JPH07298191A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily composite CG pictures or characters with natural images. CONSTITUTION:The natural image inputted from a VTR 2 is recorded in a magneto-optical disk 17. On the other hand, character data inputted from a character input device 14 are recorded in the magneto-optical disk 17. CG picture data are previously stored in a ROM 21. When the composition is commanded by a command input device 15, the natural image data and character data reproduced from the magneto-optical disk 17 are extended in a VRAM 22. On the other hand, the CG picture data read from the ROM 21 are extended in the VRAM 22. Corresponding to the command from the command input device 15, a DSP 23 suitably enlarges or reduces these images and arranges them at prescribed positions. This composite image is outputted and displayed through a video printer 3 onto a monitor 5. Then, that image is printed by the video printer 3. Otherwise, it is recorded in the magneto-optical disk 17.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus suitable for use when a still image is combined with a character or a CG image for printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 shows a conventional use example of a video printer for printing a video image. As shown in the figure, the video printer 32 is connected, for example, between a video tape recorder (VTR) 31 and a monitor 34.
When the VTR 31 is brought into the reproduction state, the video signal reproduced and outputted from the VTR 31 is outputted and displayed on the monitor 34 via the video printer 32.

When the user looks at the monitor 34 and inputs a command for capturing an image to the video printer 32 at the timing when the image to be printed is displayed, the capture command is input to the VRAM 33 incorporated in the video printer 32. A video signal for one field or one frame at the timing is stored. Then, the video signal stored in the VRAM 33 is read out and output to and displayed on the monitor 34. This allows the user to
The image captured in AM33 can be confirmed.

When the captured image is the desired one, the user inputs a print command to the video printer 32. Then, the video printer 32 displays VRAM
The still image stored in 33 is printed on paper and output.

[0005]

A conventional video printer can print a desired still image on paper in this manner, and a character or a CG (computer graphic) image is combined with this still image. There was a problem that I could not do.

Even if a desired still image is stored in the VRAM 33, this still image is erased when the power of the video printer 32 is turned off, and the same still image is printed again later. Play VTR31 again,
There is a problem that the VRAM 33 must be operated to capture a still image.

Therefore, for example, of the images taken by the VTR, a predetermined image is captured, and this natural image is displayed as characters or CG.
There was a problem that it was not easy to create a greeting card by synthesizing with a drawing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and enables the captured image to be repeatedly printed and the captured image to be easily combined with a character or a CG image. To do so.

[0009]

The image processing apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus connected between an image input apparatus (for example, VTR 2 in FIG. 1) and a video printer (for example, video printer 3 in FIG. 1). , A character input means for inputting a character (for example, the character input device 14 in FIG. 1), a character input by the character input means, and at least one of a natural image or a CG image input by the image input device, independently of each other. A first storage unit (for example, the magneto-optical disk 17 in FIG. 1) that stores the image so that it can be read out, and a predetermined one of the natural image, the CG image, and the character stored in the first storage unit is selected. At the same time, a command unit (for example, the command input device 15 in FIG. 1) that commands the composite position, and a composite hand that combines the natural image, the CG image, and the character in response to the command from the command unit (For example, DSP23 in FIG. 1),
Second storage means (for example, the VRAM 22 in FIG. 1) that stores the image synthesized by the synthesis means, and output means (for example, the D / A converter in FIG. 1) that outputs the synthesized image stored in the second storage means. 13) is provided.

The composite image stored in the second storage means
Control means stored in the first storage means (for example, C in FIG. 1)
A PU 18) can additionally be provided. In addition, the first storage means may include at least a magneto-optical disk (for example, the magneto-optical disk 17 in FIG. 1) that stores a natural image. Alternatively, a ROM that stores CG images
(For example, the ROM 19 of FIG. 1) may be further provided.

[0011]

In the image processing apparatus having the above structure, the DSP 2
3, the natural image captured from the VTR 2 or the like can be combined with the CG image or the character.
Therefore, it is possible to easily cause the video printer 3 to print greeting cards and the like that are rich in variety.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 1 is connected between the VTR 2 and the video printer 3. The video printer 3 is connected to the monitor 5 such as a television receiver.

