JPH02165792A - Picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display a character, a graphic, etc., which are written in an original, under an easily visible state by converting a picture signal from a picture input means into another picture signal representing a color accordant with the level of gradation information indicated by the inputted picture signal and outputting the converted picture signal onto a picture display means by a color converting means. CONSTITUTION:When the original is to be made into a picture and presented to an audience, the picture of the original is inputted to a picture input means 21 and converted into the picture signal, and the converted picture signal is inputted to a color converting means 23. While the color converting means 23 converts the picture signal into another picture signal representing a prescribed color when the gradation information indicated by the picture signal from the picture input means 21 is a prescribed level or below, the means 23 converts the picture signal into a picture signal representing another prescribed color, which is different from the above-mentioned prescribed color, when the gradation information indicated by the picture signal is the prescribed level or below, and the means 23 outputs each converted picture signal to a picture display means 22. Thus, since the picture display means 22 displays the picture of the original in the color accordant with the gradation level indicated by the picture signal, the picture of the original sych as the character and the graphic can be made into an easily visible state.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> This invention can be used to present a manuscript prepared by a person giving a presentation or lecture to attendees or an audience when giving a presentation at a conference or lecture. The present invention relates to an image processing device.

<Prior Art> When giving a presentation at a conference, lecture, etc., it is necessary to present a manuscript prepared by the person giving the presentation or lecture to the attendees or audience.

Conventionally, as document presentation devices used to perform such document presentation, there are Overherad projectors and video conference systems.

First, the Overherad projector will be explained.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the Overherad projector.
■ is the device body, 2 is the light source, 3 is the lens and mirror, 4
is a screen. A manuscript is created by writing characters, figures, etc. on a transparent sheet 5 using ink that blocks light. When the sheet 5 is placed on the top surface of the apparatus main body 1, the figures, characters, etc. written on the sheet 5 will block part of the light emitted from the light source 2. As a result, the shadows of figures, characters, etc. written on the sheet 5 are projected onto the screen 4 via the lens and mirror 3.

Next, the video conference system will be explained.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the television conference system, where 11 is a camera for inputting an image of a document 13, and 12 is a display for displaying an image input from the camera 1K. A plurality of displays 12 may be connected. Also,
The display 12 may be small or may be a large projector.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, the above-described document presentation device has the following drawbacks.

First, in the Overherad projector, (1)
It is necessary to write the manuscript on a transparent sheet 5, which requires time and cost to prepare the manuscript.

(2) Since the background is limited to the color of the screen 4 (usually white), it is difficult to see the characters clearly. That is, when projecting characters onto the screen 4, a combination of a blue background and white characters is easier to see than a combination of a white background and black characters. However, in the Overherad projector, since the manuscript is created by writing figures, characters, etc. on the transparent sheet 14, the background is the color of the screen 4 (i.e.,
In most cases, it will be white).

Furthermore, when explaining the contents of a manuscript at a conference, lecture, etc., it is often the case that a pointing device such as a pointer stick is used to point to a portion of the image of the presented manuscript that is to be explained. In this case, when a light-blocking pointer stick is placed on the original sheet 5 and a necessary point on the document is pointed, a black shadow in the shape of the pointer stick is displayed on the screen. However, since the shadows of the characters and figures of the original displayed on the screen 4 are usually black, there is a problem in that the shadow of the black indicator stick is difficult to see. For this purpose, if the material of the indicator stick is made of something like celluloid that allows light to pass through and is colored, a colored indicator stick can be realized. However, the background of the document is usually transparent, and the indicator bar always appears darker than the background by blocking light, so visibility is not improved that much.

Next, in the case of a video conference system, the document may be of any type, and when the document is placed under the camera 11, it is immediately displayed on the display 12. Therefore, there is no need to bother with writing originals on a transparent sheet, unlike with an Overherad projector. However, since the original is often written in black letters on white paper, if the image of the original is input to the camera 11, the display I
In No. 2, images of text are displayed with a white background, and as with the case of over-the-top projectors, there is a problem in that the text is difficult to see.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the need to create a presentation manuscript separately from the prepared manuscript, and to eliminate the need to create a presentation manuscript separately from the prepared manuscript.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device that allows images such as characters and figures to be easily seen.

Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above object, a first invention provides an image input means for converting an input image of a document into an image signal, and a method for converting an image of the document based on the image signal. In an image processing apparatus having an image display means for displaying, when the grayscale information represented by the image signal from the image input means is below a predetermined level, the image signal is converted to an image signal representing a predetermined color, and the Color conversion means is provided for converting the image signal into an image signal representing a predetermined color different from the predetermined color and outputting the converted image signal to the image display means when the gradation information represented by the image signal is at a predetermined level or higher. It is characterized by

A second invention also provides an image input means for capturing an image of a document and an instruction means for indicating a predetermined portion of the document and converting the image into an image signal; In an image processing apparatus having an image display means for displaying an image, a color range specifying means for specifying a color range of the instruction means and a color represented by an image signal from the image input means are specified by the color range specifying means. color detection means for determining whether or not the color falls within the color range, and outputting a color detection signal if the color falls within the color range; a color setting means for setting a color and, when the color detection means outputs a color detection signal, converting an image signal from the image input means into an image signal representing the color set by the color setting means; When the color detection means does not output a color detection signal, the image signal from the image input means is converted into an image signal of a color corresponding to the shading information represented by the image signal, and the converted image signal is output to the image display means. It is characterized by being equipped with a color conversion means.

