JPH07182519A - Method and device for dividing area - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify an operation for dividing an area by selecting a picture, in which difference from the color of a pixel designated by a cursor is less than a prescribed threshold value, positioned within a prescribed area as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with a retrieval area possessing part 5 for possessing a retrieval area decided based on a cursor position and a retrieval area size, new area preparing part 6 for preparing a new area by extracting a point, to which a color to be inside the range of a threshold value is allocated, from color data extracted from the inside of the retrieval area by a color data extracting part 3, and new area writing part 7 for writing the prepared new area into an area data plane 9. Then, a repetition control part 8 repeatedly operates the color data extracting part 3, possessing part 5, preparing part 6 and writing part 7 until the end of area dividing processing is indicated. Therefore, a range to be the object of area division can be limited to only one part of a source image and as a result, the trouble of preparing an area not expected by an operator at all as a divided area can be prevented in advance.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an area dividing method and an apparatus therefor, and more specifically, an image visually displayed on a display device (an image created by computer graphics technology, a video camera, etc.). (Including captured images, etc.) and a device for dividing a region having a color similar to the color of a selected point.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a method of dividing a region having a color similar to a desired color from an image visually displayed on a display device typified by a CRT display device. In this proposed method, the cursor is moved to a desired point in the image and a mouse pick operation is performed to select the corresponding point. Then, in response to the selection of a point, the entire range of the image is set as a search target area, all points having a color similar to the color of the selected point are automatically extracted, and all the extracted points are extracted. This is a method in which a region composed of points is used as a divided region.

Therefore, the operator is similar to the desired color (the color of the selected point) only by performing the simple operation of selecting the desired one point by operating the mouse while selecting the area division processing. Regions with color can be divided.

[0004]

However, when the above-mentioned conventional area dividing method is adopted, since the entire range of the image becomes the search target area, a wide area that the operator does not expect is divided. There is an inconvenience that it is selected as a region. In addition, if the divided area is wide, the time required for processing becomes long, the responsiveness of the area dividing system is deteriorated, and the operability of the operator is deteriorated. Specifically, for example, when the color of the division target object in the image and the color of the background are similar to each other, if an arbitrary one point included in the division target object is selected, the object other than the division target object is selected. The background is selected as the division target area. In such a case, although the range of colors to be selected is changed and the area division process is performed again, it is possible to set the range in which only the division target object can be selected. Since there is no guarantee at all, combined with the fact that one division process takes a long time and the number of iterations increases, the operability is significantly reduced. Further, in the above-mentioned conventional method, when canceling the area dividing processing and performing the area dividing processing again, the processing so far is invalidated and the processing is returned to the original (for example, UND in the menu screen).
O treatment) has to be selected, and operability also deteriorates in this respect. Further, in one area division processing, only one divided area (not one physically continuous area, but an area composed of points having a color similar to the color of the selected point) is created. Therefore, when it is necessary to obtain a plurality of divided areas for multiple composition or the like, the operation becomes extremely complicated.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to surely divide a desired area by a simple operation, and further, it is possible to significantly reduce the time required for the division. It is an object to provide a method and an apparatus thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide an area dividing method and an apparatus thereof that can improve the operability when canceling the area dividing processing and performing the area dividing processing again.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an area dividing method and an apparatus for dividing a plurality of areas by a simple operation.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for dividing an area, wherein a predetermined area determined based on a cursor position is set, and a difference from a color of a pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. Further, it is a method of selecting a pixel located in the predetermined area as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the area dividing device, the difference between the area setting means for setting a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position and the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, and Pixel selection means for selecting pixels located in a predetermined area as pixels belonging to the area to be divided, and the same pixel as the image for holding area information obtained based on the pixels selected by the pixel selection means A number of area data holding means.

According to the area dividing method of the third aspect, one of a pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image is allocated for predetermined area dividing processing, and the other is held for holding the remaining divided areas. Allocation, setting a predetermined area determined on the basis of the cursor position in one area data holding means, the difference with the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, and is located within the predetermined area Select the pixel as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided,
In response to the instruction to change the area to be subjected to the area division processing, the area data held in one area data holding means is written in the other area data holding means, and then the other area data is held. In this method, the area data to be subjected to the area division processing is read from the data holding means and written in one area data holding means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an area dividing device, wherein one pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as an image and one of the pair of area data holding means are allocated for area division processing, and the other area data is stored. An allocation means for allocating the holding means to hold the remaining area data, an area setting means for setting a predetermined area determined on the basis of the cursor position in one area data holding means, and a color of the pixel designated by the cursor Pixel selection means for selecting a pixel whose difference is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value and located in the predetermined area as a pixel belonging to an area to be divided, and area selection means for selecting an area to be subjected to area division processing. And in response to the new area being selected by the area selecting means, the area data held in one area data holding means is changed to the other area data. Writing the lifting means, then, and a region changing means for writing to one of the region data holding means reads the area data to be area dividing process from the other area data holding means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an area dividing method, wherein one of a pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as an image is allocated for displaying the divided area, and the other is allocated for holding the immediately preceding divided area. A predetermined area determined based on the cursor position is set during the display of the divided area based on the content of one area data holding unit, and is designated by the cursor in response to an instruction to confirm the pixel selection. The difference between the color of the selected pixel and the color of the selected pixel is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and it is instructed that the pixel located in the predetermined region is selected as a pixel belonging to the region to be divided and the pixel selection is deselected In response to this, the other area data holding means is allocated for displaying the division target area, and the one area data holding means is allocated for holding the immediately preceding divided area. It is.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an area dividing device, wherein one pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as an image and one of the area data holding means are allocated for displaying the divided areas, and the other one is arranged immediately before. Assignment means to be assigned for holding, area setting means for setting a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position while displaying a divided area based on the content of one area data holding means, and selection of pixels to be confirmed Alternatively, in response to the confirmation instruction signal indicating that the selection of the pixel should be confirmed and the confirmation instruction signal indicating that the selection of the pixel should be confirmed, the difference between the color of the pixel designated by the cursor and Is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold,
Further, in response to the pixel selecting means for selecting the pixel located in the predetermined area as the pixel belonging to the area to be divided and the cancellation instruction signal indicating that the selection of the pixel should be canceled from the instructing means. Then, the other area data holding means is allocated for displaying the division target area, and the one area data holding means is controlled for allocating the area data holding means for holding the immediately preceding divided area. .

