing the threshold of the voice level according to the area of the feature area to be processed, it is possible to detect a stable speaker.

  In addition, when the lock mode is set to ON, the cutout range determination unit 106 does not update the cutout range and keeps the previous time.

  The flowchart of FIG. 18 shows the processing procedure of the cutout range determination unit 106 of the control unit 101 described above. The cutout range determination unit 106 performs the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 18 for each frame.

  The cutout range determination unit 106 starts processing in step ST51, and then proceeds to processing in step ST52. In step ST52, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines whether the video meeting mode is set. When the video meeting mode is not set, the cutout range determination unit 106 immediately moves to step ST66 and ends the process.

  When in the video meeting mode, the cutout range determination unit 106 proceeds to the process of step ST53. In step ST53, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines whether or not the lock mode is on. When the lock mode is on, the cutout range determination unit 106 immediately moves to step ST66 and ends the process. On the other hand, when the lock mode is not on, the cutout range determination unit 106 proceeds to the process of step ST54.

  In step ST54, the cutout range determination unit 106 acquires information on the feature area (registered activated feature area) (see FIG. 14B) from the feature area detection unit 144. In step ST55, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines whether there is an unprocessed feature area, that is, whether all the feature areas indicated by the feature area information acquired in step ST54 have been processed. .

  When there is an unprocessed feature area, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines in step ST56 whether the feature area to be processed is a feature area to be cut out, that is, a feature area in which the feature area to be processed is excluded. It is determined whether or not. The cutout range determination unit 106 can determine this determination based on the value of the item “matching result of characteristic area” of the characteristic area information (see FIG. 14B). In other words, when the value of the item “matching result of feature area” is “true”, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines that the feature area to be processed is an excluded feature area (a feature area that is not a cutout target). to decide.

  When the feature area to be processed is not the feature area to be cut out, the cutout range determination unit 106 returns to step ST55 and proceeds to processing of the next feature area to be processed. On the other hand, when the feature area to be processed is the feature area to be cut out, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines whether or not the speaker detection flag has been set in step ST57.

  As will be described later, the speaker detection flag is set when the speaker detection mode is on, the speaker's utterance is detected in the feature area to be processed, and there is a voice input. The cutout range is updated in the person's feature area. As described above, in step ST57, it is determined whether or not the speaker detection flag has been set. If the speaker detection flag has already been set, the feature area to be processed is immediately the speaker (speaker). This is because the process proceeds to a determination process of whether or not the feature area is.

  If the speaker detection flag has not been set in step ST57, the cutout range determination unit 106 updates the cutout range in the feature area to be processed in step ST58. That is, the cutout range determination unit 106 updates the cutout range (values of L, T, R, and B in equation (1)) so as to further include the feature area that is currently processed. On the other hand, if the speaker detection flag has already been set in step ST57, the cutout range determination unit 106 proceeds to the process in step ST59.

  In step ST59, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines whether or not the speaker detection mode is on. When the speaker detection mode is not on, the cut-out range determination unit 106 returns to step ST55 and proceeds to the process of the next feature area to be processed. On the other hand, when in the speaker detection mode, the cutout range determination unit 106 proceeds to the process of step ST60.

  In step ST60, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines whether or not the speaker's utterance has been detected in the feature area to be processed. The cutout range determination unit 106 can determine this determination based on the value of the item “speaker utterance detection result” of the feature area information (see FIG. 14B). That is, when the value of the item “speaker utterance detection result” is “true”, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines that the speaker utterance is detected in the feature area to be processed.

  When the feature area to be processed is not one in which the speaker's utterance has been detected, the cut-out range determination unit 106 returns to step ST55 and proceeds to the process of the next feature area to be processed. On the other hand, when the feature area to be processed is that in which the speaker's utterance is detected, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines whether or not there is a voice input in step ST61. The cut-out range determination unit 106 makes this determination based on the determination result of the input voice level in the speaker voice detection unit 107.