Further, a third aspect of the present invention provides an image processing apparatus having an image input means for converting an input image of a document into an image signal, and an image display means for displaying an image of the document based on the image signal. an image memory for accumulating image signals from the input means; a color information memory for storing color information of an image to be displayed on the image display means; and a coordinate input means for specifying a position in the color information memory to write color information of a cursor. cursor display means for writing color information of the cursor at a position in the color information memory specified by the coordinate input means; and emphasis point specifying means for specifying a position in the color information memory at which color information of the highlighted point is to be written. , highlighted point display means for writing color information of the highlighted point in the position of the color information memory specified by the highlighted point specifying means, and when the color information read from the color information memory is the color information of the cursor; outputs an image signal representing a color based on the color information of this cursor to the image display means, and if the color information read from the color information memory is the color information of the highlighted area, the color information of the highlighted area is outputting an image signal representing the base color to the image display means, and when the color information read from the color information memory is other than the color information of the cursor and the color information of the emphasized part,
The present invention is characterized by comprising a color conversion means for outputting to the image display means an image signal of a color corresponding to the gradation information represented by the image signal of the image memory corresponding to this color information.

Effect> In the first invention, an image of a document is input to the image input means and converted into an image signal, and this converted image signal is input to the color conversion means. Then, when the gradation information represented by the image signal from the image input means is below a predetermined level, the color conversion means converts the image signal into an image signal representing a predetermined color, and the color conversion means converts the image signal into an image signal representing a predetermined color, while If the gradation information is at a predetermined level or higher, the image signal is converted into an image signal representing a predetermined color different from the predetermined color and output to the image display means.

Therefore, the image display means displays the image of the document in a color corresponding to the level of shading represented by the image signal.

Further, in the second invention, an image of a document and an instruction means for indicating a predetermined portion of the document is inputted to the image input means and converted into an image signal, and this converted image signal is inputted to the color detection means. Ru. Then, the color detection means
It is determined whether or not the color represented by the image signal from the image input means is included in the color range of the instruction means specified by the color range specification means, and if the color is included in the color range, the color is Outputs a detection signal.

On the other hand, an image signal from the image input means is input to the color conversion means. Then, when the color detection means outputs a color detection signal, the color conversion means converts the image signal from the image input means into an image signal representing the color set by the color setting means; When the color detection means does not output a color detection signal, the image signal from the image input means is converted into an image signal of a color corresponding to the shading information represented by the image signal, and the converted image signal is output to the image display means.

Therefore, the image display means displays the image of the document in a color corresponding to the gradation information represented by the image signal, and also displays the image of the instruction means in the color set by the color setting means.

Furthermore, in the third invention, the image of the original is input to the image input means and converted into an image signal. Then, the image signal from this image input means is input to the image memory and stored. On the other hand, the cursor display means writes the color information of the cursor at the position of the color information memory designated by the coordinate input means. Furthermore, the highlighted point display means writes the color information of the highlighted point at the position of the color information memory designated by the highlighted point specifying means.

Then, if the color information read from the color information memory is the color information of the cursor, the color conversion means outputs an image signal representing a color based on the cursor color information to the image display means. Further, when the color information read from the color information memory is the color information of the emphasized portion, the color conversion means outputs image information representing a color based on the color information of the emphasized portion to the image display means. . Furthermore, when the color information read from the color information memory is other than the color information of the cursor and the color information of the highlighted area, the color conversion means converts the image signal of the image memory corresponding to this color information into a color information read from the color information memory. An image signal of a color corresponding to the displayed grayscale information is output to the image display means.

Therefore, the image display means displays an image of the document in a color corresponding to the gradation information represented by the image signal. At the same time, the cursor image of the color specified by the cursor display means is displayed at the position specified by the coordinate input means on the image of the document, and the image of the document specified by the emphasis point specifying means is displayed. The highlighted portion is displayed in a color specified by the highlighted portion display means.

<Example> Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to illustrated embodiments.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a video processing device according to the first invention. When displaying an image of a document, this image processing device displays the background in blue, while displaying characters, figures, etc. in white. In FIG. 1, 21 is a monochrome camera that inputs an image of a document and outputs a black and white video signal, 22 is a display that displays the image of the document based on the video signal output from the monochrome camera 21, and 23 is a color conversion device. It is a circuit.

A plurality of the displays 22 may be connected.

Further, the display 22 may be small or may be a large projector.

In the video processing device having the above configuration, the black and white video signal based on the image of the original inputted to the black and white camera 21 is converted by the color conversion circuit 23 into a blue video signal in the case of a white video signal; A black video signal is converted to a white video signal. A color image of the document is then displayed on the display 22 in accordance with this color-converted video signal.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the color conversion circuit 23. The input signal 31 is a black and white video signal output from the camera 21. This video signal 31 is input to an inverting circuit 32 that inverts the level. The output signal of the inverting circuit 32 is R (Red) of the input terminals of the encoder circuit 34.
) component and the G (Green) component. On the other hand, B (Bl
A high constant level signal is input from the constant signal output circuit 33 to the input terminal corresponding to the ue) component. The inverting circuit 32 and the constant signal output circuit 33 can be created using known operational amplifier circuits. Additionally, encoder circuit 34 can be created using known techniques.

