JPH0786918B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Outline] An information system for processing image information, for example, a man-machine interface is constructed with an image like a video, and an intelligent environment support system for human beings is constructed. In the image processing device for high-speed image processing, control information is prepared for each image information and for each area extracted from the image information with an arbitrary size and shape, and the processing at the area level is performed as described above. It is disclosed that it can be performed by using.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention provides an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, an area in which individual image information having a desired size and shape can be secured, control information is prepared, and image information can be processed at high speed. Image processing device.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, for example, an OA system has been known. For example, a computer as one of office tools such as a typewriter, a table, a piece of paper, a pencil, a file, and so on. Is used. However, in these conventional cases, mainly code
From the viewpoint of how to process data at high speed, the aim was to image-to-use about data processing.

However, recently, the fields that need to handle image information are also expanding.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As described above, considering that the fields that need to handle image information expand, the conventional computer can handle individual image information, and a large amount of image information can be organically combined. It is not always sufficient from the problem of performing high-speed processing for integrated, so-called image information systems. Further, it is not sufficiently supported even when a part of one image information is extracted and processed. It is also necessary to give due consideration to the protection of information content.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention solves the above problems, and provides a support system for creating an intellectual environment for human beings from the viewpoint that a computer can be used like a video and image information can be processed at high speed. It is a thing. It also enables processing at the area level.

FIG. 1 shows the principle configuration of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 in the figure is an image processing apparatus. An input processing unit 2 performs input processing on a large amount of given image information. An output processing unit 3 performs processing related to the man-machine interface. 4 is an image
It is a data base and is composed of, for example, an optical disk memory. 5 is a high speed image database, which acts as a frame file memory. The image processing processor 1 has a function of constructing an image data base 4 which is easy to use and handle, and a high-speed image data base 5 which can be constructed easily according to the purpose. It has an architecture that enables image handling and high-level image processing.

The input processing unit 2 can easily input (i) image information (including voice information-the same applies hereinafter), and (ii) convert image information into an information format that can be used for intellectual environment support,
(Iii) It has a function to organically organize, combine, integrate, and process image information, and (iv) has a function to generate a new intelligent image information system.

The output processing unit 3 (i) outputs and presents image information at a high speed, and (ii) a comfortable and conversational image man machine machine.
It provides an interface, (iii) outputs image information in a form suitable for the purpose to support the intellectual environment, and (iv) has a function to facilitate reorganization of output information and re-input to the system.

The image processing device shown is, so to speak,
For the main display that inputs and outputs video and audio, the picture information system that is programmed, combined and integrated with each other is sequentially provided with the picture information, and in the meantime, one or more desired picture information systems are provided. The picture information is stacked so that it can be processed.

Therefore, as shown in the figure, when the image information 6 corresponding to the screen on the display device is present, the image information 6 is converted into the picture information 7 as the image data 8-1.
Retained within. Areas of the images forming the image information 6 are arbitrarily sized and shaped, such as areas 9-1 and 9-2. 9-1 and 9-2
The area information about the mask information 8-2 is held in the picture information 7. Further, in association with the image information 6, (i) control information on the image information 6 itself and (ii) control information on an aread (extracted) area are stored in the picture information 7 as control information 8
Retained as -3.

Other image information 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 shown in the figure, and areas 9-3 to 9 which are aread in the image information 10, 11
Similar information is held for -6. That is, the picture information 7 ... Is individually held corresponding to each of the image information 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. Also individual image information 6,
10 ... is subordinate image information 6-1, 6 subordinate to each self
It has -2, ..., 10-1,10-2, ....

