JPH0785123A - Method for designating object area of picture processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a method capable of designating an object area including plural closed areas with a simple operation. CONSTITUTION:Plural vectors representing a line drawing are divided into plural segments (T3). The segment is a consecutive vector group including at least one vector and whose both end points only are open points or three branch points or over. Then a picture processing command graphic being a closed graphic is generated (T5) by selecting segments sequentially and connecting them (T4). The same picture processing is executed for areas in the picture processing command graphic. Thus, the same picture processing is executed simultaneously for plural closed areas by generating the picture processing command graphic so as to include plural adjacent closed areas in the line drawing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for designating a desired image processing target area in an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recent plate making process, various image processings such as coloring, thickening, thinning, and pattern sticking are performed on a raster image of a line image read by a scanner using a computer. It is being appreciated. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a line drawing. As in the example of FIG. 1, a line drawing usually includes a plurality of closed regions. In addition, below, the arrangement of pixels forming the closed region is referred to as a boundary pixel row.

As one of methods for performing image processing such as coloring on a closed region, there is a method for converting raster data into vector data by raster / vector conversion and performing image processing on the vector data. In this case, the boundary pixel string in the closed region is tracked to create a vector data string forming the minimum closed loop (raster vector conversion), and the graphic data (hereinafter, “ (Referred to as "image processing instruction figure"). Then, processing information such as color information is added to this graphic data. In this method, the image processing instruction figure is composed of the smallest closed loop unit. In the example of FIG. 1, the region R1,
R2 and R3 are different image processing instruction figures.

[0004]

Consider a case where a plurality of closed regions R1, R2, R3 sharing a boundary are colored with the same color. In the conventional method, since these closed regions R1, R2, R3 are separate image processing instruction figures, the operator needs to repeat the same operation for each region R1, R2, R3, and the operation is complicated. It was

In addition, when changing the color once specified, there is a problem that the color must be specified again for all the created image processing instruction figures.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and a plurality of closed regions can be performed by a simple operation so that the same image processing can be executed on a plurality of adjacent closed regions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method capable of designating a target area including the.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, in the method according to the present invention, (A) the plurality of vectors is a vector group including at least one continuous vector, and each vector group is Dividing into a plurality of vector groups in which only both end points are open points or three or more branch points; (B) selecting one of the vector groups; and (C) the step (B ), The step of connecting the vector group selected in step (B) to the series of vector groups selected before step (B), and (D) the steps (B) and (C) are repeated to form a closed figure. Determining a series of vector groups for setting the closed figure as a target area for image processing.

Since the target area for image processing is set by obtaining a series of vector groups forming a closed figure by selecting each vector group one by one, a desired target area including a plurality of adjacent closed areas is set. Can be set.

In the step (C), the coordinates of the end points of the series of vector groups selected before (C-1) step (B) and the end points of the vector group selected in step (B). Whether or not the series of vector groups selected before the step (B) and the vector group selected in the step (B) can be connected by checking whether the coordinates match. And (C-2) a series of vector groups selected before the step (B) and the step (B) when it is determined that the connection is possible in the step (C-1). ) Connecting the vector group selected in step 1), and displaying that connection is not possible on the display when it is determined that connection is not possible in step (C-1). Is preferred.

Since it is determined whether or not connection is possible depending on whether or not the end point coordinates of a series of vector groups that have already been selected and the end point coordinates of the newly selected vector group match, it is possible to connect at the end points. Only possible vector groups can be connected as a series of vector groups.

