JPH11168668A - Digital video signal processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a device scale by outputting a digital video signal onto a bus of a computer which is able to perform image processing at the time of a first mode and sending a processed digital video signal to a video recorder at the time of a second mode. SOLUTION: Image information that is read by a reader 41 is sent to a workstation(WS) 31 via a video control unit(VCU) and a cable, and edited image information is sent to a printer 45. Furthermore, a video signal that is outputted from a TV camera 4 is converted into a digital image signal by the VCU and sent to the WS 31, edited digital video signal is sent to the VCU and a video signal that has undergone D/A conversion is sent to a VTR 3. In this case, at the time of a first mode, a digital video signal that corresponds to an image-pickup image from the camera is outputted onto a bus of a computer that has an image processing function, and at the time of a second mode, a digital video signal that has been processed by the computer is sent to a video recorder.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image information processing system for processing image information sent from a TV camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the rapid development of image information processing systems centered on electronic computers, for example, images are read optically, the read images are processed by an arithmetic processing unit, and image output by a laser beam printer or the like is performed. An apparatus configured to be able to output from the apparatus has been proposed.

[0003]

However, in order to input a three-dimensional image such as a landscape to the above-mentioned image information processing system, a photograph is once taken with a still photograph or the like, and the developed photograph is taken as image reading means, for example. A photographed image cannot be directly processed unless it is read and input by a reader, so that the processing is very complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and converts a video signal transmitted from a TV camera into a digital signal and inputs the digital signal to a workstation or an image processed by the workstation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image information processing system that can easily perform data processing such as converting a video signal into a video signal and recording the video signal on a VTR on a workstation.

[0005]

An image information processing system according to the present invention is an image information processing system in which a workstation performs required processing on an image signal input from an image reading means. Receiving means for receiving a video signal transmitted from a television camera to be converted; converting means for converting the video signal received by the receiving means into a digital image signal; and temporarily converting the digital image signal converted by the converting means. A storage unit for storing; and an output control unit for transmitting the digital image signal stored in the storage unit onto a bus of the workstation.

[0006]

According to the present invention, when a receiving means receives a video signal transmitted from a television camera, the converting means converts the received video signal into a digital image signal and stores the digital image signal in a storage means. And digitally process the input image information.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 31 denotes a workstation (WS), which is a reader / printer interface 32, an image compression unit (ICU) 33, a program memory (PMEM) 34, a bit move unit (BMU) 35, and an image memory (IMEM) 36. , Video ram (VRAM) 37, central processing unit (CPU) 3
The ICU 33 compresses and decompresses data, and employs two-dimensional compression (high compression) to increase the coding rate. PMEM34 is WS
Input / output device and WS31 provided around the terminal 31
It has an OS program and application program memory area for controlling each unit in the printer, and a font memory area for converting character codes into image data. The BMU 35 edits an image (image processing) on the CRT display 40, and enlarges, reduces, rotates, or cuts a predetermined image. The IMEM 36 is, for example, 4
It has a storage capacity of M bytes, stores images from the reader 41, stores images edited by the BMU 35,
It stores data decompressed by the CU 33, and stores word processor code data, mixed data, or data obtained by converting character codes into images using key code characters.

The VRAM 37 stores image data to be displayed on the CRT display 40 in a bitmap code. Reference numeral 42 denotes a hard disk drive, and WS3
The data processed in step 1 is stored. Reference numeral 43 denotes a floppy disk device which stores data processed by the WS 31. An input unit 44 includes a keyboard 44a, a pointing device 44b, and the like. Keyboard 44a
Is used to input characters, etc.
A position on the T display 40 is specified. The pointing device 44b specifies an arbitrary position on the CRT display 40. Reference numeral 45 denotes a printer serving as an image output unit, which outputs an image edited by the WS 31.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a video control unit (VCU) constituting input / output control means of the present invention, which is connected to a reader / printer interface 32 in a WS 31 by a dedicated cable 1a and has a dedicated power supply 2. I have.

The VCU 1 is connected to a reader / printer interface 32 via a dedicated cable 1a, and a dedicated power source 2
Driven by A VTR 3 records a video signal.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a TV camera, which converts a captured image into a video signal. The VTR 3 and the TV camera 4 are connected to the VCU 1. VCU1 is a reader 41, a TV camera 4, a VT
The input from R3 to WS31 and the output from WS31 to printer 45 and VTR3 are switched. In addition, VCU
Reference numeral 1 denotes a WS 31 which samples an analog input (video signal) from the TV camera 4 and the VTR 3, and performs A / D conversion on the sampled signal.
The digital information is output on the bus 39 of the digital camera, and the digital information transmitted on the bus 39 is fetched.
A conversion is performed and analog information is transmitted to the VTR 3.

