JPH07143475A - Picture data conversion system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a system in which picture data are used in common by plural clients whose display resolution and whose color system or the like differ from each other. CONSTITUTION:The system is provided with a storage device 2, a picture data converter 1, and clients 3-5 connecting to the converter 1, and picture data received from each client are stored in the storage device 2. When other clients access picture data, the picture data converter 1 applies conversion processing to data in matching display resolution, a display system and a color system of each client to supply picture data to each client.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for effectively utilizing image data in a client / server system in which a file server and a plurality of clients are connected via a communication line, and particularly to a display resolution. The present invention relates to a system in which image data stored in a storage device included in a file server can be commonly used by all clients when a plurality of clients having different display systems are connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the prior art, for example, in a workstation having a display resolution of "1280.times.960", for example, compressed image data compressed by image compression / expansion processing means (compressed image data is targeted. The description may be made for non-compressed image data that is not subjected to compression processing, but in general, image data is subjected to compression processing. When used as image data in a personal computer with a display resolution of “640 × 480”, it is necessary to convert the number of pixels of the compressed image data created by the workstation into a number of pixels suitable for the display resolution of the personal computer. There is.

Conventionally, regarding such a pixel number conversion method, for example, "CQ Publisher" Interface ", 1
The method described in the January 993 issue, pages 183 to 206 ”is generally known.

As an example, by using a two-dimensional filter from image data created by a workstation, pixels are decimated so that the number of pixels is reduced to ½ in both the vertical and horizontal directions to obtain the display resolution of a personal computer. Matching image data (pixel number “640 × 480”) is generated.

[0005]

A file server equipped with a storage device for storing compressed image data created by compressing with an image compression / expansion algorithm, and an image capturing device such as a scanner, a digital still camera, or a video camera. It is equipped with an image compression / expansion processing unit that compresses / expands the image data captured by using the image compression / expansion algorithm, and multiple clients with different display resolutions, display methods, and color systems can use the communication line. In the connected client / server system, making the compressed image data created by each client common to all clients is extremely important from the viewpoint of effective use of the image data.

Each of the above-mentioned clients has, for example, image compression / expansion processing means for image compression / expansion of image data, and the color system and the clients supported by the image compression / expansion processing means. Compressed image data is created based on the display resolution of the display unit included in the.

A specific example of the color system is, for example, YUV.
16 (Y: luminance signal, U / V: color difference signal, YUV sampling ratio = 4: 2: 2, YUV bit number = 8 bits each), YUV12 (Y: luminance signal, U / V: color difference signal, YUV sampling ratio = 4: 1: 1, YUV bit number = 8 bits each, RGB24 (R: red signal,
G: green signal, B: blue signal, RGB bit number = 8 each
Bit) etc.

Therefore, in order to commonly use the compressed image data among all the clients having different display resolutions and color systems, the display resolution and color system of the compressed image data stored in the storage device are In order to match the display resolution and color system of the client who intends to use the compressed image data, it is necessary to perform conversion processing on the number of pixels, color system, and the like.

However, the above-mentioned prior art discloses a method of converting the number of pixels in each client according to the display resolution. However, when the client is a personal computer having a slow processing speed, the processing load of the client is increased. There is a problem in that the processing time is increased and the processing time required for the pixel number conversion is enormous.

Further, as described above, in the client / server system in which the file server and a plurality of clients having different display resolutions and color systems are connected by the communication line, the compressed image data stored in the storage device is commonly used. In order to do so, all clients must be equipped with means for performing pixel number and color system conversion, and for clients that do not have this means, other clients with different display resolutions and color systems are required. There is a problem that the compressed image data created and stored in the storage device cannot be used.

Further, the CLU is not equipped with image compression / expansion processing means for image compression / expansion of image data.
When the T display method client is connected by a communication line, since this client does not have the function of expanding the compressed image data and converting the display format, the compressed image data stored in the storage device can be used. There is a problem that you cannot do it.

The object of the present invention is to perform conversion processing of the number of pixels, color system, and display format at high speed in the above client / server system, and to create each client even if it does not have a conversion means. It is to provide a system in which the compressed image data can be commonly used by all clients.

That is, according to the present invention, for example, JPEG (Joint
Photographic Experts Group) Still image data created by compressing / decompressing algorithms and MPEG (Movinng
Picture Coding Experts Group) A file server equipped with a storage device for storing compressed image data created by compression processing using a compression / expansion algorithm, a scanner,
A plurality of clients equipped with image compression / expansion processing means for compressing / expanding the image data input by the image input means such as a digital still camera or a video camera are communicated by Compressed image data stored in the storage device included in the file server, even when a plurality of clients having different display resolutions, color systems, etc. are connected by a communication line Relates to a system that can be commonly used by all the above clients.

In the description of the problems in the prior art, the data to be handled has been described mainly for the compressed image data, but for the uncompressed image data that is not compressed. This is because the same can be said, and usually, the image data is processed after being compressed. Therefore, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where the client side is not equipped with the image compression / expansion processing means.

[0015]

In order to solve the above problems, the following means are considered.

A storage device for storing at least image data, an image data conversion device, and a plurality of clients connected to the device via a communication line are provided.

Then, each client specifies the display means for displaying the image data and the image data stored in the storage means in accordance with a predetermined display parameter for determining the display format, and inputs for receiving a read instruction. Means, a processing unit having at least a function of creating predetermined data including the display parameter according to the received instruction, the predetermined data, image specifying data for specifying image data, and instruction data representing the instruction And communication means for transmitting and receiving information including the information via the communication line.