Next, the operation of the color conversion circuit 23 will be explained.

Normal manuscripts have black text on a white background.

First, we will explain how the white background portion of the document is converted and displayed. In the white portion, the level of the input signal to the inversion circuit 32 is high.

Therefore, this high level input signal is transmitted to the inverting circuit 32.
The signal is inverted to a low level signal and input to input terminals corresponding to the R and G components of the encoder circuit 34. Further, a high constant level signal from the constant signal circuit 33 is input to an input terminal corresponding to the B component of the encoder circuit 34 . Therefore, encoder circuit 34
A high level signal is input only to the input terminal corresponding to the B component. As a result, the encoder circuit 34 outputs a video signal representing blue. Then, the white background of the document is displayed in blue on the display 22 based on the video signal from the encoder circuit 34.

Next, in the black character portion of the document, the level of the input signal to the inversion circuit 32 becomes a low value. The level of this input signal becomes high because it is inverted by the inverting circuit 32, and high-level signals are input to the input terminals of the encoder circuit 34 corresponding to the R component and the G component. On the other hand, a high constant level signal is input to the input terminal of the encoder circuit 34 corresponding to the B component. Therefore, signals of a predetermined level or higher are input to the input terminals of the encoder circuit 34 corresponding to all R, G, and B components.

As a result, the encoder circuit 34 outputs a video signal representing white. Then, on display 22,
Based on the output signal from the encoder circuit 34, the black characters on the document are displayed in white.

That is, according to the first invention, for example, when an image of a document with black text on a white background is input to the monochrome camera 21, an image of the document with white text on a blue background is displayed on the display 22. Therefore, it is possible to display an extremely easy-to-see image of the original without creating a new original for presentation.

In this embodiment, a black and white camera 2 is used to input the image of the original.
1 is used, but it is obvious that the same effect can be obtained using a color camera.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the second invention. This image processing device displays an image of a document with a blue background and white characters.

Furthermore, the image of the pointer stick is displayed in a specified color. In FIG. 3, numeral 41 is a color camera that inputs an image of a document and converts it into a color video signal, and 42 is a display that displays the image of the document based on the video signal output from the color camera 41. A plurality of displays 42 may be connected. Further, the display 42 may be small or may be a large projector. The color detection circuit 43 detects the color range of the color video signal from the color camera 41 using the color range input means 44.
It is determined whether or not the color is within the specified color range, and if the result is that the color is within the color range, a color detection signal 45 is output. The color conversion circuit 46 converts the video signal from the color camera 41 according to the color detection signal 45 from the color detection circuit 43 and the color set by the color setting means 47, and outputs it to the display 42.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus having the above configuration will be explained.

The color video signal input from the color camera 4I is input to the color detection circuit 43. Then, the color detection circuit 43 detects whether the color range represented by the input video signal is within the color range set by the color range input means 44.

As a result, if the color range of the video signal is within the color range set by the color range input means 44, a color detection signal 45 is output. Then, the color conversion circuit 46 detects that the color detection signal 45 is output from the color detection circuit 43 (that is, the color range of the input video signal is
If the color is within the color range set by 4),
A video signal of the color specified by the color setting means 47 is output. On the other hand, if the color detection signal 45 is not output from the color detection circuit 43 (that is, the color range of the input video signal is not within the color range set by the color range input means 44), the color detection signal 45 is output from the color camera 4I. The white video signal is converted to a blue video signal, or the black video signal is converted to a white video signal and output.

The manuscript used in this embodiment is, for example, white paper with black characters and figures written on it. This manuscript can be used not only in the form of a single sheet of paper but also in the form of a book.

Also, use colored sticks as indicator sticks. The color of this indicator bar is set by the color range input means 44. By doing this, the color of the pointer bar in the image of the original is converted by the color conversion circuit 46 into a conspicuous color preset by the color setting means 47 and displayed.

The color detection circuit 43 and color range input means 44 described above can be realized using the known chromakey technique. Chromakey is a technique that combines another video image into a preset color range area of a video image, and is used by broadcasting stations to add special effects to images.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the color conversion circuit 46.

Input signal 5! is a color video signal output from the color camera 41. A luminance signal is extracted from this color video signal 51 by a luminance signal extraction circuit 52. The extracted luminance signal is then input to an inversion circuit 54 that inverts the signal level. Output signals from the inverting circuit 54 are input to input terminals corresponding to the R component and the G component among the input terminals of the encoder circuit 54. On the other hand, a high constant level signal is input from the constant signal output circuit 55 to the input terminal corresponding to the daily component of the encoder circuit 54 . The inverting circuit 53 and the constant signal output circuit 55 can be created using known operational amplifier circuits. Furthermore, the luminance signal extraction circuit 52 and the encoder circuit 54 can be created using known techniques used in the television field.

The video signal recombined by encoder circuit 54 is input to multiplexer circuit 56 .

