JPS5990161A - Method and device for forming composite picture - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a composite picture having a vignetted part near the boundary line as well as a picture signal in a short time by giving a correction so as to vary smoothly the density of the picture element near the boundary line of a composite picture without losing the picture information. CONSTITUTION:A vignette mask signal Sa having a relation to be turned into a complement at an arithmetic part 8 is produced from an optional vignette mask signal Sb stored in a sub-memory 7 under the control of a host computer 16. Then the signal Sb is multiplied by pictures B and C stored in a main memory 14 to obtain the picture signals B and A having vignetted contours. These pictures are multiplied with the signal Sa to obtain a picture signal. These picture signals are superposed each other within the part 8. Thus it is possible to obtain a picture signal of a composite picture obtained by varying smoothly the density of picture elements near the boundary of both pictures and with an optional changing factor. The composite picture signal is converted to a D/A converter 11 and displayed on a color monitor 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for combining a plurality of Wri images consisting of light and dark pixels to obtain one combined image.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining a combined image or a combined/U image signal in which the pixel density near the boundary line of A is corrected to make the difference in density between both images gentle.

Inserting one or more other images into one image or overlapping .

When forming such a combined image, if there is a difference in the @ elementary density of both Pi images near the boundary of the combined image, the M This may cause a sense of discomfort.

Conventionally, one method to eliminate the above disadvantages is to
Smoothing processing was performed using an electronic III calculator. This conventional snow treatment method includes, for example, the first
If you want to fit only the LJ aircraft parked at the airport as shown in Figure 2 into an image of the sky with floating clouds (not shown in the figure), the outline of the airplane as shown in Figure 3 will be drawn from the positioning in Figure 2. The mask creation process involves creating a 1-bit cutout mask with the outside of the outline at level (] using Level Level, and the layout in which the image of the airplane part in Figure 2 is used to determine where to place it in the image in Figure 1 using the mask. The combined image is created by averaging the image information in the vicinity along the outline of the plane that has been laid out and combined, or by using a method that does not fully use the original image information, such as a two-point interpolation method. It consisted of a smoothing process without blurring the areas near the boundaries.

- Each of the above steps is performed by a scanner system (an image processing system using a computer), but in conventional systems, the image information that can be displayed on a color monitor, which plays an important role in image processing, is There was a limit depending on the size of memory. Therefore, the huge amount of image fp information is compressed or thinned out and displayed on a C color monitor to make it easier to process. Of course,
The processed information must be converted into optical source data (ViA image information manually input from the scanner or output to the scanner).

Sometimes this conversion is easy, and sometimes it is difficult or impossible. In the latter case, the source data is displayed on a color monitor, but since the entire source data cannot be stored in the image memory, it is divided into multiple sections and then displayed on the color monitor for work. ing. The smoothing step in the conventional method described above corresponds to the case where the above conversion is difficult. In the conventional method, since averaging and interpolation between two points are performed after synthesis using a one-old t mask, it is not possible to include information from both images in the blurred portion.

17t, the smoothing process according to the conventional method was carried out by calling the source data of the combined image into a color monitor in many parts. Therefore, it took μ time and was inconvenient.

Furthermore, although the density of a portion smoothed by the IM method is corrected to have a gentle slope when viewed cross-sectionally, it has the disadvantage that the original image information based on shading is not utilized.

In view of the above points, the present invention corrects the pixel density constituting the image near the boundary line of a combination/one image so as to change smoothly at an arbitrary conversion rate without losing image information. The object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for obtaining a combined image and image signal in a short time.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 29.

A case will be described in which a combination of four images AB as shown in FIG. 7 is obtained by inserting image B of a specific portion of image C in FIG. 6 into image A in FIG. 5. In this case, images Δ and B are color images or monochrome images, and each image is composed of pixels having 256 levels of density.

