JPS60258680A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform flexible multiprocessing and to improve operativity by dividing an image processing process into four processes by using the concept of processing points, and setting a parameter for each process. CONSTITUTION:A microprocessor 1 for control is connected to a ROM3 stored with a program for control, a RAM4 stored with variables for control, and an instruction input device 5 such as a keyboard for inputting instructions for control through a bus 2. An image input device 11 input an original image to an image memory (A)6 through an A/D converter 12. A display device 13 displays the contents of an image memory (B)7 through an A/D converter 14. Further, a memory (C)15 is provided to specify a one-screen image area. Thus, four parameters of the scanning method, judgement reference, processing point (element graphic form), and processing contents of the scanning point of the image processing process are set independently to perform image processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to an image processing device that can electronically perform various composite image processing.

<Prior Art> Recently, electronic image processing devices have been proposed that input images from television cameras, video tape recorders, etc., add lines to the images, synthesize other images, and change colors. There is. This type of device does not require paint to create images, and it is very easy to store, partially modify, and reproduce images, so it will be used in the design field in the future. It is thought that it will spread to the fields of art, hobby, etc.

By the way, conventional image creation devices mainly accept handwritten input. For this reason, the usual method for creating an image is to first select a color, specify the thickness of the pen, and then draw a line on the display screen using a Ride pen, digitizer, or the like.

Also, regarding the pen, you can not only change the thickness, but also
There are devices that can draw lines with an air plan-like touch, and others that have a touch like the brush of an oil painting, and devices that can create images on a display that resemble oil paintings have also been announced. However, creating images by hand in this way is very time consuming. In particular, when creating a color gradation image, inputting the color data is difficult because the color data is complex. It also requires a certain amount of drawing talent - it is difficult for the installer to create artistic pictures.

Now, as described above, images can also be input by converting a video signal from a television camera, video tape recorder, or the like. This image input method requires about 1730 seconds to input one image, and can input images much faster than handwritten input.

Therefore, one attractive image creation method is to input the image you want to draw from a television camera or the like, process it with a microprocessor, and convert it into an image similar to an oil painting. According to this method, it is expected that an image resembling an oil painting can be created very quickly and even without drawing talent. Such an image creation method is described in a patent application filed by the same applicant on March 22, 1980 titled "Image Quality Changing Device".
It is also mentioned in.

However, in reality, an easy-to-use system as an image processing device requires more than just a single image quality change function; it also requires a color change function, a screen compositing function, etc. functions must be organically combined. In particular, for various image processing, (1) the processing is performed only on a part of the screen, (2) the processing is performed in an orderly pattern on the screen, and (3) the processing is performed on a specific color on the screen. or (4) perform the processing on the entire screen, such as the edge part of the image, which satisfies the conditions determined by the image data.
(5) Humans provide interactive instructions on where to perform the processing.
.

There are various variations in how to apply a single process such as ``doing''. However, in conventional methods, image processing is not done based on the idea that processing and processing conditions are handled separately.For example, take instructions to blur an image or draw lines. Although there were commands to blur the entire screen or draw lines, it was not possible to perform complex processing such as blurring the lines drawn.

<Object of the Invention> The object of the present invention is to provide image processing with excellent operability, which organically combines various types of image processing, which conventionally existed independently as single-function processing, and performs flexible composite processing. The goal is to provide equipment.

<Summary of the Invention> The image processing handled by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention involves performing processing on a plurality of points instead of one point. Processes that can be performed using this method include changing the color tone,
These include blurring, changing the image quality, and making it black and white. Here, for the sake of explanation, the point at which processing is performed will be referred to as a "processing point."

A feature of the present invention is that, using this concept of processing points, the image processing process is divided into four processes as described below, and parameters are set independently for each process. The four parameters are as follows: 1) How to scan a scanning point 2) Determining whether or not to perform processing on a scanning point 3) Determining a processing point centered on the scanning point to be processed 4) Processing of a processing point It's the content.

<Example> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an apparatus according to the present invention.

The control microprocessor 1 includes, via a bus 2, a ROM 3 that stores a control program, a RAM 4 that stores control variables, and a RAM 4 for inputting control instructions.
It is connected to a command input device 5 such as a keyboard. Furthermore, this bus 2 has two image memories (A) 6. CB)
7 is connected to an external storage device 9 such as a floppy disk or a hard disk via an interface 8. For inputting commands, a coordinate input device 10 such as a digitizer or tablet is used instead of the keyboard, etc.
It is also possible to operate the cursor and select an instruction from the displayed menu.

