JPH0464112B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Field of Industrial Application> The present invention relates to an image processing device having a function of cutting out a desired area.

<Prior art> Area extraction is a method of image processing using a computer, in which a specific part (region) of an image is extracted from an image for the purpose of performing various processes such as color change, copying, movement conversion, rotation, etc. Various area extraction methods have been proposed in the past, and some have even been put into practical use.

The present inventor has proposed the following as an image processing apparatus that performs such area cutting. That is, this image processing device includes an image memory that stores the characteristic level of each pixel of the original image to be processed, a display that displays the image based on the data stored in the image memory, and a desired threshold regarding the characteristic level. a threshold input means for inputting a value;
A comparison table representing display or non-display relationships for each characteristic level is determined based on the threshold signal from the threshold input means, and the characteristic level signal is converted into a display or non-display signal according to the comparison table. A lookup table memory is provided to sequentially supply characteristic level signals of each pixel of the original image from the image memory to the lookup table memory and convert them into display or non-display signals, The conversion processing signals from the table memory are sequentially input to the display, and images extracted from the converted pixels are displayed sequentially.

For example, this image processing device processes r ₁ , r ₂ ; g ₁ , g ₂ ; b ₁ ,
By setting two thresholds for each color in _b2 and setting the lookup table to display brightly only the range between each threshold, RGB
In order to temporarily display an image area in which all of the color information is within the threshold value in white on the display, and to specify a target area within the displayed white area using a coordinate input means and perform cutting processing. , before performing the cropping process, you can check which area will be cropped in white, and you can interactively set the threshold to the optimal value.
Since the image is extracted using a color threshold, even complex shapes can be easily extracted. As an example, Fig. 4a shows an original drawing of three red apples, Fig. 4b shows an example in which the threshold value is set appropriately and the red area is displayed in white, and Fig. 4c shows one of them. This shows how to select.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the above-mentioned conventional image processing device, since the area displayed in white is sequentially directed using the coordinate input means, the kimono pattern shown in FIG. There is a problem in that when the areas to be cut out are scattered finely as shown in the figure, it is very time-consuming to specify them one by one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily and efficiently cut out the areas to be cut out even if the areas are scattered in small pieces.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The image processing device of the present invention includes a dual-purpose memory that stores density information of each pixel constituting an image and label information indicating whether an area is cropped or not. , a threshold input means for inputting a desired threshold value regarding density information, a coordinate input means for inputting predetermined coordinates in the image, and a threshold value input means for inputting a desired threshold value regarding density information; A lookup table memory that determines a lookup table to be converted based on a threshold value input from an input means and converts input information from the dual-purpose memory according to the lookup table; A display means for displaying an image based on the output, and a specific area determined by a threshold input by the threshold input means and displayed in a specific color includes the coordinates specified by the coordinate input means. a determination means for determining whether or not the coordinates specified by the coordinate input means are included in the specific area; a rewriting means for rewriting label information of the specific region included in the closed curve region designated by the coordinate input means when the region is not included in the region, displaying the region to be cut out in a specific color in advance; When selecting a target area from the specific area displayed in the specific color above using the coordinate input means and performing cropping, check whether the input coordinates are within the specific area displayed in the specific color. The feature is that the cutting method can be changed depending on the situation.

<Function> For example, r ₁ , r ₂ ; g ₁ ,
Suppose that two threshold values are determined for each color of g ₂ ; b ₁ and b ₂ , and settings are made so that only the range between the threshold values is displayed brightly. An image area in which all RGB color information is included within the threshold value is temporarily displayed on a display in a specific color, for example, white, and the specific area to be cut out is confirmed in advance. Thereafter, the coordinate input means is used to specify the designation, and the cutting process is performed. At this time, if the input coordinate point is determined by the determining means to be within the specific area displayed in white, the label information of the connected specific area including the coordinate point is rewritten by the rewriting means to perform cutting. Therefore, even complex shapes can be easily cut out.
On the other hand, if the determining means determines that the input coordinate point is outside the specific area, input a closed curve,
Since the label information of the specific area included in the closed curve area is rewritten by the rewriting means and the cutting is executed, it is possible to cut out finely scattered areas at once.

In this way, with the image processing device of the present invention, two different cropping methods can be selected using the same coordinate input means, depending on whether or not the location where the coordinates are input is a specific area displayed in white, making it very easy to crop even complex figures. Cutting work can be carried out efficiently.