Further, at least one of all the clients has input means for accepting an instruction to write image data into the storage device, image data input means for inputting image data, and input image data. An image data readable client including a unit for adding to the predetermined data, and the image data conversion device includes a storage unit access unit and a data conversion unit.

Then, when the instruction data sent via the communication line indicates reading of image data, the storage means access unit determines the image data specified by the image specifying data from the storage device and the image data. And reading the display parameter corresponding to the image data added to the predetermined data and the display parameter corresponding to the image data in the storage means, the display parameter corresponding to The conversion unit, when given an instruction to read image data,
To the client that has given the reading instruction, in accordance with the display parameter that is predetermined for the client, performs the data conversion process of the read image data, the converted data, through the communication line, This is a system for sending to the client.

[0020]

In the following, a case where the client is provided with image compression / expansion processing means will be mainly described.

The header information adding means provided in the client equipped with the image compression / expansion processing means is an image compression device equipped with image data captured by an image capturing device such as a scanner, a digital still camera or a video camera.
/ A process of adding image parameters such as a display resolution, a color system, and a display method at the time of image compression as header information to the compressed image data compressed by the decompression processing means.

Therefore, the image data with header information in which image parameters such as display resolution, color system, and display system are added to the compressed image data is transferred to a storage device provided in the image data conversion device via a communication line. , Can be stored.

The request generation means provided in the client equipped with the image compression / decompression processing means and the CLUT display system client not equipped with the image compression / decompression processing means is provided with the header information from the storage device provided in the image data conversion apparatus. Command to read the compressed image data with header information required to read, decompress and display the compressed image data, and the display resolution supported by the client, which is necessary for the image data conversion device to perform the specified conversion. , The color specification system, the display system, and other required parameters are transferred to the image data conversion means via the communication line.

Therefore, the client who wants to decompress / display can request the image data conversion means to read the compressed image data with header information stored in the storage device. It is possible to supply required parameters required for the device to perform a predetermined conversion, such as a display resolution, a color system, and a display method, which the client itself supports.

The request recognizing means provided in the image data converting device operates so as to recognize the read command and the request parameter transferred from the client which is going to expand / display.

Therefore, the image data conversion means can read the compressed image data with predetermined header information from the storage device on the basis of the read command, and further, the display resolution of the client to be expanded / displayed,
The color system, display system, etc. can be recognized.

The header information recognition means provided in the image data conversion means recognizes the header information of the compressed image data with header information read from the storage device.

Therefore, the image data conversion means can recognize the display resolution, the color system, and the display method of the read compressed image data.

The conversion control means provided in the image data conversion means includes the display resolution, color system, and display method of the client to be expanded / displayed, and the display resolution, color system, and display method of the read compressed image data. Based on the above, it operates so as to generate a conversion control signal necessary for performing the predetermined conversion processing by the conversion means.

The conversion processing means included in the image data conversion device operates so as to perform predetermined conversion processing (that is, the number of pixels, color system, display format conversion, etc.) based on the conversion control signal.

As described above, in the image data conversion means, the image data with header information read from the storage device can be converted at high speed into compressed image data or image data suitable for a client who intends to decompress and display the image data. Even if each client is not equipped with the above conversion means, the compressed image data created by each client can be commonly used by all clients.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the description of the embodiment, the data to be handled will be described mainly for compressed data, but this is because image data is often subjected to a compression process and handled. It goes without saying that uncompressed data can be handled by the present invention as well.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a client / server system including an image data conversion apparatus according to the present invention.

1 is an image data conversion device according to the present invention,
Reference numeral 2 is a storage device for storing compressed image data (which may be uncompressed data, of course), and 3 and 4 are clients. Specifically, image data captured by an image capturing device such as a scanner, still camera, or video camera. Is equipped with an image compression / expansion means for compressing / expanding an image using a predetermined image compression / expansion algorithm such as JPEG or MPEG, and each of the clients 5 and 5 has a different display resolution and color system. / A CLUT (Color Look Up Table) display system client which is not equipped with a decompression means, 7 is an image data conversion device 1 and a client 3,
It is a communication line that connects 4 and 5 to enable transfer of compressed image data and the like.

The image data conversion apparatus 1 is, for example, a CP
The storage device 2 can be realized by, for example, a RAM, a disk device, or the like, by using U, ROM (in which a program that performs a predetermined process is incorporated), RAM, various CMOSs, a disk device, or the like.

The communication line 7 can be realized by, for example, an optical fiber, an electric wire cable or the like.

As will be described in detail later, each client has an input means for inputting a command and the like, a processing means for performing a predetermined process, a display means for displaying necessary data, and a means for capturing an image. Configured. here,
The input means is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse,
The processing means is, for example, a CPU, a ROM (in which a program for performing a predetermined process is incorporated), a RAM, and various CMOs.
With S or the like, the display means is realized by, for example, a CRT, an EL display, a liquid crystal display, or the like. The means for capturing an image is realized by, for example, a scanner, a still camera, a video camera, or the like.

The outline of the function and operation of the image data conversion apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

Although the data to be handled is mainly described as compressed image data as described above, it goes without saying that uncompressed data can be handled in the same manner.

First, as an example, as shown in FIG. 2, first, the display resolution of the client 3 is set to "1280 × 96".
0 ”, display method is“ full color ”, image compression /
The colorimetric system supported by the decompressing unit (in the present embodiment, the case where the unit is installed will be described) is "YUV16", and the display resolution of the client 4 is "640x4".
80 ", the display method is" full color ", and the color system supported by the installed image compression / expansion means (in the present embodiment, the case where the means is installed) is" YUV12 ".
Then, the case where the compressed image data created by the client 3 is used by the client 4 will be described.

