JPH04195478A - Image processor and its image display method, and picture element calculating method for display image - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the calculation time for an unnecessary area by calculating and displaying picture element data spirally about an aimed point that an operator specifies or preferentially in a necessary area. CONSTITUTION:When the operator inputs the aimed point, its data is inputted and stored in a main storage, and the path of the calculation of the picture element data is determined according to the aimed point data. For this calculation and display, only the necessary area including the aimed point is given priority to other areas and what path in the necessary area is employed for the calculation is freely determined. In this case, a spiral path which spreads centering on the aimed point is defined and the necessary area expands centering on the aimed point as the calculation is advanced along the spiral path. When the spiral path is determined, its data is stored in the main storage or an auxiliary storage device. Consequently, the time of operator's trial-and-error can be shortened.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to computer graphics technology, and in particular,
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image display method suitable for the case where it takes a long time to calculate pixel data of an image to be displayed.

[Prior Art] When displaying a certain image, for example a three-dimensional image, on a screen, data such as the display color and display brightness of each pixel of the image is calculated and each pixel is displayed sequentially. The process repeats the process of displaying one line according to the scanning line, then moving down one level and displaying another line according to the vertical scanning line. For example, JP-A-61-67180
The publication discloses a technique for displaying a predetermined area of an image in detail and displaying other areas as compressed data, but in order to display the entire drawing, pixel data along the scanning line is still calculated. .

[Problem to be solved by the invention] When displaying a three-dimensional image using, for example, the ray tracing method, it takes time to calculate each pixel data, and as in the past, each pixel data is calculated according to horizontal and vertical scanning lines. However, there is a problem in that it takes a long time to display the entire screen. When designing something by displaying a three-dimensional image, an image of the entire screen is often not necessary and only a portion of the image is sufficient. In this case, it is fine if you want the image displayed at the top of the screen, but if you want the image at the bottom of the screen, you have to wait until the image at the bottom of the screen is displayed, that is, until the entire screen is displayed. Must be. This does not allow the work to proceed smoothly, and the user has to wait impatiently for the calculation and display to proceed to the required image, which is not very user-friendly.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device, an image display method thereof, and a pixel data calculation method and device that can generate an image at high speed when only a part of the image is required instead of the entire screen image. .

[Means for Solving the Problem] The above purpose is to display a wire frame image of the 3D image to be displayed on the screen when calculating the color and brightness of the 3D image pixel by pixel and displaying it on the screen. When an operator specifies a point of interest on a screen on which a wire frame image is displayed, the above calculation is performed pixel by pixel using the point of interest as a starting point, and the procedure for displaying the pixel instead of the wire frame image is described above. This is achieved by sequentially following a spiral path around the starting point.

The above purpose also includes displaying a schematic image of a three-dimensional image to be displayed on a screen, having the operator specify a point of interest on the screen, calculating pixels in a required area including the point of interest, and displaying the result of the calculation. This can also be accomplished by doing it before other areas of the screen.

The above objective can also be achieved by interrupting the image processing when the operator specifies another point of interest during the image processing and causing a new image display process using the same method to be performed using the point of interest. Ru.

[Operation] The problem with the current technology is that display data for each pixel is calculated and displayed according to horizontal and vertical scanning lines. This calculation method is good when displaying the entire screen, but when only a portion of one screen is required, calculation time is wasted. Therefore, in the present invention, by calculating and displaying pixel data in a spiral pattern around a point of interest specified by the operator or in advance in a required area, it is possible to save calculation time for unnecessary areas. Also, when a certain amount of images are displayed and the operator determines that the images are unnecessary.

When the operator instructs interrupt processing, it becomes possible to interrupt the previous calculation and display of pixel data and display an image of a newly required location. This allows the operator to repeatedly generate and interrupt images of the required portions by specifying the necessary image portions one after another.

[Example] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image processing device is a normal computer (computer), and includes an arithmetic unit 11 of the computer and a CRT.
2, an input device 3 such as a keyboard, a mouse, a light pen, or other pointing device, and a storage medium 4 that stores software executed by the arithmetic device 1 and data generated. In this embodiment, the above software includes a calculation and display order control section, an image pixel calculation section, a display processing section, and an attention point definition input section.

The calculation and display order control unit is a part that controls the order of calculation and display processing, and controls the calculation and display along a spiral path from the pixel of interest specified by the operator using the input device 3.

The image pixel calculation section is a one-image calculation program, and is a processing section that independently calculates the image pixel by pixel. Multiple processing parts can be prepared depending on the purpose, and can be used interchangeably.For example, a processing part using the ray tracing method, a processing part using the radiosity method, a processing part using the Z buffer method, etc. , select and use the most appropriate processing method.

The display processing section is a place that performs local processing for display, and corresponds to a screen driver.

The point of interest definition input section prompts the operator to input a point of interest and takes in coordinate data of the point of interest from the input device 3.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of calculation for each pixel of an image. The calculation of image pixel data in this example is as follows:
When three-dimensional image data generated inside the computer is projected onto a two-dimensional screen, calculations are made for each pixel, which is a screen component, to determine nine display colors and two display brightnesses. A three-dimensional image is then displayed on the screen by a collection of these pixels.