[0011]

2 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This image processing apparatus is C
It includes a PU 20, a vector data processing unit 22, a raster data processing unit 24, and a main memory 26. The vector data processing unit 22 and the raster data processing unit 24 are
It is realized by the CPU 20 executing the software program stored in the main memory 26. The coordinate indicating device 3 is connected to the system bus 28 of the image processing apparatus.
0, the display 32, the magnetic disk 34, the scanner 36, and the printer 38 are connected via the respective interfaces. The coordinate pointing device 3
For example, a mouse is used as 0, and a color CRT is used as a display.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the overall procedure of the processing in the embodiment. In this embodiment, an example of performing coloring processing as image processing will be described. In step T1, a line drawing original is read by the scanner 36 to create line drawing raster data. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a line drawing to be processed in this embodiment. The line drawing in FIG. 4 has a simple shape for convenience of explanation, but in reality, a complicated line drawing as in the example of FIG. 1 is often processed.

In step T2, the vector data processing unit 22 converts the raster data of the line drawing into vector data. FIG. 5 shows the transformed vectors V1 to V14. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the vector data table VDT representing the vectors V1 to V14. Figure 6
, Each vector data DVi (i = 1 to 14) in the vector data table VDT is a vector ID.
And processing flag F, and the starting point coordinates and ending point coordinates of the vector. The processing flag F is a flag used in the processing of segment division described below, and the content thereof will be described later.

In step T3 of FIG. 3, the vectors V1 to
V14 is divided into a plurality of segments. Here, the "segment" is a continuous group of vectors, and only two end points of the group of vectors are branch points or open points. The “branch point” is a point that is a common end point of three or more vectors. Further, the “open point” refers to a point which is an end point of only one vector. Hereinafter, the branch point and the open point are collectively referred to as “feature point”.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the vectors V1 to V14 of FIG. 5 are divided into six segments S1 to S6. The first segment S1 has five vectors V1 to V5.
And the second segment S2 is composed of two vectors V6 and V7. Further, the fourth segment S4 is composed of one vector V10. Thus, a segment is a vector group composed of one or more continuous vectors.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the segment data table SDT representing the segments. As shown in FIG. 8, each segment data DSj (j = 1 to 6) in the segment data table SDT is a segment ID.
And the start point coordinates and end point coordinates of the segment, and the vector IDs of all the vectors included in the segment. The vector data of the vector included in the segment can be obtained by referring to the vector data table VDT (FIG. 6) according to the vector ID in the segment data DSj. The vector data table VDT and the segment data table SDT are stored in the main memory 26.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the segment division processing in step T3 of FIG. In step T31, vector data in which the processing flag F (FIG. 6) is 0 in the vectors V1 to V14 shown in FIG. 5 and the start point or end point of the vector is a feature point (branch point or open point). Will be searched. Note that F = 0
The vector data of is the data for which the segment division processing has not been completed, and the vector data of F = 1 is the data for which the division processing has been completed. In the case of FIG. 5, since the starting point of the first vector V1 is a feature point, the vector V1 is selected in step T31.

Whether or not the end point of each vector is a feature point is determined by checking the start point coordinates and end point coordinates of all vector data in the vector data table VDT. That is, a coordinate having three or more same coordinates in the vector data table VDT is determined to be a coordinate of a branch point, and a coordinate having only one same coordinate is determined to be a coordinate of an open point.

In step T32, another vector connected to one of the two endpoints of the vector V1 selected in step T31 which is not the feature point is tracked. This tracking continues until another minutiae appears. The processing flag F for the tracked vector
Is set to 1. In the example of FIG. 5, vectors V1 and V
Tracking is completed in the order of 2, V3, V4, and V5, and since the end point of the vector V5 is a characteristic point (branch point). In addition,
When the two endpoints of the vector are both feature points, like the vector V10, step T32 ends without tracking another vector.

In step T33, the vector group tracked in step T32 is collected as one segment,
The segment data shown in FIG. 8 is created. Step T3
At 4, it is determined whether there are any unprocessed vectors remaining. This determination is made by checking the processing flag F of each vector data in the vector data table VDT (FIG. 6). If there is an unprocessed vector, the process returns to step T31 and the processes of steps T31 to T34 are repeated. As a result, the vectors V1 to V14
Is divided into segments S1 to S6 shown in FIG. 7, and the segment data table SDT shown in FIG. 8 is created.