FIG. 2 is an external view for explaining an image information processing system according to the present invention, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As can be seen from these figures, the reader 41
Is sent to the WS 31 via the VCU 1 and the cable 1a, and the image information edited by the WS 31 is sent to the printer 45 via the VCU 1. Further, the video signal output from the TV camera 4 is converted into a digital image signal by the VCU 1 and sent out to the WS 31 via the cable 1a.
Is sent to the VCU 1 via the cable 1a, and this digital image signal is
The A-converted video signal is sent to the VTR 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of VCU 1 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numerals 11a and 11b denote changeover switches, and the changeover switch 11a is connected to the TV camera 4 or the VTR.
Video signal (NTSC signal) transmitted from terminal 3 and terminal T
₁ and T ₂ are output to the amplifier 12 by switching. The amplifier 12 amplifies the video signal selected by the switching operation of the changeover switch 11a. Reference numeral 13 denotes a synchronization separation circuit that separates an analog image signal and a synchronization signal in the video signal amplified by the amplifier 12. Reference numeral 14 denotes a sample holder which converts the analog image signal separated by the synchronization separation circuit 13 into a sampling clock SC sent from the control unit 15.
Sample and hold each time.

Reference numeral 16 denotes an A / D converter, which is a sample holder 1
The analog image signal sampled and held in step 4 is converted into, for example, an 8-bit digital image signal. Reference numeral 17 denotes a separation circuit which further converts the synchronization signal separated by the synchronization separation circuit 13 into a horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC and a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC.
Separate into C. The separated horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC and vertical synchronization signal VSYNC are sent to the control unit 15. 18a
Is a register for storing, for example, an 8-bit digital image signal A / D-converted by the latch clock LC1 sent from the control unit 15.

Reference numeral 18b denotes a register which receives, for example, an 8-bit digital image signal from the driver receiver 19 and stores it in accordance with the latch clock LC2 sent from the control unit 15. Reference numeral 20 denotes a D / A converter, which converts, for example, an 8-bit digital image signal stored in the register 18b into an analog image signal.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a mixer, which is an analog image signal output from the D / A converter 20, a horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC1 and a vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC1 output from the control unit 15.
Are mixed to generate a video signal (NTSC signal).
A video driver 22 transfers a video signal output from the mixer 21 to the VTR 3 via the switch 11b. Reference numeral 23 denotes a control signal driver receiver, which controls a command signal and a status signal sent from the VTR 3 by the control unit 1.
5 and a driver for transferring a command signal to the VTR 3. Reference numeral 24 denotes a bus driver which transfers the status signal of the VCU 1 sent from the control unit 15 to the bus 39. Reference numeral 25 denotes a bus receiver, which receives command information indicating the state on the host side from the bus 39 and transfers the command information to the control unit 15.

Next, the input / output processing operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of an input / output processing procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
In addition, (1) to (30) indicate each step.

A case where a video signal from the TV camera 4 is transferred to the host will be described.

First, the host 31 is notified that the VCU 1 is ready (1). As a result, the host detects that the VCU 1 is in the ready state, and writes a read mode command and a TV camera mode command to the VCU 1 from the host. Next, VCU1 is sent from the host.
Issue a start command to. The VCU 1 waits for the start command to be sent (2). When the start command is sent, the VCU 1 determines whether the ready command set by the host has been confirmed (3). The indicated changeover switch 11a is opened (4).

[0023] Then, VCU1 determines whether the TV camera mode (5), connect the YES if changeover switch 11a to the terminal T ₁ side (6), the TV camera 4 by the amplifier 12 shown in FIG. 3 The video signal (NTSC signal) transmitted from the A / D converter is amplified and separated into an analog image signal and a sync signal by a sync separation circuit 13, and the sync signal is further separated by a separation circuit 17 into a horizontal sync signal HSYNC and a vertical sync signal VSYNC. It is sent to the control unit 15.

Next, the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC becomes "1".
(7), and when the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC rises, waits for the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC to become "0" (8), and waits for the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC to become "1". (9), the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYN
When C rises, the process waits for the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC to become "0" (10), and then waits for the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC.
When the NC falls, the control unit 15 sends the sampling clock SC of the video signal to the sample holder 14. In response, the sample holder 14 converts the input analog image signal into an ON-O signal of the sampling clock SC.
The analog image signal held and sampled and held in accordance with the FF is converted into, for example, an 8-bit digital image signal by the A / D converter 16 shown in FIG. The latch is performed in accordance with the ON-OFF state of the latch clock LC sent from the controller 15.

