JPH07262391A - Method and device for processing image - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display a portrait or animation image in colors at low cost with a little data. CONSTITUTION:When a portrait selection switch is turned on (step S12) in the case of preparing a color portrait image, closed curve data A to F and color data A to F corresponding to a portrait number are loaded to a RAM (step S20), first of all, plural closed curves A to F omitting colors are prepared (step S22), next, colors for painting out the boundary and inside of these closed curves A to F are designated and further, the priority for painting out the respective closed curves A to F in those colors is decided. Afterwards, the boundary and inside of the respective closed curves A to F are painted out in the designated colors according to this priority, and a color image is prepared (step S24) and displayed (step S26). Thus, even when displaying the portrait in the colors, the image can be displayed in the colors by simply providing the closed curve data and their color data even without necessity to provide color data for each pixel.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and an apparatus therefor, and more specifically, an image which can be drawn with a small amount of data by filling the inside of a closed curve when creating an animation or a portrait. The present invention relates to a processing method and an apparatus that realizes the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image data in a bit array format is often used in animation, games, etc., and characters and background data are displayed by this image data. The image data in the bit array format is composed of dots, and each dot has a display color number or a palette number. That is, in order to display a portrait or an animation image in color on a computer screen or the like, it has color data for each pixel.

[0003]

By the way, in the case of the conventional image processing apparatus, in order to display a portrait or an animation image in color on a computer screen or a television screen, it is necessary to have color data for each pixel. However, there was a problem that a large amount of data was inevitably needed. In addition, the capacity of the memory device for processing a large amount of data is increased, and the cost is increased in this respect.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method and apparatus capable of displaying a portrait, an animation image, and the like in color with a small amount of data and at low cost.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the image processing method according to the invention as defined in claim 1 creates a predetermined image by a plurality of closed curves in which colors are omitted, and the boundaries and insides of these closed curves are defined. Specify the color to be filled, determine the priority of each closed curve when filling the boundary and the inside of the plurality of closed curves, and fill the boundary and the inside of each closed curve with the specified color according to this priority, and a predetermined color image It is characterized by creating.

As a preferred mode, for example, the closed curve may be formed by one or more of a straight line and a Bezier curve. For example, as described in claim 3, in the process of creating the predetermined image with a plurality of closed curves in which colors are omitted, closed curve data that creates a plurality of closed curves is used, and the boundaries of the plurality of closed curves and the inside thereof are designated. In the process of filling with different colors, color data for filling may be used. For example, as described in claim 4, the process of creating the closed curve by a straight line is to form a straight line by a large number of dots, and to form both ends of the straight line.
The process of determining one dot position and calculating the inclination of that dot position, and the x coordinate or y depending on this inclination.
A process of accumulating the error when the coordinate is increased by one unit, and changing the position of the x-coordinate or the y-coordinate of the next dot only when the error exceeds a predetermined value, and calculating the accumulated error. And a process of subtracting a constant value from.

An image processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention specifies a closed curve creating means for creating a predetermined image with a plurality of closed curves without colors, and a color for filling the boundary and the inside of the closed curve created by the closed curve creating means. A color designating means, a priority determining means for determining a priority for each closed curve when filling the boundaries and the inside of the plurality of closed curves, and a boundary and the interior of each closed curve are painted in a designated color according to this priority. And a color image creating means for creating a predetermined color image.

Further, as described in claim 6, for example, the closed curve creating means is one of a straight line and a Bezier curve.
A closed curve may be created by one or more. For example, as described in claim 7, the closed curve creating means creates a plurality of closed curves forming a predetermined image by closed curve data, and the color image creating means specifies boundaries of the plurality of closed curves and the inside thereof. The color may be filled with a color corresponding to the color data. For example, claim 8
As described above, the display device may further include display means for displaying the predetermined color image created by the color image creating means. For example, as described in claim 9,
You may make it further have a printing means which prints the predetermined color image produced by the said color image production means. For example, as described in claim 10, when the closed curve creating means creates a closed curve by a straight line composed of a large number of dots, it determines two dot positions forming both ends of the straight line and calculates an inclination of the dot position. And a means for accumulating an error when the x coordinate or the y coordinate is increased by one unit according to the inclination, and an x coordinate or a y of the next dot only when the error exceeds a predetermined value.
A unit for changing the position of the coordinate and subtracting a constant value from the accumulated error may be provided.

[0009]

According to the present invention, when a color image (for example, a portrait or an animation image) is created, an image is first created with a plurality of closed curves whose colors are omitted, and then the borders and interiors of these closed curves are filled with colors. Specify and specify the priority when filling each closed curve with color. Then, in accordance with this priority order, the boundary of each closed curve and the inside thereof are filled with a designated color to create a color image. Therefore, for example, even when a portrait is displayed in color, it is not necessary to have color data for each pixel as in the conventional case, and it is possible to display an image in color only by having closed curve data and color data. As a result, it becomes possible to display a portrait, an animation image, or the like in color with a small amount of data and at low cost.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Configuration of Portrait Drawing Device FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a portrait creating device (corresponding to an image processing device) for realizing an image processing method according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the portrait creation device is roughly divided into C
It comprises a PU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, a switch unit 4, a display unit 5, a color printer 6 and a bus 7 connecting the respective units. The CPU 1 controls the entire apparatus, and when a drawing command is input from the switch unit 4, a process required to create a portrait based on a control program stored in the ROM 2 corresponding to the command information ( For example, the calculation of the data of the straight line or the Bezier curve necessary for drawing the outline of the portrait or each part and the filling process are performed. Further, the CPU 1 has an internal register, and stores the values of flags and pointers in the internal register.