  When there is no voice input, the cutout range determination unit 106 returns to step ST55 and moves to the process of the next feature area to be processed. On the other hand, when there is a voice input, the cutout range determination unit 106 sets a speaker detection flag in step ST62, and updates the cutout range in the processing target feature area (speaker feature area) in step ST63. . That is, the cutout range determination unit 106 updates the cutout range (values of L, T, R, and B in the expression (1)) so as to include the speaker feature area including the current process target feature area. After the process of step ST63, the cutout range determination unit 106 returns to step ST55 and moves to the process of the next feature area to be processed.

  When there is no unprocessed feature area in step ST55, the cutout range determination unit 106 proceeds to the process of step ST64. In step ST64, the cutout range determination unit 106 adjusts the cutout range ARb so that the aspect ratio of the video stream image is obtained using the cutout range updated in the above-described feature area processing (see FIG. 15).

  Next, in step ST65, the cutout range determination unit 106 instructs the baseband processing unit 113 to change the cutout range to the cutout range adjusted in step ST64, and then ends the process in step ST66. .

  In the flowchart of FIG. 18, when the lock mode is on, the cutout range determination unit 106 immediately ends the process, and the cutout range change instruction is not issued from the cutout range determination unit 106 to the baseband processing unit 113. In this case, the baseband processing unit 113 cuts out image data in the cutout range from image data (image information) corresponding to the captured image of the subject based on the rectangular area coordinates in the same cutout range as the previous frame.

  Next, a specific operation example in the video meeting mode will be described. It is assumed that the lock mode is off and the speaker detection mode is on.

  [Operation Example 1]

  As shown in FIG. 19, the feature area detection unit 144 detects feature areas 1 to 3 as shown in FIG. 19, and the feature area detection unit 144 detects the control unit 101 as shown in FIGS. 20 (a) to 20 (c). In addition, information on each feature area is supplied.

  Here, the feature area 1 is not an excluded feature area, but the value of the item “feature area matching result” of the feature area information is “false”. The feature area 1 is not a feature area in which the speaker's utterance is detected, and the value of the item “speaker's utterance detection result” in the feature area information is “false”.

  In addition, the feature area 2 is not a feature area that is excluded, and the value of the item “matching result of feature area” of the feature area information is “false”. The feature area 2 is not a feature area in which a speaker's utterance is detected, and the value of the item “speaker's utterance detection result” in the feature area information is “false”.

  Also, the feature area 3 is not a feature area that is excluded, and the value of the item “matching result of feature area” of the feature area information is “false”. The feature area 3 is not a feature area in which a speaker's utterance is detected, and the value of the item “speaker's utterance detection result” in the feature area information is “false”.

  In this case, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines the cutout range so as to include all of the feature areas 1 to 3. Then, the cutout range determination unit 106 instructs the baseband processing unit 113 to change to the cutout range.

  FIG. 21B shows a display state of the LCD panel 133, and a frame ARa indicating the feature areas 1 to 3 and a frame ARb indicating the cutout range are displayed on the captured image. In this case, the cutout range includes all of the feature areas 1 to 3.

  FIG. 21C shows the display state of the display panel 310 of the PC 300 connected to the video camera 100 via the USB cable 400 as shown in FIG. On the display panel 310, a streaming image (including feature areas 1 to 3) in the cutout range transmitted from the video camera 100 is displayed.

  [Operation example 2]

  As shown in FIG. 19, the feature area detection unit 144 detects feature areas 1 to 3 as shown in FIG. 19, and the feature area detection unit 144 detects the control unit 101 as shown in FIGS. 22 (a) to 22 (c). In addition, information on each feature area is supplied.

  Here, the feature area 1 is not an excluded feature area, but the value of the item “feature area matching result” of the feature area information is “false”. The feature area 1 is not a feature area in which the speaker's utterance is detected, and the value of the item “speaker's utterance detection result” in the feature area information is “false”.

  In addition, the feature area 2 is not a feature area that is excluded, and the value of the item “matching result of feature area” of the feature area information is “false”. The feature area 2 is not a feature area in which a speaker's utterance is detected, and the value of the item “speaker's utterance detection result” in the feature area information is “false”.

  The feature area 3 is an excluded feature area, and the value of the item “matching result of feature area” in the feature area information is “true”. The feature area 3 is not a feature area in which a speaker's utterance is detected, and the value of the item “speaker's utterance detection result” in the feature area information is “false”.