According to the area dividing method of claim 7, one of a pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image is allocated for temporarily holding the divided area, and the other is held for holding the decided divided area. It is possible that the selection of pixels should be confirmed by allocating and assigning one of them for display, setting a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position while displaying a divided area based on the content of the other area data holding unit. In response to the instruction, a pixel whose difference from the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value and which is located in the predetermined region is selected as a pixel belonging to the region to be divided. Then, in response to the fact that the one area data holding means is allocated for display and one of the area data holding means is instructed to confirm the pixel selection, The area data held in the area data holding means assigned for display is written in the area data holding means not assigned for display, and the area data holding means not assigned for display is displayed. The area data holding means is allocated for display, and the other area data holding means is allocated for display in response to the cursor position being separated in the state where one area data holding means is allocated for display.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an area dividing device, wherein one pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as an image and one of the area data holding means are allocated for temporarily holding divided areas, and the other is fixed. An allocation unit that allocates for holding an area and one of which is allocated for display, and an area that sets a predetermined area that is determined based on the cursor position while displaying a divided area based on the content of the other area data holding unit In response to the setting means, an instruction means for instructing that the selection of the pixel should be confirmed or to be temporarily confirmed, and a temporary confirmation instruction signal indicating that the selection of the pixel should be temporarily confirmed, in response to the output from the instruction means. , The difference between the color of the pixel designated by the cursor and a predetermined threshold value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and the pixel located in the predetermined region is regarded as a pixel belonging to the region to be divided. Pixel selecting means for selecting and writing to one area data holding means, and in response to output from the instructing means of a confirmation instruction signal indicating that pixel selection should be confirmed, it is allocated for display. The confirming means for writing the area data held in the area data holding means to the area data holding means not assigned for display, and the cursor position in the state where one area data holding means is assigned for display Control means for controlling the allocating means to allocate the other area data holding means for display in response to being separated.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first area data holding means and a third area data holding means for holding four area data holding means each having the same number of pixels as an image for holding area data to be subjected to area dividing processing. Means, second area data holding means for temporarily holding the corresponding area data, and fourth area data holding means for holding the remaining area data, and displaying the divided areas based on the contents of the first area data holding means. Set a predetermined area to be determined based on the cursor position, the difference between the color of the pixel specified by the cursor is less than a predetermined threshold, and the pixel located in the predetermined area to the area to be divided Select it as the pixel it belongs to,
In response to the confirmation instruction indicating that the selection of the pixel should be temporarily confirmed, the selected pixel is added to the original divided area and held in the second area data holding means, and at the same time, the second area data holding means. In response to a confirmation instruction indicating that the pixel selection should be confirmed,
The area data held in the second area data holding means is written in the third area data holding means, the third area data holding means is allocated for display, and the first area data holding means and the third area holding means are provided. To repeat the above-described series of processing a required number of times, and in response to the cursor position being separated in the state where the second area data holding means is allocated for display, the first or third area In response to an instruction to allocate the data allocation means for display and to change the area to be subjected to the area division processing, the area data held in the first or third area data holding means is changed to the first area data. 4 area data holding means, and then area data to be subjected to area division processing is read from the 4th area data holding means, and the remaining area data holding means It is a method of writing.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first area data holding means and a third area data holding means for holding four area data holding means each having the same number of pixels as an image, the area data to be subjected to the area dividing processing. Means, the second area data holding means for temporarily holding the corresponding area data, and the fourth area data holding means for holding the remaining area data, and selectively displaying one area data holding means. Area setting means for setting a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position during the display of the divided area based on the content of the area data holding means allocated for display, and designated by the cursor. The difference between the color of the pixel and the color of the pixel is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and the pixel located in the above-mentioned predetermined area is regarded as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided. In response to the pixel selection means for selecting, the instruction means for instructing or tentatively confirming the pixel selection, and the confirmation instruction for temporarily deciding the pixel selection, the original divided area The selected pixel is added to the second area data holding means and held in the second area data holding means, the second area data holding means is allocated for display, and the selection of the pixel is to be confirmed in response to a confirmation instruction. Write the area data held in the second area data holding means to the third area data holding means, and allocate the third area data holding means for display.
The first area data holding means and the third area holding means are switched to repeat the above series of processing a required number of times.
In response to the cursor position being separated in the state where the second area data holding means is allocated for display, the first or third area data allocation means should be allocated for display and the area division processing should be performed. In response to the instruction to change the area, the area data held in the first or third area data holding means is written in the fourth area data holding means, and then the fourth area data holding means. And second selecting means for reading the area data to be subjected to the area division processing and adopting the remaining area data holding means for display.

The area dividing method according to claim 11 is a method in which a circle having a predetermined radius centered on the cursor position is adopted as the predetermined area determined based on the cursor position. However, it is also possible to adopt an ellipse, a rectangle, or the like other than a circle as the predetermined area determined based on the rice cake at the cursor position. The area dividing device according to a twelfth aspect employs, as the area setting means, one that displays a circle having a predetermined radius centered on the cursor position.

However, it is also possible to adopt a means for displaying an ellipse other than a circle, a rectangle, etc. as the area setting means.

[0019]

According to the area dividing method of the first aspect, in dividing an area of similar color in an image, a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position is set and the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is set. Since the difference is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold and the pixel located in the predetermined area is selected as the pixel belonging to the area to be divided, the operation for area division can be simplified. Since the area to be subjected to the area division processing can be limited to the range of the predetermined area, the time required for area division can be shortened and an unexpected area may be divided. It can be prevented. Also, if the size of the above-mentioned predetermined area can be set,
It is possible to set a predetermined area having an optimum size according to the size of the area to be divided, and thus it is possible to minimize the number of predetermined areas that need to be set for area division, Operability can be improved.

According to the area dividing device of the second aspect, in dividing the area of the similar color in the image, the predetermined area determined based on the cursor position is set by the area setting means, and the pixel selecting means sets the cursor. The color difference of the pixel specified by is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, and the pixel located in the predetermined area is selected as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided, and the pixel selected by the pixel selection means is selected. Since the area information obtained based on the area data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image is held, the operation for area division can be simplified. Since the area to be subjected to the area division processing can be limited to the range of the predetermined area, the time required for area division can be shortened and an unexpected area may be divided. It can be prevented. If the size of the predetermined area is settable, it becomes possible to set a predetermined area having an optimum size in accordance with the size of the area to be divided, and it is necessary to set the area for area division. The number of certain predetermined regions can be minimized, and operability can be improved.

According to the area dividing method of claim 3, in dividing the area of the similar color in the image, one of the pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image is subjected to the predetermined area dividing processing. And the other is allocated to hold the remaining divided area, a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position is set in one area data holding means, and the difference with the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is predetermined. A pixel which is less than or equal to the threshold value of and which is located in the predetermined area is selected as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided,
In response to an instruction to change the area to be subjected to the area division processing, the area data held in one area data holding means is written in the other area data holding means, and then the other area data is held. Since the area data to be subjected to the area division processing is read from the data holding means and written in one area data holding means, it is possible to divide a plurality of areas in a state in which they can be distinguished from each other. According to the area dividing device of claim 4, in dividing the area of the similar color in the image, the allocating means uses one of the pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image for the area dividing processing. In addition to the allocation, the other area data holding means is allocated to hold the remaining area data. Then, in this state, the area display means displays a predetermined area determined on the basis of the cursor position on one area data holding means, and the pixel selection means causes a difference between the pixel color designated by the cursor and the predetermined threshold value. Pixels which are the following and are located within the predetermined area are selected as pixels belonging to the area to be divided. Further, when a new area is selected by the area selecting means, the area changing means writes the area data held in one area data holding means to the other area data holding means,
Next, the area data that is the target of the area division processing is read from the other area data holding means and written in one area data holding means, and then the area division processing is performed based on the area data that is the area division processing target. Therefore, it is possible to divide the plurality of regions in a state where they can be distinguished from each other.

According to the area dividing method of claim 5, in dividing the area of the similar color in the image, one of the pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image is used for displaying the divided area. In addition to allocating, the other is allocated for holding the immediately preceding divided area, a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position is set during the display of the divided area based on the content of one area data holding means, and the pixel selection is confirmed. Pixels belonging to an area to be divided into pixels whose difference from the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold in response to the instruction to do In response to the instruction to deselect the pixel, the other area data holding means is allocated for displaying the divided target area and Since the holding means is assigned for holding the immediately preceding divided area, the predetermined area is displayed and the pixel belonging to the area to be divided is selected without canceling the selection of the pixel, Since it is possible to return to the immediately preceding pixel selection confirmed state and it is not necessary to return to the initial state of the area division processing, it is possible to shorten the overall processing time required when the pixel selection is canceled halfway. . Of course, the operation required by the operator can be simplified.

According to the area dividing device of claim 6, in dividing the area of the similar color in the image, one of the pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image is divided by the allocating means. In addition to allocating for display, the other is allocated for holding the immediately preceding divided area, and by the area setting means, a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position is displayed during the display of the divided area based on the content of one area data holding means. Set. Then, in response to the confirmation instruction signal indicating that the selection of the pixel should be confirmed is output from the instruction unit, the pixel selection unit causes the difference between the pixel color designated by the cursor and the predetermined threshold value or less. A pixel which is present and is located in the predetermined area is selected as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided. Conversely, in response to the release instruction signal indicating that the selection of the pixel should be released from the instruction means, the other area data holding means is allocated for displaying the division target area and The allocation means is controlled by the control means to allocate the data holding means for holding the immediately preceding divided area. Therefore, it is possible to cancel the pixel selection without confirming it while the pixel belonging to the region to be divided is displayed by displaying a predetermined region and to return to the immediately previous pixel selection confirming state. Since it is not necessary to return to the initial state of processing, it is possible to shorten the overall processing time when the pixel selection is canceled halfway. Of course, the operation required by the operator can be simplified.