The ROM 2 stores a control program for the CPU 1 and also stores in advance parameters such as closed curve creation data and closed curve color data representing the outline of the portrait and each part of the face, as shown in FIG. 3 described later. . RAM3
Is used as a work area when the CPU 1 performs arithmetic processing, and temporarily stores data. The switch unit 4 is operated by an operator and has a portrait selection switch operated when selecting a portrait and a start switch operated when starting a portrait creation process. Each operation switch may be a push switch that can be operated independently, or a switch board including a plurality of switches, a keyboard, or the like. As the switch unit 4, a mouse, a trackball, or the like may be used instead of the switch board or the like. The display unit (display means) 5 is C
A portrait created by the arithmetic processing of PU1 is displayed for each process. For example, an image signal generation circuit (Vi
deo Display Prosseser: VDP), VRA
It is configured to include M and TV displays. The screen may be displayed on the LCD instead of the TV display as long as color display is possible. The color printer (printing means) 6 prints an image on a predetermined sheet, and can print the portrait displayed on the display unit 5 in color, for example. CPU1, ROM2 and RAM3
Constitutes a closed curve creating means 21, a color designating means 22, a priority order determining means 23, and a color image creating means 24 as a whole.

Next, the operation will be described. Main Program FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the main program of the portrait creation process. When this program starts, first, in step S10, initialization (initialization processing) is performed. Thereby, for example, various registers in the CPU 1 are initialized, the work area of the RAM 3 is cleared, a subroutine is initialized, and flags are reset. Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the portrait selection switch of the switch unit 4 is turned on. If the portrait selection switch is not turned on, the process jumps to the display process of step S26. Thereby, in the first routine, for example, the initial screen is displayed on the display unit 5. Also,
When the portrait is already displayed, the previous portrait is displayed without being changed.

If the portrait selection switch is turned on, the flow advances to step S14 to change the portrait number. Here, in the ROM 2, as shown in FIG. 3, (1) to (n)
Up to n types of caricature data are stored. These caricature data are closed curve creation data A to F representing the contour of the caricature and each part of the face, and closed curve color data A to F designating the color of the closed curve. It is divided and stored in a predetermined area. The closed curve color data A to F specify the colors of the closed curve creation data A to F (colors that fill the boundary and the inside of the closed curve). Therefore, for example, the data of the portraits (1) to (n) can be freely set in correspondence with the portraits of the man and the portraits of the woman.

In step S14, for example, portrait number =
When (2) is selected, the portrait data (that is, the closed curve creation data and the closed curve color data) corresponding to the portrait number (2) stored in the ROM 2 is read as described later. Then, step S
At 16, it is determined whether or not the start switch of the switch unit 4 is turned on. If the start switch is not turned on, the process jumps to the display process of step S26. Accordingly, in the first routine, for example, the initial screen is displayed on the display unit 5.
It remains as it is displayed in. In addition, when the portrait is already displayed, the previous portrait remains displayed without being changed. When the start switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S18 and the display on the display unit 5 is cleared. As a result, the initial screen is cleared in the first routine. If the portrait is already displayed, the previous portrait is cleared. Then, step S
At 20, the closed curve creation data A to F and the closed curve color data A to F corresponding to the portrait number are read from the ROM 2 and loaded into the RAM 3.

Here, the RAM 3 is provided with various work areas as shown in FIG. 4, and the data read from the ROM 2 is loaded into the corresponding area. RA
The work area of M3 will be described below. Portrait selection NO. ...... Area for storing the portrait number selected by the portrait selection switch Closed curve A creation data ...... Area for storing data for creating the closed curve A Closed curve B creation data ...... Stores data for creating the closed curve B Area closed curve C creation data: Area for storing data for creating closed curve C Area closed curve D creation data: Area for storing data for creating closed curve D Creation data for closed curve E: Creation of closed curve E Area for storing data Closed curve F creation data: Area for storing data for creating closed curve F

Closed curve A color data: Area for storing data that specifies the color (color) for filling the closed curve A. Closed curve B color data: Area for storing data for specifying color (color) for the closed curve B. Closed curve C color Data: Area for storing data that specifies the color (color) for filling closed curve C Color data for closed curve D: Area for storing data that specifies the color (color) for filling closed curve D Color data for closed curve E Area that stores data that specifies the color to fill (closed curve F color data ... Area that stores data that specifies the color (color) to fill closed curve F