The pixel densities on both sides of the boundary line 1 of the combination υ image AB are picked up at appropriate locations L, as shown in Figure 8 (a).
As shown in (B) and (C), there are areas where the density of image 13 is higher than image 13 (Figure A), areas where the density of images 8 and B are equal (Figure 2), and conversely, image 13 has a higher density than image 13iii. Generally, they are unevenly distributed in various ways, such as in high areas (Figure C).

Figure 9 corresponds to case (a) in Figure ff18, where the density of 8 images is point E and the density of db'7'A image is F.
When da (db>da) at a point, the density of pixels between point F of the image and border l is increased one by one from the boundary line l to the boundary line l, and the image is imaged at point E (density of JRB). It shows that it is equal to ).

In this case, the value of a is said to be blurred.

Fig. 10 shows one method of obtaining the concentration gradient ♀1 line old in Fig. 9, in which the vertical component dx of ΔElll is added to the K of ΔFlll.
(It is obtained by connecting the dp points to which the component dx' is added. Figures 1I and 12 are the decomposition of the constituent elements of Figure 1O. B' consists of a group of extrapolated pixels whose density decreases and becomes O at position a.
It shows a BWJ image with areas added. FIG. 11 shows an APi image in which the WA element density is sequentially decreased from the pixels of the image a distance a inward from the boundary line I toward the boundary line. In addition,
Portion B' in FIG. 11 is made up of pixels with a density slope of -.constant, while portion A' in FIG. However, in reality, the different pixel densities at each point are multiplied by a fixed density conversion rate to obtain "ζ, so it has been modified to include image information +11 to the image. This density 5 & 4A rate The old line in Figure 9 is actually not a straight line, but a curve calculated from the image information of the corresponding part of the image and the density conversion rate. It is common that

Figure 13 is Bit! This shows a case where the density of the image is higher than that of the image ii, and in this case, as shown in Fig. 14, from the boundary line I to a only, from point F on both image sides to boundary line 1. This shows that the density of a certain pixel is gradually lowered until it becomes equal to the density of both images B at point F.

Figure 15~! Figure 'n17 shows the same content as Figures 10 to 12. Figures 18 and 19 are images A
This shows the case where the densities of both images B and B are equal. In this case, no change is seen in the results even if the concentration is corrected.

In the present invention, an arithmetic unit is used to create the ζII addition part B' (consisting of a group of pixels extrapolated to g!) described in BM, and the B' part is a blurred part a set as necessary. A percentage density conversion rate that gradually decreases from 10()% to 0% is obtained by positioning the density value multiplied by the density db of the 73pi image at regular intervals within the range of . The rate may be changed linearly -U or may be changed curved C. In both cases shown, a concentration conversion rate that changes linearly is used.

The A' portion of the image shown in FIG. 11 is obtained by multiplying the density of each point between FG of the image A by the complement of the density conversion rate used to form the B' portion. The A' portion obtained by this includes the image information of the original A.

Image B (first
1) and image A (Fig. 12), which has part A', are combined so that the blurred parts overlap, resulting in an image as shown in Fig. 9. The density of the part where only the blurred part (the middle part of the blur) is from da to d
b gradually increases toward concentration side fA1. Combination iI such that it forms dI! ! The image is obtained. In addition, 8
Setting the blurring medium a on the image side can also be carried out in the same manner as in the method described in 2.

” 1. When a combination of one image is formed according to the present invention, the image information of the blurred middle image is 41. It has the characteristic that the density is converted and the liquid is poured while it is in the darkened state. Further, it has the advantage that the same operation can be performed regardless of whether the density of the images to be combined is on either side or even if there is no difference in density in some areas.

Next, a more specific method and apparatus for obtaining the above-mentioned combined image or combined 20-image signal will be explained.

ff! FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention, and the method and apparatus of the present invention will be explained with reference to this figure. In addition, in the following explanation, the fifth
Figure v! fJIP! ζ is mainly used to fit and combine image B in FIG. 6 into Δ.