According to the area dividing method of claim 7, in dividing an area of similar color in an image, one of a pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image is used to temporarily hold the divided area. , And the other one for holding the fixed divided area, and one for displaying, and a predetermined value determined based on the cursor position during the display of the divided area based on the content of the other area data holding means. Is set and the difference between the pixel color designated by the cursor and the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold in response to a temporary instruction to finalize the pixel selection, and within the predetermined area. The pixel located in the area is selected as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided and written in one area data holding means, and one area data holding means is allocated for display, In response to the instruction to confirm the selection of, the area data held in the area data holding means allocated for display is transferred to the area data holding means not allocated for display. At the same time as writing, the area data holding means that is not assigned for display is assigned for display, and in response to the cursor position separating in the state where one area data holding means is assigned for display, Since the other area data holding means is assigned for display, the predetermined area is displayed and the pixel belonging to the area to be divided is selected without canceling the pixel selection in the middle, It is possible to simplify the operation for returning to the immediately previous pixel selection confirmed state, and moreover, the target range of pixel selection is limited to a predetermined area. Since, it is possible to shorten the time required for the area dividing process.

According to the area dividing device of the eighth aspect, when dividing the areas of similar color in the image, the assigning means causes one of the pair of area data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image to temporarily hold the divided area. In addition to allocating for holding, the other is allocated for holding the defined divided area, and one is allocated for displaying. Then, the area setting means sets a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position during the display of the divided area based on the content of the other area data holding means, and a temporary confirmation instruction indicating that the pixel selection should be temporarily confirmed. In response to the output of the signal from the instruction means, the pixel selection means divides the pixels whose difference from the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value and which is located in the predetermined area. A pixel which belongs to a region to be selected and is written in one of the region data holding means, and further, in response to the confirmation instruction signal indicating that the selection of the pixel should be confirmed is output from the instruction means, the determination means Thus, the area data held in the area data holding means allocated for display is written in the area data holding means not allocated for display. On the contrary, in response to the cursor position being separated in the state where one area data holding means is allocated for display, the other area data holding means is displayed without writing the area data. The allocation means is controlled by the control means to be allocated for this purpose.
Therefore, the operation for canceling the pixel selection without confirming it in the middle of selecting the pixel belonging to the region to be divided by displaying the predetermined region and returning to the immediately previous pixel selection confirming state is simplified. Since the target range of pixel selection is limited to a predetermined area, the time required for the area division processing can be shortened.

According to the area dividing method of claim 9, in dividing the area of the similar color in the image, the four area data holding means each having the same number of pixels as the image are subjected to the area dividing processing. Assigned to the first area data holding means, the third area data holding means, the second area data holding means for temporarily holding the corresponding area data, and the fourth area data holding means for holding the remaining area data, A predetermined area determined based on the cursor position is set during the display of the divided area based on the content of the first area data holding unit, and the difference from the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, and Select the pixels located in the predetermined area as the pixels belonging to the area to be divided,
In response to the confirmation instruction indicating that the selection of the pixel should be temporarily confirmed, the selected pixel is added to the original divided area and held in the second area data holding means, and at the same time, the second area data holding means. In response to a confirmation instruction indicating that the pixel selection should be confirmed,
The area data held in the second area data holding means is written in the third area data holding means, the third area data holding means is allocated for display, and the first area data holding means and the third area holding means are provided. To repeat the above-described series of processing a required number of times, and in response to the cursor position being separated in the state where the second area data holding means is allocated for display, the first or third area In response to an instruction to allocate the data allocation means for display and to change the area to be subjected to the area division processing, the area data held in the first or third area data holding means is changed to the first area data. 4 area data holding means, and then area data to be subjected to area division processing is read from the 4th area data holding means, and the remaining area data holding means Since data is written, it is possible to easily divide a plurality of areas in a state where they can be divided from each other. Also, while displaying a predetermined area and selecting a pixel belonging to the area to be divided, It is possible to release the pixel selection without confirming it and to simplify the operation to return to the immediately previous pixel selection confirming state.
The number of operating methods can be increased, and since the target range of pixel selection is limited to a predetermined area, the time required for area division processing can be shortened.

According to the area dividing device of the tenth aspect, in dividing an area of a similar color in an image, four area data holding means each having the same number of pixels as the image are subjected to area division processing. Assigned to the first area data holding means, the third area data holding means, the second area data holding means for temporarily holding the corresponding area data, and the fourth area data holding means for holding the remaining area data. In addition, one area data holding means is selectively assigned for display, and the area setting means moves the cursor to the cursor position while displaying the divided area based on the content of the area data holding means assigned for display. A predetermined area determined based on the above is set, and the difference between the pixel selection means and the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, and It is selected as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided pixels located in a predetermined area. And
In response to the confirmation instruction indicating that the selection of the pixel should be temporarily fixed, the selection unit adds the selected pixel to the original divided region and causes the second region data holding unit to hold the pixel, and The area data holding means is allocated for display, and the area data held in the second area data holding means is written in the third area data holding means in response to a confirmation instruction indicating that the pixel selection should be confirmed. At the same time, the third area data holding means is allocated for display, the first area data holding means and the third area holding means are switched, and the above series of processing is repeated as many times as necessary.
Further, in response to the cursor position being separated in the state where the second area data holding means is allocated for display, the selection means allocates the first or third area data allocation means for display. Further, in response to the instruction to change the area to be subjected to the area division processing, the selection means changes the area data held in the first or third area data holding means to the fourth area data hold. Then, the area data to be subjected to area division processing is read from the fourth area data holding means, and the remaining area data holding means is adopted for display. Therefore, a plurality of regions can be easily divided in a state where they can be divided from each other, and a pixel is selected while displaying a predetermined region and selecting a pixel belonging to the region to be divided. Can be released without confirming, and the operation for returning to the immediately preceding pixel selection confirming state can be simplified, the number of operating methods can be increased, and further, the target range of pixel selection is within a predetermined area. Therefore, the time required for the area division processing can be shortened.

According to the area dividing method of the eleventh aspect, since the circle having the predetermined radius centered on the cursor position is adopted as the predetermined area determined based on the cursor position, the displayed circle is divided. The area to be processed can be restricted and the operation for setting the area can be simplified. According to the area dividing device of the twelfth aspect, since the area setting means for displaying a circle having a predetermined radius centered on the cursor position is adopted,
The set circle can be restricted as the target area for the division processing, and the operation for setting the area can be simplified.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen applied to the area dividing method of the present invention.
As shown in, the display of the "area creation menu", the display showing the type of the created area, the display "create the area from only the specified area", and the "create the area from all areas" And a display showing direct picks, paints, polygons, and rectangular divisions. Also,
As shown in FIG. 1B, a display for setting the size of the search area and a display for setting the color threshold value are included in association with direct picking. Further, as shown in FIG. 1C, a brush display and a display for setting the brush size are included in association with paint.

The direct pick is a process for detecting an area of similar color from the vicinity of a point designated by the cursor (for example, inside a circle having a predetermined radius centered on the point designated by the cursor). A new area is added to the area being created by the addition instruction to the area, and conversely, the corresponding area is deleted from the area being created by the deletion instruction to the detected area. In this case, if "Create an area from only the specified area" is selected, the above area is detected only within the area to which the position specified by the cursor belongs, and conversely, "Create an area from all areas". If “create” is selected, the area is detected without being affected by the existing area. Further, the size of the area can be freely set, and the threshold value indicating the range of colors detected as similar colors can also be freely set.

In each of the following embodiments, the direct pick is selected. FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining an embodiment of the area dividing method of the present invention. In a state where a predetermined image is visually displayed, the search area size, color threshold value, etc. are initialized at step SP1. Wait until the mouse operation (for example,
Wait until the cursor position is specified by clicking), extract the color data at the cursor position in step SP3, and obtain the search area determined based on the cursor position and the search area size in step SP4.
In step SP5, a point to which the color within the threshold range is assigned to the extracted color data is extracted from the inside of the search area to create a new area, and in step SP6, the new area is created. The data is written in the area data holding unit, and it is determined whether or not the termination of the area division processing is instructed in step SP7. If the termination is not instructed, the determination in step SP2 is performed again. On the contrary, when the end is instructed, the series of processing is ended as it is. However, the search area size initially set in step SP1 is preferably the radius of a circle centered on the cursor position. However, the shape is not limited to a circle, and an arbitrary shape such as an ellipse or a rectangle can be selected.

Therefore, the range to be divided into regions can be limited to only a part of the original image. As a result,
It is possible to prevent the inconvenience of creating an area that the operator does not expect at all as a divided area. Further, since the search range in the state in which the cursor position is designated is greatly reduced compared to the entire original image, the number of pixels to be processed can be significantly reduced, and the area division processing can be significantly reduced. It can speed up.