Further, the 8-bit digital image signal latched in the register is supplied to the driver receiver 1 by the enable signals BE and DR sent from the control unit 15.
9. Transfer to the reader / printer interface 32, that is, the host side via the cable 1a, and (1)
1) The controller 15 outputs a strobe signal indicating that data has been determined to the host via the driver receiver 19.

On the other hand, the VCU 1 repeats the operation of step (11) until the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC sent from the TV camera 4 becomes "1" (12), and the horizontal synchronization signal H
When the SYNC becomes "1", the fact that one line of the video signal sent from the TV camera 4 has been completed is notified to the host via the driver receiver 19 and the cable 1a (13).

Next, it is determined whether or not the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC sent from the TV camera 4 is "0" (14). If YES, the process returns to step (10) and returns to step (10).
If O, the transfer of the video signal of one frame is completed, so the control unit 15 informs the host that the data transfer of one frame has been completed by the driver receiver 19,
The notification is made via the cable 1a (15).

The start command set in the control unit 15 is reset. In response to this, the VCU 1 finishes taking in the video signal from the TV camera 4 and transferring the data to the host, and notifies the host that the VCU 1 is in the ready state.

Next, the operation of transferring the video signal recorded from the VTR 3 to the host will be described.

First, the host 31 notifies the host WS 31 that the VCU 1 is ready (1). As a result, the host detects that the VCU 1 is in the ready state, and writes commands in the read mode and the VTR mode from the host to the VCU 1. Next, the host issues a start command to VCU1. The VCU 1 waits for the start command to be sent (2). When the start command is sent, the VCU 1 determines whether or not the ready command set by the host has been confirmed (3).
The changeover switch 11a is opened (4).

[0031] Then, VCU1 determines whether the TV camera mode (5), since NO, and connects the switch 11a to the terminal T ₂ side (16), or VTR3 is ready, It waits for the ready signal to be transmitted from the VTR 3 via the control signal driver receiver 23 shown in FIG. 3 (17). When the ready signal is transmitted, the VTR 3 issues a playback command to the VTR 3 via the control signal driver receiver 23 shown in FIG. A signal is output (18). Next, it is detected whether the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC separated from the video signal transmitted from the VTR 3 is "1" (7), and "1" is detected.
If it is, it waits until the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC becomes "0" (8). Hereinafter, the same operation as in the TV camera mode is performed.

Next, the operation of recording a digital image signal processed on the host side in the VTR 3 will be described.

First, the host 31 is notified that the VCU 1 is in the ready state (1). As a result, the host detects that VCU1 is in the ready state, and writes a write mode command and a VTR mode command to VCU1 from the host. Next, the host issues a start command to VCU1. The VCU 1 waits for the start command to be sent (2). When the start command is sent, the VCU 1 determines whether or not the read mode has been set by the host (3).

[0034] In this case becomes NO so the write mode is set, as well as connecting the switch 11b, connecting the changeover switch 11a to the terminal T ₁ side (1
9). Next, it waits for a ready signal sent from the VTR 3 via the control signal driver receiver 23 (20),
When the ready signal is transmitted, a recording command is output to the VTR 3 via the control signal driver receiver 23 (2).
1).

Next, in response to the recording command to the VTR 3, a ready signal sent from the VTR 3 via the control signal driver receiver 23 is waited for (22).
Is sent to the mixer 21 (23), and an ON / OFF signal of the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC1 is sent to the mixer 21 (24). Next, a data transfer request command signal is output to the host side (25).

Next, it waits for a digital image signal corresponding to the data transfer request to be transmitted to the bus 39 (2).
6) If it exists on the bus 39, the control unit 15 outputs the enable signals BE and DR to the driver receiver 19, and sends the digital image signal from the reader / printer interface 32 to the internal bus (not shown) of the VCU 1. The 8-bit digital image signal is latched in the register in the data switch 18 by the ON / OFF signal of the fetch and latch clock LC2.

When the digital image signal is latched in the register, a data reception end command is output to the host (27). The 8-bit digital image signal latched in the register in the data switch 18 shown in FIG. 3 is converted into an analog image signal by the D / A converter 20 and transmitted from the control unit 15 by the subsequent mixer 21. The horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC1 and the vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC1 are mixed with the analog image signal to form a video signal (NTSC).
Signal) is created, and the VTR is
Record on magnetic tape No. 3.

Next, it is determined whether a video signal for one line has been transmitted (28). If NO, the process returns to step (25). If YES, it is further determined whether a video signal for one frame has been transmitted. Judge (29).
If the determination is NO, the process returns to step (24), and Y
In the case of ES, the control signal driver receiver 2
3 and outputs the end command to the host side, resets the start command set in the control unit 15 (30), and ends the recording operation to the VTR 3 in the same manner as described above. .