Although not shown, the client 3 captures image data by an image capturing device such as a scanner, a still camera, a video camera, and the like, and then the image compression / decompression means mounted on the client 3 performs a predetermined image compression / decompression on the image data. Image compression is performed using an algorithm. It should be noted that such an image compression / expansion means can be realized by hardware such as a CPU, a ROM (a program for performing a predetermined process is incorporated), a RAM, various CMOSs, or the like, or a predetermined process. It is conceivable that a disk for storing software for performing the above is read by a disk device, or realized by a method of supplying the software.

The created compressed image data has a display resolution of "12" included in the display means included in the client 3.
The data is image-compressed according to the color system “YUV16” of 80 × 960 ”.

First, the compressed image data created by the client 3 is transferred and stored in the storage device 2 connected to the image data conversion device 1 via the communication line 7.

On the other hand, in the client 4 of the client / server system shown in FIG. 1, the compressed image data created by the client 3 and stored in the storage device 2 is
In order to transfer the compressed image data to the client 4 via the communication line 7 and use the compressed image data in the client 4 as well, conversion processing of the number of pixels and color system is performed on the compressed image data created by the client 3. It is necessary.

The display resolution of the client 4 is "6".
40 × 480 ”and the color system“ YUV12 ”are different from the display resolution“ 1280 × 960 ”and the color system“ YUV16 ”of the compressed image data created by the client 3 above. This is because, depending on the compression / expansion means, the image cannot be expanded and displayed properly.

The image data conversion apparatus 1 according to the present invention comprises:
The number of pixels and color system conversion processing is performed on the compressed image data created by the client 3 to generate compressed image data capable of decompressing / displaying the image at the client 4, and the data is transmitted via the communication line 7. , Client 4
It has the function of transferring and supplying to.

Here, the number of pixels and color system conversion are as follows.
Specifically, the image data (Y, U,
V), the pixels are thinned out by using a two-dimensional filter so that the number of pixels is halved both in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the color signal U / V is further halved in the vertical direction. A process of thinning out pixels may be considered.

Therefore, specifically, "1280 × 9
Pixel number conversion from 60 "to" 640 x 480 "and" Y
The image data conversion device 1 performs color system conversion from “UV16” to “YUV12” so that the compressed image data created by the client 3 can be expanded and displayed by the client 4, and common image data is used. It will be possible.

As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the display resolution of the client 5 not equipped with the image compression / expansion means is “640 × 480” and the display method is “CL”.
The case where the compressed image data created by the client 3 is also used by the client 5 will be described.

In this case, first, since the client 5 does not have the image compression / expansion means, it is necessary to transfer the image data obtained by expanding the compressed image data created by the client 3 to the client 5.

At this time, the display resolution of the client 5 is "6.
40 × 480 ”and the display format“ CLUT method ”are different from the display resolution“ 1280 × 960 ”and the display format“ full color ”of the compressed image data created by the client 3 described above. The number and display format conversion processing must be performed together.

The image data conversion apparatus 1 according to the present invention is
In addition to the above functions, pixel number and display format conversion processing is performed to generate image data that can be displayed by the client 5, and the data is transmitted via the communication line 7 to the client 5
It also has the function of transferring and supplying to.

The functions and operations of the image data conversion apparatus 1 according to the present invention have been outlined above.

Next, a configuration example of the image data conversion apparatus 1 and the clients 3, 4, 5 in the client / server system shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a configuration example of the clients 3 and 4 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3A, 1000 is an image capturing device for inputting image information, which can be realized by a scanner, a digital still camera, a video camera or the like.
Reference numeral 0 denotes an image compression processing unit that performs image compression processing on the image data captured by the image capturing device by a predetermined image compression / decompression algorithm such as JPEG or MPEG.
Is a header information adding unit for adding image parameters such as display resolution, color system, and display method of the compressed image data created by the image compression processing unit 100 to the compressed image data as header information, and 120 A communication control unit 130 for connecting the image data conversion apparatus 1 and the clients 3 and 4 shown in FIG. 1 via a communication line 7 to enable transmission and reception of compressed image data and the like is shown in FIG. Of the compressed image data stored in the storage device 2, the read command necessary for reading predetermined compressed image data and the read compressed image data
The request generation unit 140, which generates a request parameter required for conversion into a predetermined display resolution, color system, display system, etc., compresses compressed image data into a predetermined image compression / compression image such as JPEG or MPEG. An image expansion processing unit for performing image expansion processing by an expansion algorithm, 150 is a display control unit for displaying the image data expanded by the image expansion processing unit 140 on a display, and 160 is a display for displaying the image data. .

Each component is, for example, a CPU or a ROM.
RA (which has a built-in program that performs predetermined processing)
It is realized by M, various CMOS, and the like. Further, the image compression processing unit 100 and the image decompression processing unit 140 may be configured to include, for example, an application program that performs image compression and decompression processing and a disk device that can mount the application program.

In this system, it is not always necessary to provide the image capturing device in all the clients. That is, there may be a client that only uses the image data, or a client that only loads the image data. This can be said for all the examples described in this example.

If the number of clients is 2 or more, this system is established.

First, referring to FIG. 3A, the operation of creating compressed image data in the clients 3 and 4 and transferring / storing the created image data to the storage device 2 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. To do.

Image data captured by the image capturing device 1000 such as a scanner, a digital still camera, a video camera or the like is supplied to the image compression processing section 100.

Next, the image compression processing unit 100 performs image compression processing on the supplied image data by the display resolution in each of the clients 3 and 4 and the color system supported by the image compression processing unit 100 installed.