Color status flag (A): an area for storing a flag for determining whether the closed curve A is designated (that is, filled with a color) in the color setting area. Color status flag (B): the closed curve B is colored. Area that stores a flag that determines whether to specify (that is, paint with a color) in the setting area Color status flag (C) ... Whether or not the closed curve C is specified (that is, paint with a color) in the color setting area Area for storing a flag for determining the color state flag (D) ... Area for storing a flag for determining whether the closed curve D is designated (that is, filled with a color) in the color setting area Color state flag (E) ... The area color state flag (F that stores a flag that determines whether or not the closed curve E is designated (that is, filled with a color) in the color setting area ...... Area that stores a flag that determines whether to specify (that is, paint with a color) the closed curve F in the color setting area Background color number …… Data that specifies the color (color) to paint the background part Area to store

An area 11 for storing the closed curve corresponding to each part of the created portrait in addition to the color is stored.
There are ~ 16. For example, area 11 is an area for storing bangs, area 12 is an area for storing hairstyles, and area 13 is
Is an area for storing a glossy part of hair, area 14 is an area for storing the outline of a face, area 15 is an area for storing face parts, and area 16 is an area for storing a neck. Next, a process of creating closed curves A to F based on the closed curve creation data A to F loaded in step S22 (details will be described later in a subroutine), and a process of filling the closed curves A to F created in step S24 (details) Will be described later in a subroutine). As a result, closed curves A to F corresponding to the selected portrait numbers are created, and the created closed curves A to F are filled with a predetermined color to create a portrait. Then
Display processing is performed in step S26. As a result, the created portrait is displayed on the display unit 5. After step S26, the process returns to step S12 and the same loop is repeated. In this way, the portrait corresponding to the portrait number selected by the portrait selection switch is created and displayed.

Subroutine for Creating Closed Curves A to F FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a process for creating closed curves A to F (step S22) of the main program. If this subroutine is entered, step S50
The process for creating the closed curve A is performed. For example, when the closed curve A corresponds to the front hair, the closed curve of the front hair (the image stored in the area 11 in FIG. 4) is created. Next, in step S52, a process of creating the closed curve B is performed. For example, when the closed curve B corresponds to the hairstyle, the closed curve of the hairstyle (see FIG.
Image stored in the area 12) is created. Next, in step S54, a process of creating the closed curve C is performed.
For example, when the closed curve C corresponds to the glossy portion of the hair, a closed curve of the glossy portion (the image stored in the area 13 of FIG. 4) is created. Next, in step S56, the process of creating the closed curve D is performed. For example, when the closed curve D corresponds to the contour of the face, the closed curve of the contour (area 1 in FIG.
4) is created. Next, in step S58, a process of creating the closed curve E is performed. For example, when the closed curve E corresponds to a face part, a closed curve of the face part (an image stored in the area 15 of FIG. 4) is created. The face parts include eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth. Next, in step S60, a process of creating the closed curve F is performed. For example, when the closed curve F corresponds to the neck, a closed curve of the neck (the image stored in the area 16 in FIG. 4) is created. After step S60, the process returns to the main program. In this way, the closed curves A to F for creating the portrait are created.

Subroutine of Dot Calculation Processing FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing a subroutine of dot calculation processing when the closed curves A to F are created. This processing is performed in order to display a straight line connecting the two points on the TV display of the display unit 5 (e.g., a computer screen or a television screen), and the straight line connecting the two points calculates a large number of dots. It is displayed by tying together. This technique is an application of the so-called "integer Bresenham" algorithm used for straight line drawing of computers. In the usual "Bresenham" algorithm, it is necessary to perform addition and subtraction and division of floating point to judge the inclination of the straight line and the error, but the integer calculation is used and the processing speed of the algorithm is improved by eliminating the division. Is the "integer Bresenham" algorithm. In the following description of the flow chart, the description method of "C language" used in a computer is used.
The contents of each step will be described in "C language" as necessary. The same applies to each of the flowcharts described below.

In this subroutine, first, step S1
00 is the difference between the start and end coordinates of the line (that is, the slope)
Is calculated. The starting point and the ending point of the straight line are represented by using the x coordinate and the y coordinate. For example, assume that the starting point and the ending point of the straight line are (x ₁ , y ₁ ) and (x ₂ , y ₂ ), respectively, and they are not equal to each other. All variables are integers. Then, x = x ₁ y = y ₁ Δx = x ₂ −x ₁ Δy = y ₂ −y ₁ is set, and the error term e of the algorithm is set to e = 2eΔx (initial value = −1 / 2) to proceed the calculation. ,
When the slope of the straight line is 1/2 or more, the variable y is increased to the next point separated by one unit, and when the slope of the straight line is less than 1/2, the variable y is not increased to the next point. Note that when the variable y is increased to the next point separated by one unit, “1” is subtracted from the error term e in order to re-initialize the error term e before determining the next pixel. .

Now, in step S100, the starting point of the straight line,
As the difference between the coordinates of the end points, gainx is calculated for the x coordinate and gainy is calculated for the y coordinate. In this case, the x coordinate of the starting point is fromx, the y coordinate of the starting point is fromy,
The x coordinate of the end point is represented by to.x, and the y coordinate of the end point is represented by to.y. Then, the calculation formula of the difference about the x coordinate is x at the end point.
It is represented as a value obtained by subtracting the x coordinate fromx of the starting point from the coordinate to.x, that is, (to.x-fromx). Similarly, the arithmetic expression of the difference about the y coordinate is obtained by subtracting the y coordinate fromy of the start point from the y coordinate to.y of the end point, that is, (to.y-fromy)
Expressed as Next, in step S102, the absolute value Δ (de) of the difference (that is, the slope) between the coordinates of the start point and the end point of the straight line
lta) for each of the x and y coordinates. For example, in the x coordinate, deltax = abs (gainx) is calculated. deltax corresponds to Δx = x ₂ −x ₁ . In the y coordinate, deltay = abs (gainy) is calculated. delta
y corresponds to Δy = y ₂ −y ₁ .