In FIG. 1, instead of the VTR 3,
If a video printer is connected, a hard copy of an image read by the TV camera 4 or an image after image processing can be printed out. Further, in the A / D converter 16 shown in FIG. 3, if a predetermined pseudo gray image processing is executed even for a binary image, a pseudo gray image signal can be transmitted to the host.

When an analog image signal is converted into a digital image signal, a pseudo halftone can be expressed by converting it into a binary value using a single or a plurality of threshold values. Further, it is possible to convert a digital image signal into multi-valued data.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the receiving means receives the video signal transmitted from the television camera, the converting means converts the received video signal into a digital image signal and stores it in the storage means, so that the image information inputted on the workstation can be easily processed. This has the effect that digital processing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating an image information processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a VCU illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an input / output processing procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an input / output processing procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 VCU 1a Cable 2 Power supply 3 VTR 4 TV camera 11a Changeover switch 11b Changeover switch 12 Amplifier 13 Synchronization separation circuit 14 Sample holder 15 Control unit 16 A / D converter 17 Separation circuit 18a Register 18b Register 19 Driver receiver 20 D / A conversion Device 21 mixer 22 video driver 23 control signal driver receiver 24 bus driver 25 bus receiver 31 WS 41 reader 45 printer

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 21, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Title of the Invention] Digital video signal processing apparatus

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a digital video signal processor.
The present invention relates to a processing device .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0002

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, data of images captured by a camera has been developed.
With digitalization, digital images are edited by computer
Gathering systems are being developed.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0003

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0003]

However, such The object of the invention is to be Solved
Inevitably, systems become large.
won.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0004

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to transfer a captured image from a camera to a computer.
Digital data output on bus and processed by computer
Sending video signals onto a computer bus
A digital display that enables
It is an object to provide a video signal processing device .

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Digital according to the present invention
The video signal processing device transmits digital video signals.
And a transmission mode, wherein the transmission mode is a first mode.
Sometimes digital video according to the captured image from the camera
The signal is output to the bus of a computer having an image processing function.
The transmission means, in the second mode,
Digital video signal processed by the computer
This is sent to the recorder.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

According to the present invention, transmission of a digital video signal is performed.
And transmission means for performing the first mode.
At the time of loading, the digital video corresponding to the captured image from the camera
Video signal on a computer bus with image processing function
And the transmission means outputs the signal in the second mode.
Digital video signals processed by a computer
It has a configuration to send to digital recorder,
Digital video by transmission means for transmitting video signals
Input signal to the computer bus, and
Video of digital video signal processed by computer
Any of the processes of sending to the recorder can be realized.
In addition, the transmission means can be shared.
The arrangement can be reduced.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a digital diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image information processing system to which a video signal processing device can be applied .

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 2 shows a digital video signal according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating an image information processing system to which the processing device can be applied , and the same components as those in FIG.

[Procedure amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0020

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a digital video signal according to the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an input / output procedure of the signal processing device . In addition, (1) to (30) indicate each step.

[Procedure amendment 12]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0041

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Having transmission means for transmitting digital video signals,
In the first mode, the transmission means captures an image from a camera.
An image processing function for digital video signals corresponding to the image
Output on a bus of a computer,
In the second mode, the data is processed by the computer.
For sending a digital video signal to a video recorder
Transmission for digital video signal transmission.
Computer bus for digital video signal by sending means
Input processing to the computer and data processed by the computer.
Of sending digital video signal to video recorder
Processing can be realized, and transmission means can be shared.
It is possible to reduce the device configuration satisfactorily.
It has the effect of cutting.

[Procedure amendment 13]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Fig. 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 1 is a digital video signal showing one embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image information processing system to which a processing device can be applied .

[Procedure amendment 14]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 2 shows a digital video signal processing apparatus according to the present invention;
1 is an external view illustrating an available image information processing system.

[Procedure amendment 15]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Fig. 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an input / output procedure of the digital video signal processing device according to the present invention.

[Procedure amendment 16]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Fig. 5

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an input / output procedure of the digital video signal processing device according to the present invention.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image information processing system in which a workstation performs required processing on an image signal input from an image reading means, and receives a video signal transmitted from a television camera for converting a captured image into a video signal. Means, conversion means for converting the video signal received by the reception means into a digital image signal, storage means for temporarily storing the digital image signal converted by the conversion means, and stored in the storage means Output control means for transmitting the digital image signal onto a bus of the workstation.