Returning to FIG. 3, in step T4, the image processing instruction graphic is created by the interactive processing with the operator. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the processing procedure in step T4.

In step T41, the CPU 20 displays a request for inputting a designated point on the display 32. here,
The "designation point" is a point for designating a segment forming an image processing designating figure. The operator uses the coordinate pointing device 30 to designate a designated point on the display 32. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which the designated point SP is designated on the screen of the display 32.

In step T42, the segment closest to the designated point SP is searched and extracted. In the case of FIG. 11, the first segment S1 is extracted. Step T4
3, the set of segments already extracted in the processing loop of steps T41 to T45 executed previously (hereinafter referred to as "segment group") and the immediately preceding step T
At 42, it is checked whether or not the newly extracted segment can be connected. Here, "connectable" means that the start point or end point of the newly extracted segment matches the start point or end point of the already extracted segment group.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step T43. In step T51, it is determined whether or not the segment newly selected in step T42 is the first segment extracted.
In the case of FIG. 11, since the segment S1 is the first segment, the process moves to step T61, and this segment S1 is registered in the segment group table.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the segment group table SGT. Segment group table SGT
The segment group data DG1, DG2 ... Are registered for each extracted segment group. Each segment group data is
The segment group ID, the start point coordinate and the end point coordinate of the segment group, and the segment ID of the segment included in the segment group are included. At the time of FIG. 11, the first segment S1 of the first segment group has been extracted, so only one segment group data DG1 is registered in the segment group table SGT. The starting point coordinates and the ending point coordinates of the segment group data DG1 are equal to the starting point coordinates and the ending point coordinates of the segment S1, respectively.

In step T51 of FIG. 12, if the segment newly extracted in step T42 is not the first segment, the process proceeds to step T52. In step T52, the start point coordinates BG and end point coordinates EG of the segment group are compared with the start point coordinates BS and end point coordinates ES extracted in step T42. Specifically, EG = BS,
It is determined whether or not any one of EG = ES, BG = BS, and BG = ES is established. If none of these four conditions is satisfied, the process proceeds to step T62, and the display 32 displays that "connection is impossible". On the other hand, if at least one of the four conditions is satisfied, it is possible that the connection is possible. Therefore, it is further determined in steps T53 to T56 whether the connection is possible.

FIGS. 14A to 14D are plan views showing a case where connection is possible. In FIG. 14, the broken line indicates the already extracted segment group, and the alternate long and short dash line indicates the segment newly extracted at step T42. In these four examples, the determinations in steps T53 to T56 (described later) are “Yes”, and steps T57 to
Each T60 is executed.

FIG. 14A shows a case where the segment group Ga including only the segment S1 has already been extracted and the segment S2 has been newly extracted. In this case, the segment S2 is connected to the segment group Ga and becomes a new segment group Gb. The end point coordinate ES of the segment S2 becomes the end point coordinate EG of the segment group Gb (step T57). The updated segment group G
The starting point coordinates BG of b are the same as the starting point coordinates of the original segment group Ga.

FIG. 14B shows a case where the segment group Gc including the segments S2 and S3 has already been extracted and the segment S6 has been newly extracted. In this case, the segment S6 is connected to the segment group Gc and becomes a new segment group Gd. Further, the starting point coordinate BS of the segment S6 becomes the ending point coordinate EG of the segment group Gd including the segments S2, S3 and S6 (step T5).
8). The start point coordinates BG of the updated segment group Gd
Is the same as the starting point coordinates of the original segment group Gc.

FIG. 14C shows a case where the segment group Gc has already been extracted and the segment S5 has been newly extracted. In this case, the segment S5 is connected to the segment group Gc to form a new segment group Ge. The end point coordinate ES of the segment S5 becomes the start point coordinate BG of the segment group Ge including the segments S2, S3, S5 (step T59). The end point coordinates EG of the updated segment group Ge are the same as the end point coordinates of the original segment group Gc.