Then, in step S104, the starting point of the straight line,
The sign of the difference gainx of the x coordinate of the coordinates of the end point is determined. gain
When x is positive, the process proceeds to step S106 to set ratex = 1, when gainx is “0”, the process proceeds to step S108 to set ratex = 0, and when gainx is negative, the process proceeds to step S110. Set ratex = -1. After any of steps S106 to S110, the process proceeds to step S112. Similarly, in step S112, the sign of the gainy difference between the y-coordinates of the start and end coordinates of the straight line is determined. When gainy is positive, the process proceeds to step S114 to set rate = 1, when gainy is "0", the process proceeds to step S116 to set ratey = 0, and when gainy is negative, the process proceeds to step S118. ratey
Set to -1. Step S114 to Step S1
When any of 18 is passed, the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S120, the absolute value deltax of the inclination of the straight line in the x coordinate direction and the absolute value del of the inclination of the y coordinate direction del
It is compared with tay to determine whether deltax is larger than deltay. This is to determine which of the x-coordinate direction and the y-coordinate direction should be the main error term. delta
When x> deltay (that is, when TRUE, it corresponds to so-called YES), the process proceeds to step S122, and the main error term (main delta) is set to deltax. Although an underbar is added as (main_delta) in the drawing, this underbar is omitted because it becomes complicated in the text. Then, in step S124, the sub error term (su
b delta) to deltay. In the drawing, (sub_de
lta) is added with an underbar, but it is complicated in the text, so this underbar is omitted. Next, in step S126, the main determination flag (flag) is set to T.
Set it to RUE and proceed to step S134 in FIG. The main decision flag (flag) delt the main error term (main delta)
It indicates whether it is set to ax or deltay. On the other hand, when deltax ≦ deltay (that is, FAL
In SE, so-called NO) corresponds to step S12.
In step 8, the main error term (main delta) is set to deltay. Next, in step S130, the sub error term (sub delt
Let a) be deltax. Next, in step S132, the main determination flag (flag) is set to FALSE, and the process proceeds to step S134 in FIG.

Turning to FIG. 7, in step S134, the dot dotx [0] corresponding to the x coordinate of the starting point of the straight line is set to the x coordinate fromx of the starting point, and the dot doty [0 corresponding to the y coordinate of the starting point of the straight line is set. ] To the y coordinate fromy of the start point. As a result, each coordinate of the starting point dot is determined. Next, in step S136, similarly, the parameter px in the x coordinate direction is set to the x coordinate fromx of the starting point, and the parameter py in the y coordinate direction is set to the y coordinate fr of the starting point.
Set to omy. Next, in step S138, the error term e is obtained from the expression error = 2 × (sub delta) − (main delta). According to this formula, for example, e = 2 * Δy−Δ
It becomes like x.

Then, in step S140, the pointer i is set to the initial value [0]. The pointer i sequentially designates dots forming a straight line, and is incremented by an integer of [1]. Then, step S14
At 2, it is determined whether the pointer i is smaller than the main error term (main delta). If TRUE, step S14
In step 4, it is determined whether the error term error is error ≧ 0. If error ≧ 0, the main determination flag (flag) is determined in step S146. Main decision flag (fl
If ag) is TRUE, the x coordinate is the main error term (ma
in delta), the process proceeds to step S148, and the parameter py in the y-coordinate direction of this routine is calculated according to the following equation. py = py + ratey

Next, in step S150, the error term e of this routine is calculated according to the following equation. error = error−2 × (main delta) As a result, the error term e changes depending on the main error. Then, the process returns to step S144 again to repeat the same loop. On the other hand, if the determination result of the main determination flag (flag) is FALSE in step S146, it is determined that the y coordinate is set as the main error term (main delta), and the process branches from step S144 to step S152. , The parameter px in the x-coordinate direction of this routine is calculated according to the following equation. px = px + ratex Then, the process proceeds to step S150, and the error term e of this routine is calculated in accordance with the above-described calculation formula. Then, it returns to step S144 and repeats the same loop. And
When the error term error becomes error <0 in step S144,
Exit to step S154. Step S144-
By the process of step S152, the main error term (main d
elta) processing is performed.

Next, the processing of the sub error term (sub delta) is started. First, in step S154, the main determination flag (flag) is determined, and the main determination flag (flag) is set to TRU.
If E, the x coordinate is the main error term (main delta)
Therefore, the process proceeds to step S156, and the parameter px in the x-coordinate direction of this routine is calculated according to the following equation. px = px + ratex Next, in step S160, the error term e of this routine is set.
Is calculated according to the following equation. error = error + 2 × (sub delta) As a result, the error term e changes depending on the sub error sub delta. Next, in step S162, the value of the parameter px of this routine in the x coordinate direction is set to the dot dotx [i + 1] corresponding to the x coordinate of the straight line. Since i = 0 in the first routine, dotx [i + 1] = dotx [1].
That is, the dot do of the x coordinate that is one dot away from the starting point
tx is calculated. Next, in step S164, the pointer i is incremented by the integer [1], and the process returns to step S142 to repeat the loop.