The control information 8-3 regarding the image information itself includes, for example, (1) title, date, creator, (2) storage address of the bit binary image data 8-1, and (3) related to the image information. Storage addresses (including link information) for other image information and areas, (4) search keyword information, (5) protection information, etc. are prepared. As the control information regarding the area, for example, (6) area number, (7) storage address of mask information 8-2 regarding area, (8) category information (text,
(Identification information for charts, characters, pictures, etc.), (9) Area protection information, (10) Storage addresses (including link information) for other image information areas related to the area, (11) Area operation / control Information, (12) Storage address of additional information such as voice information prepared accompanying the area, etc. are prepared [Operation] Image information 6, 10, 11, 12 is read into image processing processor 1 respectively Area 9-1, if necessary,
Picture information 7-i is generated by performing areaing like 9-2, 9-3, 9-4, 9-5, 9-6. Then, as necessary (depending on the purpose), for example, as shown by the dotted line in the figure, (i) area 9-1 and image information 11, (ii) area 9-2 and area 9-3 in image information 10 ( iii) Links such as image information 6, image information 12, image information 13, image information 14 ... Are formed to form a picture information system. Of course, a link to the subordinate image information is also provided.

Then, for example, when the operator touches the screen while the image information 6 is displayed on the display device, the next screen is switched according to the touched place. That is,
Touch the area 9-1 to display the image information 11 as the next screen.
Is displayed. When the area 9-2 is touched, the image information 10 is displayed as the next screen, and the area 9-3 blinks, for example. If the area other than the areas 9-1 and 9-2 is touched, the image information 12 is displayed as the next screen.

The above example is just an example. With the above structure and information format, the system is organically networked and integrated from a large amount of image information at the level of the area in the image information. It is possible to create and use a new picture information system. That is,
It is possible to create a picture information system that combines image information at the area level and control information.

In order to generate and process such a picture information system, the image processing processor 1 (a) has a function of extracting (areaing) an area having an arbitrary shape in the image information, and (b) meaning to the area. A function to embed information (what kind of information is in that area, etc.), that is, a function to add identification information such as a text or a chart, and (c) a function to embed control information in that area, that is, blink, reverse, protect, etc. (D) A function that links the area with image information and other areas, and (e) a function that edits / processes the area, that is, for example, enlargement / reduction / rotation / move / reverse / Functions for operations, copying, erasing, etc. (f) Functions for embedding semantic information in image information, ie title, date, creator's name Etc. function of imparting the ability to embed control information in (g) image information, i.e. for example, link information to other image information or area or dependent image information, and protection information,
It also has a function for adding keywords, and (h) a function for linking area and image information with other programs.

〔Example〕

 FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the figure correspond to those in FIG. Again 21
Is a processor for controlling the entire system. 22 is a control memory that stores programs that control the entire system. 23 is an image scanner for reading image information. twenty four
Is an image printer for printing out image information. A cache disk 5 stores the image information read from the image data base (optical disk) 4. 27 is a high-speed bus for transferring a large amount of image information at high speed. 28 is a processor for controlling the display system in the output processing unit 3. 29 is a bit map memory for processing image information in pit units.
30 is a video memory for displaying on the display device. 31 is a memory for controlling the display system. 32 is a display device. Reference numeral 33 is a touch panel that is set on the screen of the display device to input position information by touching the displayed image information with a fingertip, for example. Reference numeral 34 is a memory for storing the image information transferred from the cache disk 5. When displaying information, the image information of the frame to be displayed is transferred to the video memory 30, and the display device
Displayed on 32. An ID card reader 35 reads the contents of the ID card when the operator sets it.