This multiplexer circuit 56 uses a color detection signal 57 (45 in FIG. 3) from the color detection circuit 43 as a control signal, and outputs the video signal from the encoder circuit 54 and the output of the color setting means 58 (47 in FIG. 5). Switch and select either one. The output signal of multiplexer circuit 56 is sent to display 42.

Next, the operation of the color conversion circuit 46 having the above configuration will be explained. Normal manuscripts have black text on a white background. Therefore, the luminance signal in the background part has a high level. However, the level of this luminance signal is inverted by the inverting circuit 53 and the R component and G component of the encoder circuit 54 are inverted.
It is input to the input terminal corresponding to the component. Therefore, low-level luminance signals are input to the corresponding input terminals of the R component and G component of the encoder circuit 54.

On the other hand, a high constant level signal is input to the input terminal of the encoder circuit 54 corresponding to the B component.

Therefore, a high level signal is input to the encoder circuit 54 only to the input terminal corresponding to the daily component. As a result, the white background is converted to blue and displayed on the display 42.

Furthermore, the luminance signal of the black text portion has a low level. Therefore, the high-level luminance signal inverted by the inverting circuit 53 is input to the input terminals corresponding to the R component and the G component of the encoder circuit. On the other hand, a high constant level signal is input to the input terminal corresponding to the daily component of the encoder circuit 54. Therefore, high level signals are input to the encoder circuit 54 for all R, G, and B components. As a result, black characters are converted to white and displayed on the display 42.

That is, a document with black text on a white background is displayed on the display 42 as white text on a blue background.

Furthermore, when a pointer stick painted in a specific color is placed on the document, the following processing is performed. First, color detection is performed to determine whether the color range of the video signal of the image of the document on which the pointer stick is placed outputted from the color camera 41 falls within the color range of the pointer stick specified by the color range input means 44. circuit 4
Detected by 3. As a result, the color of the indicator bar is detected at the location of the indicator bar in the image, and the color detection signal 45 (57
) is output. As a result, the multiplexer circuit 56 is switched, and the signal from the color setting means 47 (58) is selected and output to the display 42.

That is, among the images displayed on the display 42,
Only the pointer bar portion is displayed after being converted to an easily distinguishable color set by the color setting means 47 (58).

That is, according to the second invention, when an image of, for example, black text on a white background is input to the color camera 41, an image of an original with a blue background and white text is displayed on the display 42. Therefore, there is no need to create a new document for presentation, and an easy-to-see image of the document can be displayed. Further, since only the image of the pointing stick can be displayed in a color that is easily distinguishable from others, it is possible to clearly point out the necessary location.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the third invention. This image processing device uses a cursor of a predetermined color as an instruction means for specifying a predetermined part of the image on the image of the document, and also uses another predetermined color (hereinafter referred to as emphasis color) to place the part to be emphasized more. ). In FIG. 5, 61 is a black-and-white camera that inputs an image of a document;
Reference numeral 2 represents a display for displaying an image of a document inputted by a monochrome camera 6H2, and 63 represents an image processing circuit. A plurality of the displays 62 may be connected. Further, the display 62 may be small or may be a large projector. This image processing device uses an image processing circuit 63 to synthesize a cursor image according to signals from a coordinate input means 64 such as a tablet and a switch button 65 with respect to a black and white video signal of a document outputted from a black and white camera 61. Color change processing can be performed. Then, the video signal on which the cursor image has been synthesized and the color changed is input to the display 62 and displayed.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the image processing circuit 63.

This is a black video signal. This video signal 71 is input to an A/D converter circuit 72 and converted into a digital signal. This converted digital signal is stored in an image memory 74 via a gate circuit 73. Further, the microprocessor 76 can read and write the contents of the image memory 74 via the bidirectional gate circuit 75 and the data bus 99.

The color information memory 77 is a memory that stores image color information (hereinafter referred to as color data). The microblock processor 76 transfers the contents of the color information memory 77 to the bidirectional gate circuit 78 and the data bus 99 in the same way as the contents of the image memory 74.
Can be read and written via.

Further, the data stored in the image memory 74 or the color information memory 77 is input to the lookup table memory 81 via multiplexer circuits 79 and 80. This lookup table memory 81 includes an image memory 74.
Alternatively, the data input from the color information memory 77 and the final output signal R (red), G (green),
B (blue) component are stored in association with each other. The microprocessor 76 includes a bidirectional gate circuit 82,
The contents of lookup table memory 8I can be read and written via 83, 84 and data bus 99. The output signal of the lookup table 81 is sent to D/A converters 88, 89 via latch circuits 85, 86° 87.
．． 90, this D/A converter circuit 8g, 8
It is converted into an analog signal by 9°90. This analog signal is further converted into a video signal by an encoder circuit 91 and output to the display 62.

Information from a tablet serving as an external device, ie, a coordinate input means 64, and a switch button 65 (see FIG. 5) is input via an interface circuit 92. ROM(
read-only memory) 93 has a microprocessor 76
Stores control programs, data, etc. Also, RAM
(Random access memory) 94 stores values of variables, data, etc. necessary for image processing. Address generation circuit 95
generates addresses for accessing the image memory 74 and color information memory 77 for image display. The address signal generated by this address generation circuit 95 is sent to the image memory 74 via a multiplexer circuit 96.
and is supplied to the color information memory 77.