On the other hand, if the determination result of the main determination flag (flag) is FALSE in step S154, it is determined that the y coordinate is set as the main error term (main delta), and steps S154 to S158 are performed. And the parameter py in the y-coordinate direction of this routine is calculated according to the following equation. py = py + ratey Then, it progresses to step S160, the sub error term e of this routine is calculated according to the said arithmetic expression, Then, through step S162 and step S164, it returns to step S142 again and repeats a loop. Then, the pointer i is sequentially incremented and the above loop is repeated,
In step S142, the pointer i is set to the main error term (main d
(elta) When this is over, this subroutine ends. In this way, the straight line dot connecting the two points is calculated,
By connecting these dots, a process of displaying a straight line connecting the two points is performed. In this case, in this embodiment, since the integer calculation is mainly performed using the “integer Bresenham” algorithm, the processing speed of the algorithm is high.

Subroutine of Bezier Curve Data Calculation Processing FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing a subroutine of data calculation processing when a Bezier curve is created. Bezier curve has two control points (P ₂ , P ₃ ) and 2
Defined by the anchor points (P ₁ , P ₄ ) of the point,
Generally, it is expressed as the following equation. Here, the anchor points (P ₁ , P ₄ ) are two points at both ends of the curve, and the coordinates of each point are, for example, P ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ ) and P ₄ (x ₄ , y ₄ ). Represented by. Also, control points (P ₂ , P ₃ )
Is two points that control the bending of the curve, and the coordinates of each point are expressed as P ₂ (x ₂ , y ₂ ) and P ₃ (x ₃ , y ₃ ). B (t) = (1- t) 3 · P 1 + 3t · (1-t) 2 · P 2
+ 3t ² · (1−t) · P ₃ + t ³ · P ₄ However, 0 ≦ t ≦ 1 t can be changed arbitrarily between 0 and 1. Therefore, by dividing between 0 and 1 finely, the Bezier curve The upper point is calculated with high accuracy. Since the number of calculations increases, an appropriate number of points on the curve are calculated, and then a method of interpolating them with a straight line is adopted. Note that, for example, substituting t = 0 into the above equation, P ₁ (x ₁ ,
y ₁ ), which represents one end point. Also, t = 1
Is substituted into the above equation, P ₄ (x ₄ , y ₄ ), which represents the other end point. The straight line can be displayed as a straight Bezier curve with no width.

First, the pointer i is set to [0] in step S200, and the variable t is set to t = i in step S202.
Calculate as / n. Since the pointer i is incremented for each [1], the variable t is divided by n so as to be finely divided between 0 and 1.
Then, in step S204, the deviation tn is tn = 1.0-
It is calculated by the formula t. Then, step S206
And the term to the power of 0 of the variable t of the Bezier curve B (t) (ie,
The x coordinate of t = 1) is calculated according to the following equation. sx [0] = tn × tn × tn × px [0] = (1-t) 3 · px [0] = (1-t) 3 · P 1 (x) px [0] is the anchor point P ₁ The x coordinate. Then, in step S208, the x-coordinate of the first term of the variable t (that is, t) of the Bezier curve B (t) is calculated according to the following equation. sx [1] = 3.0 × t × tn × tn × px [1] = 3t · (1-t) ² · px [1] = 3t · (1-t) ² · P ₂ (x) px [ 1] is the x coordinate of the control point P ₂ .

Next, in step S210, Bezier curve B
The x-coordinate of the variable t squared term of (t) (that is, t ² ) is calculated according to the following equation. sx [2] = 3.0 × t × t × tn × px [2] = 3t ² · (1-t) · px [2] = 3t ² · (1-t) · P ₃ (x) px [ 2] is the x coordinate of the control point P ₃ . Next, in step S212, the variable t of the Bezier curve B (t) is
The x-coordinate of the third power term (ie, t ³ ) is calculated according to the following equation. sx [3] = t × t × t × px [3] = t 3 · px [3] = t 3 · P 4 (x) px [3] is the x-coordinate of the anchor point P _4.

Then, steps S214 to S2
At 00, the same calculation as above is performed for the y coordinate of the variable t of the Bezier curve B (t). That is, step S2
In step 14, the y coordinate of the 0th power of the variable t of the Bezier curve B (t) (that is, t = 1) is calculated according to the following equation. sy [0] = tn × tn × tn × py [0] = (1-t) 3 · py [0] = (1-t) 3 · P 1 (y) py [0] is the anchor point P ₁ It is the y coordinate. Next, in step S216, the y coordinate of the first term of the variable t of the Bezier curve B (t) (that is, t) is calculated according to the following equation. sy [1] = 3.0 × t × tn × tn × py [1] = 3t · (1-t) ² · py [1] = 3t · (1-t) ² · P ₂ (y) py [ 1] is the y coordinate of the control point P ₂ .