The compressed image data output from the image compression processing section 100 is supplied to the header information adding section 110.
The header information adding unit 110 adds image parameters such as a display resolution at the time of image compression, a color system, and a display method to the supplied compressed image data as header information.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an example of a data format when image parameters are added as header information to the compressed image data. The data formats shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are data in which header information is added to the beginning or the end of compressed image data conforming to the international standard such as JPEG or MPEG or the industry standard. It has a structure. Here, as the header information, a display resolution, a color system, and a display method are adopted.

As an example, when compressed image data is created by the client 3, image parameters of display resolution “1280 × 960”, color system “YUV16”, and display system “full color” are added as header information. .

The compressed image data with header information output from the header information addition unit 110 is supplied to the communication control unit 120 and is stored in the storage device 2 via the communication line 7 shown in FIG.
Transferred to and stored in.

As is apparent from the above description, in each of the clients 3 and 4, the image compression processing section 100, the communication control section 120, the image expansion processing section 140, and the display control section 150, which are the conventional basic components, are used. , Display 16
In addition to 0, a header information adding unit 110 is newly provided to describe in detail later, but the image data conversion device 1 shown in FIG. Image parameters necessary for performing the display format conversion processing can be added to the compressed image data to generate the compressed image data with header information, which can be transferred / stored in the storage device 2.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the image parameter is added as the header information, but instead of the image parameter, as shown in FIGS. A client ID (hereinafter, referred to as “creation client ID”) for identifying whether the image data is the compressed image data may be added.

Further, FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b), 4 (c) and 4 (d)
Then, the header information is added to the beginning or the end of the compressed image data, but if there is an unspecified free area in the data format of the compressed image data, the image parameter and the creation client ID are added to the area. It is also preferable to have an additional structure.

In order to make the created client ID usable, for example, a table in which an ID number and an image parameter are associated with each client is created in advance, and the table in the image data conversion processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It should be installed in. In operation, the image data conversion processing device 1
According to the given creation client ID, the content of the table is referred to, the image parameter corresponding to the client is recognized, and the predetermined process is performed based on this.

The process of creating compressed image data by the clients 3 and 4 and transferring / storing the compressed image data in the storage device 2 shown in FIG. 1 has been described above.

Next, the image data conversion device 1 reads the compressed image data with header information from the storage device 2 shown in FIG. 1, and converts it into a predetermined number of pixels and color system conversion (specifically, the client 3 From the image data (Y, U, V),
By using a two-dimensional filter, pixels are thinned out so that the number of pixels becomes 1/2 in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and for the color signal U / V, pixels are further reduced in the vertical direction to 1/2. An operation of performing image decompression / display processing in the clients 3, 4, and 5 having different display resolutions and color systems will be described.

First, the operation of the clients 3 and 4 in this operation will be described with reference to FIG.

The client 3 having different display resolutions and color systems, the compressed image data with the header information,
4, the image data conversion apparatus 1 supports the display resolution and the color system included in the compressed image data with header information by the clients 3 and 4 who are going to perform the image expansion / display processing. To do
It is necessary to perform conversion processing to match the display resolution and color system.

Therefore, in order to read the compressed image data with header information from the storage device 2 and to perform the image decompression / display processing, first, the compressed image data with predetermined header information is read from the storage device 2. The request generation unit 130 generates the "reading command" and the "request parameter" such as the display resolution, the color system, and the display method supported by the client itself.

In the present embodiment, the request parameters generated by the request generator 130 of the clients 3 and 4 are as shown in FIG. 2 described above.

The read command and the request parameter output from the request generator 130 are supplied to the communication controller 120 and transferred to the image data converter 1 via the communication line 7.

As is clear from the above description, in each of the clients 3 and 4, the image compression processing unit 100, the communication control unit 120, the image expansion processing unit 140, the display control unit 150, which are the conventional basic components, Display 16
In addition to 0, an image decompression / display process is performed by newly providing the request generation unit 130.
Request parameters (for example, display resolution, color system, display method, etc.) of the clients 3 and 4 are set to the image data conversion device 1
Can be transferred to.

Further, the compressed image data with header information is image-displayed by the client 5 having different display resolution, color system, and display system (in this description, the case where the image compression / expansion means is not installed will be described). Similarly in the case, as shown in the configuration diagram of the client 5 in FIG.
By providing the client 5 with the request generation unit 130, the request parameter of the client 5 can be transferred to the image data conversion apparatus 1.

The components shown in FIG. 3B and the components shown in FIG.
Common parts among the components shown in (a) are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the request generation unit 130 generates the read command and the request parameter, but instead of the request parameter, the compressed image data stored in the storage device 2 is read, and the expansion / display is attempted. The client ID of the client (hereinafter, referred to as “display client ID”) may be generated. The configuration using the display client ID can be realized by the same configuration as that described in the above-mentioned creation client ID.

Next, the operation of the image data conversion apparatus 1 to which the read command and the request parameter are transferred from the clients 3, 4, 5 which are going to perform the image decompression / display processing will be described with reference to FIG. .

