JPH10257444A - Method and device for inputting image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To convert the image data of an interlaced system to the image data of a non-interlaced system at high speed. SOLUTION: First of all, the image data for the 1st field among video signals outputted from a television camera 10 are stored in a storage part 12 for field and continuously, the image data for one scanning line among video signals for the 2nd field outputted from the television camera 10 are successively stored in a storage part 13 for line. When transferring the video signals for respective scanning lines of this 2nd field, the 1st field stored in advance reads out the image data for one scanning line for each scanning line every time, the image data for one scanning line in the 2nd field are read out and both data are synthesized and outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input device for converting a video signal output from an image pickup device such as an interlaced television camera into non-interlaced image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A video signal (NTSC composite signal) output from an image pickup device such as a television camera is N
It is a signal determined by the TSC (National Television System Committee).

[0003] The video signals according to the NTSC can be broadly classified as shown in FIG.
It is divided into a color signal for expressing a color, and a synchronization signal for transmitting the position and timing on the screen.

An image pickup apparatus such as a television camera employs interlaced (interlaced) scanning in order to reduce flickering of an image projected on a screen, and outputs a video signal by the interlaced scanning. ing.

In this interlaced scanning, as shown in FIG. 7, every other scanning line is scanned, a period from a to b is a first (odd) field, and a period from c to d is a second (even) field. ) Field, and the first field and the second field are used to obtain one screen (one frame) of image data.

That is, for example, one frame of image data having 525 scanning lines is created from two fields having 262.5 scanning lines. By the way, when performing general image processing, for example, filter processing, labeling processing, or the like, in the interlace method in which scanning is performed for each scanning line as described above, for example, when image data of the first field is obtained, Since there is no image data on one scan line or on a lower scan line in the image data, filter processing, labeling processing, or the like cannot be directly performed.

On the other hand, there is a non-interlaced image pickup apparatus such as a television camera which outputs a video signal for each scanning line as shown in FIG. 8 instead of an interlaced method.

In this non-interlaced system, a video signal is output for each scanning line. Therefore, the image data includes image data on all the scanning lines, and a filtering process, a labeling process, and the like can be directly performed. .

For this reason, when performing image processing such as filter processing and labeling processing, an interlaced video signal output from an imaging device such as a television camera is converted to a non-interlaced video signal. The conversion has been done.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of such an image input device. The television camera 1 scans every other scanning line, and repeatedly outputs a video signal of the first field and subsequently a video signal of the second field. This video signal is A /
The image data for one frame that has been converted from analog to digital by the D conversion unit 2 is temporarily stored in the image memory 3.

The 1 stored in the image memory 3
By reading out image data for each scanning line from image data for a frame, interlaced image data is converted to non-interlaced image data.

[0012]

However, in the above device, the video signal output from the television camera 1 is stored in the image memory 3 and then converted into non-interlaced image data. 3 is always required.

Until image data for one screen (one frame) is taken into the image memory 3, the next image processing cannot be performed, and the speed of the image processing is low. However, in image processing, there is a demand for a smaller and less expensive device and a higher processing speed, and it is necessary to realize a higher processing speed at a lower cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image input method and apparatus capable of converting interlaced image data into non-interlaced image data at high speed.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a video signal of a first field and a video signal of a second field following the first field output from an image pickup apparatus performing interlaced scanning are converted into non-interlaced image data. A first step of storing image data of a first field output from the imaging device, and a second step of storing the image data of the first field from the imaging device.
A second step of combining the image data of the first field with the image data of each scanning line of the second field each time the video signal of each scanning line of the field is transferred;
Is an image input method.

In such an image input method, first,
The image data for the first field output from the interlaced imaging device is stored.
Each time a video signal for each scanning line in the field is transferred, the image data for each scanning line in the second field is combined with the previously stored image data for the first field to produce a non-interlaced image. Convert and output to data. Thus, for example, the image data can be converted into non-interlaced image data by one field earlier.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus for converting a video signal for a first field and a video signal for a second field following the first field output from an image pickup apparatus performing interlaced scanning into non-interlaced image data. A field storage means for storing image data for a first field in a video signal output from the imaging device; and a video signal for one scanning line in a second field in a video signal output from the imaging device. The line storage means for sequentially storing, and each time a video signal for each scanning line of the second field is transferred from the imaging device, the image data for one scanning line of the first field stored in the field storage means is transferred. Image data for one scan line of the second field stored in the line storage means and read and synthesized. And data output means, an image input apparatus having a.