Next, in step S218, Bezier curve B
The y-coordinate of the variable t squared of (t) (that is, t ² ) is calculated according to the following equation. sy [2] = 3.0 × t × t × tn × py [2] = 3t ² · (1-t) · py [2] = 3t ² · (1-t) · P ₃ (y) py [ 2] is the y coordinate of the control point P ₃ . Next, in step S220, the variable t of the Bezier curve B (t) is
The y-coordinate of the third power of the term (that is, t ³ ) is calculated according to the following equation. sy [3] = t × t × t × py [3] = t 3 · py [3] = t 3 · P 4 (y) py [3] is the y coordinate of the anchor point P _4.

Turning to FIG. 9, in step S222, the x-coordinate bx [i] and y-coordinate by of the interpolation constants for interpolating points on the Bezier curve B (t) with a straight line.
Initially, both [i] are set to bx [i] = by [i] = 0. Next, in step S224, the pointer j is set to the initial value [0], and in the following step S226, the x-coordinate bx [i] and the y-coordinate by [i] of the interpolation constant are calculated according to the following equations. bx [i] = bx [i] + sx [j] by [i] = by [i] + sy [j] Then, in step S228, it is determined whether the pointer j is equal to or more than [4], and [4] If less than, step S
The routine proceeds to 230, the pointer j is incremented by [1], the routine returns to step S226, and the loop is repeated. Then, when the pointer j becomes [4] or more in step S228, the process exits to step S232.

Next, at step S232, the pointer i
If it is less than n, it is judged whether it is more than n.
In step S234, the pointer i is incremented by [1].
And returns to step S202 in FIG. 8 to perform a similar loop.
repeat. Then, in step S232, the pointer i
When it becomes n or more, this subroutine is finished. like this
And increment pointer i from [0] to n
Two control points (P₂,
P₃) And two anchor points (P 1, P_Four) By
The point on the Bezier curve B (t) defined by
When t is divided into 0 to 1 and finely changed
Therefore, the points on the Bezier curve can be calculated accurately.
It Also, points and points on the Bezier curve B (t)
By properly interpolating between the four points, the accuracy can be further improved.
To be enhanced.

Color Setting Process Subroutine FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show step S in the main program.
12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of color setting processing in the 24 filling processing. This process is to paint a specified color on the created closed curve. In this subroutine, the color area is first cleared in step S300. As a result, at first, all areas to be colored are once cleared and become colorless. Then, in step S302, the color state flag Cfl
Initialize ag. The color state flag Cflag is a flag that determines whether or not the corresponding closed curve is designated (that is, filled with a color) in the color setting area, and when initialized, as shown in FIG. 1]. The color status flag = [− 1] is to set a color that cannot be a color number that specifies a color.

In the example of FIG. 12, the colors of the object 1 to the object n (each object corresponds to each part of a portrait, for example) are all set to the initial state, and only the background color has some color number. Comes in and is painted in color. Then, every time the color switching flag of each object becomes [1], the corresponding color state flag is inverted (for example, [-1]
To [1]). Step S
At 304, the pointer i is cleared to [0], and step S
At 306, the pointer j is cleared to [0]. Pointer i
Is to sequentially specify lines on the screen (for example, there are lines from 0 to 524), and the pointer j is to sequentially specify dots on the line. Pointer i =
Line 0 is designated by setting [0], and dot 0 on line 0 is designated by setting pointer j = [0].

Then, in step S308, the line color
The lcolor is set to [-1] and the line number (line number) lnum is set to [-1]. The line color lcolor specifies the color of the closed curve. The line number lnum designates the boundary line number of the closed curve. Both are set to the initial state by being set to [-1]. Next, in step S310, the closed curve number k is set to (n-1). For example, if there are six closed curves, the closed curve number k is set to [5]. The smaller the closed curve number k, the higher the priority. Therefore, k = 0 has the highest priority, and subsequently becomes lower. As a result, step S3
In the case of 10, the state is set to the second lowest priority state.

Then, in step S312, the closed curve function C
Judge [k] [i] [j]. Closed curve function C [k]
[I] and [j] can determine the priority of the closed curve number k and whether or not the closed curve this time is in any closed curve (that is, which closed curve boundary line is detected). Is. When the determination result of the closed curve function C [k] [i] [j] is TRUE, the process proceeds to step S314 and the color state flag Cflag [k] is inverted. As a result, the color state flag of the closed curve specified by the closed curve number k this time is inverted from [-1] to [1]. Therefore, the corresponding closed curve is colored. Next, in step S316, the color number is entered in the line color lcolor, and the closed curve number k is entered in the line number lnum. As a result, the color number (which specifies the color to be painted) is given to the closed curve this time, and the priority of the closed curve is given. Next, in step S318, the closed curve number k is decremented by [1]. This gives only one higher priority.