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of the image data conversion apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 200 denotes a communication control for connecting the image data conversion apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the clients 3, 4, 5 via a communication line 7 and transmitting / receiving compressed image data or the like. The unit 210 is a read command and a request parameter (display resolution, color system, and color system) transferred via the communication line 7 from the request generation unit 130 included in the clients 3, 4, and 5 that are going to perform image expansion / display processing. The request recognition unit 220 for recognizing the display method) uses image parameters (for example, from the compressed image data with predetermined header information read from the storage device 2 by the read command recognized by the request recognition unit 210). , The display resolution, the color system, the display method, etc.) are separately recognized, and the header information recognition unit 230 is a compressed image data with header information read from the storage device 2. Conversion to convert the display resolution, color system, display method, etc. of the data into the display resolution, color system, display method, etc. supported by the clients 3, 4, 5 for image expansion / display processing. The processing unit 240 is predetermined by the conversion processing unit 230 based on the request parameter that is recognized and output by the request recognition unit 210 and the image parameter of the compressed image data with header information that is recognized and output by the header information recognition unit. Is a conversion control unit for generating a conversion control signal necessary for performing conversion processing of the number of pixels, color system, and display format.

The components shown in FIG. 5 are, for example,
For example, it is realized by a CPU, a ROM (including a program that performs a predetermined process), a RAM, various CMOSs, and the like.

First, an image expansion / display process is attempted.
The read command and the request parameter transferred from the request generation unit 130 included in the clients 3, 4, and 5 via the communication line 7 are received by the communication control unit 200,
It is supplied to the request recognition unit 210.

Next, the request recognition section 210 recognizes the read command and the request parameter that have been supplied. Then, the recognized request parameter is output to the conversion control unit 240.

Further, based on the recognized read command, the requested compressed image data with header information is read from the storage device 2.

The compressed image data with predetermined header information read from the storage device 2 is stored in the header information recognition unit 220.
And the conversion processing unit 230.

The header information recognition section 220 separates the header information from the supplied compressed image data with header information, recognizes the image parameter, and outputs it to the conversion control section 240.

Therefore, the conversion control unit 240 is supplied with the request parameters of each of the clients 3, 4, and 5 which are going to perform the image decompression / display processing, and the predetermined header information read from the storage device 2. The image parameters included in the attached compressed image data are supplied.

In the conversion control unit 240, based on the supplied request parameter and image parameter, the conversion processing unit 23
When 0, a conversion control signal for performing conversion processing of a predetermined number of pixels, color system, display format, etc. is generated and output to the conversion processing unit 230.

Further, in the conversion processing unit 230, based on the supplied conversion control signal, the display resolution, the color system, the display format, etc., which the compressed image data with predetermined header information read from the storage device 2 has are displayed. , Image expansion
Conversion processing of the number of pixels, color system, display format, etc. is performed in order to match the display resolution, color system, and display format of each of the clients 3, 4, and 5 to be displayed.

Here, the number of pixels and the color system conversion are, concretely, from the image data (Y, U, V) of the client 3 using a two-dimensional filter, the number of pixels in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Pixels are thinned to 1/2, and for the color signal U / V, pixels are further thinned so that the number of pixels becomes 1/2 in the vertical direction.

Further, the display format conversion is, specifically, a process of converting full-color image data into CLUT system image data in which the number of colors is limited (for example, 256 colors).

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the header information added to the beginning or the end of the compressed image data is deleted and output to the communication control unit 200.

The communication control unit 200 transfers the supplied compressed image data after the conversion to the clients 3, 4, 5 which are going to perform image expansion / display processing via the communication line 7.

Therefore, as an example, the client 3
When the compressed image data created in step 1 is decompressed and displayed on the client 4 for sharing, the request recognition unit 210 indicates that the display resolution “640 × 4” of the client 4 is included.
80 ”, the color specification system“ YUV12 ”, and the display parameters“ full color ”are required parameters, while the header information recognition unit 2
From 20, the display resolution “1280 × 9” included in the compressed image data with header information created by the client 3
The image parameters “60”, the color system “YUV16”, and the display method “full color” are supplied to the conversion control unit 240.

Next, in the conversion control unit 240, based on the supplied request parameter and image parameter, compressed image data with predetermined header information read from the storage device 2 (image compressed data created by the client 3 Display resolution “1280 × 960” and color specification system “YUV16” of the client 4 properly.
Display resolution "640 x 480" that can be expanded and displayed
And a conversion control signal for conversion processing to the color system “YUV12”.

In the conversion processing unit 230, based on the generated conversion control signal, the compressed image data with predetermined header information read from the storage device 2 can be properly expanded / displayed by the client 4, and the compressed image can be displayed. In order to convert into data, the conversion processing of the number of pixels from “1280 × 960” to “640 × 480” and “YUV16” to “YUV1” is performed.
Converting the color system to 2 "is performed.

Here, the number of pixels and the color system conversion are, concretely, from the image data (Y, U, V) of the client 3 by using a two-dimensional filter, the number of pixels in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Pixels are thinned to 1/2, and for the color signal U / V, pixels are further thinned so that the number of pixels becomes 1/2 in the vertical direction.

The conversion processing of the number of pixels and the color system is performed in this way, and the compressed image data from which the header information is deleted is transferred to the client 4 via the communication line 7.

Since the compressed image data after the conversion processing is only the number of pixels and the color system converted, and the header information is also deleted, its data format is JP
It complies with international standards such as EG and MPEG, and industry standards.

As another embodiment, the client 3
When the compressed image data created in step 5 is shared by the client 5, the request recognition unit 210 sends the client 5
The display means included in the display resolution “640 × 48
0 ”and the display method“ CLUT method ”are further requested from the header information recognition unit 220. The display resolution“ 1280 × 960 ”included in the compressed image data with header information created by the client 3 and the color system“ YUV
16 ”and the image parameter of the display system“ full color ”are supplied to the conversion control unit 240.