[0033]

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an area dividing device of the present invention. A division parameter holding unit 1 for holding data indicating a search area size, a color threshold value, and the like, and a cursor position are designated. A cursor position designation unit 2 including a mouse, a color data extraction unit 3 that extracts color data at the designated cursor position, and a search region acquisition unit 5 that obtains a search region determined based on the cursor position and the search region size. From the inside of the search area, the color data extraction unit 3
A new area creation unit 6 that creates a new area by extracting a point to which a color within the threshold range is assigned to the color data that is extracted by the new area creation unit 6 The new area writing unit 7 for writing the area on the area data plane 9, and the color data extracting unit 3, the search area acquiring unit 5, the new area creating unit 6, and the new area writing unit 7 until the end of the area division processing is instructed. It has a repetitive control unit 8 for repetitive operation. The area data plane 9 is
It has the same number of pixels as the image. The operation of each component is the same as the process of the corresponding step of the flowchart of FIG. 2, and thus detailed description will be omitted.

Therefore, also in the case of this embodiment, the range to be divided into regions can be limited to only a part of the original image, and as a result, a region which the operator does not expect at all is created as a divided region. It is possible to prevent the inconvenience of being caused. Further, since the search range in the state in which the cursor position is designated is greatly reduced compared to the entire original image, the number of pixels to be processed can be significantly reduced, and the area division processing can be significantly reduced. It can speed up.

[0035]

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining another embodiment of the area dividing method according to the present invention. The point that is largely different from the flow chart of FIG. 2 is that division processing is performed for two or more areas. It is only that the area creation method can be specified. In this embodiment, in addition to the first area data holding section that holds only the area data of the area that is the target of the division process at the relevant time point, a second area data holding section that holds the area data of other areas is provided. In a state in which a predetermined image is visually displayed, wait until the search area size, color threshold, area creating method, etc. are initialized in step SP1, and specify the cursor position by mouse operation in step SP2. Waits until the color data at the cursor position is extracted in step SP3, and in step SP4,
It is determined whether the area creation method is area creation only from within the specified area. Then, when it is determined that the area creation method is area creation only within the designated area, in step SP5, a search area determined from the area to which the cursor belongs based on the cursor position and the search area size. Conversely, if it is determined that the area creation method is not area creation only from within the designated area, in step SP6, a search area determined based on the cursor position and the search area size is obtained. Then, when the processing of step SP5 or step SP6 is performed, in step SP7, a point to which a color within the threshold range is assigned to the extracted color data from the inside of the search area is determined. The new area is created by extraction, the new area is written in the area data holding unit in step SP8, it is determined whether or not the end of the area division processing is instructed in step SP9, and if the end is not instructed, Performs the determination of step SP2 again. On the other hand, if the end is instructed, it is determined in step SP10 whether or not the area to be divided is changed. Then, if the area to be divided is not changed, the process of step SP2 is performed again. On the other hand, if the area to be divided is changed, in step SP11, the area data in the first area data holding unit is overwritten in the second area data holding unit and the first area data holding unit is also written. In step SP12, the area data relating to the area to be newly divided is read from the second area data holding unit, written in the first area data holding unit, and the process of step SP2 is performed again.

Specifically, the area "1" indicated by A1 in FIG.
Is the target of the area division processing and the areas "2" and "3" shown in B1 are present, the area division processing is performed on the area "1" to obtain A2.
The area "1" is changed as shown in FIG. 3, but the areas "2" and "3" are not changed as shown in B2. Then, when the target of the area division processing is changed from the area “1” to the area “2”, the area “1” is overwritten and the contents of the first area data holding unit are cleared, By reading the area data of the area "2" from the area data holding unit and writing the area data in the first area data holding unit, A3, B
A state of 3 is obtained. Therefore, by performing the same processing below, it is possible to easily achieve the area division processing for two or more areas. In addition, in FIG.
1, A2, A3 are the first area data holding units, B1, B
Reference numerals 2 and 3 denote second area data holding units, respectively. The arrow in the figure indicates the cursor. Further, in the actual display, the contents of both area data holding portions are displayed in a state of being overlapped with each other, and as a result, not only the area that is the object of area division but also other areas are displayed at the same time.

Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, in a series of area division processing steps, division processing for a plurality of areas can be achieved in a state where they can be distinguished from each other.

[0038]

[Embodiment 4] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the area dividing device of the present invention. The difference from the block diagram of FIG. 3 is that area creation is performed only within the area for which the area creation method is designated. A point that further includes an area creation method determination unit 4 that determines whether or not the area creation method determination unit 4 is used as the search area acquisition unit 5 that indicates that the area creation method is an area creation only within the specified area. In response to the determination result from 4, the search area determined based on the cursor position and the search area size is obtained from the area to which the specified cursor position belongs, and conversely, only within the area for which the area creation method is specified. The area data play is obtained in response to the determination result from the area creation method determination unit 4 indicating that the area is not created from the area. Instead of the 9, first the same number of pixels
The area data plane 9a and the second area data plane 9b are used, the new area writing unit 7 writes a new area created in the first area data plane 9a, and the division parameter holding unit 1 performs division processing. A point that also holds data indicating a target area, a change presence / absence determining unit 10 that determines whether or not the target area for division processing has changed, and a change target area that indicates whether the target area for division processing has changed. In response to the determination result of the change presence / absence determining unit 10 shown, the area data of the first area data holding unit is overwritten in the second area data holding unit, the contents of the first area data holding unit are cleared, and then, , The area change processing unit 11 which reads out area data relating to a new area to be divided from the second area data holding unit and writes the area data in the first area data holding unit. Point is only to have a. Since the operation of each component is the same as the process of the corresponding step of the flowchart of FIG. 4, detailed description will be omitted. Therefore, also in the case of this embodiment, in a series of area division processing steps, division processing for a plurality of areas can be achieved in a state where they can be distinguished from each other.

[0039]

[Embodiment 5] FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining still another embodiment of the area dividing method of the present invention. The point greatly different from the flow chart of FIG. 2 is that UNDO processing and REDO processing (redoing) are performed in the course of the area dividing processing. This is the point that processing can be easily selected. However, since the REDO processing can be achieved by performing the UNDO processing twice, the REDO processing is not specifically shown. This embodiment has a pair of area data holding units for holding the area data of the area to be divided, and waits until the search area size, color threshold value, etc. are initialized in step SP1. In step SP2, one area data holding unit is allocated for display, in step SP3 waits until the cursor position is designated by a mouse operation (for example, click operation), and in step SP4 color data at the cursor position is extracted, In step SP5, it is determined whether or not the area creation method is area creation only from within the designated area. Then, when it is determined that the area creation method is area creation only within the designated area, in step SP6, a search determined from the area to which the cursor position belongs based on the cursor position and the search area size. On the other hand, if it is determined that the area creation method is not to create an area only within the specified area, in step SP7, a search area determined based on the cursor position and the search area size is obtained. Then, when the process of step SP6 or step SP7 is performed, in step SP8, a point to which a color within the threshold range is assigned to the extracted color data from the inside of the search area. A new area is created by extraction, the new area is added to the original area in step SP9, and the new area is written in the area data holding unit that has not been allocated for the display, and the other area data holding unit is also used. Instead of, the display is allocated for display, and it is determined whether or not the UNDO processing is selected in step SP10. If the UNDO process is not selected, it is determined in step SP11 whether or not the end of the region division process is instructed. If the end is not instructed, the process of step SP3 is performed again. On the contrary, if it is determined in step SP10 that the UNDO process is selected, in step SP12, the other area data holding unit is displayed instead of the area data holding unit that has been allocated for the display. Therefore, the processing of step SP3 is performed again. If it is determined in step SP11 that the end of the area division processing has been instructed, the series of processing ends.

Specifically, as shown by A1 in FIG. 8, an area based on the cursor position is added to the area data held in one area data holding unit (allocated for display). When it is instructed to do something by performing a mouse pick operation, the area is added to the other area data holding unit without changing the contents of one area data holding unit (see A2). Area data indicating a different area is stored and newly allocated for display (see B2), and the content of the other area data holding section is changed by again specifying the cursor position by mouse operation and performing mouse pick operation. (See B3), the area data indicating the new area to which the area has been added is stored in one area data holding unit, and is newly displayed. Assign (see A3). After that, if UNDO processing is selected, only the allocation for display is changed without changing the area data in both area data holding units (see A4 and B4), and then the cursor position is specified by the mouse operation. By performing the mouse pick operation, the area data indicating the new area to which the area is added is stored in one area data holding section without changing the contents of the other area data holding section (see B5). At the same time, it is newly assigned for display (see A5).