On the other hand, in step S312, the closed curve function C
When the judgment result of [k] [i] [j] is FALSE,
The process jumps from step S314 and step S316 and proceeds to step S318. Therefore, at this time, the closed curve number k is immediately decremented by [1], and the priority is moved up by one. After step S318, it is determined in the following step S320 whether the closed curve number k is less than [0] (that is, it is in a state where it has not yet become the highest priority). If k = 0 (priority is not highest in the first routine), the process branches to TRUE and returns to step S312 to repeat the loop. Then, by repeating the loop, the closed curve number k sequentially increases from 5 to 4, 3, 2, 1, and when k = 0, it is determined that the highest priority is given, and the process proceeds to step S322 in FIG. Get out. In this way, for each closed curve, the color state flag Cflag
By reversing [k], the permission to paint the color is given, the color to be painted is designated by the color number, and the priority of the closed curve is given.

Turning to FIG. 11, the process of processing dot by dot is executed for the line of the closed curve. First, in step S322, the closed curve number k is set to (n). For example, if there are six closed curves, the closed curve number k is set to [6]. The smaller the closed curve number k, the higher the priority. Therefore, step S3
In 22, the state has the lowest priority. Next, in step S324, the color status flag Cfl
It is determined whether ag [k] is not equal to [−1], that is, whether the closed curve is filled with color. Note that this determination is based on Cflag
[K]! The sign "!" Represents "not" in "C language". Step S3
The determination of 24 means that the color state flag Cflag [k] is determined from the closed curve of low priority.

The color status flag Cflag [k] is [-1].
If not equal to (TRUE), step S3
Go to step 26 and put the closed curve number k in the color buffer Cbuf.
Put in. As a result, the closed curve of the closed curve number k designated this time is colored. Then
In step S328, the closed curve number k is decremented by [1]. This gives only one higher priority. Next, in step S330, it is determined whether or not the closed curve number k is less than [0] (that is, in a state in which the highest priority is not yet reached). If k = 0 (priority is not the highest in the first routine), the process branches to TRUE and returns to step S324 to repeat the loop. By repeating the loop, the closed curve number k sequentially increases from 6 to 4, 3, 2, 1, and when k = 0, it is determined that the highest priority has been reached, and the process proceeds to step S332. On the other hand, if the color state flag Cflag [k] is equal to [-1] (FAUSE) in step S324, step S326.
And jump to step S328. Therefore,
At this time, the closed curve number k is not put in the color buffer Cbuf, and the color is not painted on the closed curve of the closed curve number k designated this time. In this way
The closed curve number k is put into the color buffer Cbuf from the closed curve having the lower priority.

In step S332, the line color lcolor
Is not equal to [−1], that is, whether the color of the closed curve is designated. Note that this determination is lcolor! = -1 and
The sign "!" Indicates "not" in "C language". If the line color lcolor is not equal to [-1] (if the color of the closed curve is specified), step S3
In step 34, it is determined whether the line number (line number) lnum is smaller than the color buffer Cbuf. Color buffer Cbuf contains the color of the curve with high priority,
Line number (line number) lnum is color buffer C
If smaller than buf, branch to TRUE and step S
Proceeding to step 336, the line and dot colors designated by the pointers i and j, color [i] [j] (hereinafter referred to as pointer designated colors), are line colors with high priority.
Set to lcolor, and then the process proceeds to step S338.
As a result, the color of the higher priority curve is painted on the closed curve.

On the other hand, in step S332, the line color lc
If olor is equal to [−1] (the color of the closed curve is not designated), the process branches to step S340 and the pointer designated color color [i] [j] is set in the color state flag Cflag [Cbuf]. Then step S338
Proceed to. The color state flag Cflag [Cbuf] is a flag indicating a state in which the background color is applied.
Therefore, in this case, the closed curve is painted with the background color. Further, in step S334, the line number (line number) lnum is the color buffer C.
If buf or more, branch to FALSE and step S
In step 340, the pointer designation color color [i] is similarly set.
[J] is set to the color status flag Cflag [Cbuf], and the process proceeds to step S338. Therefore, also in this case, the background color is applied to the closed curve.
In this way, the line and dot designated by the pointers i and j this time are painted with the color of the closed curve having a high priority or the color of the background (background).

Then, in step S338, the pointer j is incremented by [1] to move to the next dot.
Next, in step S342, the pointer j after increment is ndot (for example, ndot = 25 at the maximum value of one line).
(6 dots) is determined, and if not, the process returns to step S308 in FIG. 10 and the same routine is repeated. As a result, in the next routine, similar processing is performed on the next dot on the same line. Then, when the pointer j reaches ndot (for example, 256 dots) in step S342, it is determined that the color setting process has been completed for all the dots in one line, and the process exits to step S344. In step S344, the pointer i is incremented by [1] to move to the next line. Next, in step S346, the pointer i after being incremented is nline (for example, the maximum value of one screen is nline.
= 525 lines) is determined, and if not reached, the process returns to step S306 in FIG. 10 and the pointer j for designating the dot is returned to [0] and the same routine is repeated. As a result, in the next routine, the same process is performed by shifting to the next line. Then, when the pointer i reaches nline (for example, 525 lines) in step S346, it is determined that the color setting process has been completed for all lines, and this routine is ended.