  In this case, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines the cutout range so as to include the feature areas 1 and 2 except for the feature area 3. Then, the cutout range determination unit 106 instructs the baseband processing unit 113 to change to the cutout range.

  FIG. 23B shows a display state of the LCD panel 133, and a frame ARa indicating the feature areas 1 to 3 and a frame ARb indicating the cutout range are displayed on the captured image. In this case, only the feature areas 1 and 2 are included in the cutout range.

  FIG. 23C shows the display state of the display panel 310 of the PC 300 connected to the video camera 100 via the USB cable 400 as shown in FIG. On this display panel 310, a streaming image (including feature areas 1 and 2) of the cutout range transmitted from the video camera 100 is displayed.

  [Operation Example 3]

  As shown in FIG. 19, the feature area detection unit 144 detects feature areas 1 to 3 as shown in FIG. 19, and the feature area detection unit 144 detects the control unit 101 as shown in FIGS. In addition, information on each feature area is supplied.

  Here, the feature area 1 is not an excluded feature area, but the value of the item “feature area matching result” of the feature area information is “false”. The feature area 1 is not a feature area in which the speaker's utterance is detected, and the value of the item “speaker's utterance detection result” in the feature area information is “false”.

  In addition, the feature area 2 is not a feature area that is excluded, and the value of the item “matching result of feature area” of the feature area information is “false”. The feature area 2 is a feature area in which the speaker's utterance is detected, and the value of the item “speaker utterance detection result” in the feature area information is “true”.

  The feature area 3 is an excluded feature area, and the value of the item “matching result of feature area” in the feature area information is “true”. The feature area 3 is not a feature area in which a speaker's utterance is detected, and the value of the item “speaker's utterance detection result” in the feature area information is “false”.

  In this case, when there is a voice input, the cutout range determination unit 106 determines the cutout range so as to include the feature area 2 that is the speaker's feature area. Then, the cutout range determination unit 106 instructs the baseband processing unit 113 to change to the cutout range.

  FIG. 25B shows the display state of the LCD panel 133. A frame ARa indicating the feature areas 1 to 3 and a frame ARb indicating the cutout range are displayed on the captured image. In this case, the cutout range includes a feature area 2 which is a speaker feature area at the center. Note that the feature area 2 which is the speaker's feature area is displayed in a different manner from the other feature areas.

  FIG. 25C shows the display state of the display panel 310 of the PC 300 connected to the video camera 100 via the USB cable 400 as shown in FIG. On the display panel 310, a streaming image (including the feature area 2) in the cutout range transmitted from the video camera 100 is displayed.

  As described above, in the video camera 100 shown in FIG. 1, when in the video meeting mode, the feature area detection unit 144 includes the feature area including the face based on the image data (image information) corresponding to the captured image of the subject. Is detected, the cutout range determination unit 106 of the control unit 101 determines the cutout range so as to include the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit 144, and the baseband processing unit 113 determines the cutout range determination unit 106 from the captured image data. The image data in the cut-out range determined in step 1 is cut out, and the video stream image is transmitted by the USB control unit 142.

  That is, in the video camera 100 shown in FIG. 1, when in the video meeting mode, the cutout range is automatically determined so as to include the feature area (one or a plurality) of the captured image, and the image data of this cutout range is included. Therefore, the user does not need to manually adjust the cutout range so as to include the feature area of the captured image, and usability is improved.

  In the video camera 100 shown in FIG. 1, the user operates the touch panel 135 or the user operation unit 102 to exclude a predetermined feature area from the feature areas detected by the feature area detection unit 144 from being cut out. You can set this and cancel this setting. Therefore, the user can easily select whether or not to transmit image information of a predetermined feature area.

  In this case, the user can set and cancel using the display of the feature area of the LCD panel (display panel) 133, and can easily perform the setting and canceling operations. Further, in this case, since the display mode of the predetermined feature area excluded from the clipping target is changed by the graphic display unit, the user can easily exclude the predetermined feature area from the clipping target. Can be confirmed.

  In the video camera 100 shown in FIG. 1, the feature area detection unit 144 stores image data (image information) of a predetermined feature area set to be excluded from the extraction target in an SDRAM (storage unit) 145. Whether the feature area image data detected periodically (every frame) is compared with the image data stored in the SDRAM 145, and the detected feature area is excluded from the object to be cut out. It is the structure which judges. Therefore, even if the feature area excluded from the cut-out target once deviates from the picked-up image and enters the picked-up image again, the feature area is excluded from the cut-out target. Can continue handling.