The image processing apparatus 1 includes an A / D converter 11 for A / D converting the video signal supplied from the VTR 2, and the video data A / D converted by the A / D converter 11 is an interface. The data is supplied to the RAM 20 via 12 and stored therein.

Character data input from a character input device 14 such as a keyboard is supplied to the RAM 20 via the interface 12 and stored therein.

The natural image input from the VTR 2 or the character data input from the character input device 14 stored in the RAM 20 is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 17 via the drive 16, respectively.

The CG image data is stored in the ROM 21 in advance. The character generator 24 generates character data corresponding to the input character.

The CPU 18 is a command input device 15 including a mouse and a keyboard (note that this command input device 15
Can be used also as the character input device 14) to control each part in response to a command from the character input device 14.
The ROM 19 stores programs necessary for the CPU 18 to perform various processes. VRAM
22 includes a DSP (digital signal processor) 23
The composite image processed by is stored, and the composite image is output to the video printer 3 via the interface 12 and the D / A converter 13.

Next, the operation will be described. VTR
When the reproduction signal from the VTR 2 is input to the image processing apparatus 1, the video signal is A / D converted by the A / D converter 11 and then supplied to the VRAM 22 via the interface 12, Remembered. And
The video image data stored in the VRAM 22 is read out, and the D / A converter 1 is read through the interface 12.
3 is supplied. The D / A converter 13 D / A converts the input video data and outputs it to the video printer 3. The video printer 3 outputs the input video signal to VR.
The data is stored in the AM 4, read out from the AM 4, output to the monitor 5, and displayed.

As described above, the video image reproduced from the VTR 2 can be confirmed on the monitor 5.

While looking at the monitor 5, the user operates the command input device 15 at the timing when the image to be printed is displayed on the monitor 5, and when a command to capture a still image is given, the user inputs the still image via the interface 12. The command is supplied to the CPU 18. When receiving the instruction, the CPU 18 freezes the still image stored in the VRAM 22 at that time. That is, updating of the data in the VRAM 22 is prohibited. As a result, the VRAM 22 holds the image data stored at the timing when the command input device 15 is operated.

The image data stored in the VRAM 22 is read out and displayed on the monitor 5 as described above, so that a still image is displayed on the monitor 5 thereafter. The user looks at this still image and confirms whether or not the desired still image has been obtained. If it is not the desired still image, repeat the same process and repeat VR.
The desired still image is stored in the AM 22. In this way, the VRAM 22 can store a still image (natural image) reproduced from the VTR 2 as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

Further, the user operates the command input device 15 to command the recording of the still image stored in the VRAM 22 on the magneto-optical disk 17. When this command is input, the CPU 18 causes the image data stored in the VRAM 22 to be read and supplied to the drive 16 via the interface 12. The drive 16 records this still image on the magneto-optical disk 17.

By repeating the above operation,
A plurality of still image files taken from the VTR 2 are written on the magneto-optical disk 17.

When the character input device 14 is operated to input a predetermined character, the character data is supplied to the character generator 24 via the interface 12. The character generator 24 generates character (font) data by bit data corresponding to the input character data, supplies it to the VRAM 22, and stores it. Then, the character data stored in the VRAM 22 is read and output to the monitor 5 via the interface 12, the D / A converter 13, and the video printer 3 and displayed. Thereby, the character input from the character input device 14 can be confirmed on the monitor 5.

When the character displayed on the monitor 5 is the desired one, the user operates the command input device 15 as necessary to record it on the magneto-optical disk 17. That is, when this command is input, the character data written in the VRAM 22 is supplied to the drive 16 via the interface 12 and written in the magneto-optical disk 17.

In this manner, a file of character data as shown in FIG. 3 is formed on the magneto-optical disk 17.

Also in this case, a plurality of character data files can be created as in the case of creating a plurality of natural image files.