The conversion control unit 240 displays the compressed image data with predetermined header information (which is the data created by the client 3) read from the storage device 2 based on the supplied request parameter and image parameter. Resolution (1280 x 960) and display method (full color)
Is converted into a display resolution “640 × 480” and a display method “CLUT method” that can be properly displayed by the client 5, and a conversion control signal is generated.

In the conversion processing unit 230, based on the generated conversion control signal, after decompressing the compressed image data with predetermined header information read from the storage device 2, an image that can be properly displayed on the client 5 is displayed. Pixel number conversion from "1280 x 960" to "640 x 480" to convert to data (specifically, a two-dimensional filter is used so that the number of pixels is halved in both the vertical and horizontal directions). Pixel thinning processing) and display format conversion processing from "full color" to "CLUT system" (specifically, for example,
Limit the number of colors for full-color image data (for example,
(256 colors) processing for converting to CLUT type image data).

Then, the image data in which the image expansion, the number of pixels, and the display format have been converted and the header information has been deleted in this way is sent to the client 4 via the communication line 7.
Transferred to.

As is clear from the above description, the communication control section 200, the request recognition section 210, and the header information recognition section 22.
0, the conversion processing unit 230, and the conversion control unit 240 are configured to include the image data conversion device 1, so that the compressed image data created by the clients 3 and 4 having different display resolutions and color systems can be converted into an image. It is possible to perform conversion processing and transfer to compressed image data suitable for the clients 3, 4, and 5 to be expanded / displayed.

In the above embodiment, the request recognition unit 210
In the above, the case where the read command and the request parameter are supplied to the header information recognizing unit 220 as the image parameter has been described. May be supplied.

When these IDs are supplied, a table is created in which these IDs are associated with the request parameters and image parameters (for example, display resolution, color system and display system) shown in FIG. Then, the table may be prepared inside the image data conversion apparatus 1 in advance.

Then, the request recognition unit 210 recognizes the supplied display client ID and refers to the table to output the request parameter corresponding to the display client ID to the conversion control unit 240.

Further, the header information recognition section 220 recognizes the supplied creation client ID and refers to the above table to output the image parameter corresponding to the creation client ID to the conversion control section 240.

As a result, the read command and the request parameter are supplied to the request recognition section 210, and the image parameter is supplied to the header information recognition section 220.
By converting the compressed image data created by the clients 3 and 4 having different display resolutions and color systems into the compressed image data suitable for the clients 3, 4 and 5 to be subjected to the image expansion / display processing, Can be transferred.

Now, returning to FIG. 3A again, the image data conversion apparatus 1 performs the conversion processing of the number of pixels and the color system as described above, and the data is transferred through the communication line 7. The operation of the clients 3 and 4 for performing the image decompression / display processing of the compressed image data will be described.

First, the compressed image data after the conversion processing, which is transferred from the image data conversion apparatus 1 via the communication line 7, is received by the communication control unit 120 and supplied to the image expansion processing unit 140. . The compressed image data after the conversion processing supplied to the image expansion processing unit 140 has a display resolution, a color system, and a display method suitable for the clients 3 and 4 that are going to perform image expansion / display processing. It complies with international or industry standards such as MPEG. Therefore, in the clients 3 and 4 that are going to perform image decompression / display processing, the image decompression processing unit 140 can perform image decompression processing on the compressed image data after the conversion processing without performing any special processing.

The image data subjected to the image expansion processing is output from the image expansion processing section 140, and the image data is properly displayed on the display 160 via the display control section 150.

Further, the operation of the client 5 which displays the image data transferred through the communication line 7 after the image expansion processing is performed by the image data conversion apparatus 1 and the conversion processing of the number of pixels and the display format is further performed. Will be described.

The client 5 is not equipped with the image compression / decompression means as described above. However, as described above, the image decompression processing is performed by the image data conversion apparatus 1 according to the present invention, and the image data suitable for the display resolution and the display system in the client 5 is transferred to the client 5. Therefore, the image data received by the communication control unit 120 is properly displayed on the display 160 via the display control unit 150 without any special processing.

The example of the configuration of the image data conversion apparatus 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 and the clients 3, 4 and 5 constituting the client / server system and the operation thereof have been described above.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the image compression / expansion means is mounted (as a matter of course, the image compression / expansion means may not be mounted, as described above), and the display is performed. A client that attempts to perform image expansion / display processing by the image data conversion device 1 on compressed image data created by the clients 3 and 4 and having different resolutions, color systems, display systems, etc. and stored in the storage device 2. According to the requirements of 3, 4, and 5, it is possible to collectively perform the conversion processing of the predetermined number of pixels, the color system, and the display format.

For this reason, the clients 3, 4 and 5 which are going to perform the image decompression / display processing have the respective clients 3,
Compressed image data or image data having a display resolution, a color system, and a display system suitable for 4 or 5 is supplied by the image data conversion apparatus 1, so that each client 3, 4 or 5 can independently generate a pixel. It is possible to decompress and display the compressed image data without converting the number, color system and display format.

That is, each client 3, 4, 5
In particular, even if the image data converting apparatus 1 does not have the conversion function, the storage device 2 can be used in each of the clients 3, 4, and 5.
Compressed image data stored in can be shared,
The image data can be effectively used.

Further, even when the image compression / expansion means is not installed like the client 5, the compressed image data stored in the storage device 2 can be shared. Furthermore, the image data conversion device 1 according to the present invention is, so to speak, a device in which the file server also has the image data conversion function (for example, the number of pixels, the display method, and the conversion function of the color system).

Generally, the server is provided with a device having a higher processing capacity than the client.