  Further, in the video camera 100 shown in FIG. 1, when the speaker detection mode is set to ON, the clipping range is determined so as to include the feature area (speaker detection area) including the speaker's face. The Therefore, it is possible to cut out and transmit image information centered on the face of the speaker. Since the user can set on / off of the speaker detection mode by operating the touch panel 135 or the user operation unit 102, the cutout range includes all detected feature areas or features including the speaker's face. You can easily select whether to include the area as the center.

  In the video camera 100 shown in FIG. 1, when the lock mode is set to ON, the cutout range determination unit 106 does not perform cutout range update processing based on the feature area information detected by the feature area detection unit 144. The cutout range in the baseband processing unit 113 is locked. Therefore, the user sets whether the lock range is turned on or off by operating the touch panel 135 or the user operation unit 102 to fix the cut range or change the cut range according to the detection result of the feature area. Easy to choose.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the characteristic part of the subject included in the feature area is a human face has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the characteristic part of the subject included in the feature area is not limited thereto. Such a part may be a part or the whole of a specific object, a specific organism, or the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, USB standard communication means is used as means for transmitting video streaming images. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and wired means such as IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 1394). Alternatively, wireless means such as WiFi may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cutout range determination unit 106 adjusts the final cutout range in the video meeting mode so as to be the aspect ratio of the video streaming image. However, this adjustment is not performed. You can also.

  The present invention can be applied to a communication system such as a video phone or a video conference using a PC or a portable terminal.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the video camera as embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of the feature area detection part of a video camera, a control part, a baseband process part, and a USB control part in video meeting mode. It is a figure which shows the example of selection of the setup menu displayed on the LCD panel of a video camera. It is a figure which shows the example of an image display of the LCD panel in the process of connecting with an external apparatus with a USB cable. It is a figure which shows the distribution pattern of the luminance value (high luminance value) peculiar to the face image used when detecting a face image. It is a figure which shows the position of the eyes and mouth which are detected by dividing a face image into a dark part and a bright part. It is a figure for demonstrating calculating the rectangular area | region coordinates (Left, Top, Right, Bottom) of a feature area using the rectangular area which consists of the position of an eye and a mouth. It is a figure which shows the example of data storage of the main buffer used by the feature area validation process in a feature area detection part, and a temporary buffer. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the validation process of the feature area in a feature area detection part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure of the validation process in a feature area detection part. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method of the rectangular area which detects the movement of a mouth used in the judgment operation | movement of the speaker (speaker) in a feature area detection part. It is a figure which shows an example of a display state when there is no feature area set as exclusion, and when there is a feature area set as exclusion. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence at the time of the video meeting mode of a characteristic area detection part. It is a figure for demonstrating the feature area information supplied to a control part from a feature area detection part. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method of the cut-out range in consideration of the aspect-ratio of the video stream image in a cut-out range determination part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in case the three feature areas of the feature areas 1-3 are detected in the feature area detection part. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the threshold value of an audio | voice level in a speaker audio | voice detection part, and the area of the feature area of a process target. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of the cut-out range determination part of a control part. It is a figure which shows the example of a detection of the feature area from the captured image in a feature area detection part. The figure which shows an example of the feature area information supplied to a control part from the feature area detection part in the case where neither the feature area by which exclusion setting was carried out in the detected feature area nor the feature area in which speaker utterance was detected is included is there. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the LCD panel of a video camera, and the display panel of PC in the case where neither the feature area excluded by the detected feature area nor the feature area where the speaker utterance is detected is included. It is a figure which shows an example of the feature area information supplied to the control part from a feature area detection part in the case where the feature area excluded by the feature area detected by the feature area detection part is included. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the LCD panel of a video camera, and the display panel of PC in the case where the feature area excluded by the feature area detected by the feature area detection part is included. An example of feature area information supplied from the feature area detection unit to the control unit when the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit includes both the feature area excluded and the feature area where the speaker utterance is detected FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the LCD panel of a video camera, and the display panel of PC in case the feature area detected by the feature area detection part includes both the feature area excluded and the feature area where the speaker utterance is detected It is. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display panel of a video camera, and the display panel of PC in the conventional communication system with which the video camera and PC were connected via the USB cable.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Video camera, 101 ... Control part, 102 ... User operation part, 103 ... CPU, 104 ... Flash ROM, 105 ... SDAM, 106 ... Extraction range determination part, 107 ... Speaker voice detection unit, 111 ... Imager, 112 ... Imaging processing unit, 113 ... Baseband processing unit, 114 ... SDRAM, 115 ... Microphone, 116 ... A / D converter, 117 ... compression / decompression unit, 118 ... recording / reproducing unit, 119 ... recording medium, 121 ... interface, 122 ... D terminal, 123 ... D / A Transducer 124 ... Audio output terminal 131 ... Superimposition unit 132 ... LCD driver 133 ... LCD panel 134 ... OSD unit 135 ... Touch panel 136 · Coordinate detection unit, 141 ... image compressing unit, 142 ... USB controller, 143 ... USB interface, 144 ... feature area detector, 145 ... SDRAM