<Example> Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using specific examples. Figure 1 shows 15 dual-purpose memories of 8 bits each for RGB.
This shows a device equipped with This dual-purpose memory 15 stores density information constituting an image and label information indicating whether an area is cropped or not.
The dual-purpose memory 15 is accessed via the bus 14 from the microprocessor 13 which includes determining means and rewriting means. The output of the dual-purpose memory 15 is connected to the address of the lookup table memory 16, and the output of the lookup table memory 16 is
It is connected to a D/A converter 18 via a gate circuit 17. In this example, the output of the lookup table memory 16 is 8 bits each for RGB (0 to 8 bits).
255).

Further, the output (video analog signal) of the D/A converter 18 is sent to a display 19, where an image is displayed.

Next, the operation of this image processing apparatus will be explained.

First, an image is input into the dual-purpose memory 15 using a scanner, a TV camera, or other means. At this stage, the dual-purpose memory 15 stores 8-bit information for each of RGB for each dot. Next, as an example, the upper 7 bits of the dual-purpose memory 15 are used for image information, and the lower 1 bit is used for label information regarding area extraction. Normally, the density information of an image only needs to be about the upper 6 bits, so there is no practical problem even if the lower 1 bit is set for label information. RGB
The density information i for each color is 0≦i<2 ⁷ , and the label information can be taken in the range of =0.1, =0
is before cutting out, and =1 means that cutting has been completed. In the label information, before cutting out, 0 is written for both RGB using the microprocessor 13. In addition, each RGB lookup table memory 16 stores the input of the lookup table 16 as
=2×i′+′, the outputs FR(x), FG(x),
Set fb(x) as follows.

If I′<ki and ′=0, fk(x)=0 ……(1) If K ₁ ≦i′≦k ₂ and ′=0, fk(x)=255 ……(2) k<i′ And when '=0, fk(x)=0...(3) When '=1, fk(x)=x...(4) Here, k is a substitute for r, g, and b. Also,
k ₁ , k ₂ (r ₁ , r ₂ ; g ₁ , g ₂ ; b ₁ , b ₂ ) are six threshold values input by the threshold input means 11. If you set it like this, the area before cutting out will be
An area where all the RGB color information falls within the threshold value is shown in white on the display 19.

Next, while looking at this display, you can specify the location to cut out by inputting the coordinates (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) using the coordinate input means 21, and inputting the input coordinates (X 0 , Y ₀ ).
A determining means determines when all the color information of Y ₀ ) is within the threshold value or not, and the extraction method is changed.

First, if all of the above color information is within the threshold, that is, if coordinates within the area displayed in white are input, the input coordinate point is used as the starting point, as in the conventional method, A point where the color information is included in the threshold values r ₁ , r ₂ ; g ₁ , g ₂ ; b ₁ , b ₂ is searched for, and the label information for both RGB is changed from 0 to 1 by the rewriting means.

On the other hand, if any of the RGB color information is outside the threshold, the closed curve figure input mode is entered.
Input the closed curve using the following coordinate input. Various methods can be considered for this closed curve input, and any method may be used.

Example 1 Next, input a rectangle whose diagonals are the coordinate points (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) and (X ₀ , Y ₀ ).

Example 2 Next input coordinate points (X ₁ , Y ₁ ), (X ₂ ,
Y ₂ )...Input an n-gon whose vertices are (X _o , Yo ₎ . Here, a method may be considered in which n is determined in advance as 3 or 4, or the end of the closed curve input mode is input. For example, there is a method of providing an input means such as a button so that n can be increased by any amount.

As described above, as soon as the closed curve input is completed, the label information of the white display area included in the closed curve, that is, the specific area where the color information of RGB is all within the angle threshold range, is rewritten from 0 to 1 using the rewriting means. Then, the specific area is cut out.

The above process will be explained using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 1a shows a case where the input coordinate points X ₀ and Y ₀ are within the white display area, and a continuous white display area including the points is cut out as shown in FIG. 2 1b. On the other hand, Fig. 2 2a shows the case where the input coordinate points X ₀ and Y ₀ are outside the white display area, and the closed curve input mode is entered as shown in Fig. 2 2 b, and the closed curve input mode is shown in Fig. 2 2 c. Once completed, the white display area within the closed curve is cut out.

The above cutting procedure is summarized in a flowchart as shown in FIG.

In step 31, an image is input to the dual-purpose memory 15.