To obtain an image signal of a combined image or a combined image using the apparatus of the present invention, the following three different methods can be adopted. The first method is to directly create and use an 8-bit cutout mask without creating a 1-bit cutout mask, and the second method is to create a 1-bit cutout mask and then use it. This method uses the programmable cursor 5 to perform automatic discounting and converts it into an 8-bit pokashi mask.The third method is to manually blur only the desired part instead of the second automatic lottery. Hereinafter, methods 1 to 3 will be explained in sequence. The first method is achieved by the following steps 1-1) to 1-4).

1-1) External storage means 1 such as magnetic disk or magnetic tape
The image information stored in 5 can be transferred to the host computer using the keyboard 4! 6, necessary image information is input to the input control device 6, written into the main memory 14 as source data or as JE compressed data, and then stored in the main memory 4. Both statues 1
3. Display a cross-shaped cursor on the color monitor I2 to display the output position and blurring of C and the programmable cursor 5, and move the center of the cross-shaped cursor to the boundary line of both 1#B and C on the color monitor. As shown in FIG. 21, the electronic Ben 3 is moved on the digitizer table, and the contents of the programmable cursor 5, in which information such as blur width and blur shape is stored in advance, are sequentially stored in the sub memory 7, as shown in FIG. Create a masking signal sb. This positive mask is formed as an 8-bit mask so that 256 density signal levels can be obtained. Also, when a pokashi mask is created in the secondary memory 7, the color monitor]
2, a corrected 8 image with a blurred image part B' as shown in FIG. Only images can be displayed. Therefore, I can tell you about the completion of the °C work and the quality of the finish. Note that the above confirmation work can be performed even during the work.

1-2) Host computer 16 with keyboard 4
Under the control of A blurring mask signal Sa (FIG. 22) having a complementary relationship of 8 is generated, and then the image A signal is multiplied by the blurring masking signal S8 to generate an image signal for the corrected image as shown in FIG. obtain.

1-3) An image 41 in which the outline obtained by multiplying the images B and C stored in the memory 14 by the dr can mask signal sb is sharpened? , B and the image signal obtained by multiplying the image A stored in the main memory 14 by the pokashi mask signal Sj'Sa, are superimposed in the arithmetic unit 8, An image signal of a combination of one image is obtained which is smoothly visualized at a rate of change of .

1-4) The above-mentioned combined image signal is converted by the digital-to-analog converter 11 and displayed on the color monitor 12, or a combined image or its latent image is obtained on the photosensitive surface through an electro-optical converter (not shown). color sonitor 12
After confirming the processing effect, the image-processed combined image information can be stored in the main memory 14 or the external storage means 15 by the output control device 9.

The second method using a 1-bit mask is then accomplished as follows.

2-1) Output of the programmable cursor 5 in which blur tn information such as blurring, blurred shape, etc. is stored for the 1-bit mask tn J:j that has already been created by the conventional method and stored in the secondary memory 7. Input signal control device 6
automatically sweep over the 1-bit mask signal via
An 8-bit/7-speed mask signal 5b2 (FIG. 21) is created in the sub memory 7.

Step 1 after creating a pokashi mask is 1 of the first method described above.
-2) to 1-4) are sequentially executed to obtain a combined image signal or a combined image.

This second method is extremely convenient when the contours of the eight images to be fitted have geometric shapes.

The third method is a method suitable for not blurring the entire boundary of the combined image, but only partially blurring,
This is particularly effective when two image formats B are placed side by side and you want to focus only on the areas where they touch.

3-1) Create a 1-bit mask.

3-2) Trace only a desired portion of the 1-bit mask with a programmable cursor to create a blurring mask sb partially having 256 levels.

3-3) Obtain the image signal of image A corrected by the same method as (1-2>).

3-4> The image signal of image B and the image signal of image A corrected by the same method as in (1-3) are superimposed to obtain the image signal of one image.

3-5> By the same method as in (1-4), the image can be displayed on a color monitor, or the combination L! Both images or their latent images are obtained.