Claims (22)

A feature area detection unit that detects a feature area of the captured image including a characteristic part of the subject based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject;
A cutout range determination unit for determining a cutout range including the detected feature area based on the area information of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit;
An image cutout unit that cuts out image information of the cutout range from image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject based on the region information of the cutout range determined by the cutout range determination unit;
An image transmission unit that transmits the image information cut out by the image cutout unit ,
The feature area detector
Periodically, the feature area is detected based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject,
A storage unit for storing feature area information of each feature area to which a feature area number is assigned;
Each time the feature area is detected,
The feature areas stored in the storage unit are sequentially processed. When overlapping feature areas are detected, the detection count is incremented and the feature area information is updated. When no overlapping feature areas are detected, detection is performed. When the count is decremented and the detection count reaches a specified value, the corresponding feature area information is deleted from the storage unit,
When there is detection of a feature area that does not overlap with any of the feature areas to be processed, feature area information of the feature area is newly assigned a feature area number and stored in the storage unit as a detection count of 1,
The cutout range determination unit
Among the feature areas stored in the storage unit, a feature area whose detection count is equal to or greater than a specified value is set as an activated feature area, and the activated feature area is based on the area information of the activated feature area. An image processing apparatus for determining a cutout range including a feature area . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and obtains image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject. An image compression unit that performs compression encoding processing on the image information cut out by the image cut-out unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transmission unit transmits the image information compressed and encoded by the image compression unit. A display panel for displaying the captured image based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject;
The graphic display unit that displays the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit and the cutout range determined by the cutout range determination unit on the display panel so as to overlap the captured image. Image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic part of the subject included in the characteristic area is a human face. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutout range determination unit determines the cutout range so as to include a feature area detected by the feature area detection unit and to have a predetermined aspect ratio. The cutout range determination unit
In the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit, L is the leftmost value, T is the highest value, R is the rightmost value, and B is the lowest value.
The distance from the uppermost end to the upper end of the cutout range and the distance from the lowermost end to the lower end of the cutout range is a,
The distance from the leftmost end to the left end of the cutout range and the distance from the rightmost end to the right end of the cutout range is b,
When the aspect ratio is h: v,
{| R−L | + 2b}: {| B−T | + 2a} = h: v
The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the distance a and the distance b are obtained so as to satisfy the expression, and the cutout range is determined. It further comprises a user operation unit that sets to exclude a predetermined feature area from the feature area detected from the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit, and cancels the setting,
The cutout range determination unit determines a cutout range including other feature areas excluding the feature area excluded from the cutout target by the user operation unit among the feature areas detected by the feature area detection unit. The image processing apparatus according to 1. A display panel for displaying the captured image based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject;
The display panel further includes a graphic display unit that displays the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit and the cutout range determined by the cutout range determination unit, overlaid on the captured image,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the user operation unit performs the setting and the cancellation using a display of a feature area detected by the feature area detection unit displayed on the display panel. The graphic display unit changes a display mode of the predetermined feature area on the display panel when exclusion of the predetermined feature area from the cut target is set by the user operation unit. Image processing device. The user operation unit includes a touch panel arranged on the display panel,
The image according to claim 9, wherein the user performs the setting and the release for the predetermined feature area by pressing a position on the touch panel corresponding to the predetermined feature area displayed on the display panel. Processing equipment. The feature area detection unit periodically detects the feature area based on image information corresponding to a captured image of the subject,
A storage unit that stores image information of the predetermined feature area that is set to be excluded from the extraction target by the user operation unit;
Compare the image information of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit with the image information stored in the storage unit, and exclude the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit from the target to be cut out An exclusion determination unit that determines whether or not the feature area corresponds to the predetermined feature area that is set,