Therefore, the image data conversion (for example,
The number of pixels, the display method, and the conversion of the color system) are compared with the case where the conversion is performed in each of the clients 3, 4, and 5, and the conversion processing is performed at high speed, and the display resolution suitable for each of the clients 3, 4, and 5 is displayed. There is an effect that compressed image data or image data having a color system and a display system can be supplied.

Next, one embodiment of the conversion processing section 230 which constitutes the image data conversion apparatus 1 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the conversion processing unit 230.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 231 denotes an image decompression processing unit for decompressing the compressed image data with header information read from the storage device 2 shown in FIG.
A two-dimensional filter 233 for performing conversion processing such as predetermined pixel number conversion and color system conversion is a two-dimensional filter 232.
Then, the image compression processing unit 234 for compressing the image data subjected to the predetermined pixel number conversion and color system conversion processing is
A histogram showing the distribution of color information of image data that has been subjected to a predetermined number of pixel conversions and color system conversions by the two-dimensional filter 232 (a graph in which the horizontal axis represents color and the vertical axis represents the occurrence frequency of that color. A histogram generation unit for generating
Reference numeral 5 denotes a color map generation unit that selects and generates an optimized color map based on the histogram generated by the histogram generation unit 234 (that is, for example, 256 colors with high frequencies are selected). 236 is
The color information of each pixel of the image data that has been subjected to the predetermined number of pixel conversion and color system conversion by the two-dimensional filter 232 is the closest color map number (that is, the color map) of the color map generated by the color map generation unit 235. (Color information address in) (that is, when a certain color is given, for example, the color map addressing unit performs a process to determine which of the 256 colors corresponds).

Note that each component of the conversion processing unit 230 is
For example, it can be realized by a CPU, a ROM (a program for performing a predetermined process is incorporated), a RAM, various CMOSs, and the like. However, 231 and 233 can also be realized by, for example, a disk storing an application program for performing compression and decompression processing, a disk device that mounts the disk, and the like.

First, the compressed image data with header information is read from the storage device 2 shown in FIG. 1, conversion processing of a predetermined number of pixels and color system, etc. is performed, and decompression / display processing is performed. The case of generating compressed image data conforming to No. 4 (the case where a compression / expansion processing unit is installed) will be described.

First, the compressed image data with header information read from the storage device 2 is supplied to the image expansion processing section 231. The image expansion processing unit 231 expands the supplied compressed image data with header information, and outputs the expanded image data to the two-dimensional filter 232.

The number of pixels and color system conversion are, specifically, a process of thinning out pixels from the expanded image data so that the number of pixels becomes 1/2 in the vertical direction and 1/2 in the horizontal direction.
Alternatively, it is a process of interpolating pixels so that the number of pixels is double in the vertical direction and double in the horizontal direction, and can be realized by the two-dimensional filter 232.

The two-dimensional filter 232 is based on the conversion control signal output from the conversion control unit 240 shown in FIG.
Predetermined pixel thinning or pixel interpolation processing is performed. As a result, the two-dimensional filter 232 performs conversion processing of a predetermined number of pixels, display method, color system, etc., and the clients 3 and 4 (compression / compression / compression / compression)
Image data conforming to the case where a decompression processing unit is installed) is output to the image compression processing unit 233.

The image compression processing section 233 recompresses the supplied image data after the conversion processing by the predetermined compression algorithm. As a result, compressed image data suitable for the clients 3 and 4 (considering a case where compression / expansion processing means is installed) to be expanded / displayed is transmitted via the communication control unit 200 shown in FIG. It can be transferred to the clients 3 and 4 (considering the case where the compression / expansion processing means is installed) which is to be expanded / displayed.

Next, the compressed image data with header information is read out from the storage device 2 shown in FIG. 1, conversion processing of a predetermined number of pixels, display format, etc. is performed, and the client 5 (compressed / compressed / displayed) A case will be described in which image data is generated that conforms to the case where the expansion processing means is not installed).

First, the compressed image data with header information read from the storage device 2 is supplied to the image expansion processing section 231.

The image expansion processing unit 231 expands the supplied compressed image data with header information, and outputs the expanded image data to the two-dimensional filter 232. Two
In the dimension filter 232, the conversion control unit 24 shown in FIG.
Based on the conversion control signal output from 0, a client 5 (compressing / decompressing processing unit that does not perform compression / expansion processing means) that performs conversion processing of a predetermined number of pixels (that is, pixel thinning or pixel interpolation processing) is displayed. Consider the case of mounting) to generate image data that matches the display resolution.

Then, after this pixel number conversion processing, display format conversion processing is performed. Specifically, the display format conversion is performed by the histogram generation unit 234,
Color map generation unit 235, color map allocation unit 2
It will be realized at 36.

That is, the image data after the pixel number conversion output from the two-dimensional filter 232 is supplied to the histogram generating section 234.

The histogram generation section 234 generates a histogram showing the distribution of the color information from the supplied image data (a graph in which the horizontal axis represents the color and the vertical axis represents the occurrence frequency of the color). ), The color map generator 23
Output to 5.

The color map generation unit 235 selects and generates a color map optimized based on the supplied histogram (that is, for example, a color with high frequency is
(Meaning that six are selected), and outputs to the color map allocation unit 236.

In the color map allocating section 236, each pixel of the image data, which has been subjected to the predetermined number of pixel conversion and color system conversion processing by the two-dimensional filter 232, is converted into the color map generated by the color map generating section 235. Replace with the closest color map number. That is, for example, when a certain color is given, a process is performed as to which of the 256 colors is to be associated.

As a result, the image data suitable for the client 5 (considering the case where the compression / expansion processing means is not installed) that is going to display the image data is transferred via the communication control unit 200 shown in FIG. It becomes possible to transfer to the client 5 (considering the case where the compression / expansion processing means is not installed) to be displayed.