Next, use the programmable cursor mentioned above to
The method for creating the throat mask signal will be explained in more detail.

Although the programmable cursor 5 can output in any pattern, in the following description it is assumed that the programmable cursor 5 has concentric output zones as shown in FIG. 24. The output zones in Figure 24 are 255/255, 150/255, 1
It is divided into 00/255.50/255 zones.

The case of manually creating an 8-bit precision mask using a programmable cursor having output zones 1-1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29.

Moving the electronic pen 3 on the digitizer table while aligning the output center 16 of the programmable cursor with the boundary line 1 of image type B (as shown in FIG. Bands of concentration levels are formed.

Use the electronic pen to go around the boundary cotton of B, and use the inside of it as a rubel (255/255). can get.

Note that the output of the programmable cursor 5 is stored in the secondary memory 7.
When writing to , the already stored value and the newly output value are always compared and only the larger value is stored. This operation is performed by the manual control device (:) shown in FIG.

Next, a case will be described in which an 8-bit mask signal is obtained by automatically sweeping the 1-pitch 1 mask with the rI grammar pull cursor, which is not shown in FIG.

As shown in Fig. 25, the programmable cursor 5 moves in the direction of the arrow, and when the first level (g) is detected, the programmable cursor 5 moves in the direction of the arrow.
Level values of 0/255, 100/255.50/255 are outputted concentrically into the sub-memory-7. However, in FIG. 26, the output values of the programmable cursor are expressed only in one column parallel to the moving direction of the cursor. When the programmable cursor moves to the next step, the next level signal is detected. The output of the programmable cursor is output as shown in line 02, which is shifted by one step.

Thereafter, the same output continues while the programmable cursor detects the level. When the 0 level is detected, the programmable cursor does not output. The output value of the programmable cursor and the value stored in the sub-memory-7 are compared at each step, and the larger value is written into the sub-memory-7. The folded cotton in the lower part of FIG. 26 shows the value obtained by method 1-) and finally stored in the sub-memory-7.

``1. When the programmable cursor sweeps the entire surface of the 1-bit mask shown in Fig. 24, the output of the programmable cursor is made concentrically, only the maximum value of the output signal is recorded, and the 1-bit mask is Inward 2! NJ/ 2551' By coloring and crushing with the bell, as shown in Figure 27, around the 255/ 255 level range 150/ 255, 100/ 25
5,,5 (1/255 level each zone surrounds 8-bit pokashi mask mode. 150/2
The sum of the zones 55, 100/255, and 50/255 forms the blur width a.

In addition, in the explanation written in -, the middle fl circle of blur is 150/25
5, 100/2! 'i5.50/I only talked about 3 zones of 255 level, but this kl explanation is simple +1t
This zone corresponds to the capability of the programmable cursor.
In the meantime, it is necessary to set ゛ζ to an appropriate value and an appropriate number. The numerical values for each zone described above correspond to the concentration conversion ratios described in the claims and elsewhere.