In step 32, the lower several bits of the dual-purpose memory 15 are set for storing label information, and that portion is rewritten to zero.

Step 33 is a branch to change the threshold, execute extraction, or end.

Step 34 is a threshold value input by the threshold value input means 11.

Step 35 modifies the lookup table according to the input threshold. and step
Repeat steps 34 and 35 and set the threshold so that the desired area stands out in white.

Step 36 is the input of coordinate values by the coordinate input means 21.

Step 37 is a step for determining whether the color information of the input coordinate point is within or outside the threshold range.

In step 38, cutting is performed using the input coordinates as a starting point.

Step 39 is the input of the closed curve, and step 40
In the area surrounded by the closed curve input in step 39, an area whose color information is within the threshold range is cut out.

In the above embodiment, the threshold value input means and the coordinate input means are provided separately, but a threshold value input graph is displayed on the display, and the coordinate input means (which also serves as the threshold value input means) is used to input the threshold value. You may also enter a value. Further, in equation (4), the cut out area is set to be displayed in the original image, but it may be displayed in another color as long as it can be distinguished from the area before cutting out. Further, in the above embodiment, the label information is set to 1 bit, but it is also possible to increase the number of bits and add a plurality of labels to the cutout area.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the process of cutting out for the first time was explained, but if there is a region that has already been cut out within the closed curve region, either no processing is performed on that region that has already been cut out, or There are two possible processes: canceling the process and returning to the state before cutting out, but either of these processes may be used.

<Effects of the Invention> As is clear from the above description, the image processing device of the present invention has three lookup memories corresponding to three dual-purpose memories that store density information and label information separated into RGB colors, for example. to table memory
Define two threshold values for each color of r _{1 ,} r ₂ ; g 1 , g ₂ ; b ₁ , b ₂ , and set the lookup table so that only the range between each threshold value is displayed brightly. The image area where all RGB color information is within the threshold is displayed on the display in a specific color, for example white, and after confirming the specific area to be cut out, specify it using the coordinate input means. If the determination means determines that the input coordinate point is within a specific area displayed in white, the rewriting means rewrites the label information of the continuous white display area including that coordinate point and cuts it out. Because of this, even complex shapes can be easily cut out. On the other hand, if the input coordinate point is determined by the determining means to be outside the white display area, the rewriting means rewrites the specific area label information displayed in white that is included in the closed curve input closed curve area. , because it performs cutting, it is possible to cut out finely scattered areas at once.

In this way, with the image processing device of the present invention, two different cropping methods can be selected using the same coordinate input means, depending on whether or not the location where the coordinates are input is a specific area displayed in white, making it very easy to crop even complex figures. Cutting work can be carried out efficiently.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the above embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the region extraction of the conventional example. 11... Threshold input means, 12... Main memory, 13... Processor, 14... Data bus,
15... Dual-purpose memory, 16... Lookup table memory, 17... Gate circuit, 18... D/
A converter, 19...display unit, 20...gate circuit for reading and writing lookup table, 21...
Coordinate input means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A dual-purpose memory that stores density information of each pixel constituting an image and label information indicating whether a region is cropped or not; and a desired threshold value regarding the density information. a coordinate input means for inputting predetermined coordinates in the image; and a coordinate input means for inputting predetermined coordinates in the image; and a coordinate input means for inputting the density information from the dual-purpose memory based on the threshold value input from the threshold input means. a lookup table memory that determines a lookup table to be converted and converts the input information from the dual-purpose memory according to the lookup table; a display means that displays an image based on the output of the lookup table memory; a determining means for determining whether or not the coordinates specified by the coordinate input means are included in a specific area determined by the threshold input by the threshold input means and displayed in a specific color; When the coordinates specified by the input means are included in the specific area, the label information in the dual-purpose memory is rewritten, and when the coordinates specified by the coordinate input means are not included in the specific area, the coordinate input means and a rewriting means for rewriting the label information of the specific area included in the closed curve area specified by When a target area is selected using a coordinate input means and cropped, the cropping method is changed depending on whether or not the input coordinates are within a specific area displayed in a specific color. Characteristic image processing device. 2. In the image processing device according to claim 1, the means for rewriting the label information is configured such that when coordinates are input by the coordinate input means outside the specific area displayed in the specific color, and , if a cutout area exists within the closed curve area, the label information is rewritten so as to remove the cutout area from the cutout area and return it to the state before cutting out. Image processing device.