FIG. 14D shows a case where the segment group Ga has already been extracted and the segment S3 has been newly extracted. In this case, the segment S3 is connected to the segment group Ga and becomes a new segment group Gf. Further, the starting point coordinates BS of the segment S3 become the starting point coordinates BG of the segment group Gf including the segments S1 and S3 (step T60). The end point coordinates EG of the updated segment group Gf are the same as the end point coordinates of the original segment group Ga.

FIGS. 15A to 15C are plan views showing examples in which connection is impossible. In both of FIGS. 15A and 15B, 4 of EG = BS, EG = ES, BG = BS, BG = ES.
This is a case where no one condition is satisfied. At this time,
In step T52 of FIG. 12, it is determined that the connection is impossible, the process proceeds to step T62, and the display 32 indicates that “connection is impossible”.

FIG. 15C shows EG = BS, EG = E.
Although one of the four conditions of S, BG = BS, and BG = ES is satisfied, this is an example of the case where connection is impossible in steps T53 to T56. Specifically, although EG = ES is established, the starting point coordinate BS of the segment S5 is the midpoint of the segment group Gg (the connecting point between the segments that is neither the starting point nor the ending point). At this time, in step T54, the starting point coordinate BS of the segment S5 is the segment group Gg.
Since it is determined to be the intermediate point of the above, the process shifts from step T54 to step T62, and the message that "connection is impossible" is displayed. Thus, even if one end point (start point or end point) of the newly extracted segment is the same as one of the start point and end point of the extracted segment group, the other end point of that segment is the midpoint of the segment group. If it is, it is determined that the connection is impossible in steps T53 to T56.

If it is determined in steps T52 to T56 that connection is possible, in step 61,
Segment I of the segment extracted in step T42
D is added to the segment group table (see FIG. 13).

Returning to FIG. 10, in step T44, the extracted segment group is displayed on the screen of the display 32. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, the extracted segment group and the unextracted segment are displayed in different colors. In FIG. 16, the solid line indicates a segment that has not been extracted and is displayed in blue. Further, the broken line indicates the extracted segment group Ga {S1}, which is displayed in red. Here, the extracted segment group is shown by a broken line for convenience of illustration, and is actually displayed by a solid line. However, actually, it may be displayed as a straight line of a type other than the solid line such as the broken line or the one-dot chain line.

At step T45, it is checked whether the extracted segment group constitutes a closed figure.
Specifically, when the start point coordinates BG and the end point coordinates EG of the extracted segment group are equal, it is determined that a closed figure is formed, and when they are not equal, it is determined that a closed figure is not formed. . In the case of FIG. 16, since the extracted segment group Ga {S1} does not form a closed figure, the process returns to step T41.

In this way, steps T41 to T45 are repeatedly executed, and when the segment group composed of a plurality of segments constitutes a closed figure, the process shifts from step T45 to step T46. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a state in which segment groups Gh {S1, S2, S3} that form a closed figure are extracted. When the closed figure is formed, the inside of the closed figure is displayed in a predetermined color (for example, yellow) to indicate to the operator that the closed figure is formed. In step T46, image processing instruction graphic data is created from the segment group data of the extracted segment group Gh. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of image processing instruction graphic data. The image processing instruction graphic data includes a graphic data ID,
It includes vector data of all the vectors included in the segment group forming the closed figure. In the example of FIG. 17, a segment group Gh representing the contour of the image processing instruction graphic PF
Contains three segments S1, S2, S3. Therefore, as can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 17, the segment group Gh includes nine vectors V1 to V9.
Therefore, the image processing instruction graphic data includes vector data DV1 to DV9 of these nine vectors V1 to V9.

In step T47 of FIG. 10, the operator adds color information to the image processing instruction graphic PF. The color information is information indicating the color inside the image processing instruction graphic PF. Color information includes Y (yellow), M (magenta),
It includes the dot area ratios of C (cyan) and K (black). Note that it is also possible to specify a gradation as the color information.

