JPS59186065A - Method and apparatus for extracting picture information - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To extract picture information of a position designated optionally depending on the objective of application by providing a device with a picture output means outputting picture information of an image stored in a memory to a visual image and a picture information extracting means. CONSTITUTION:When a picture B desired to be extracted exists in a screen A, since the 1st designating position is a point P, line segments b, c are displayed by a straight line generating circuit 25 of a display unit DU2. Then, the circuit 25 displays line segments d, e by the information of the 2nd position designating point Q. Thus, a visual image B of the screen A is surrounded by a rectangle (f) comprising the line segments b, c, d, e. When a picture in the rectangle (f) is a desired picture, an extracting command of picture information is generated from a pointing device. Since a control section 24 receiving the said command extracts the picture information in the rectangle (f) in accordance with the command from a CPU1 and transfers it to the CPU1, because the relation of X1<X2 and Y1<Y2 is established as to the two points P and Q subject to position designation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to an image information extraction device and extraction method. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image information extraction device and extraction method capable of specifying a part of a visible image and extracting image information corresponding thereto, thereby obtaining an image of a desired part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, image processing by computers has been widely performed. In this case, the TV right camera is used to collect the original image,
Image information is obtained by converting the gray scale of the sampled image signal into digital information quantized into several bits, and arranging this digital information two-dimensionally according to the order of the scanning lines. The basic image processing performed by a computer is filtering processing. These include smoothing processing for removing noise components of the collected image information, and sharpening processing for extracting features of the image.

The next processing is, for example, processing for obtaining an image output with improved image quality, or feature extraction processing for image recognition. The information on the original image collected in this way is sequentially processed by a computer to improve the image quality or convert it into image information in a form that is easy to recognize and process by the computer.

Such image processing is normally performed only on images of the region of interest to the operator. Furthermore, according to the prior art, image processing is often performed in a configuration in which the TV right camera information processing device is integrated, and acquisition of an original image and subsequent processing are performed in real time. Therefore, in order to obtain image information of an area of interest, either align the TV right camera field of view almost with the target symmetrical area, or synchronize the image information when the symmetrical area enters a predetermined position in the field of view. It was something to extract. The image information of a desired region is not extracted by the operator specifying an arbitrary region of the captured image. Generally, information about the acquired original image is stored once in memory for later computer processing. In some cases, this information is not processed immediately but is filed in an external storage device and later selectively recalled and used as needed.

Such devices are not intended for real-time image processing, but rather are used as a research tool to realize the above-mentioned image processing method; The field of view was limited depending on the purpose.

Purpose The present invention has been made in view of the background of the above-mentioned prior art, and its purpose is to extract image information of an arbitrarily designated part from the visible image output of image information according to the purpose of use. The object of the present invention is to propose an extraction device for image information that can be extracted and provided.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a method for extracting image information that is easy to extract by enclosing a specific part of a visible image with a simple operation.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the embodiment.

In the figure, 1 is a central deprocessing unit (CPU) that handles the main control, 2 is a display unit (DU) that outputs a visible image, 3ii is an image sensor (IR) for collecting original images, and 4 is a visible Pointing device (PD) for inputting position designation for the image and accompanying 7A/Faction commands; 5 for inputting gearpad (KU); 6 for storing the collected original image as a file for a disk unit (DISK); 7 as described above. This is the system path of the CPUI that connects the device.

The operation of the above configuration will be explained in detail below.

First, IR3 collects an image. At this time, the intensity signal of the light is converted into an electric signal according to the scanning line, and further converted by an AD converter into a parallel signal for each image. Pitno'? The parallel signal C is pixel information indicating the density of the pixel, and these are C in the order according to the scanning line.
Image information is formed by temporarily storing it in a memory within the PUI. This image information may be immediately displayed on the DU 2 and converted into a visible image, but it may also be filed as is on the DISK 6 and recalled later for use. DISK
6, a plurality of pieces of image information already collected in this way are filed. And these general instruction operations are
It is done through. The operator then disables the DIS if necessary.
Select and call up the image information of Kijuku from K6 and convert it into a visible image of DU2.

Here, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the configuration of DU2.

In the figure, 21 is a CRT of raster scan display type.

22 is a display circuit that performs brightness modulation using a video signal and a raster scanning signal, and includes a DA converter that converts input pixel information into a video signal; 23 is a VRAM that stores image information of images according to the scanning order; be. 24 is a display control unit that performs main control of DU2. One of the main controls is VRAM 2 according to the horizontal synchronization signal from the display circuit 22.
3 is updated, and control is performed so that a visible image is repeatedly obtained on the screen of the CRT 21. Reference numeral 26 denotes a position designation register that holds coordinate values according to the XY coordinate axes of the screen, and this value is set by position designation information input from the PD 4. Since the position designation operation is performed for at least two points, the register of the embodiment also has first and second position designation registers. First, when the MLM4 value (Xl, Yl) is set in the first position designation register, the straight line generation circuit 25 is activated. 1■ The judgment generation circuit 25 receives input coordinate values (XI, Y
l) V? :, therefore y=Yl.

This is a circuit that generates a direct Js turn signal where x = X1. More specifically, on the display screen A of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, raster a. iJ: 4 points are the X coordinates.

This is caused by scanning from XH toward XH. And the Y coordinate value at this time is y. It is. One screen is constructed by repeating such scanning to the Y-axis coordinate value ym. Therefore, the linear pattern signal of 7=Y1 is Y1
It is easily generated using a pattern signal that lights up one scanning line on the screen. Further, the p4 turn signal of a straight line where x = Another main control is to have Y-axis and Y-axis coordinate counters that operate in synchronization with the scanning lines, and to output the values of the counters to the linear generation circuit 25. The straight line generation circuit 25 receives counter value input and position designation coordinate values (Xi,
Yl) to generate orthogonal ff# pattern signals at the specified coordinate positions. The display control section 24 outputs this linear i4 turn signal to the display circuit 22, where the linear no turn signal is superimposed on the video signal so as to give a DC bias. An example of the display is shown in FIG. 4 (G).

