JPS62256180A - Picture processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform a correct picture processing at high speed and to require no troublesome correction processing afterward by selectively counting the density in image data applied to a window area during the formation of a histogram. CONSTITUTION:The image data IMD read from a picture memory 20 is outputted to a look up table (LUT)32 and window data WDD applied to a corresponding picture element read from a window memory 22 is inputted to a microprogram sequencer 28. When it is indicated that the window data WDD is within the window area WDA (WDD='1'), a density counting processing command is applied to a histogram processor 24 to count the image data IMD' outputted from the LUT32 for the density, on the other hand, when it is indicated that the window data WDD is not within the window area WDA (WDD = 'o'), the density counting processing command is not applied to the histogram processor 24 but the processing is shifted to the next picture element, thereby, the historgram is formed only for the data within the window area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to an image processing method, and particularly to an image processing method suitable for application to histogram creation.

<Prior Art> FIG. 3 shows a conventional image processing device that executes the creation of an image histogram at high speed, which is necessary for, for example, optimal binarization processing. The image data IMD read out for each picture element is subjected to predetermined density preprocessing in an LUT (lookup table) 14, and then input to a histogram processor 16 equipped exclusively for creating histograms, where the image data IMD is read out for each picture element by density. The number of items is counted.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> By the way, when window processing is performed to ignore areas unnecessary for processing such as noise areas in an image, a processing area (highlight area) is created in advance with the same size as the image memory 12. 1'' in ) and "o" in the non-processing area (background area), the window data at the same position as the picture element in the image memory 12 is transferred to the microprogram controller)o-
La 10 (OftJJtf)! Read LUT14,
If the window data is “1”, the density data [MD
' is output, and if the window data is °O'', N
I am trying to output ULL data.

In such a case, the histogram processor 16
Since the data is counted as image data with zero density, the obtained histogram cannot be used as is, and some correction is required, making the processing complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the drawbacks of the prior art described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing method that eliminates the need for troublesome post-processing by not counting histograms for the background portion.

<Means for Solving the Problems> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image processing device for realizing the method of the present invention, in which 20 is an image memory, 22 is a window memory, 24 is a histogram processor, and 26 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image processing device that implements the method of the present invention. It is a microprogram controller, of which 28
3 is a microprogram sequencer, and 30 is a microprogram memory.

<Operation> In advance, image information captured from an industrial camera or the like is stored in the image memory 20, and a window area WDA for masking unnecessary portions of the image information is stored in the window memory 22.

Further, a microprogram memory 30 of the microprogram controller 26 stores a microprogram corresponding to a macro instruction for creating a histogram. still,
This microprogram includes a program that causes the microprogram sequencer 28 to check the window data before completing the density counting process for each piece of image data. The density counting process is skipped when indicates the inside of the window area WDA.

Therefore, when a sequence start command is received from the host, the microprograms are executed sequentially and the image data IMD read from the image memory 20 is stored in the lookup table (
LUT) 32 and window memory 2.
The window data WDD for the corresponding picture element read from 2 is input to the microprogram sequencer 28.

Then, the window data WDD is the window area WD
When indicating that it is within A (WDD="1'"), k
Give the density counting processing command to the stogram processor 24 and output it from the LUT 32, the image data IM
D' is counted by density, and conversely window data WDD
is not within the window area WDA, (W
DD='”O'°), a to the P stogram gorocessor 24
The process moves on to the next picture element without giving an office counting processing command, thereby creating a histogram only for those within the window area.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus that implements the image processing method of the present invention.

20 is an image memory for image storage, 22 is a window memory for window storage, 24 is a histogram processor, 26 is a microprogram controller, 28 is a microprogram sequencer, 30 is a microprogram memory, 32 is an LUT, and the image memory 20 , the window memory 22 consists of a serially readable RAM.

The image memory 20 stores one screen worth of image+1 (256×256) captured by an industrial camera or the like as 8-bit image data for each picture element.

The window memory 22 has the same size as the image memory 20 (256x256), and stores window information for each picture element in 1 bit.

That is, O'' is stored corresponding to picture elements in an unnecessary image area due to reflection of light, etc., and 1'' is stored corresponding to picture elements in a necessary image area.

The microprogram memory 30 stores a microprogram, which is a macro instruction, for performing histogram processing. This microprogram is divided into an initialization job, a density counting job, a window check job, a count value writing job, an end check jib, etc., and each jib execution command is stored consecutively from a predetermined address. (See the flowchart in Figure 2).

Although not shown, the microprogram sequencer 28 has an address counter, a counter for counting the number of pixels processed, etc., and increments the address counter in a predetermined order when activated by macro instructions sent from the host side. At the same time, the address is output to the microprogram memory 30, and the microprogram memory is used to input a predetermined program command to the histogram processor 24 or the like to perform density counting processing.

Further, the microprogram sequencer 28 is capable of making various judgments included in the program, and setting a predetermined address in an address counter based on the judgment result to process a branch job.