[0145]

According to the present invention, the image data conversion device is another client that stores the data created by a certain client and accesses the stored image data. When conversion, display format conversion, etc. are required, it is possible to supply image data suitable for the client.

Especially, even if the client does not have its own conversion means, the image data can be shared by all the clients, and the image data can be effectively used.

Further, according to the present invention, the processing can be performed at a higher speed than in the case where the conversion processing is performed by each client.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display resolution, a color system, and a display system.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a client.

FIG. 4 is a data format diagram showing an example of compressed image data with header information.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image data conversion device.

FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a conversion processing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image data conversion device, 3 ... Client with image compression / expansion means, 4 ... Client with image compression / expansion means, 5 ... CLUT display system client, 100 ... Image compression processing section, 110 ... Header information addition section, 130 ... Request generation unit, 140 ... Image expansion processing unit, 210 ... Request recognition unit, 220 ... Header information recognition unit, 230 ... Conversion processing unit,
231 ... Image compression processing unit, 232 ... Two-dimensional filter, 2
33 ... Image expansion processing unit, 234 ... Histogram generation unit,
235 ... Color map generation unit, 236 ... Color map allocation unit, 240 ... Conversion control unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical location H04N 7/24 H04N 7/13 Z (72) Inventor Masataka Masataka 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Address: Hitachi, Ltd. Microelectronics Device Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Takehiro Yamada, 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Microelectronics Device Development Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A storage device for storing at least image data, an image data conversion device, and a plurality of clients connected to the device via a communication line, each client having a predetermined display. Display means for displaying the image data according to the display parameter that determines the format, input means for specifying the image data stored in the storage means and receiving a reading instruction, and a predetermined including the display parameter according to the received instruction. Communication unit for transmitting and receiving information including at least the processing unit having the function of creating the data, the predetermined data, the image specifying data for specifying the image data, and the instruction data representing the instruction through the communication line. Further, at least one of all clients writes the image data in the storage device. An image data readable client comprising: an input unit that also receives an instruction; an image data input unit for inputting image data; and a unit that adds the input image data to the predetermined data. The conversion device includes a storage unit access unit and a data conversion unit, and the storage unit access unit, when the instruction data sent via the communication line represents reading of image data,
The image data specified by the image specifying data and the display parameter corresponding to the image data are read from the storage device, and when the instruction data represents writing of the image data, the predetermined data is added to the storage unit. Write the image data and the display parameter corresponding to the image data, and when the data conversion unit is instructed to read the image data, the data conversion unit is predetermined to the client that has given the reading command. An image data conversion system, wherein data conversion processing of read image data is performed according to the display parameter, and the converted data is transmitted to the client via the communication line. 2. A storage device for storing at least image data, a file server, and a plurality of clients connected to the file server via a communication line, each client for inputting image data. Image data inputting means, header information adding means for adding display parameters for determining a display format of its own client as header information to the input image data, and reading the image data from the storage device to the file server,
And request generation means for generating a conversion request, which requests the read image data to undergo a predetermined conversion process,
Communication means for transmitting and receiving information including image data to which header information is added and the conversion request through the communication line, display means for displaying at least image data, and input for accepting an instruction including a start instruction for request generation means The file server includes a communication control unit that transmits and receives information including the image data to which the header information is added and the conversion request via the communication line, and the image data to which the header information is added. A storage unit for storing the request, a request recognition unit for recognizing the conversion request based on the information received by the communication control unit, and a display parameter that is predetermined corresponding to the image data to be read out. Based on the output from the header information recognition means for recognizing the header information, the request recognition means and the header information recognition means, the conversion request Image data conversion system comprising: a conversion processing means for performing conversion processing of image data in accordance with the display parameters without clients. 3. The image data conversion system according to claim 1, wherein the display parameter is at least one of a display resolution, a display system, and a color system. 4. A storage device for storing at least image data, a file server, and a plurality of clients connected to the file server via a communication line, each client for inputting image data. Image data inputting means, header information adding means for adding to the input image data, as a header information, a client that has input the image data with a creation client ID, and the image data is read from the storage device to the file server. Generates a display client ID, which indicates a client who intends to display the read image data,
And a request generation means for generating a conversion request for requesting the image data to undergo a predetermined conversion process in accordance with the display format of the client indicated by the display client ID,
Communication means for transmitting and receiving information including image data to which header information is added and the conversion request through the communication line, display means for displaying at least image data, and input for accepting an instruction including a start instruction for request generation means Means, the file server transmits / receives information including the image data to which the header information is added and the conversion request via the communication line, and image data to which the header information is added. And a display conversion processing table that presets display parameters that determine a display format unique to the client corresponding to the client indicated by the creation client ID and the display client ID, and the read image data. Based on the creation client ID and the display client ID added to An image characterized by comprising request recognition means for recognizing the conversion request with reference to the contents of the display conversion processing table, and conversion processing means for converting the image data in accordance with the recognized conversion request. Data conversion system. 5. The header information adding means according to any one of claims 2, 3 and 4, wherein when adding header information to the input image data, the header information is added to the beginning or the end of the image data. An image data conversion system characterized by being added to. 6. The image data readable client according to claim 1, further comprising compression / expansion means for compressing the input image data and expanding the image data received via the data communication unit. , At least one of all clients adopts a CLUT (Color Look Up Table) display method as the display parameter, and the image data conversion device further compresses the image data extracted from the storage device. , Decompress,
An image data conversion system comprising a compression / decompression means for compressing decompressed data.