With such an image input device, first,
The image data for the first field of the video signal output from the imaging device is stored in the field storage unit. Subsequently, the image data for one scanning line among the video signals for the second field output from the imaging device are sequentially stored in the line storage means, and the video signal for each scanning line in the second field is transferred. In each case, the image data for one scan line of the first field previously stored is read out, and the image data for one scan line of the second field sequentially stored in the line storage means is read out and synthesized, and the It is output as race type image data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image input device according to the second aspect, the reading of the image data for one scanning line in the first field and the reading of the image data for one scanning line in the second field are performed in the same manner. This is performed within the period of a video signal for one scanning line of two fields.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus for converting a video signal for a first field and a video signal for a second field following the first field output from an imaging apparatus performing interlaced scanning into non-interlaced image data. , A field storage means for storing image data for a first field of video signals output from the imaging device, and a field device for transferring a video signal for each scanning line of the second field from the imaging device. The image data for one scan line of the first field stored in the storage means is read out, and the image data for one scan line of the first field is combined with the image data for one scan line of the second field. And an image data output unit.

With such an image input device, first,
The image data for the first field of the video signal output from the imaging device is stored in the field storage unit. Subsequently, every time image data for one scan line of the video signal for the second field output from the imaging device is sequentially transferred, the image data for one scan line of the first field stored in advance is read out. , A second
The image data for one scanning line of the field is synthesized and output as non-interlaced image data.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. According to the image input method of the present invention, a video signal for a first field and a video signal for a second field following the first field output from an imaging device such as a television camera performing interlaced scanning are converted into non-interlaced image data. In this case, first, the image data for the first field output from the imaging device is stored, and then, when the video signal for each scanning line of the second field is transferred from the imaging device, the first stored first image data is stored. The image data for the field is combined with the image data for each scanning line in the second field, and is converted into non-interlaced image data.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image input apparatus to which such an image input method is applied. The television camera 10
It employs interlaced scanning and has a function of outputting video signals of a first field and a second field.

An A / D converter 11 is connected to a video output terminal of the television camera 10, and a video signal output from the television camera 10 is converted from analog to digital by the A / D converter 11 (hereinafter, referred to as an A / D converter). A / D conversion).

An A / D conversion output terminal of the A / D conversion unit 11 has a field storage unit 12 and a line storage unit 1.
3 are connected. Of these, the field storage unit 12
Has a function of storing the first field of the digital video signal output from the television camera 10 and A / D converted by the A / D converter 11 as image data.

The line storage unit 13 outputs one of the second fields of the digital video signal output from the television camera 10 and subjected to A / D conversion by the A / D conversion unit 11.
It has a function of sequentially storing image data for scanning lines.

Here, a sampling period for capturing a video signal will be described. FIG. 2 shows a video signal for one scanning line. The cycle of this video signal is 63.5 μs,
In addition, the effective image signal lasts for about 53 μs.

One frame is composed of 525 scanning lines, and about 486 of them are generally effective. The aspect ratio of the screen is 3: 4. Therefore, if the video signal for one scanning line is set to 512 pixels and stored in the field storage unit 12 and the line storage unit 13, the sampling period is obtained by the following equation.

Effective number of pixels in one scanning line = (4 × 486) / 3 = 648 (pixels) Sampling rate of one pixel = 53/648 = 81.8 (ns / pixel) Sampling period = 81.8 × 512 = 41.9 μs That is, of the video signal for one scanning line, the video signal equivalent to approximately 42 μs in the period is captured.

The image data output unit 14 transmits the video signal of each scanning line of the second field from the television camera 10 to the one scanning line of the first field stored in the field storage unit 12. And read out the image data for one scan line stored in the line storage unit 13 and combine and output the image data for one scan line.

The image data output unit 14 reads image data for one scan line in the first field and image data for one scan line in the second field, as shown in FIG. It has a function to perform the operation within the period of the video signal for one scanning line of the field, that is, within the period of 63.5 μs.

Next, the operation of the above-configured device will be described. The television camera 10 performs interlaced scanning, and outputs the video signal of the first field,
Outputs the video signal of the field.

This video signal is converted into a digital video signal by the A / D converter 11 and sent to the field storage unit 12 or the line storage unit 13. First, the field storage unit 12 stores the first field of the digital video signal output from the television camera 10 and A / D converted by the A / D converter 11 as image data.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the image data of the first field. The scanning line s ₁ , the second scanning line s ₂ , and the third scanning line s in the first field.
₃ , ....

Next, the line memory unit 13 stores the image data of one scan line e ₁ of the second field as shown in Figure 4 (a). Next, the line storage unit 13
As shown in (a), the second scanning line e ₂ in the second field
The image data output unit 14 stores the first image data stored in the field storage unit 12 when the second scanning line e ₂ of the second field is reached.
The image data s ₁ of the first scanning line is read out of the image data of the field, and subsequently, the line storage unit 13 is read out.
It reads out the image data e1 of one scan line of the second field stored in, and these image data s ₁ and the image data e1 to composite output.

In other words, the image data output unit 14
As shown in the figure, the image data s ₁ of the first scan line of the first field is read out within the period of 63.5 μs of the video signal for one scan line of the second field, and subsequently, one scan line of the second field is read out. It reads out the image data e1 eyes, and these image data s ₁ and the image data e ₁ synthesizes output.