The cutout range determination unit is configured to select the user operation from among the feature areas detected by the feature area detection unit based on the region information of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit and the determination result of the exclusion determination unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a cutout range including other feature areas excluding the feature area excluded from the cutout target is determined by a section. The characteristic part of the subject included in the characteristic area is a human face,
The feature area detection unit includes a speaker determination unit that determines whether a face in the feature area detected based on image information corresponding to a captured image of the subject is the face of a speaker.
The cut-out range determining unit is configured to determine whether or not a speaker's face is included in the feature area detected by the feature area detecting unit based on the area information of the feature area detected by the feature area detecting unit and the determination result of the speaker determining unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when there is a feature area including the character area, a cutout range including the feature area including the face of the speaker is determined. An audio level detector that detects an audio level based on audio information corresponding to the image information;
A level determination unit that determines whether or not the audio level detected by the audio level detection unit is greater than or equal to a threshold;
The cutout range determination unit includes a feature area in which the face of the speaker is included in the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit, and the voice level detected by the voice level detection unit is a threshold value by the level determination unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when it is determined as described above, a cutout range including a feature area including the face of the speaker is determined. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the threshold value used in the level determination unit is increased as the size of a feature area including the face of the speaker is increased. A user setting unit for setting the speaker detection mode on or off;
When the cutout range determination unit is set to speaker detection mode on in the user setting unit,
The image processing according to claim 13, wherein when the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit includes a feature area including the face of the speaker, a cutout range including the feature area including the face of the speaker is determined. apparatus. A display panel for displaying the captured image based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a graphic display unit that displays a setting state of the speaker detection mode on the display panel. The image processing device according to claim 17, wherein the user setting unit sets the speaker detection mode on or off using a display of the setting state of the speaker detection mode displayed on the display panel. The feature area detection unit periodically detects the feature area based on image information corresponding to a captured image of the subject,
The cutout range determination unit periodically determines a cutout range including the detected feature area based on the position information of the feature area detected by the feature area detection unit;
It further comprises a user setting unit for setting on / off of the lock mode of the clipping range,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutout range determination unit locks the cutout range to the cutout range determined last time when the user setting unit sets the lock mode on. A display panel for displaying the captured image based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a graphic display unit that displays the set state of the lock mode on the display panel. The image processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the user setting unit sets the lock mode on or off using a display of the lock mode setting state displayed on the display panel. A feature area detecting step for detecting a feature area of the captured image including a characteristic portion of the subject based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject;
A cutout range determination step for determining a cutout range including the detected feature area based on the region information of the feature area detected in the feature area detection step,
An image cutout step of cutting out the image information of the cutout range from the image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject based on the area information of the cutout range determined in the cutout range determination step;
Possess an image transmission step of transmitting the image information extracted by the image extraction step,
In the feature area detection step,
Periodically, the feature area is detected based on image information corresponding to the captured image of the subject,
Each time the feature area is detected,
The feature areas stored in the storage unit storing the feature area information of each feature area to which the feature area number is assigned are sequentially processed, and when there are overlapping feature areas, the detection count is incremented and Update the feature area information, decrement the detection count when no overlapping feature area is detected, and delete the corresponding feature area information from the storage unit when the detection count reaches a specified value,
When there is detection of a feature area that does not overlap with any of the feature areas to be processed, feature area information of the feature area is newly assigned a feature area number and stored in the storage unit as a detection count of 1,
In the cutout range determination step,
Among the feature areas stored in the storage unit, a feature area whose detection count is equal to or greater than a specified value is set as an activated feature area, and the activated feature area is based on the area information of the activated feature area. An image processing method for determining a cutout range including a feature area .

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