These calculations are performed based on optical laws.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the entire image display processing procedure in one embodiment of the present invention. First, input parameters and three-dimensional data for image calculation are taken in and stored in the main memory. Prior to this processing, a wire frame image (an image displaying a simple outline of an object), which is a schematic diagram with a high processing speed for calculation 2 display, is displayed on the screen to prompt the operator to input points of interest.

When the operator inputs a point of interest, this data is captured and stored in main memory.

Next, a path for calculating pixel data is determined from the point of interest data. This calculation and display is performed only on the required area including the point of interest before other areas, and it is free to decide what route the calculation takes within the required area. In the case of this example, the spiral path spreads around the point of interest,
It is assumed that the above-mentioned required area gradually expands around the point of interest as the calculation progresses along the spiral path. Once this spiral path is determined, this data (hereinafter referred to as calculation schedule) is stored in main memory or auxiliary storage.

Next, the calculation schedule is read and the internal schedule pointer is counted up. The internal schedule pointer is a pointer that points to the current schedule in the calculation schedule array. Initially, the position where the coordinates of the point of interest are stored is l(I I+. This pointer is paired with the calculation schedule and stored in the storage device. In this process, the pointer indicated by the internal schedule pointer is Then, the internal schedule pointer is counted up (+1
)do.

In the next step, pixel data (display color 2 display brightness) for one pixel is calculated, and the calculated one pixel is displayed on the screen. Then, it is determined whether the calculated pixel is the final pixel, and the final pixel (in the case of this embodiment, since the spiral path is taken, if the calculation is performed up to the final pixel and displayed, the calculation of the entire screen is done.
The display will end. ), the process ends, and if it is not the last pixel, then it is determined whether an interrupt processing instruction has been generated from the input device, and if there is no interrupt processing instruction, it returns to calculating the next pixel data. . If an interrupt processing instruction input occurs, the process is terminated, and the process returns to the first step in FIG. 1 to process the interrupt, that is, wait for input of a new point of interest.

FIGS. 4(a), (b), and (c) are flowcharts showing the flow of schedule calculation. First, step 1
In this setting, the pixel size is set by setting data of the input pixel size to a predetermined storage location, that is, a variable. Then, in step 2, the pixel check array is initialized.

Secure a check array that corresponds to each image pixel on a one-to-one basis,
The data in these arrays is set to "0" (indicating an unchecked state).

When the point of interest (XO, yo) is input in step 3, the next pixel calculation planned point (XN, YN) is calculated in step 4. This calculation is +XN=XO+1. YN=Y○
Do it as. Then, in step 5, a check flag is set for the 1-pixel check array. This is done to show that the schedule has been finalized during schedule calculation, and the check array (XO, Y○), (XN, Y
Set "1" in position N).

Next, in step 6, the determined coordinate data is stored in the schedule array. This storage is performed in the confirmed order. In this case, XSC (1) = XO, YSC (1) = YO, XS
Store C(2)=XN and YSC(2)=YN. Then, in step 7, the initial value "2" is set to the schedule pointer.
” (ISC=2).

Thereafter, it is determined whether check flags are set for all pixel check arrays (step 8).

If all are set to "1", the schedule calculation ends. If this judgment result is negative, that is, if the check flag of any pixel is “0”,
Since it is necessary to calculate and display the data for that pixel, the process proceeds to step 9, where the pixel schedule direction vector for that pixel is calculated. This calculation is performed using the following equation from the scheduled schedule point and the previous schedule point.

XV=XN-XO YV=YN-YO In step 10, the pixel schedule direction vector is rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees according to the following equation to calculate the next pixel schedule.

XNV=-YV YNV=XV Then, in order to set the recently determined pixel location 11 (XN, YN) as the origin of the next processing schedule, step
So, let X0=XN and YO=YN.

In step 12, the next processing scheduled coordinates are calculated.

As the next processing scheduled point, the end point of the vector obtained by rotating the pixel schedule vector starting from the end point of the pixel schedule direction vector counterclockwise is set as the next processing scheduled coordinate. This is determined by the following formula.

XN=XNV+X○ YN=YNV+YO Here, the values obtained in step 11 are used for xo and yo.

In the next step 13, it is determined whether the next processing scheduled point has been checked, that is, it is determined whether the next processing scheduled point calculated in step 12 can be determined as the schedule coordinates. This determination is made based on whether the next processing scheduled point has already been checked. If this determination result is affirmative, the current next processing scheduled point cannot be determined as schedule coordinates. In this case, a new next processing scheduled point is calculated and determined by the process of step 14, and then the process proceeds to step 15. If the determination result is negative, the next processing scheduled point is determined, and step 14 is skipped and the process proceeds to step 15.

In step 14, a point obtained by extending the direction of the pixel schedule direction vector by one unit, that is, a point satisfying the following equation, is set as the coordinates of the next processing scheduled point.