An image input device 11 for inputting original images such as a television camera, a video tape recorder, a television tuner, a video disk player, etc. inputs the original images to an image memory [16] via a converter 12 that converts an analog signal to a digital signal. Enter an image.

In addition, the display 13 displays an image memo through a converter 14 that converts a digital signal into an analog signal. J
(The contents of Bl 7 are displayed. Also, 15 is an area specification memory fcl for one screen for specifying an area.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing process.

Here, the scanning point is P, and the scanning point to be processed is p r
, the processing point is Qi.

In step 1, an initial value of the scanning point P is set.

This initial value changes depending on the method of scanning the screen at one point P.

In step 2, it is determined whether or not to perform processing at the scanning point P. Conditions for this determination are set in advance as parameters. Here, if it is determined that no processing is to be performed at the scanning point P, the process jumps to step 5. Step 3 is
This is the part that determines the processing point Qi based on the scanning point P' that is to be processed. There is a method for determining the processing point Qi using a small figure called an element figure.

This will be explained using FIG. 3(a) fbl. FIG. 3 (at is an example of an element figure. In this case, the reference point is A, and the element figure is made up of four points B1 to B4 around the reference point A.

When an element figure is drawn using the processing point Qild and the scanning point P' as a reference, these points are included in the element figure. This situation is shown in FIG. 3 Fbl. Q1 to Q4 are processing points (
Dot).

Returning to FIG. 2 again, step 4 is a part in which preset processing is performed on the processing points Q1 to QN (the number of constituent points of the NH element figure) determined in step 3. In step 5, the next scanning point P is calculated according to a preset method.

In step 6, it is determined whether or not to end the process, and if the process is to be continued, the process moves to step 2.

As is clear from the above description, the direct processing process of the present invention includes 1) a scanning method on an image, 2) a criterion for determining whether or not to perform processing at a scanning point, 3) determination of a processing point (element figure), 4) Processing content, has four types of vanameter,
They can be set independently. As a result, composite image processing such as blurring only the edge areas of an image can be easily performed.

There are the following methods for scanning scanning points.

1) Handwritten Scanning This is a method in which the operator directly inputs the coordinates of the scanning point P using a coordinate input device 1o such as a digitizer or tablet. This method is used when writing handwritten characters, changing the color tone, blurring, etc., by directly specifying a location.

2) Calculation scanning This is a method in which the microprocessor 1 calculates the coordinates of a scanning point based on the coordinate points input by the operator using a digitizer or the like. For example, the scanning point P may be calculated by connecting the points entered by a person with a straight line, or the scanning point P may be calculated by connecting them with a smooth curve.
This method calculates the scanning point P by inputting the center and radius and drawing an arc.

3) Full scan This is a method of automatically scanning the entire screen. In this case, several methods can be considered depending on the order of scanning. For example, the raster scan method, which sequentially scans horizontally line by line from the top left of the screen, or the central force
Another method is to scan outwards in a spiral pattern.

Judgment criteria include the following:

1) Processing area conditions These are conditions used when processing only a certain area on the screen. The specific method is as follows:
Memo for specifying area corresponding to screen! There is a method of writing information on locations where processing may be performed and locations where processing may not be performed in the JIC 115. Then, whether or not to process a certain scanning point P is determined by looking at the data corresponding to the scanning point P on the memo solo 15.

2) Density condition This is a condition that determines the density (width, etc.) of the scanning point P on the screen. Specifically, a pattern is set in advance for the scanning point P, and it is determined whether or not to process the scanning point P according to the pattern.

3) Data conditions Whether or not to perform processing is determined from the content of the scanning point P and the color information around it. For example, it is used when processing only points with a predetermined color tone or processing only the edges of an image.

There is something like.

1) Dot An element figure consisting of only one center point, with only the processing point Qif center point (-scanning point P' to be processed). In other words, the same processing as when no solid element is used is performed.

2) Normal Element figures are relatively concentrated near the center point. It is proposed in the above-mentioned patent application ``Image Quality Changing Apparatus'' dated March 22, 1980 by the same applicant that the image quality can be converted by using such figures.