When the microprocessor 76 reads or writes the contents of the image memory 74 or the color information memory 77, the multiplexer circuit 96 is switched to the microprocessor 76 side. Then, the address signal from the microblock processor 76 is transmitted to the address bus 98 and the multiplexer circuit 9.
6 to an image memory 74 and a color information memory 77. On the other hand, when the microprocessor 76 reads and writes the contents of the lookup table memory 81,
Multiplexer circuit 79.80 is microprocessor 7
Can be switched to 6 side. And microprocessor 76
The address signals from the address bus 98 and multiplexer circuits 79 and 80 are input to the lookup table memory 81. A timing control circuit 97 supplies timing control signals to each of the above circuits.

Next, the image processing circuit having the above configuration operates as follows.

First, an input black-and-white video signal 71 is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter circuit 72, and is input to an image memory via a gate circuit 73 and stored therein. On the other hand, the color information memory 77 has the same spatial resolution as the image memory 74.

Color data representing the shape of the cursor is written into the color information memory 77 by the microprocessor 76. The shape of this cursor is predetermined, and color data representing the shape of this cursor is stored in 110M93. In this case, switch button 6 of the external device
5 can also be used to change the shape of the cursor. The display position of the cursor on the screen of the display 62 is set by coordinate input means 64, which is an external device. In other words, the process of displaying the cursor image is (
f) Delete the currently displayed cursor image, (
This is achieved by executing three processes: 2) inputting the coordinates of the cursor position from the coordinate input means 64, and (3) displaying the cursor image at the new position. The process of displaying or erasing the cursor image is performed as follows. That is, when erasing the cursor image, the color data representing the shape of the cursor written in the color information memory 177 is saved to the RAM 94, and then the color data representing the shape of the cursor on the color information memory 77 is saved. This can be achieved by rewriting to other color data. In addition, when displaying a cursor image, the color data representing the shape of the cursor saved in the RAM 94 is stored in the color information memory 77.
This can be realized by writing back to the position specified by the coordinate input means 64.

Next, the color data written to the color information memory 77 will be explained. When writing the color data of the cursor, the color data value ai is written in the area on the color information memory 77 specified by the coordinate input means 64 (when the cursor is displayed using two or more colors, the color data value ai The data value ai can be expressed using multiple values)
. A color data value different from the color data value ai is written in a portion other than the color data of the cursor. Also, when giving a presentation, it is often desirable to emphasize a particular part of the manuscript. In that case, a color data value ci different from both the color data value at and the color data value s is written in the area of the color information memory 77 corresponding to the portion on the document to be emphasized. At this time, if there are a plurality of locations to be emphasized, and each location is to be emphasized using a different color, the color data value ci may be set to a plurality of values. These multiple color data values ci
Select which value to display using the switch button 65.
You can set it by operating .

Next, the procedure for writing the color data value ci into the color information memory 77 will be explained. When specifying the location where the color data value ci is written in the color information memory 77, the following two methods are used.

(A) Set the area to be emphasized on the color information memory 77 as a rectangle, and set the color data value ci within the rectangular range.
How to write.

(B) First, set the coordinates of one point on the color information memory 77 that includes the area you want to emphasize, then search around that coordinate point, and fill in the color data within the range of the row or block that includes that one point. How to write the value ci.

The process (A) above is executed as follows.

That is, the user moves the cursor on the display screen on which the image of the original is displayed, and first inputs the coordinates of two diagonal points of the rectangular range of the original to be emphasized.

By doing this, the address area on the color information memory 77 is specified. Next, microprocessor 7
6, by writing the color data value ci into the specified address area on the color information memory 77.

The process (B) above is executed as follows.

That is, the user moves the cursor on the display screen on which the image of the document is displayed, and first inputs the coordinates of a point within the range of the document that is desired to be emphasized. By doing this, one point within the address area on the color information memory 77 is designated. Next, an area included in the same line as the one point input as described above is automatically detected as will be described in detail later.

The process is then executed by the microprocessor 76 by writing the color data value ci into the address area on the color information memory 77 corresponding to that area.

A specific method for automatically detecting the area in which the color data value ci is written can be realized using a known technique developed for an automatic character reading device. For example, the following method is used. First, the values of image data on l horizontal lines including the address of one point on the image memory 74 corresponding to the address of one point on the color information memory 77 specified above are accumulated. This cumulative value takes a small value when the above l line passes over the image data representing a character, and takes a large value when the above l line does not pass over the image data representing a character (this (This is because the image data on the image memory 74 is such that black is "0" and white is "maximum value -").The cumulative value of the image data in this horizontal direction l line is specified. Find the maximum value of the first cumulative value in the upper and lower two directions in order from the line containing one point in the upper and lower directions.Then, calculate the maximum value of the first cumulative value in the upper and lower two directions, and connect the character string containing the one point specified in the above manuscript with the maximum value between the maximum values. That's what I do.