Therefore, when the newly obtained area based on the mouse operation and the mouse pick operation is inappropriate, it is possible to return to the state immediately before by simply selecting the UNDO process. In addition to the effect of, reprocessing can be easily achieved.

[0042]

[Embodiment 6] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the area dividing device of the present invention. The difference from the block diagram of FIG. The point that the 1st area data plane 9a and the 2nd area data plane 9b are adopted, the 1st area data plane 9
a and the second area data plane 9b are further provided with a display allocating section 12 for selectively allocating for display, that is, the new area writing section 7 corresponds to the area data plane 9a which is not allocated for display. In order to change the area data plane allocated for display in response to the point of writing the area data with the new area created added, the new area selected, or the UNDO process selected, The only difference is that it further includes an allocation control unit 13 that controls the new area writing unit 7 and the display allocation unit 12. The operation of each component is shown in FIG.
Since the processing is the same as that of the corresponding step in the flowchart of FIG.

Therefore, also in the case of this embodiment, when the newly obtained area based on the mouse operation and the mouse pick operation is unsuitable, the UNDO process is simply selected to bring it to the immediately preceding state. In addition to the effect of the second embodiment, reprocessing can be easily achieved.

[0044]

[Embodiment 7] FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts for explaining still another embodiment of the area dividing method of the present invention. The difference from the flowchart of FIG. 7 is that the cursor position is changed instead of selecting UNDO processing. The only difference is that the same processing is achieved by moving away from the already created area.

In this embodiment, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, one of the pair of area data holding units is adopted as the first area data holding unit allocated for display at the time of mouse push operation, and the other is used. It is used as a second area data holding section allocated for display when the mouse is released. Then, in step SP1, wait until the search area size, color threshold value, etc. are initialized, the second area data holding unit is allocated for display in step SP2, and the cursor position is designated by the mouse push operation in step SP3. Until step S4, the color data at the cursor position is extracted, and in step SP5, a search area determined based on the cursor position and the search area size is obtained.
In P6, a point to which a color within the threshold range is assigned to the extracted color data is extracted from inside the search area to create a new area, and step SP7
A new area is added to the original area on condition that the mouse push operation has been performed, and is written in the first area data holding unit, and is allocated for display in place of the second area data holding unit. In SP8, it is determined whether or not the cursor position is separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more. If the cursor position is not more than the predetermined distance from the mouse push position, it is determined whether or not the mouse release operation is performed in step SP9a, and if the mouse release operation is not performed, the determination in step SP8 is performed again. . On the contrary, if it is determined in step SP9a that the mouse release operation has been performed, in step SP9b,
The contents of the first area data holding unit are copied to the second area data holding unit, and in step SP10, it is determined whether or not the end of the area division processing is instructed. Perform SP3 processing. On the contrary, if it is determined in step SP8 that the cursor position is away from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more,
In step SP11, instead of the first area data holding section, the second area data holding section is allocated for display,
At step SP12, it is determined whether or not the cursor position is not separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more as a result of the mouse operation, and the cursor position remains separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more. If it is in the state, it is determined in step SP13 whether or not the mouse release operation is performed. Then, if the mouse release operation has not been performed, the determination in step SP12 is performed again. When it is determined in step SP11 that the cursor position is not separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more, in step SP14, the contents of both area data holding units are not changed and the first area is not changed. The data holding unit is allocated for display, and the process of step SP9a is performed again. If it is determined in step SP13 that the mouse release operation has been performed, step SP1
In 5, the contents of the second area data holding are copied to the first area data holding unit, and the processing of step SP3 is performed again.

Specifically, as shown by B1 in FIG. 12, it is necessary to add an area based on the cursor position to the area data held in the second area data holding section by performing a mouse push operation. In response to the instruction, the area data indicating the new area to which the area is added is stored in the first area data holding unit without changing the contents of the second area data holding unit (see B2). ,
By newly allocating for display (see A2) and performing a mouse release operation, the contents of the first area data holding section are copied to the second area data holding section (see A3 and B3). After the mouse push operation is performed, if the cursor position is separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more while the mouse release operation is not performed, the contents of both area data holding units are kept as A2 and B2. In this state, the second area data holding unit is assigned for display (see A4 and B4). Then, if the mouse release operation is performed in that state, the contents of the second area data holding unit are copied to the first area data holding unit so that the contents of both area data holding units become as shown in A1 and B1. ,
A process similar to the UNDO process can be achieved. If the cursor position is not separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more without performing the mouse release operation, the second area data holding unit allocates the display area again for display, as indicated by A2 and B2. R
A process similar to the EDO process can be achieved.

Therefore, it is possible to easily achieve the same processing as the UNDO processing and the REDO processing by changing the cursor position before performing the mouse release operation instead of performing the operation of specially selecting the UNDO processing.

[0048]

[Embodiment 8] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the area dividing apparatus of the present invention. The difference from the embodiment of FIG. 9 is that the new area writing unit 7, the display allocation unit 12,
Instead of the allocation control unit 13, the first area data plane 9 is provided on condition that a mouse push operation is performed.
An area adding unit 14 for adding a new area created to the content of a and copying the content of the first area data plane 9a to the second area data plane 9b on condition that a mouse release operation is simply performed. A copy unit 15, a temporary allocation unit 16 for allocating the second area data plane 9b for display on condition that the cursor position is separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance before the mouse release operation, and a mouse. An allocation restoring unit 17 for allocating the first area data plane 9a for display again on condition that the cursor position is not separated from the mouse push position by more than a predetermined distance before the release operation is performed, and the cursor position. Was released while the mouse was released from the mouse push position for a certain distance or more. The condition is that the contents of the second area data plane 9b are copied to the first area data plane 9a, and a display restoring section 18 for allocating the first area data plane 9a for display is further provided. Is. The operation of each component is shown in FIGS.
Since the processing is the same as that of the corresponding step in the flowchart of FIG.

Therefore, also in the case of this embodiment, the same operation as the UNDO processing and the REDO processing can be easily performed by changing the cursor position before performing the mouse release operation instead of performing the operation of selecting the UNDO processing specially. Processing can be achieved.

[0050]

[Ninth Embodiment] FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts for explaining still another embodiment of the area dividing method according to the present invention. In this embodiment, in addition to having the first, second, and third area data holding units having the same number of pixels as the image for holding the area data to be subjected to the area division processing at the relevant time, It has a fourth area data holding unit having the same number of pixels as the image, for holding the area data that is not the target of the area division processing at the time point.

In step SP1, the search area size,
Wait until the color threshold, the area creation method, the type of the area to be processed at that time, etc. are initialized, and then step SP2
In either the first area data holding unit or the third area data holding unit (hereinafter, simply referred to as the first area data holding unit)
Is allocated for display, waits until the cursor position is specified by the mouse push operation in step SP3, the color data at the cursor position is extracted in step SP4, and only in the area where the area creating method is specified in step SP5. It is determined whether or not the area is created. Then, when it is determined that the area creation method is area creation only from within the designated area, in step SP6, a search determined from the area to which the cursor position belongs based on the cursor position and the search area size. If the region is created and conversely it is determined that the region creation method is not only the region creation within the specified region,
In step SP7, a search area determined based on the cursor position and the search area size is obtained. Then, when the processing of step SP6 or step SP7 is performed, in step SP8, a point to which a color within the threshold range is assigned to the extracted color data from the inside of the search area. A new area is created by extraction, the new area is added to the original area on condition that the mouse push operation is performed in step SP9, and the new area is written in the second area data holding unit.
It is allocated for display instead of the area data holding unit, and it is determined in step SP10 whether or not the cursor position is separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more. If the cursor position is not more than the predetermined distance from the mouse push position, it is determined in step SP11 whether or not the mouse release operation is performed. If the mouse release operation is not performed, the step SP is performed again.
Judgment of 10.

When it is determined in step SP11 that the mouse release operation has been performed, step SP
In FIG. 12, the contents of the second area data holding unit are stored in the first area data holding unit and the third area data holding unit which are not allocated to the display immediately before (hereinafter, simply the third area data holding unit). (Referred to as a data holding unit), the third region data holding unit is allocated for display, and it is determined in step SP13 whether or not the region to be processed has been instructed to change the region. If not, it is determined whether the UNDO process is selected in step SP14. When it is determined that the UNDO process is not selected, the process of step SP3 is performed again.