In this way, one screen is divided into lines and dots and color setting processing is performed, and all closed curves drawn at this time (for example, closed curves corresponding to each part of a portrait).
After finishing the flag setting for, the color number is set in the color setting area with reference to the flags of all the closed curves. In this case, when the boundary line of any closed curve is detected, if the boundary line is inside a closed curve having a higher priority than the closed curve to which it belongs, a high priority internal color is set in the color setting area. The color status flag is controlled so that Therefore, the color of the closed curve having a high priority is always applied, and the portrait can be created with a simple data structure. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, each part of the portrait (bangs,
Create a closed curve corresponding to hairstyle, hair gloss, face contour, face parts, neck) and set the color number in the color setting area of each part, and when displaying it on the screen, it has a high priority. The closed curve is filled with the color of each part. As a result, a completed screen of the portrait 100 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display unit 5. In this case, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to have color data for each pixel in order to display a portrait on the display unit 5 (for example, a computer screen or a TV screen) in color.
The amount of data is small, the capacity of the memory device can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. Further, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained even when an animation image is displayed in color instead of a portrait.

In the above embodiment, the Bezier curve parameter is used as the curve parameter when creating a closed curve, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary curve such as a B-spline curve may be used. Is.
In addition to these, parameters such as parabola, hyperbola, trigonometric function and the like can be used as appropriate. in this case,
An appropriate mathematical formula such as a parabola, a hyperbola, a trigonometric function or the like may be used depending on the shape of the closed curve to be created. This way,
It is possible to create an appropriate closed curve according to the occasion. Further, the color image to be displayed is not limited to a portrait or an animation image, but may be various images used in a game or the like, a character, or background data. Further, the present invention is provided on a computer screen or a television screen.
The present invention can be applied not only to displaying a portrait or an animated image in color, but also to displaying other fields or images.

[0049]

According to the present invention, when a color image (for example, a portrait or an animation image) is created, first, an image is created by a plurality of closed curves in which colors are omitted, and then the boundary and inside of the closed curve are created. The color to be filled is specified, the priority when filling each closed curve with a color is determined, and the boundary of each closed curve and its inside are filled with the specified color to create a color image. The effect of can be obtained. For example, even when a portrait is displayed in color, it is not necessary to have color data for each pixel as in the conventional case, and an image can be displayed in color simply by having closed curve data and color data. As a result, it is possible to display a portrait, an animation image, and the like in color with a small amount of data and at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a portrait creation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main program of a portrait creation process of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data stored in a ROM of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing data stored in a RAM of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of closed curve A to F creation processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of dot calculation processing of the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of dot calculation processing of the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a data calculation process when creating a Bezier curve according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of data calculation processing when creating a Bezier curve of the same embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of color setting processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of color setting processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a color state flag of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a portrait of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 switch section 5 display section (display means) 6 printing section (printing means) 21 closed curve creating means 22 color designating means 23 priority order determining means 24 color image creating means

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A specified image is created by a plurality of closed curves with omitted colors, a color for filling the boundaries and the inside of these closed curves is specified, and priority is given to each closed curve when filling the boundaries and the inside of the plurality of closed curves. An image processing method, characterized in that the order is determined, and the boundary of each closed curve and the inside thereof are filled with a specified color in accordance with the order of priority to create a predetermined color image. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the closed curve is created by one or more of a straight line and a Bezier curve. 3. In the process of creating the predetermined image with a plurality of closed curves with colors omitted, closed curve data that creates a plurality of closed curves is used, and the boundaries of the plurality of closed curves and the inside thereof are filled with a specified color. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein color data for filling is used in the processing. 4. The process of creating the closed curve by a straight line is to form a straight line by a large number of dots. The two dot positions forming both ends of the straight line are determined, and the inclination of the dot position is calculated. The process and the process of accumulating the error when the x-coordinate or the y-coordinate is increased by one unit according to this inclination, and the x-dot of the next dot only when the error exceeds a predetermined value.
The image processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: a process of changing a position of a coordinate or ay coordinate and subtracting a constant value from the accumulated error. 5. A closed curve creating means for creating a predetermined image with a plurality of closed curves without colors, a color specifying means for specifying a color for filling the boundary and the inside of the closed curve created by the closed curve creating means, and the plurality of the plurality of closed curves. A priority determining means for determining the priority for each closed curve when filling the boundary and the inside of the closed curve, and a color for creating a predetermined color image by filling the boundary and the inside of each closed curve with a specified color according to this priority. An image processing apparatus comprising: an image creating unit. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the closed curve creating means creates the closed curve by one or more of a straight line and a Bezier curve. 7. The closed curve creating means creates a plurality of closed curves forming a predetermined image by closed curve data, and the color image creating means sets boundaries of the plurality of closed curves and the inside thereof to designated color data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image processing apparatus fills with a corresponding color. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising display means for displaying a predetermined color image created by said color image creating means. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a printing unit that prints a predetermined color image created by the color image creating unit. 10. The closed curve creating means, when the closed curve is created by a straight line composed of a large number of dots, means for determining two dot positions forming both ends of the straight line and calculating an inclination of the dot position, Means for accumulating the error when the x coordinate or the y coordinate is increased by one unit according to this inclination, and the x of the next dot only when the error exceeds a predetermined value.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for changing a position of a coordinate or ay coordinate and subtracting a constant value from the accumulated error.