Here, a case is shown in which there is an image B to be extracted in screen A. Since the first designated position is point P, line segments c and c are displayed. Next, when second position designation information is input, its value is set in the second position designation register. The straight line generation circuit 25 has a second comparison circuit that compares the value of the second position designation register and the value of the coordinate counter. The straight line pattern signals output from each comparison circuit are logically gated in the display control section 24. Figure 4 (The island shows a display/example when the second position designation input is made. In the figure, the second designation point is Q, and above it is 5.
F, line segments d and e are shown. Therefore, the visible image B of the screen A is surrounded by a rectangle f made up of line segments bjc'#d#e. If the operator desires the image surrounded by the rectangle f, the operator issues an image information extraction command from the PD 4. Next, the display control section 24 receives this command and performs the following control. Two points P(X
l, Yl) and Q (X2, Y2), respectively
<X2. Yl<Y2 holds true. Therefore, the display control section 24
extracts the image information of the area surrounded by the rectangle f according to a command from the CPU 1 and transfers it to the CPU 1. In this manner, first, when the X1-th scan starts, the X1-th to X2-th pixel information is transferred to the CPUI in synchronization with the scan. This is repeated in the same manner until the Y2nd scan is completed.

Such two-point position specification can be performed for any arbitrary position. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the two points on the screen is determined and controlled by the display control section 24 as follows. Fifth
The figure is a flowchart showing this determination and control. In the figure, the first position designation input is (Xl, Yl), and the next position designation input is (X2.Y2). These position designation input operations are performed by moving a cursor (not shown) in response to a signal from the PD 4 and pressing a designated function key at a desired position. Step 1
Then, it is determined whether the conditions X1=X2 or Y1=Y2 are satisfied. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step 2, and pixel information located in the designated area on the X-axis or Y-axis is extracted. This function allows images to be transferred frame by frame.

If the determination is NO, the process branches to steps 3, 5, 7, and 9. The branching conditions are shown in steps 3, 5, and 7.9. For example, when branching to step 9,
XI<X2. If the condition is yt>Y2, the process further proceeds to step 10 to extract and transfer the X1-th to X2-th pixel information for scanning lines Y2 to Yl. The rest is the same, a rectangle is formed in any case, and the two specified points correspond to diagonal positions of the rectangle.

There may be three or more such position designation inputs.

For example, to describe the operation when specifying 4 points, in FIG. 4 0, points R (Xl, Yl), 5 (X2.Y2).

Position designation input is performed in the order of T (X3.Y3) and U (X4.Y4). Next, the image information of image C and image 2 is extracted by an extraction command from PD4.

Later, the operator may combine these images C and D in any way in the CPU 1.

Second Embodiment In the operation of the above embodiment, a visible image was displayed on the DU2, and position designation information was input from the PD4 while looking at the cursor display. A system configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Here, an X-Y tablet (TAB) 8 is used in place of the PD4, and an image printer (PU) 9 is used in place of the DU2. The illustrated display unit (DU) 10 is used for display purposes. To explain the outline of the system, a visible image of image information held by the CPUI is outputted from the PU 9 onto plain paper. Next, the paper on which the image is printed is placed at a predetermined position on TAB 8, and the tip of the input pen specifies an arbitrary position on the image.

The tablet board under the paper transmits the position information of the pen tip to the CPU.
Since the information is notified to I, image information can be similarly extracted according to the flowchart of FIG.

Effects As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to extract stroke information of an arbitrary part from the visible image output with a simple operation. Even if the visible image output is a display output from a CRT,
Alternatively, it may be printed out to an image printer. Using the display output makes extraction work more efficient in real time. On the other hand, when using print output, there is an advantage that sufficient pre-processing can be performed, such as outputting a large number of various types of images in advance and examining the extraction site on a desk.

Further, according to the present invention, there is no restriction on the field of view when acquiring the original image. It is possible to extract multiple (arbitrary parts) from the sampled original image and later combine them to provide extracted image information that makes it easy to edit the image according to the purpose.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration of the display unit of the embodiment, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the display screen, FIG. 4 Q is an explanatory diagram of the display example, Figure 4 (G) is an explanatory diagram of a display example, and Figure 4C) is an explanatory diagram of a display example. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the discrimination and control of the display control section, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the second embodiment. Here, 1...Central processing unit 2...Display unit 3...Image reader 4...Bointing device chair 5...Keyboard controller...Disk unit 7...System bus 8... ...XY tablet 9...image printer 10...display unit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Image output means for outputting image information of an image stored in a memory as a visible image; position input means for inputting position information of at least two points with respect to the visible image; An image information extraction device comprising an image information extraction means for extracting the image information corresponding to the visible image of a region surrounded by a rectangle having two points as diagonal positions. 2. An image output means for outputting image information of an image stored in a memory as a visible image; a position person and force means for inputting position information of at least two points with respect to the visible image; In an image information extraction device comprising image information extraction means for extracting the image information corresponding to the visible image of a region surrounded by a rectangle defined as a corner position, 1, by a first position designation input from the position input means; The line segment that is directly fired on the first point specified is the two sides, and the line segment that is directly fired on the second point specified by the second position designation input is the remaining two sides. A method for extracting image information, comprising the step of extracting the image information corresponding to the visible image of a region that forms a rectangle and is surrounded by the rectangle.