The image information 6, 10, 11, 12, ... As shown in FIG. 1 is read into the processing device 1 by the image scanner 23, and the image data 8 constituting the picture information 7 is formed in the processing device 1. Held as 1. On the other hand, it is transferred to the video memory 30 via the bus 27 and displayed on the display device 32. Touch the screen of the display device 32
The panel 33 is arranged, and the operator defines a specific area in the image information as a meaningful area for the processing device 1 by tracing a part of the displayed image information with a finger or the like. You can
This operation is called area ringing or sampling.
The area 9-i shown in FIG. 1 is an area. The touch panel 33 detects the position information of the area-formed area information, and the area information of the area is created on the bit map memory 29. This information is called area mask information because it is also used when processing the image data in the area, and the mask information 8-is included in the picture information 7.
It is held as 2, but at this time, an appropriate thinning process is performed to reduce the amount of information. After the area is defined in this way, if the operator touches one point on the display screen, the position information detected by the touch panel 33 and the mask information in the picture information 7 existing on the frame memory 34 will be displayed. 8-2 is compared, and the accessed area can be specified. When the operator wants to display image information, the operator's ID card is set in the ID card reader 35 and collated with the protection information in the control information in the picture information. If the display is prohibited, the display will be blank.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of picture information in the image processing processing apparatus of the present invention. Illustrated
MAIN DISPLAY corresponds to the screen of the display device 32 shown in FIG. The PICTURE DATA shown in the figure is a picture information system that is linked, integrated and integrated with each other.
Individual images constituting the system are displayed on the screen of the display device 32 as appropriate. Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the SUB DISPLAY shown in the figure is a display section provided on the control panel for the operator to control the image processing apparatus 1, and the control guidance is displayed in characters or the like. Is displayed. The KEY shown is the key on the control panel. Furthermore, the DISPLAY STACK shown in the figure
In the picture information system that is being displayed in 2, it is a place to temporarily stack individual picture information that is necessary when performing stacking and processing individually.
The SLEEP STACK shown in the figure is a similar stack section, and both are held in the frame memory 34 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for explaining a data utilization mode in the image processing processing apparatus of the present invention.

Image data 101 is created by the image scanner 23. Image operations such as enlargement and rotation can be performed on the image data 101. This point is similar to the image processing in the conventional data processing device. Picture processing 102 in which audio information is added to the image data 101
Is performed, the picture information 7 shown in FIG. 1 is generated. The picture information 7 is linked to the filing process 104 between the areas described above and between the areas and the image information and between the image information and the image information.
To be done. And at this time, by linking etc. above,
Individual areas and individual image information are combined and integrated with other areas and image information (may be multiple layers if necessary), and electronic file
Retained as 105.

Programmed picture information 10 corresponding to each application is provided by a picture programming process 106 that combines and integrates the contents of the electronic file 105 and the picture information 103 as necessary.
7 is generated. Programmed picture information 107
Will be staged on the MAIN DISPLAY shown in FIG. The illustrated pictureing process 102, picture information 103, filing process 104, electronic
The image processing referred to in the present invention is possible for the file 105 and the picture programming process 106.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to form a picture information system by linking a large amount of image information down to the level of an area and linking the images with each other. Can be appropriately displayed on the display device, and a so-called image-based intelligent environment support system can be constructed. Then, the operator's qualification is checked and a blank display is made, so that no display is made.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of picture information in the image processing processing of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is the same. The explanatory view explaining the data utilization mode is shown. In the figure, 1 is an image processing processor, 2 is an input processor, 3 is an output processor, 4 is an image data base, 5 is a high-speed image data base, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is image information, 7 is picture information, 8-1 is image data, 8-2 is mask information, 8-3 is control information, 9-i is area, 29 is bit map memory, 30 is video.・ Memory, 3
2 is a display device, 33 is a touch panel, and 34 is a frame memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An input processing unit (2) for performing an input process for a plurality of given image information, an output processing unit (3) for performing a process related to a man-machine interface, the plurality of image information and the image. At least an image database (4) that holds information as a result of information processing, and a high-speed image database (5) that can be processed at higher speed than the image database (4). In the image processing device for processing image information, one or more areas () having a desired shape for the displayed image information (corresponding to the output processing unit (3)) are provided. 9-i) is specified and the area ring processing mechanism (29, 33) is selected, and the image data (8-
1) and mask information (8- that includes area information about the extracted area (9-i) in the image information).
2) and the control information regarding the image information and the extracted area, which are between the areas and between the areas.
Control information including link information between image information (8-3)
And at least a processing mechanism (4,5,21,34) that holds, manages and processes the picture information (7) that is composed of and At least, link information for other image information and / or other area, area number for identifying the extracted area, storage address for storing mask information for indicating the area for each area, and each area Associated with the operation / control information of the area for controlling the display mode regarding the display mode, the processing mechanism is configured to process the image information and / or the area based on the picture information, and the control information. Is configured to have protection information for at least the area, and the processing mechanism is The image processing is characterized by checking the qualification of the operator when displaying the image information on the display device, and displaying the blank for the area having the above protection information to the unqualified operator. apparatus.