LUT32 is for performing calculations as density preprocessing on the image data IMD, such as tightening or loosening the contrast, and the output of LUT32
input to the histogram processor 24 as MD'.

This histogram processor 24 has a function of counting the number of picture elements for each density based on program data sent from the microprogram controller 26, and includes a RAM for storing counted values for each density, and an operation for incrementing the counted values. Contains units, etc.

reading the image data IMD from the image memory 20;
Reading of the image data [MD' from the LUT 32 is also controlled by the microprogram controller 26. Again 1
, window data WDD from window memory 22
Reading is also controlled by the microprogram controller 26. This window data WDD is input to the microprogram sequencer 28 as a branch condition.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained.

A window area WDA for masking unnecessary image parts is stored in the window memory 22 in advance.

In this state, one screen worth of images captured by the industrial camera is stored in the image memory 20 under the control of the host CPU.

After the image information is stored in the image memory 20, a macro command for creating a histogram is given from the host side. Since this macro instruction includes the start address of the microprogram for creating histograms, this address is set in the address counter of the microprogram sequencer 28, and then the microprogram memory 30
is input.

As a result, the microprogram memory 30 outputs program data related to the initialization operation to the histogram processor 24. Upon receiving this initialization processing command, the histogram processor 24 executes the density X
, bitter count n1(x,)(i=1.2....
) Clear all.

Further, the microprogram sequencer 28 receives a command for initialization processing and clears it to the number of processed picture elements YIeO (step 100 in FIG. 2). Note that when the number of processed picture elements Y reaches 2s6x256 picture elements for one screen, the histogram creation process ends.

When the initialization job is completed, the microprogram sequencer 28 increments the address of the address counter and inputs the address into the microprogram memory 30.

As a result, the microprogram memory 30 transfers program commands for density counting processing to the image memory 20, window memory 22, LUT 32, and histogram processor 2.
Enter 4.

The image data IMD for the first picture element is read out from the image memory 20 by the density counting processing command, and the L
The data IMD' converted and outputted by the UT 32 is read by the histodaram processor 24 (step 101).

The histogram processor 24 determines the density X1 of the read image data (step 102), and uses the built-in RA
The corresponding count value n, (,,) of M is read out and incremented (step 103).

Upon completion of this density counting process, or in parallel with this process, the microprogram sequencer 28 reads the window data WDD output from the window memory 22 (step 104). Note that this window data WDD is window data relating to a picture element at the same position as the image data being read out from the image memory 20.

Next, it is checked whether the window data WDD read by the microprogram sequencer 28ζ is "1" or 'O' (step 105).

In step 105, if the picture element is within the window area WDA (WDD=“1”), the microprogram sequencer 28 increments the contents (address) of the address counter. As a result, the microprogram memory 30 outputs the program command for the n, (X,) writing job to the histogram processor 24.

In response to this command, the histogram processor 24 writes the value of n, (x,) calculated in step 1.3 to the memory address of density X, and completes density counting for one picture element (step 106). ). Furthermore,'y
A:/F Ute'l WDD If D="O', write processing of (,,) is not performed.

Next, upon completion of writing, the sequencer 28 increments the address and sends a command to the microprogram memory 30 to complete the end check job.
The controller 28 is made to output.

Based on this data, the sequencer 28 first increments the number of processed picture elements Y (step 107), then Y
=2562 (step 108)
.

y=2ss'', the process jumps to step 101, sets the start address of the density counting job in the address counter, and returns to the density counting process for the image data of the second picture element in the image memory 20 in the same manner as described above.

In this way, only the image data in the window area WI)A is selected and the density is counted, and when it is determined in step 108 that Y=256'', the microprogram sequencer 28 starts to stop the sequence. Outputting the program command from the microprogram memory 30 to the pistogram processor 24, sequencer 28, and host, stopping the sequence operation, stopping the processing operation of the histogram processor 24, and having the host CPU finish the histogram creation process. (Step 109).

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, since image data in the window area is selectively density-counted during histogram creation, accurate image processing can be performed at high speed.
This eliminates the need for troublesome corrections later, making the process easier.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for implementing the method of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional apparatus. 20...Image memory, 22...Window memory, 24...Histogram processor, 26...Micro program controller, 28...Micro program sequencer, 30...Micro program memory Patent applicant Sen Saito, Patent attorney on behalf of Fanuc Corporation Trunk Figure 1 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] A histogram processor is controlled by a microprogram controller having a microprogram corresponding to a macro instruction for creating a histogram, and the number of data items is counted for each density based on image information of each pixel in an image. In the image processing method, window information is input to the microprogram controller for each pixel of the image, and when the window information indicates that the window information is within the processing area, the microprogram data for creating a histogram is directly supplied to the histogram processor to process a predetermined data. An image processing method characterized in that a density counting operation is performed, and when window information indicates outside the processing area, microprogram data for creating a histogram is not provided to the histogram processor, thereby prohibiting the predetermined density counting operation. .