When it is determined in step SP10 that the cursor position is separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more, in step SP15, the first area data holding section is displayed instead of the second area data holding section. In step SP16, it is determined whether or not the cursor position is not more than a predetermined distance from the mouse push position as a result of the mouse operation, and the cursor position is a predetermined distance or more from the mouse push position. If it is in a separated state, step SP1
At 7, it is determined whether a mouse release operation has been performed. If it is determined in the above step SP16 that the cursor position has not moved away from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more, step SP18
In, the second area data holding section is allocated for display without changing the contents of both area data holding sections, and the process of step SP11 is performed again. Also, step S
When it is determined in P17 that the mouse release operation has been performed, the contents of the first area data holding are copied to the second area data holding unit in step SP19, and the processing of step SP3 is performed again. Conversely, step SP1
If it is determined in step 7 that the mouse release operation has not been performed, the determination in step SP16 is performed again.

When it is determined in step SP13 that the change of the area to be processed is instructed, the contents of the third area data holding unit are copied to the fourth area data holding unit and the first area is changed in step SP20. , The contents of the second and third area data holding units are cleared, and in step SP21, the area data of the area to be processed is taken out from the fourth area data holding unit, and the first, second, and third areas are fetched.
The data is copied to the area data holding unit and the processing of step SP3 is performed again.

If it is determined in step SP14 that the UNDO process is selected, step SP2
In 2, the contents of the first area data holding unit are copied to the second area data holding unit, the first area data holding unit is allocated for display, and the process of step SP3 is performed again. Specifically, as shown by B1 in FIG. 16, it is instructed by the mouse push operation that an area based on the cursor position should be added to the area data held in the second area data holding unit. If the second
The area data indicating the new area to which the area is added is stored in the first area data holding unit without changing the contents of the area data holding unit (see B2), and is newly allocated for display (A2). By performing a mouse release operation, the contents of the first area data holding section are copied to the third area data holding section (see A3 and C3). After the mouse push operation, if the cursor position is separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more while the mouse release operation is not performed, the contents of the first and second area data holding units are changed to A2, B2. The second area data holding section is allocated for display while being held as it is (see A4 and B4). Then, if the mouse release operation is performed in that state, the contents of the second area data holding unit are copied to the first area data holding unit so that the contents of both area data holding units become as shown in A1 and B1. ,
A process similar to the UNDO process can be achieved. Further, if the cursor position is not separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more without performing the mouse release operation, the first area data holding unit is again allocated for display (see A2 and B2). , REDO
A process similar to the process can be achieved.

When an instruction to change the area to be processed is issued in the states shown in A3, B3, C3, and D3 in FIG. 16, the contents of the third area data holding unit are transferred to the fourth area data holding unit. After overwriting, the area data to be processed is taken out from the fourth area data holding unit and written in the first, second, and third area data holding units (see A5, B5, C5, D5 in FIG. 17). . Therefore, after that, the area division process can be performed on the changed area. Furthermore, when UNDO processing is selected in the state shown in A3, B3, C3, D3 of FIG.
The contents of the second area data holding unit may be copied to the first area data holding unit, and the second area data holding unit may be allocated for display (see A6 and B6 in FIG. 17).

Therefore, not only the UNDO processing but also the same processing as the UNDO processing and the REDO processing can be easily achieved only by changing the cursor position before the mouse release operation, and the latest processing of the area division processing. Redo can be easily achieved. After releasing the mouse, UNDO processing and REDO processing can be achieved from the menu. Moreover, since a plurality of area division processes can be achieved in a state where they can be distinguished from each other, multiple combining and the like can be easily achieved. Furthermore, since the search area for performing the area division processing can be made extremely small, the area division processing can be speeded up and the inconvenience of unexpected area division can be prevented. You can

[0058]

[Embodiment 10] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the area dividing device of the present invention. The difference from the embodiment of FIG. 13 is that the area is created only within the area for which the area creating method is designated. A point that further includes an area creation method determination unit 4 that determines whether or not it is creation, and the search area acquisition unit 5 that is an area creation method determination that indicates that the area creation method is area creation only within the specified area In response to the determination result from the unit 4, a search area determined based on the cursor position and the search area size is obtained from the area to which the specified cursor position belongs, and conversely, within the area in which the area creation method is specified. The point that the search area determined based on the cursor position and the search area size is obtained in response to the determination result from the area creating method determination unit 4 indicating that the area is not created from only First, second, and third area data planes 9a, 9b, and 9c for holding the area data that is the processing target, and areas for holding the area data that is not the processing target at the corresponding time A new area created for the contents of the first area data plane 9a is provided on the condition that the mouse push operation is performed instead of the new area adding unit 14 in that the data area 9d is included. The new area adding section 19 to be added is adopted, and instead of the copying section 15, the first area data plane 9a is provided on condition that a mouse release operation is simply performed.
The point that a copying unit 20 for copying the contents of the above to the third area data plane 9c is adopted, and instead of the display restoring unit 18, the mouse release processing is performed while the cursor position is separated from the mouse push position by a predetermined distance or more. Under the condition, the contents of the second area data plane 9b are copied to the first area data plane 9a, and the second area data plane 9b is continuously allocated for display.
1 and the change presence / absence determining unit 22 that determines whether or not the region to be divided is changed, and the change presence / absence determining unit 22 that indicates that the region to be divided is changed. In response to the determination result, the area data of the third area data plane 9c is overwritten in the fourth area data holding unit 9d, and the contents of the first, second, and third area data planes 9a, 9b, 9c are written. Clear, and then read the area data relating to the area to be newly divided from the fourth area data plane 9d,
The area change processing unit 23 to write in the second and third area data planes 9a, 9b, 9c, the UNDO processing determination unit 24 that determines whether or not the UNDO processing is selected, and the UNDO.
In response to the determination result of the UNDO process determination unit 24 indicating that the process has been selected, the second area data plane 9b is allocated for display, and the content of the second area data plane 9b is assigned to the first area data plane 9a. The only difference is that it further includes an UNDO processing unit 25 for copying to. However, in this embodiment, the second area data plane and the third area data plane are used as the same concept as the second area data holding unit and the third area data holding unit of the ninth embodiment. The operation of each component is shown in FIG. 14 and FIG.
Since the processing is the same as that of the corresponding step in the flowchart of FIG.

Therefore, also in the case of this embodiment, the UN
Not only DO processing but also UNDO processing by simply changing the cursor position before mouse release operation,
The same processing as the REDO processing can be achieved, and the latest processing of the area dividing processing can be easily redone. After releasing the mouse, select UNDO from the menu.
Processing, REDO processing can be achieved. Moreover, since a plurality of area division processes can be achieved in a state where they can be distinguished from each other, multiple combining and the like can be easily achieved. Furthermore, since the search area for performing the area division processing can be made extremely small, the area division processing can be speeded up and the inconvenience of unexpected area division can be prevented. You can FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a magnified display processing method suitable for each of the above-described embodiments. In the state where the magnified image of the desired area is displayed together with the original image, the operation waits until the operator inputs an operation in step SP1. In step SP2, it is determined whether or not the mouse cursor is located in the enlarged image. If the mouse cursor is located in the enlarged image, the position of the mouse cursor is converted to the corresponding position in the original image in step SP3. . Then, if it is determined in step SP2 that the mouse cursor is not located within the enlarged image, or if the processing in step SP3 is performed, then in step SP4 the actual position of the mouse cursor or the converted mouse cursor. Based on the position of, the processing corresponding to the operation input, for example, cursor movement processing, area division processing, image processing, image combination processing, etc. is performed, and the processing result and the mouse cursor are displayed in the original image in step SP5. Next, in step SP6, it is determined whether or not there is an enlarged image, and if it is present, the processing result and the mouse cursor are displayed on the enlarged image in step SP7. Then, if it is determined in step SP6 that there is no enlarged image, or after the processing in step SP7 is performed, the processing in step SP1 is performed again.