Figure 7 shows the relationship between the image of the original and the cumulative value of image data in the method (B) above, where Figure 7(a) is the image of the original and Figure 7(b) is the cumulative value of the image data. . now,
As described above, one point P is designated, and the cumulative value p' of image data on a line p including this one point P is determined. Then, since the line p is on the character string "AIUEO", the cumulative value p° of the image data is small. Similar operations are sequentially performed while moving the cumulative value calculation line upward and downward from line p. As a result, the local maximum value q of the cumulative value of image data at lines q and r that do not contain character strings
', r' is obtained. Then, the area from line q to line r is determined to be an area included in the same row as the above-mentioned point P.

Next, the process of changing the color of a designated location will be described. The image data of the document stored in the image memory 74, the color data of the cursor and the color data of the part to be emphasized stored in the color information memory 77 as described above are input to the lookup table memory 81, and the color data is inputted into the lookup table memory 81. converted. At this time, the color conversion operation by the lookup table memory 81 is switched based on the color data from the color information memory 77. That is, in lookup table number 8, the following three color conversion operations are executed in response to the color data from the color information memory 77.

(a) When the color data value of the color information memory 77 is ai...Cursor display (b) When the color data value of the color information memory 77 is b...Normal original display (C) When the color information memory 77 has a color data value of b... If the color data value is ci...highlighted In the case of (a) above, the lookup table memory 8
1 is the color information memory 7 regardless of the contents of the image memory 74.
RGB signals representing the color corresponding to the color data value ai of 7 are output. As a result, wherever the cursor is located on the screen of the display 62, it will be displayed in the color corresponding to the color data value ai.

Therefore, by setting the color data value ai to a value that corresponds to a color that is easily distinguishable from others, it is possible to accurately point out the required portion of the document with a cursor that has an easily distinguishable color.

In the case of (b) above, the lookup table memory 8
1 converts the image data in the image memory 74 as follows and outputs an RGB signal. That is, the above “b”
The image data stored in the address of the image memory 74 corresponding to the address of the color information memory 77 where the color data value of is stored is converted as follows using two threshold values H and L.

Image data value of image memory 74>H ...Convert to RGB signal representing blue color.

The image data value of the image memory 74 <L ...Converted to RGB signals representing white.

H>Image data value of image memory 74>L... Converted to an RGB signal representing an intermediate color between blue and white.

The above conversion is performed for the following reasons.

The portion where the image data value of the image memory 74 is greater than H corresponds to the white portion of the document, that is, the background portion.

Therefore, the portion where the image data value is greater than H is converted into an RGB signal representing blue. Further, the portions in the image memory 74 where the image data value is smaller than L correspond to the black portions of the document, that is, the portions containing characters. Therefore, portions where the image data value is smaller than 2 are converted into RGB signals representing white.

Therefore, when displaying a document, an extremely easy-to-read document with a blue background and white text can be obtained. On the other hand, when the image data value in the image memory 74 is an intermediate value between H and L, the purpose of converting it into an RGB signal representing an intermediate color between blue and white is to smooth the boundary between blue and white. That is, for example, if the value in the image memory 74 is close to L, it is converted to an intermediate color close to white, and the intermediate color is changed stepwise.

The above two thresholds H and L are determined by referring to the contents of the image memory 74 when the image on the display 62 is changed to a still image by switching the video/still image switching button 65 after inputting the original image. It is set by the following method. One method is to set the maximum value of image data to H and the minimum value of image data to L. Another method is to obtain the distribution of image data values as shown in FIG. 7, detect the boundary value between the background and characters, and then define H and L above and below the boundary value.

In case (C) above, lookup table memory 8
1 outputs RGB signals by referring to the contents of the image memory 74 as follows. That is, the output of the RGB signal is performed by referring to the image data stored at the address of the image memory 74 corresponding to the address of the color information memory 77 where the color data value ci is stored, and by setting the two thresholds H and L. This is done as follows using

Image data value of image memory 74>H...Outputs an RGB signal representing the background color of the emphasis color corresponding to the color data value ci of the color information memory 77.

Image data value ci of the image memory 74 . . . Outputs an RGB signal representing the emphasized color corresponding to the color data value ci of the color information memory 77.

H>Image data value of image memory 74>L...Outputs an RGB signal representing an intermediate color between the back color corresponding to the color data value ci of the color information memory 77 and the emphasis color corresponding to the color data value ci.

The above two thresholds @H and L use the same values as in the case (b). In other words, the portion where the image data value of the image memory 74 is greater than H corresponds to the white portion of the document, that is, the background portion. Therefore, for a portion where the image data value is greater than H, an RGB signal representing the background color of the emphasized color corresponding to the color data value ci of the color information memory 77 is output. Further, the portion where the image data value of the image memory 74 is smaller than 2 corresponds to the black portion of the document, that is, the portion of the text. Therefore, the portion where the image data value is smaller than 2 outputs an RGB signal representing the emphasis color corresponding to the color data value ci of the color information memory 77. As a result, the background is displayed on the display 62 in the back color corresponding to the color data value ci, and the portion of the character to be emphasized is displayed in the emphasis color corresponding to the color data value ci. Further, when the image data value in the image memory 74 is an intermediate value between H and L, the border is smoothed by displaying in a color intermediate between the emphasis color and the background color. That is, for example, if the image data value in the image memory 74 is close to L, it is converted to an intermediate color close to the emphasized color, and the intermediate color is changed in stages.