When the processing in step T4 is completed in this way, the process proceeds to step T5 in FIG. 3, and the operator judges whether or not the instructions for creating the image processing graphic and the image processing have been completed, and inputs the instruction. If the process is to be continued, the process returns to step T4 and the processes of steps T4 and T5 are repeated. By repeating steps T4 and T5, the line drawing area can be divided into a plurality of image processing figures.

In step T6, the vector data processing unit 22 converts the image-processed graphic data into raster data, and the raster data processing unit 24 combines the raster data with the original raster data. The combined raster data is output to the disk 34, the printer 38, or the like.

In the above embodiment, the same color can be added to the entire image processing instruction graphic PF by only once specifying the color for the image processing instruction graphic PF.
There is an advantage that the labor for designating the color is small. In the example of FIG. 1, if the regions R1, R2, R3 are created as one image processing figure, it is possible to collectively specify the colors of these regions R1, R2, R3. When determining the colors of all the areas in FIG. 1, the operator often repeats trial and error to determine the most preferable color for each area. In the above embodiment, even in such a case, all the areas in FIG. 1 may be divided into a plurality of image processing figures in advance and a color may be designated for each image processing figure, so that the color change is extremely easy. .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be carried out in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention, and the following modifications can be made.

(1) Various kinds of image processing can be considered in addition to the coloring processing. For example, the image-processed figure can be designated as a picture area for fitting the picture in the line drawing.

(2) In the checks in steps T53 to T56 in FIG. 12 as to whether or not the connection is possible, the connection is made when the coordinates of one end point of the newly extracted segment are equal to the coordinates of one end point of the segment group. It was decided that it was possible. However, if the coordinates of one end point of the newly extracted segment are equal to the coordinates BG of the start point of the segment group, it may be determined that connection is impossible. By doing this, the new segment is always the end point coordinate E of the segment group.
Since it is connected to G, the segment IDs can be arranged in the order of connection by simply registering the extracted segments in the segment group data (FIG. 13) in order.
Therefore, there is an advantage that the process of creating the segment group data becomes easy.

(3) In step T41 of FIG. 10, when the input request of the designated point is displayed on the display 32, the next connectable segment candidates are displayed in different colors, as shown in FIG. You may do it. In the example of FIG. 19, the extracted segment group Ga {S1} is displayed in red, the segments S2 and S5 connectable to the segment group Ga are yellow and green, respectively, and the other unextracted segments S3 and S4. , S6 are displayed in blue. In this way, displaying the candidates of segments that can be connected to the extracted segment group in mutually different colors has the advantage that the operator can easily specify the segment to be connected next.

(4) As the process of creating the image-processed figure in step T4 of FIG. 3, the process procedure of FIG. 20 can be adopted instead of the process procedure of FIG. In FIG. 20, three modes can be selected in step T70. The processing of mode 1 is the same processing as steps T41 to T47 shown in FIG. The processing of mode 2 includes steps T71 to T73 having the same processing contents as steps T41 to T43, respectively, and step T74 for re-dividing the extracted segment (the contents will be described later). The process of mode 3 is a process of generating a desired figure (step T81).

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the processing contents of mode 2 and mode 3. In FIG. 21A, the segment S10 is changed to the segment group G by the processing of mode 1.
The state extracted as i is shown. FIG. 21 (B)
Shows the state in which mode 2 is selected in step T70 and the designated point SP is input in step T71. In steps T72 and T73, the segment S11 is extracted and it is determined that the segment group Gi {S10} can be connected. In step T74, the point PP closest to the designated point SP on the extracted segment S11 is obtained. Further, as shown in FIG. 21C, the point PP is adopted as the end point coordinate EG of the new segment group Gj. That is, the segment S11 shown in FIG. 21 (B) is divided at the position of the point PP, and a part of it is S11.
a is connected to the segment group Gi. Note that it is also possible to extract one segment by cutting it at two designated points. In this case, the 2-point cutting mode may be further specified in the mode 2.