On the other hand, a plurality of CG images as shown in FIG. 4, for example, are stored in advance in the ROM 21. When the user operates the command input device 15 and inputs a predetermined command, the CPU 18 reads out a predetermined one of the CG images stored in the ROM 21, transfers it to the VRAM 22, and stores it. The CG image data stored in the VRAM 22 is output to and displayed on the monitor 5 via the interface 12, the D / A converter 13, and the video printer 3.
This allows the user to confirm the desired CG image.

Although the CG image stored in the ROM 21 can be used as it is, the CG image can be used as it is by operating the command input device 15 to input a predetermined command, if necessary. Recording can be performed on the magneto-optical disk 17 as in the case of the above.

As described above, a plurality of natural image files as shown in FIG. 2, character data files as shown in FIG. 3 and CG illustration image files as shown in FIG. 4 are created and can be independently reproduced. The state is stored in the magneto-optical disk 17.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation when a single composite image is generated using the file written on the magneto-optical disk 17 in this way will be described.

First, in step S1, the CPU 18
Determines whether or not a still image read command is input from the command input device 15. When it is determined that the reading of the still image is instructed, the process proceeds to step S2, the still image instructed from the magneto-optical disk 17 is reproduced, and the VRAM2
Write to 2. That is, the CPU 18 controls the drive 16 to select, from the still image files recorded on the magneto-optical disk 17, a file corresponding to the command from the command input device 15 and reproduce it.

The reproduced still image data is transferred from the drive 16 to the VRAM 22 via the interface 12 and stored therein. The still image data stored in the VRAM 22 is output and displayed on the monitor 5 via the interface 12, the D / A converter 13, and the video printer 3.
This allows the user to confirm the selected still image.

Next, in step S3, the natural image displayed on the monitor 5 is enlarged or reduced as necessary, and its position is moved to an appropriate position. Such scaling and placement commands are performed by operating the command input device 15. When receiving the input of this command, the CPU 18 causes the DSP 23 to execute scaling and placement processing. That is, DSP23 is VRA
The natural image data stored in M22 is processed and enlarged or reduced. Then, it is moved to a predetermined position.

The natural image data obtained as a result of the scaling and placement processing by the DSP 23 is placed at a predetermined pixel position in the VRAM 22.

If it is determined in step S1 that the natural image read command has not been input,
The processes of steps S2 and S3 are skipped.

Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not a command for reading out a CG image is input. When the reading of the CG image is instructed, the process proceeds to step S5, and the CP
U18 controls the drive 16 and drives the magneto-optical disk 17
The CG image corresponding to the command from the command input device 15 is selected and reproduced from the CG images written in the VRAM.
22 to be stored. Then, the process proceeds to step S6, and the DSP 23 is controlled to execute the scaling and placement process as in the case of step S3. Also in this case, the DSP 23 executes the processing of enlarging or reducing the CG image in accordance with the instruction from the instruction input device 15 and arranging the image in the position corresponding to the instruction.

When it is determined in step S4 that the reading of the CG image is not instructed, the processes of steps S5 and S6 are skipped.

Further, in step S7, it is judged whether or not a character reading command is inputted. If it is judged that the character reading command is inputted, then in step S8, the magneto-optical disk 17 is read. Among the recorded characters, the character corresponding to the command from the command input device 15 is read out and supplied to the character generator 24. The character generator 24 generates character data corresponding to the input character, supplies it to the VRAM 22, and stores it. The DSP 23 enlarges or reduces this character data in response to a command from the command input device 15, and arranges it at a position corresponding to the command.

If it is determined in step S7 that the command for reading the characters has not been input, the processes of steps S8 and S9 are skipped.

After that, in step S10, it is judged whether or not the reading is completed. If it is not completed, the process returns to step S1 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

As described above, in the VRAM 22, the image data in which the natural image, the CG image and the character are combined can be obtained.

The data of the composite image stored in the VRAM 22 is read out, and the interface 12, D / A
It is output and displayed on the monitor 5 via the converter 13 and the video printer 3.