3) Multi An element figure consisting of points relatively dispersed from a central point. Using this figure, the processing point Qi
Since Fi is dispersed randomly, it is possible to create a repeating pattern.

Figure 4 (a) is a dot, Figure 4 tb+ is normal, and Figure 4 (a) is a dot.
Figure (This is an example of an element figure of clu multi.

Finally, we will list the processing details.

1) Imprint processing Make a memo on processing point Q1! J(B17
Note the color information! This process replaces that of JtA16. Combine the image on Memory (B) 6 with the image on Memory (B) 6, or take a memo! JK) Note with the color set in 6! Used when drawing lines on Jff316.

2) Blur processing Taking the average of the color information in a certain range on the memory A) 6, centering on the processing point Qi, and replacing the color information of the processing point Qi on the memory β) 7 with the obtained average color information. It is processing. It has the effect of blurring the image.

3) Color averaging processing On the processing point Qi, take the average of the color information of memory person) 6 and the color information of memory [F]) 7, and use the obtained color information to calculate the color of the processing point Qi on the memory river 7. This is a process of replacing information. By averaging the two images, an image that looks like they are superimposed is obtained.

4) Color tone change processing Perform a certain calculation on the color information at the processing point Qi on )7 in the memory to change the color tone, and use the obtained color information to write a memo! J (processing point Qi on +317
This process replaces the color information of .

Used when changing the color tone of an image.

5) Monochrome processing Calculate the brightness from the color information of the processing point Qi on the memory β) 7, and replace the color information of the processing point Qi on the memory β) 7 with the color information of an achromatic color having that brightness. It is processing. By performing this processing, a black and white image is obtained.

For example, when partially changing the color of an image.

A specific example of processing edges to make them less noticeable after image composition is as follows.

First, an example of composite processing in which a color is changed after specifying an area will be explained. Figure 5 (al is the original picture.

Here, a case is shown in which the color of the car is changed.

First, information indicating the part of the car is written on the area specification memo IJIC) 15. Figure 5 (bl is memory fc11
5, which is the black part or the area of the car.

A possible method for inputting this area is, for example, moving a cursor on the original image and surrounding the car part with a closed curve.

Next, processing parameters are set, and the scanning method is full-surface scanning (raster scanning method). Processing conditions I'i
Only area conditions are set, density conditions and data conditions are not set. Dots are used for element shapes. The processing content is to change the color.

When the above parameters are set and the process is executed, the entire screen is scanned using a raster scan method, and the color is changed only in the area of the car that satisfies the area conditions. Figure 5 (c
l is the processing result.

Next, an example of composite processing of edge processing (blurring the drawn line) will be explained. Two images? If you cut out a certain part from one image and combine it with the other image, the edges will often be sharply cut and look unsightly. In this case, by blurring the edges and edges, a natural image can be created. In this case, the blurring process needs to be performed only on the edges.

To do this, image processing can be performed by setting parameters as follows. The scanning method will be handwritten scanning. No particular processing conditions are set. A normal figure (FIG. 4(b)) is set as the element figure. Here, if a large element figure is set, blurring will be performed in a wide range, and if a small element figure is set, blurring will be performed in a tJ/small area. The processing content is blurred.

By setting the above parameters and executing the process, handwritten input can be performed in the area to be blurred. Therefore, all you have to do is look at the screen and blur out the areas where the edges are noticeable.

<Effects of the Invention> As is clear from the above description, the present invention independently sets four parameters: 1) scanning point scanning method 2) judgment criteria 3) processing point (element figure) 4) processing content It performs image processing, and is capable of various complex image processing that was previously impossible, making it possible to create richly varied and expressive pictures.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a flowchart explaining the operation, 31st W(al(
4(a) (bHc) is a diagram illustrating an example of an element graphic, and 51g1aHblfcl is a diagram illustrating a specific example of image processing. 1... Control microprocessor, 2... Bus, 5
...Command input device, 6...Image memo! J(A), 7
...Image 15...Memo for area specification January C).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In the image processing process, a scanning point P, a scanning point 'f:P' to be processed, and a process determined based on the scanning point P' to be processed. Qi the point
The following parameters are independent of each other: 1) How to scan the scanning point P 2) Whether to perform processing on the scanning point P (scanning point P') 3) Processing point Qi to be processed 4) An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising means for setting processing contents to be performed on a processing point Qi.