As a variation of the method described in 1-1, without aligning the outline of the image or the 1-bit mask with the output center of the programmable cursor;
It is also possible to create an 8-bit mask with a blur width spanning both.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 4 are explanatory diagrams of a method of combining images by a conventional method (the method of eliminating boundaries of images; Figure 5 is a combination used to explain the present invention - one image forming part 1 image). Figure A, Figure 6 are the same (Figure 7 is a diagram showing image C including another image B to be combined, Figure 7 is a diagram in which the BiW image is assembled into the Afilli image, Figure fJIJ8 is (A), (b) and (c) are diagrams showing the density difference between both images across the boundary line of the combined image,
Figure 9 is a diagram showing the level of density between the two combined images, which has been made gentler.
11th diagram showing a method for obtaining the concentration slope line d1 shown in the diagram.
The figure is a partial diagram showing the magnitude of the density of the eight images whose density has been corrected by height, Figure 12 is a partial diagram of both images A shown in the same way as Figure 11, and Figures 13 to 17 are AWJ images. Image density is BP
Each figure corresponding to FIGS. 9 to 12, FIGS. 18 and 19 in the case where the size is larger than the iI image is
An explanatory diagram when the densities of 1i images are the same, m20 diagram is a block diagram of the apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an 8-bit mask, FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an 8-bit mask which is an inversion of FIG. Figure 23 is a diagram showing a 1-bit mask, Figure 24
Figure 1 shows an example of the output pattern of the programmable cursor, Figure 25 is a diagram explaining the state Hμ of automatically sweeping a 1-bit mask with the programmable cursor, and Figure 26 is a numerical table showing part of the output of the programmable cursor. 27 is a diagram showing an 8-bit mask, and FIGS. 28 and 29 are diagrams showing the operation of the pregramma pull cursor along the boundary line of the combined image and the output state at that time. In the figure, Δ and B are images, A' and B' are the density-corrected parts, a is blurred, () and 1 are digital signals, and l
indicates l\level, 0key r1 level, 2 is digitizer table, 3 is electronic pen, 4 is keyboard, 5
6 is a programmable cursor, 6 is an input control device, 7 is a sub-memory, 8 is an arithmetic unit, 11 is a digital-to-analog converter, 12. 14 is a color monitor, I3 is a microcomputer, 115 is an external storage device, and 16 is a host computer. Patent applicant Okuchimoto Ink Chemical] Nigye Co., Ltd. Fan 5 Prisoner
Figure 6 Series 7 Figure 3 Figure '# 9 Business 11 Figure 13 - Figure 2 Tail 22 Go to Figure 1 23 Figure Foil
2 Eat] Bud, 11° Foil 251 Atsushi 26 Figure 27 Hard foil 28 Figure 377-

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In a method of forming a combined image signal by combining image signals of multiple images, the combined and adjacent i
The image density of the area is corrected so that the density of either image within the arbitrary peak from the boundary line of the l image is gradually increased or decreased toward the boundary line, and the density level difference between the two images near the boundary line is corrected. A method for forming a combination image, which is characterized by smoothing the image at an arbitrary rate of change. (2) The method for correcting the image density is such that the extrapolated wi elements having the same density as the density of the pixels touching the boundary line of the first image to be combined cross the boundary line and enter the second image Ij'i area. a
For each pixel signal of the first image from the pixel at the boundary line position to the extrapolated pixel at position a, its density is gradually decreased/Used as appropriate. Multiplying the selected concentration conversion factor, the first
Then, for each pixel signal from the Wq element at position a from the boundary line to the pixel at the boundary line position for the second image, a density conversion rate of 71 is applied to gradually reduce the density.
5 to obtain a second image signal whose density has been corrected, and then the above/
A method for forming a combined image M according to claim 1, characterized in that the method is a method of superimposing an image signal of fR+ that has been corrected by IQ′ and both images of ff12. (3) The combined image signal according to claim 12, wherein the density conversion rate for the second image is in a complementary relationship with the density conversion rate for the first image to be combined. Formation method. (4) A main memory for storing image signals, a sub memory for storing mask signals, a digitizer table,
Cursor, human keyboard, and microphone to control these
J: A programmable cursor with a memory for a clear pattern, reads the necessary mask signals from the sub memory, and sequentially inputs the signals from the programmable cursor, performs comparison operations, creates a clear mask signal, and writes it to the sub memory. a human-powered control unit;
A calculation unit that reads and calculates the pokashi mask signal in the sub memory and the image signal in the main memory, an output control unit that controls the calculation signal, a converter that converts digital signals to analog signals, a color monitor, and a host that controls these. A pokashi mask for blurring the border line by smoothing the density difference between the two images near the boundary line of a silk composite image constructed by a computer, or a combination of two images whose border line is blurred by the pokashi mask. Image signal and combined image forming device.