Therefore, by setting the color data value ci to a value that corresponds to a color that is easily distinguishable from others, it is possible to display and emphasize the highlighted portion in an easily distinguishable color.

In order to execute the various processing operations described above, a button having the following functions is provided as the switch button 65.

(a) Still image/video switching button: Switches the input state to the image memory 74 between still image mode and video mode.

In the still image mode, the image currently being input from the monochrome camera 61 is stored as a still image in the image memory 74, and camera input is prohibited thereafter. Further, in this still image mode state, the following processing is performed.

(i) Cursor display becomes possible and color data value ai
A cursor with the color specified by is displayed.

(ii) The threshold values H and L that are referred to when performing color conversion in the look-up table memory 8I are determined as described above, and the color conversion contents of the look-up table memory 81 are set according to the threshold values H and L. Ru.

In the case of the moving image mode, the contents of the image memory 74 are constantly rewritten to image data based on images input from the monochrome camera 61. Further, the following processing is performed in this moving image mode state.

(i) The contents of the color information memory 77 are cleared.

(ii) Cursor image display is prohibited.

(iii) Clear all emphasized points registered using the emphasized point registration button described below.

(b) Emphasis point registration button: The emphasis point that has already been set as described above is registered.

When the emphasis point registration button is pressed, the emphasis points set so far are registered. In other words, an unregistered highlighted area automatically returns to its normal (non-emphasized) color when a new emphasized area is input. By doing this, unless you register, the number of emphasized points will increase by repeating the specification of emphasized points,
This can prevent the effect of emphasis from decreasing.

For the registered emphasis points, either switch to the video mode by switching the still image/video switch button as described above and input a new image of the original, or you can overpaint the color of the above emphasis points with a new emphasis color. Unless changed, the emphasized color corresponding to the color data value ci stored in the color information memory 77 remains unchanged.

(c) Emphasis color switching button ...Multiple set emphasis colors can be switched.

When a plurality of color data values ci for one emphasis point are written in the color information memory 77 and a plurality of emphasis colors can be selected, by switching this emphasis color switching button, multiple specified emphasis colors can be selected. The switching is performed.

At this time, the emphasis color may be switched each time one emphasis color switching button is pressed, or there may be as many emphasis color switching buttons as there are emphasis colors.

That is, according to the third invention, for example, when an image of a document with a white background and black text is input to the monochrome camera 61, an image of the document with a blue background and white text is displayed on the display 62. Therefore, it is possible to present an extremely easy-to-see image without creating a new presentation document.

Further, according to the present invention, a cursor image of a predetermined color can be synthesized and displayed on the screen of the display 62 regardless of the image data stored in the image memory 74. Therefore, a necessary location can be accurately indicated using a cursor of a color that is easily distinguishable from others.

Further, according to the present invention, the background and characters at any part of the image of the document displayed on the display 62 can be
Can be converted to different predetermined colors. therefore,
By displaying the characters in the part of the document to be emphasized in the emphasis color and displaying the background in the background color of the emphasis color, the necessary part can be emphasized more effectively.

In this embodiment, a black and white camera 6 is used to input the image of the original.
1 is used, but it is obvious that the same effect can be obtained using a color camera.

Further, in this embodiment, the characters in the highlighted area are displayed in one highlighting color, but the emphasis may be further strengthened by inverting the characters using two highlighting colors.

<Effects of the Invention> As is clear from the above, the image processing device of the first invention is provided with a color conversion means, and this color conversion means converts the image signal from the image input means into a gray scale represented by the image signal. Since the image signal is converted into an image signal representing a color corresponding to the level of information and output to the image display means, there is no need for the presenter or lecturer to create a presentation manuscript separate from the manuscript prepared in advance. ,
The effort and cost of creating a manuscript can be saved. Further, according to the present invention, the background of the image of the document can be displayed in blue, and the characters, figures, etc. can be displayed in white. Therefore, characters, figures, etc. written on the manuscript can be displayed very easily.

Further, the image processing device of the second invention is provided with a color range specifying means, a color detecting means, a color setting means, and a color converting means,
When the color detection means does not output a color detection signal, when the color represented by the image signal from the image input means is not included in the color range specified by the color range specification means, the image input means Since the image signal from the image signal is converted into an image signal of a color corresponding to the gradation information represented by the image signal and output to the image display means, there is no need to create a manuscript for presentation. It can save time and cost of creation.

Further, according to the present invention, the background of the image of the document displayed on the image display means can be displayed in blue, and the characters, figures, etc. can be displayed in white. can be displayed for easy viewing.

On the other hand, when the color detection means outputs the color detection signal when the color represented by the image signal from the image input means is included in the color range designated by the color range designation means, the color detection means outputs the color detection signal from the image input means. Since the image signal from the means is converted into an image signal representing the color set by the color setting means and output to the image display means, according to the present invention, the instruction means displayed on the image display means The image can be displayed in a color that is easily distinguished from others set in advance by the color setting means. Therefore, it is possible to clearly distinguish between the instruction means and the characters, figures, etc. displayed on the image display means.