Therefore, when an area or the like for performing a predetermined operation is specified using the mouse cursor, the area or the like can be specified for both the original image and the enlarged image, and the enlarged image is displayed at the same time. It is possible to simplify the work of designating the area and the like in the state and improve the accuracy of designating the area and the like. More specifically, conventionally, when an enlarged image is displayed at the same time, both the processing based on the enlarged image and the processing based on the original image can be easily executed using a mouse cursor or the like. , The processing based on the enlarged image is allowed only within the range displayed as the enlarged image, and the area from the portion displayed as the enlarged image to the portion not displayed as the enlarged image is designated as the processing target. It was impossible. Therefore, in this case, for example, it was necessary to delete the enlarged image and specify the area in the original image. However, with this method, it is possible to specify the region from the portion displayed as the enlarged image to the portion not displayed as the enlarged image as the processing target, and the advantages of the enlarged display can be fully utilized. it can.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a magnified display processing device, which includes a position detecting section 41 for detecting the position of the mouse cursor, a discriminating section 42 for discriminating whether or not the mouse cursor is positioned within the enlarged image, In response to the determination result of the determination unit 42 indicating that the mouse cursor is located in the enlarged image, the position conversion unit 43 that converts the position of the mouse cursor to the corresponding position in the original image, and the determination result of the determination unit 42 In response, the processing unit 44 that performs processing corresponding to the operation input based on the position of the mouse cursor detected by the position detection unit 41 or the corresponding position converted by the position conversion unit 43, and the determination result of the determination unit 42. In response to the processing result display unit 45 for displaying the processing result by the processing unit 44 only on the original image or on the original image and the enlarged image. Since the operation of each component is the same as the process of the corresponding step of the flowchart of FIG. 19, detailed description will be omitted. Note that the configuration for displaying the enlarged image and the configuration for setting the position of the mouse cursor are conventionally known, and therefore description thereof is omitted.

Therefore, when designating an area or the like for performing a predetermined operation using the mouse cursor, the area or the like can be designated for both the original image and the enlarged image, and the enlarged image is displayed at the same time. It is possible to simplify the work of designating the area and the like in the state and improve the accuracy of designating the area and the like. In the above, the processing when the direct pick is selected has been described.
When any one of paint, polygon, and rectangle shown in (1) is selected, the range determined based on the movement path of the mouse cursor can be set as the processing target area. However, in these cases, the processing when the cursor position is separated from the mouse push position is not performed. Of course, in these cases, it is possible to configure to detect a region of similar color from the above range.

[0063]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation for area division can be simplified, the time required for area division can be shortened, and an unexpected area is divided. The peculiar effect that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the inconvenience of being caused is produced.

The invention of claim 2 can also simplify the operation for area division, shorten the time required for area division, and cause the inconvenience of unexpected area division. It has a unique effect that it can be prevented. The invention of claim 3 is
The operation for area division can be simplified, the time required for area division can be shortened, and the inconvenience of unexpected area division can be prevented. There is a unique effect that the areas can be divided so that they can be distinguished from each other.

The invention according to claim 4 can also simplify the operation for area division, shorten the time required for area division, and cause an inconvenience that an unexpected area is divided. It is possible to prevent this from occurring in advance, and there is a unique effect that a plurality of regions can be divided so that they can be distinguished from each other. According to the invention of claim 5, the operation for area division can be simplified and the time required for area division can be shortened.
Moreover, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that an unexpected area is divided, and to confirm the pixel selection while displaying a predetermined area and selecting a pixel belonging to the area to be divided. Since it is possible to return to the immediately preceding pixel selection confirmation state without canceling without doing so, and it is not necessary to return to the initial state of the region division processing, it is necessary to perform the entire processing when the pixel selection is canceled halfway. There is a unique effect that the time can be shortened and the operation required by the operator can be simplified.

The invention of claim 6 can also simplify the operation for area division, shorten the time required for area division, and cause the inconvenience of unexpected area division. This can be prevented in advance, and while the pixel belonging to the area to be divided is displayed by displaying the predetermined area, the pixel selection is canceled without being fixed, and the immediately previous pixel selection is fixed. Since it is possible to return to the initial state of the area division processing, it is possible to shorten the processing time as a whole when the pixel selection is canceled in the middle, and to request the operator. There is a unique effect that the operation can be simplified.

According to the invention of claim 7, the operation for dividing the area can be simplified, the time required for the area division can be shortened, and an unexpected area is divided. This can be prevented in advance, and while the pixel belonging to the area to be divided is displayed by displaying the predetermined area, the pixel selection is canceled without being fixed, and the immediately previous pixel selection is fixed. The unique effect that the operation for returning is simplified can be achieved.

The invention of claim 8 can also simplify the operation for area division, shorten the time required for area division, and cause an inconvenience of unexpected area division. This can be prevented in advance, and while the pixel belonging to the area to be divided is displayed by displaying the predetermined area, the pixel selection is canceled without being fixed, and the immediately previous pixel selection is confirmed. The unique effect of simplifying the returning operation is achieved.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the operation for area division can be simplified, the time required for area division can be shortened, and an unexpected area is divided. This can be prevented in advance, and a plurality of regions can be divided in a state where they can be distinguished from each other. Furthermore, a pixel is displayed while displaying a predetermined region and selecting a pixel belonging to the region to be divided. Since it is possible to return to the immediately preceding pixel selection confirmation state without canceling the selection of, and it is not necessary to return to the initial state of the area division processing, it is possible to cancel the pixel selection in the middle. The processing time required for the operation can be shortened, the operation required by the operator can be simplified, and a predetermined area must be displayed and divided. Cancel without confirm the selection of the pixels in the middle of selecting the pixels belonging to the region, it exhibited a unique advantageous effect that it is possible to further simplify the operation for returning the pixel selection decision prior state.

The invention according to claim 10 can also simplify the operation for area division, shorten the time required for area division, and cause an inconvenience that an unexpected area is divided. This can be prevented in advance, and a plurality of regions can be divided in a state where they can be distinguished from each other. Furthermore, a pixel is displayed while displaying a predetermined region and selecting a pixel belonging to the region to be divided. Since it is possible to return to the immediately preceding pixel selection confirmation state without canceling the selection of, and it is not necessary to return to the initial state of the area division processing, it is possible to cancel the pixel selection in the middle. It is possible to shorten the processing time required for the operation, simplify the operation required by the operator, and display and divide a predetermined area. Cancel without confirm the selection of the pixels in the middle of selecting a pixel belonging to come region,
There is a unique effect that the operation for returning to the immediately preceding pixel selection confirmed state can be further simplified.

The invention of claim 11 relates to claims 1, 3, 5,
In addition to any one of the effects 7 and 9, it is possible to restrict the inside of the displayed circle as a target area of the division processing, and to perform a unique effect that the operation for setting the area can be simplified. . According to the invention of claim 12, in addition to the effect of any one of claims 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, the inside of the displayed circle can be restricted as a target area for the division processing, and the area is set. There is a unique effect that the operation of can be simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen applied to an area dividing method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the area dividing method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the area dividing device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the area dividing method according to the present invention.

5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process based on the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the area dividing device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining still another embodiment of the area dividing method according to the present invention.

8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process based on the flowchart of FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the area dividing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a part of still another embodiment of the area dividing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the remaining part of still another embodiment of the area dividing method according to the present invention.

12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the area dividing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a part of still another embodiment of the area dividing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining another part of still another embodiment of the area dividing method according to the present invention.