Next, the line memory unit 13 is to store the image data in FIG. 4 of the second field as shown in (b) 3 scanning line e _3, 3 scanning lines of the second field in this manner when it becomes eyes e _3, the image data output section 14
Reads out the image data s ₂ of the second scanning line from the image data of the first field stored in the field storage unit 12, and subsequently reads out the second field of the second field stored in the line storage unit 13. Line image data e
₂ and read out the image data s ₂ and the image data e ₂
Are combined and output.

In other words, the image data output unit 14
As shown in the figure, the image data s ₂ of the second scanning line of the first field is read out within the period of 63.5 μs of the video signal for two scanning lines of the second field. The image data e ₂ of the eye is read, and the image data s ₂ and the image data e ₂ are synthesized and output.

[0039] Thus, in the three time of scanning the scanning line e ₃ of the second field, the image data is such as to synthesize the image data s _1, the image data e _1, the image data s ₂ and the image data e ₂ .

The subsequent, when it is 4 scan line e ₄ of the second field read image data s ₃ of 3 scanning line of the first field, followed by the second field 3 scanning line of this The image data e ₃ is read, and the image data s ₃ and the image data e ₃ are synthesized and output.
It reads image data s ₄ of 4 scanning line of the first field when it is 5 scan line e ₅ of the next second field, following which the image data e ₄ of 4 scan line of the second field And read out these image data s ₄
And image data e ₄ synthesizes output.

By repeating the above operation, non-interlaced image data in which the first field and the second field are combined is output. That is, during the transfer of the second field, the interlaced image data is converted into the interlaced image data.

As described above, in one embodiment,
First, of the video signals output from the television camera 10, the image data for the first field is stored in the field storage unit 12, and then the video data for the second field output from the television camera 10 is stored. The image data for one scan line is sequentially stored in the line storage unit 13, and when the video signal for each scan line of the second field is transferred, the image data for one scan line of the first field stored earlier is transferred. Since the image data is read out and the image data for one scanning line sequentially stored in the line storage unit 13 is read out and synthesized and output, the interlaced image data can be read at a high speed, that is, during the transfer of the second field. It can convert and output to interlaced image data.

Therefore, it is not necessary to temporarily store the image data for one screen in the image memory, the image memory becomes unnecessary, and the image data can be converted and output into the non-interlaced image data during the transfer of the second field. General image processing such as filter processing and labeling processing can be started earlier by the field.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified as follows. For example, in the above embodiment, the capturing is started from the first field, but the capturing may be started from the second field.

Further, although the line storage unit 13 is used,
If the reading time of the image data from the field storage unit 12 is shortened, for example, to about 20 μs per scanning line, the sampling period for one scanning line, 42 μs, can be sufficient for the period for one scanning line, 63.5 μs. Therefore, for example, if image data of each scanning line of the second field is directly sent to the image data output unit 14, this can be realized without the line storage unit 13.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image input method capable of converting interlaced image data into non-interlaced image data at a high speed. Further, according to the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image input apparatus capable of converting interlaced image data into non-interlaced image data at high speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a video signal for one scanning line.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of image data of a first field.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a conversion operation from an interlaced system to a non-interlaced system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conversion timing from an interlace system to a non-interlace system.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a video signal according to NTSC.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing image data of interlaced scanning.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing image data of non-interlaced scanning.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a conventional image input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... TV camera, 11 ... A / D conversion part, 12 ... Field storage part, 13 ... Line storage part, 14 ... Image data output part.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image input method for converting a video signal for a first field output from an imaging device performing interlaced scanning and a video signal for a second field following the first field into non-interlaced image data. A first step of storing the output image data of the first field; and transferring the image data of the first field each time a video signal of each scanning line of the second field is transferred from the imaging device. A second step of combining the image data with the image data for each scanning line of the second field. 2. An image input apparatus for converting a video signal of a first field output from an imaging apparatus performing interlaced scanning and a video signal of a second field following the first field into non-interlaced image data. Field storage means for storing image data for the first field of the video signal output from the image signal; and image data for one scan line of the second field in the video signal output from the imaging device. A line storage means for sequentially storing the image data, and each time a video signal for each scan line of the second field is transferred from the imaging device, one scan line of the first field stored in the field storage means Image data for one scan line stored in the line storage means, and read out the image data for one scan line. An image input device comprising: an image data output unit configured to output. 3. The reading of image data for one scanning line in the first field and the reading of image data for one scanning line in the second field are performed during a period of a video signal for one scanning line in the second field. 3. The image input device according to claim 2, wherein the image input is performed within the device. 4. An image input apparatus for converting a video signal of a first field output from an imaging apparatus performing interlaced scanning and a video signal of a second field following the first field into image data of a non-interlaced system. Field storage means for storing the image data for the first field of the video signal output from the image signal; and for transferring the video signal for each scan line of the second field from the imaging device, Read out the image data for one scan line of the first field stored in the storage means for the first field, and add the image data for one scan line of the second field to the image data for one scan line of the first field. An image input device, comprising: image data output means for combining.