Further, the image processing device of the third invention is provided with an image memo 1 C color information memory, a coordinate input means, a cursor display means 2 a key point specifying means 1 a highlighted point display means, and a color conversion means, The cursor display means writes cursor color information at the position specified by the coordinate input means of the memory, and the color conversion means writes the cursor color information when the color information read from the color information memory is the cursor color information. , an image signal representing a color based on the color information of the cursor is output to the image display means. According to the present invention, the image of the cursor to be displayed on the image display means is outputted in advance by the cursor display means. It can be displayed in a color that is easy to distinguish from other specified items. Therefore, characters, figures, etc. on the image of the document displayed on the image display means can be accurately indicated with the cursor.

Further, the highlighted point display means writes color information of the emphasized point in the position specified by the emphasized point specifying means in the color information memory, and the color conversion means writes the color information read out from the color information memory. is color information of the emphasized part, an image signal representing a color based on the color information of the emphasized part is output to the image display means. By a simple operation using the means, the specified highlighted portion of the document can be displayed in the emphasized color previously specified by the highlighted portion display means. Therefore, necessary parts of the manuscript can be emphasized more effectively.

Further, when the color information read from the color information memory is other than the color information of the cursor and the color information of the emphasized part, the color conversion means converts the image signal of the image memory corresponding to this color information into a color information read from the color information memory. Since an image signal of a color corresponding to the grayscale information represented is outputted to the image display means, there is no need to create a manuscript for presentation, and the effort and cost of creating the manuscript can be saved.

Further, according to the present invention, the background of the image of the document displayed on the image display means can be displayed in blue, and the letter i, figures, etc. can be displayed in white. It can be displayed very easily.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image display device of the first invention;
Figure 2 is a block diagram of the color conversion circuit in Figure 1;
The figure is a schematic block diagram of the image display device of the second invention, and the rod 4
The figure is a block diagram of the color conversion circuit in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of the image display device of the third invention, Figure 6 is a block diagram of the image processing circuit in Figure 5, and Figure 7 is the block diagram of the image processing circuit in Figure 5. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the highlighted point setting operation performed by the image display device, FIG. 8 is a side view of the overhead projector, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the video conference system. 21.61...Black and white camera, 22.42.62...Display, 23.46...
・Color conversion circuit, 32.53... Inversion circuit, 33.55
...Constant signal output circuit, 34.54...Encoder circuit, 4■...Color camera, 43...Color detection circuit, 4.
...Color range input means, 5,57...Color detection signal, 7.58...Color setting means, 2...Luminance signal extraction circuit, 6.79,80.96...Multiplexer circuit, 3・
...Image processing circuit, 64...Coordinate input means, 5...
Switch button, 74... Image memory, 6... Microprocessor, 7... Color information memory, l... Lookup table memory.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an image processing apparatus having an image input means for converting an input image of a document into an image signal, and an image display means for displaying the image of the document based on the image signal, an image from the image input means is provided. When the shading information represented by the signal is below a predetermined level, the image signal is converted into an image signal representing a predetermined color, while when the shading information represented by the image signal is above a predetermined level, the image signal is converted into an image signal representing a predetermined color. An image processing apparatus comprising: a color conversion means for converting into an image signal representing a predetermined color different from the predetermined color and outputting the image signal to the image display means. (2) image input means for capturing an image of a document and an instruction means for indicating a predetermined portion of the document and converting it into an image signal; and image display means for displaying an image of the document and the instruction means based on the image signal. an image processing device comprising: a color range specifying means for specifying a color range of the instruction means; and a color represented by the image signal from the image input means is included in the color range specified by the color range specifying means. a color detection means for determining whether or not the color is within the color range and outputting a color detection signal if the result is included in the color range; and a color for setting a color for displaying the image of the instruction means on the image display means. When the setting means and the color detection means output a color detection signal, the image signal from the image input means is converted into an image signal representing the color set by the color setting means, while the color detection means outputs a color detection signal. If the color detection signal is not output, the color conversion means converts the image signal from the image input means into an image signal of a color corresponding to the gradation information represented by the image signal, and outputs the converted image signal to the image display means. An image processing device characterized by: (3) An image processing device having an image input means for converting an input image of a document into an image signal, and an image display means for displaying the image of the document based on the image signal, the image being input from the image input means. an image memory for storing signals; a color information memory for storing color information of an image to be displayed on the image display means; a coordinate input means for specifying a position in the color information memory to write color information of a cursor; cursor display means for writing color information of the cursor at a position in the color information memory specified by the means; emphasis point specifying means for specifying a position in the color information memory at which color information of the highlighted point is to be written; highlighted point display means for writing color information of the highlighted point in a position of the color information memory designated by the means; and if the color information read from the color information memory is the color information of the cursor, the color of the cursor An image signal representing a color based on the information is output to the image display means, and if the color information read from the color information memory is color information of the emphasized portion, an image representing the color based on the color information of the emphasized portion. A signal is output to the image display means, and if the color information read from the color information memory is other than the color information of the cursor and the color information of the highlighted area, the image of the image memory corresponding to this color information is output. An image processing device characterized by comprising a color conversion means for outputting an image signal of a color corresponding to gradation information represented by the signal to the image display means.