In the above embodiment, the CG image recorded on the magneto-optical disk 17 is reproduced, but it may be read directly from the ROM 21. In addition, still image, CG image, character
You may make it select two or more. The order of selection may be an appropriate order.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the composite image edited as described above. In this embodiment, a natural image (reproduced image from the VTR 2) taken at a wedding, a CG image prepared in advance for a wedding greeting card (stored in the ROM 21), a name, an address, and Combine with the characters of the telephone number (input from the character input device 14),
This is an image created for one greeting card.

Check the composite image displayed on the monitor 5,
By repeatedly executing the processing shown in FIG. 5, a desired composite image is generated. Then, when the generated composite image becomes a desired one, the command input device 15 is operated,
When a print command is input, the CPU 18 outputs a control signal corresponding to this print command to the video printer 3 via the interface 12. Video printer 3
When receiving the input of this print command, prints the composite image displayed on the monitor 5, that is, the composite image written in the VRAM 4 on paper and outputs it.

FIG. 7 shows another example of printing.
In this example, a CG image composed of an array of numbers in units of one week prepared in advance for a calendar and a VT
Natural portrait of a woman's face taken from R2, 1993 1
The characters of January are combined to form a composite image of the calendar.

Among natural images, CG images, and characters,
At least one of them can be selected and printed. FIG. 8 shows an example in which only natural images are printed.

As described above, the composite image printed by the video printer 3 (the composite image stored in the VRAM 22) can be recorded on the magneto-optical disk 17 by inputting a recording command from the command input device 15. it can. That is, when the recording command is input, the CPU 18 reads the image data written in the VRAM 22, supplies it to the drive 16 via the interface 12, and records it on the magneto-optical disk 17.

Therefore, thereafter, when this composite image is read from the magneto-optical disk 17, it is expanded in the VRAM 22 and output to the monitor 5 for display. As a result, the composite image is further added to the video printer 3 if necessary.
Can be printed or slightly modified to obtain a new composite image.

In the above description, the VTR 2 is used as a still image input device, but it is also possible to use an electronic still camera, a scanner, a video camera or the like. Further, the CG image is stored in the ROM 21 in advance, but it is also possible to capture it via a scanner or the like, or directly capture it from the output of a computer or the like (not shown). In this case, the CG image data is written on the magneto-optical disk 17.

As the recording medium, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a memory card or the like can be used in addition to the magneto-optical disk.

[0053]

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, at least one of natural images, CG images, and characters is selected.
One of them is stored so that they can be read out independently, and these are read out appropriately and combined by the combining means, so that a greeting card or the like can be easily created.

When the composite image is stored in the first storage means, the same composite image can be repeatedly printed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a natural image file.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a character data file.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a CG image file.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a combination processing operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of combining greeting cards.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of combining calendar images.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a CG image and a character are not combined.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a usage state of a conventional video printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Processing Device 2 VTR 3 Video Printer 4 VRAM 5 Monitor 11 A / D Converter 12 Interface 13 D / A Converter 14 Character Input Device 15 Command Input Device 16 Drive 17 Magneto-optical Disk 18 CPU 19 ROM 20 RAM 21 ROM 22 VRAM 23 DSP 24 Character generator

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image processing device connected between an image input device and a video printer, wherein character input means for inputting characters, the character input by the character input means, and input from the image input device. At least one of the natural image and the CG image that has been stored so that they can be read out independently of each other; and among the natural image, the CG image, and the character stored in the first storage unit. Of the natural image and CG in response to the command from the command unit, which selects a predetermined one of the
A synthesizing unit for synthesizing an image and a character, a second storing unit for storing the image synthesized by the synthesizing unit, and an output unit for outputting the synthesized image stored in the second storing unit. A characteristic image processing device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that stores the combined image stored in the second storage unit in the first storage unit. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit includes at least a magneto-optical disk that stores the natural image. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a ROM that stores the CG image.