XN=XV+X○ YN=YV+YO In step 15, it is determined whether the coordinates obtained in step 12 or the coordinates obtained in step 14 are valid pixel coordinates specified by the sword. If the result of this determination is negative, the process returns to step 8 to enter the next processing loop, and if the result is positive, the process proceeds to step 16.

In step 16, a check flag is set for the pixel check array (set to "1") to indicate that the coordinates XN, YN are valid pixel coordinates, and the process proceeds to step 17.

In step 17, in order to set the newly determined schedule coordinates in the schedule array, a schedule counter, which is a pointer to the array, is counted up.

In step 18, the confirmed schedule coordinates (XN,
YN) to the schedule array, and then returns to step 8 to enter the next processing loop.

Through the above processing, in this embodiment, pixel data can be calculated and displayed pixel by pixel in a rectangular spiral starting from the point of interest.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, when an image is generated by trial and error using computer graphics or the like, it is possible to quickly verify a portion of interest in a displayed image.

Furthermore, since the calculation and display of pixel data of the part of interest can be interrupted by interrupt processing and an image of a new part of interest can be generated, it is possible to shorten the operator's trial and error time. Therefore, more test case images can be generated, and high quality images can be pursued.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the overall processing procedure in an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the image processing device, and FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an example of image pixel calculation. Figures 4(a) and (b). (c) is a flowchart of an example of determining a calculation schedule from a point of interest. 1... Computer arithmetic device, 2... Display device, 3...
Input device, 4... storage medium.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an image processing device that calculates the color and brightness of a three-dimensional image pixel by pixel and displays it on a screen, a wireframe image of the three-dimensional image to be displayed is displayed on the screen, and the wireframe image is When the operator specifies a point of interest on the screen where is displayed, the calculation is performed pixel by pixel using the point of interest as the starting point, and the procedure for displaying the pixel instead of the wire frame image is performed with the starting point as the center. 1. An image display method for an image processing device, characterized in that the image processing is performed sequentially along a spiral path. 2. In an image processing device that calculates the color and brightness of a 3-dimensional image pixel by pixel and displays it on the screen, a rough image of the 3-dimensional image to be displayed is displayed on the screen and the operator can specify points of interest on the screen. An image display method for an image processing apparatus, characterized in that the calculation of pixels in a required area including the point of interest and the display of the calculation results are performed before other areas of the screen are displayed. 3. In an image processing device that displays detailed images on the screen that are composed of pixels that take time to calculate the display color and display brightness, a general image of the detailed image to be displayed is displayed on the screen to draw attention to the operator. An image display method for an image processing apparatus, characterized in that, when specified, the calculation and display of pixels at the point of interest are taken as a starting point, and the calculation and display of pixels in an area centered on the starting point are sequentially performed. 4. If the operator specifies another point of interest during image processing in which an image is displayed on the screen using the image display method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the image processing is interrupted and the point of interest is An image display method for an image processing apparatus, characterized in that the image display method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is started by points. 5. In an image processing device that calculates the color and brightness of a three-dimensional image pixel by pixel and displays it on the screen, a wireframe image of the three-dimensional image to be displayed is displayed on the screen, and the wireframe image is displayed on the screen. means for causing an operator to specify a point of interest in the image; and a procedure for performing the calculation pixel by pixel using the point of interest as a starting point and displaying the pixel in place of the wire frame image, sequentially following a spiral path around the starting point. An image processing device comprising: means. 6. In an image processing device that calculates the color and brightness of a three-dimensional image pixel by pixel and displays it on the screen, a schematic image of the three-dimensional image to be displayed is displayed on the screen and the operator is instructed to focus on the point on the screen. and means for calculating the pixels of a required area including the point of interest and displaying the calculation results prior to displaying the calculation results in other areas of the screen. 7. In an image processing device that displays detailed images on the screen that are composed of pixels that take time to calculate display color and display brightness, a general image of the detailed image to be displayed is displayed on the screen to draw attention to the operator. An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising means for specifying, and means for sequentially performing the calculation and display of pixels in an area centered on the starting point, starting from the calculation and display of the pixel at the point of interest. 8. In an image processing apparatus that displays an image on a screen using the image display method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when the operator specifies another point of interest during the display process, the display An image processing apparatus comprising means for interrupting processing and starting a new display process using the image display method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 based on the noted point. 9. In the method of calculating pixel data of an image to be displayed on the screen, instead of calculating and displaying the display data of each pixel according to the horizontal and vertical scanning lines, it is calculated in a spiral shape around the pixel at the point of interest specified by the operator. A pixel data calculation method characterized by sequentially calculating and displaying pixel by pixel. 10. A pixel data calculation device for calculating pixel data of an image to be displayed on a screen, comprising means for determining a spiral path for each pixel around a point specified by the operator on the screen and calculating pixel data according to the path. A pixel data calculation device characterized by: 11. In a pixel data calculation device that calculates pixel data of an image to be displayed on a screen, means for determining a spiral path for each pixel around a point specified by an operator on the screen and calculating pixel data according to the path; 1. A pixel data calculation device comprising means for causing an operator to interrupt calculation by the means and cause the means to perform calculation centered on a new specified point.