16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a part of the processing based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the rest of the processing based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the area dividing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an enlarged display processing method.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an enlarged display processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 cursor position designation unit 3 color data extraction unit 5 search region acquisition unit 6 new region creation unit 9 region data plane 9a first region data plane 9b second region data plane 9c third region data plane 9d fourth region data plane 10, 22 Change presence / absence determination unit 11, 23 Area change processing unit 12 Display allocation unit 13 Allocation control unit 14, 19 New area addition unit 15, 20 Copying unit 18, 21 Display restoring unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A method for dividing an area of similar color in an image, wherein a predetermined area determined based on a cursor position is set, and a difference from the color of a pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. And a pixel located in the predetermined area is selected as a pixel belonging to an area to be divided. 2. A device for dividing an area of similar color in an image, comprising area setting means (2) (5) for setting a predetermined area determined based on a cursor position, and a color of a pixel designated by the cursor. Is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold,
A pixel selecting means (3) for selecting a pixel located in the predetermined area as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided.
(6) and area data holding means (9) having the same number of pixels as the image for holding area information obtained based on the pixels selected by the pixel selecting means (6). Area dividing device. 3. A method of dividing a region of similar color in an image, wherein one of a pair of region data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image is allocated for a predetermined region dividing process, and the other is retained. Allocating to hold the divided area, setting a predetermined area determined on the basis of the cursor position in one area data holding means, the difference from the color of the pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and In response to an instruction to select a pixel located in a predetermined area as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided and to change the area to be subjected to the area division processing, one of the area data holding means is instructed. The held area data is written in the other area data holding means, and then the area data that is the target of the area division processing is read from the other area data holding means. An area dividing method characterized by writing in one area data holding means. 4. A device for dividing a region of similar color in an image, wherein one of a pair of region data holding means (9a) (9b) having the same number of pixels as the image is allocated for the region division processing. In addition, the other is assigned to hold the remaining area data, and the area setting means (2) (5) that sets a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position in one area data holding means (9a). )
And a pixel whose color difference from the pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold and which selects a pixel located in the predetermined area as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided (3) ( 6), an area selecting means (10) for selecting an area to be subjected to area division processing, and one area data holding means (10) in response to selection of a new area by the area selecting means (10). The area data held in 9a) is written in the other area data holding means (9b), and then the area data to be subjected to area division processing is read out from the other area data holding means (9b) to obtain one area data. An area dividing device comprising area changing means (11) for writing in the holding means (9a). 5. A method of dividing a region of similar color in an image, wherein one of a pair of region data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image is allocated for displaying the divided region, and the other is divided immediately before. Allocate to hold space,
A predetermined area determined based on the cursor position is set during the display of the divided area based on the content of one area data holding unit, and is designated by the cursor in response to an instruction to confirm the pixel selection. The difference between the color of the pixel and the predetermined threshold is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and the pixel located in the predetermined area is selected as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided,
In response to the instruction to cancel the pixel selection, the other area data holding means is allocated for displaying the division target area, and one area data holding means is used for holding the immediately previous divided area. A region segmentation method, characterized by allocating to the. 6. A device for dividing a region of similar color in an image, wherein one pair of region data holding means (9a) (9b) having the same number of pixels as the image and one of the region data holding means An assigning means (12) for assigning the display area and the other for holding the immediately preceding divided area, and a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position during the display of the divided area based on the content of one area data holding means. Area setting means (2) and (5), setting means for instructing that pixel selection should be confirmed or canceled, and confirmation instruction signals indicating that pixel selection should be confirmed. In response to the output from the pixel, the difference between the color of the pixel designated by the cursor and the color of the pixel is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, and the pixel located in the predetermined area belongs to the area to be divided. In response to the pixel selection means (3) and (6) for selecting a pixel to be selected and the cancellation instruction signal indicating that the selection of the pixel should be canceled from the instruction means,
A control means (13) for allocating the other area data holding means for displaying the division target area and controlling the allocation means (12) for allocating one area data holding means for holding the immediately preceding divided area. An area dividing device comprising: 7. A method of dividing a region of similar color in an image, wherein one of a pair of region data holding means having the same number of pixels as the image is allocated for temporary holding of the divided region and the other is fixed. Allocating for holding the divided area, and allocating any one for displaying, displaying a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position during display of the divided area based on the content of the other area data holding means, In response to a temporary indication that the selection should be confirmed, the pixel whose color difference from the pixel designated by the cursor is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold and which is located in the predetermined area is divided. It is necessary to select a pixel belonging to a region to be written and write it in one area data holding means, and also to allocate one area data holding means for display to confirm the selection of the pixel. In response to the indication, the area data held in the area data holding means allocated for display is written in the area data holding means not allocated for display, and the area data holding means is allocated for display. The area data holding means which is not set is assigned for display, and the other area data holding means is displayed in response to the cursor position being separated in the state where one area data holding means is assigned for display. A region segmentation method characterized by allocating for. 8. A device for dividing a region of a similar color in an image, wherein one of a pair of region data holding means (9a) (9b) having the same number of pixels as the image and one of the region data holding means is a divided region. Allocate for temporary holding,
Allocation means (16) for allocating the other for holding the confirmed divided area and for allocating any of them for display
(17) and area setting means (2) and (5) for setting a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position during the display of the divided area based on the content of the other area data holding means, and the pixel selection is confirmed. In response to the instruction means for instructing what to do or to be temporarily confirmed and the temporary confirmation instruction signal indicating that the selection should be temporarily confirmed, outputted from the instruction means,
The difference between the color of the pixel designated by the cursor and the color of the pixel is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, and the pixel located in the predetermined area is selected as a pixel belonging to the area to be divided and written in one area data holding means Pixel selection means (3) (6)
(14) and the area data held in the area data holding means allocated for display in response to the decision instructing signal indicating that the pixel selection should be decided Deciding means (15) for writing the data into the area data holding means not allocated for display
And a control means for controlling the allocation state so that the other area data holding means is allocated for display in response to the cursor position being separated while the one area data holding means is allocated for display. (18) An area dividing device including: 9. A method of dividing an area of similar color in an image, wherein first area data holding means holds four area data holding means each having the same number of pixels as the image, and area data to be subjected to area dividing processing. Means, third area data holding means, second holding means for temporarily holding corresponding area data
Area data holding means, fourth for holding remaining area data
A predetermined area is set which is assigned to the area data holding means and is determined based on the cursor position while the divided area is displayed based on the contents of the first area data holding means. In response to a confirmation instruction indicating that a pixel that is equal to or less than a threshold value and is located in the predetermined region is selected as a pixel belonging to the region to be divided, and the selection of the pixel should be temporarily confirmed, the original divided region The selected pixel is added to the second area data holding means and held in the second area data holding means, the second area data holding means is assigned for display, and the pixel selection is answered in response to the confirmation instruction. Then, the area data held in the second area data holding means is written in the third area data holding means, and the third area data holding means is allocated for display. The area data holding means and the third area holding means are switched to repeat the above series of processing a necessary number of times, and the cursor position is separated in the state where the second area data holding means is allocated for display. In response to the instruction to allocate the first or third area data allocation means for display and to change the area to be subjected to the area division processing, the first or third area data is transmitted. The area data held in the holding means is written in the fourth area data holding means, and then the area data to be subjected to the area division processing is read from the fourth area data holding means and written in the remaining area data holding means. Characteristic area division method. 10. A device for dividing regions of similar color in an image, wherein four region data holding means (9a) (9b) (9c) (9d) each having the same number of pixels as the image are subjected to the region division processing. First to hold the area data
Area data holding means (9a), third area data holding means (9c), second holding the corresponding area data temporarily
The area data holding means (9b) is assigned to the fourth area data holding means (9d) for holding the remaining area data, and one area data holding means is selectively assigned for display. Area setting means (2) and (5) for setting a predetermined area determined based on the cursor position during the display of the divided area based on the content of the area data holding means allocated for display, and the pixel designated by the cursor Pixel selection means (3) (6) for selecting a pixel located within the predetermined area as a pixel belonging to an area to be divided, the difference between which is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.
And an instructing means for instructing that the pixel selection should be finalized or temporarily fixed, and a finalization instruction indicating that the pixel selection should be temporarily fixed, and the pixel is selected for the original divided area. In response to a confirmation instruction indicating that the pixel selection should be confirmed by additionally adding the pixel to be retained in the second region data retaining means (9b) and allocating the second region data retaining means (9b) for display. Then, the area data held in the second area data holding means (9b) is written in the third area data holding means (9c), and
The third area data holding means (9c) is assigned for display, the first area data holding means (9a) and the third area data holding means (9c) are switched to repeat the above series of processing a required number of times, and In response to the cursor position being separated in the state in which the second area data holding means (9b) is allocated for display, the first area data allocation means (9a) or the third area data holding means (9c) is activated. In response to an instruction to change the area to be allocated for display and to be subjected to area division processing, the first area data holding means (9a) or the third area data holding means (9)
The area data held in c) is written in the fourth area data holding means (9d), and then the area data to be subjected to the area division processing is read from the fourth area data holding means (9d) to obtain the remaining area data. Selection means employing holding means for display (19) (20) (21) (22)
(23) An area dividing device including: 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined area defined based on the cursor position is a circle having a predetermined radius centered on the cursor position. Area division method. 12. The area setting means (2), (5) for setting a circle having a predetermined radius centering on the cursor position is adopted. The area dividing device according to claim 8 or 10.