From the state of FIG. 21C, step T70
When the mode 3 is selected in step S81 and the start point coordinates BG and the end point coordinates EG of the segment group are connected by a straight line in step T81, the image processing instruction figure PFa which is a closed figure is created as shown in FIG. It

The mode 3 graphic generation processing includes a function of generating an arbitrary straight line or arc, a function of generating a curve such as a Bezier curve or a spline curve, and the like. When executing these functions, the input request of the necessary pointing point is displayed. By combining such graphic generation processing with the connection processing of the segments of mode 1 and mode 2, the operator can create the image processing graphic in a desired shape.

[0050]

As described above, according to the method described in claim 1, the image processing target area including a plurality of adjacent closed areas can be easily performed by a simple operation of selecting one vector group at a time. The effect is that it can be specified.

According to the method described in claim 2,
Vectors that can be connected at the end points are determined because it is determined whether the end point coordinates of a series of already selected vector groups and the end point coordinates of the newly selected vector group match. Only groups can be connected as a series of vector groups. Therefore, it is possible to easily specify the image processing target area that is a closed figure even for a complicated line drawing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a line drawing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the entire processing in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a line drawing to be processed in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing line drawing vectors V1 to V14.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a vector data table VDT.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a vector is divided into segments.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a segment data table SDT.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of segment division processing in step T3.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing procedure in step T4.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which a designated point SP is designated.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step T43.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a segment group table SGT.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a connectable example.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an example in which connection is impossible.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state in which the extracted segment group and the unextracted segment are displayed in different colors.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a state in which a segment group forming a closed figure is extracted.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of image processing instruction graphic data.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a state in which candidates of connectable segments are displayed in different colors.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the image-processed graphic in step T4.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining processing contents of mode 2 and mode 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 ... CPU 22 ... Vector data processing unit 24 ... Raster data processing unit 26 ... Main memory 28 ... System bus 30 ... Coordinate pointing device 32 ... Display 34 ... Magnetic disk 36 ... Scanner 38 ... Printer BG ... Segment group start point coordinates BS ... Segment start point coordinate DG1 ... Segment group data DSj ... Segment data DVi ... Vector data EG ... Segment group end point coordinate ES ... Segment end point coordinate F ... Processing flags Ga to Gj ... Segment group PF, PFa ... Image processing instruction figure S1 S11 ... Segment SDT ... Segment data table SGT ... Segment group table SP ... Points V1-V14 ... Vector VDT ... Vector data table

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location 7459-5L G06F 15/70 330 Z

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A method of designating a partial area of a line drawing represented by a plurality of vectors as a target area for image processing, wherein (A) the plurality of vectors include at least one continuous vector. A step of dividing the vector group into a plurality of vector groups in which only both end points of each vector group are open points or three or more branch points; and (B) a step of selecting one of the vector groups , (C) The vector group selected in the step (B) is added to the step (B).
A series of vector groups forming a closed figure is obtained by repeating the step of connecting with a series of vector groups previously selected and (D) the steps (B) and (C),
And a step of setting the closed figure as a target area for image processing. 2. The method for designating an image processing target area according to claim 1, wherein the step (C) includes the end points of a series of vector groups selected before (C-1) step (B). By checking whether the coordinates match the coordinates of the end points of the vector group selected in step (B), a series of vector groups selected before step (B) and the step (B ), It is determined whether the vector group selected can be connected, and (C-2) the step (B) when it is determined that the vector group selected can be connected in the step (C-1). ) A series of previously selected vector groups and the vector group selected in the step (B) are connected, and when it is determined that the connection is impossible in the step (C-1), the display is displayed. A message indicating that connection is impossible And a method of designating an image processing target area including.