JPS63148374A - Image attribute information input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To input a bit of attribute information with accuracy higher than that of a bit of image information being displayed, by displaying an inputted bit of image information of bit map format on a screen, and inputting the bit of attribute information by an operator. CONSTITUTION:The bit of image information inputted from an image scanner 10 is reproduced and displayed on a display 13. The operator, observing the display, designates the attribute of the image with arbitrary accuracy from a keyboard 14 (for example, the shape of a circle and a straight line, or the value of the coordinate of a central position and a radius, etc.). The image corresponding to a designated attribute is displayed on the display 13, and by indicating confirmation by the operator, it is stored in an image data base 19.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Rough sketching (RoughS) of images of figures, characters, etc.
ketch) and displayed on the display,
By specifying attribute information such as the shape, size, and position of the image, it is possible to input the attribute information of the image reliably, easily, and with high accuracy.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a method for inputting images such as figures and characters in a computer, and particularly to a method for inputting image attribute information input using an image scanner.

[Conventional technology]

Recently, systems that use image scanners to input figures such as design drawings (for example, logic circuit diagrams), characters, etc. into computers and perform image processing have been increasingly used.

-a, the information entered using the image scanner is
Unlike code-format symbol information (symbolized information) that can usually be handled by a computer, it is bitmap-format information (information that represents an image by bit position), and it cannot be used as is. It is completely unclear whether it has attributes, such as whether it is a figure or a character, and in the case of a figure, whether it is a circle or a straight line.

Image information in this bitmap format has the advantage of containing a large amount of information, but it is difficult for computers to search for or edit individual pieces of information by focusing on certain attributes.
Alternatively, it is extremely inconvenient for image conversion.

Conventionally, in order to convert image information in a bitmap format into symbol information in a code format, pattern recognition has been performed on the image and attributes such as its shape, size, and position have been automatically defined.

Automatically recognizing attributes for image information is
Although it is possible to some extent, it is currently impossible to achieve 100% complete recognition.

Therefore, after automatic recognition, it is necessary to perform subsequent processing to check which parts are not recognized, and even if recognized, there are no misrecognitions. It is also necessary to manually convert and correct the .

Currently, various improvements and innovations are being made to achieve 100% complete recognition. For example, for devices, we have improved the recognition algorithm to improve functionality, and when inputting drawings, we have changed the way characters, figures, etc. are written to make it easier for the device to recognize the target drawing. Rules such as expression methods have been established to increase the recognition rate.

However, the limitations shown in the figure below place a burden on the designer.
On the contrary, it is one of the causes of increasing familiarity with image scanners.

Recently, systems such as WS for logic circuit design have become commercially available, but designers who use these systems often create circuit diagrams on paper before inputting them into the system using an image scanner. (As seen, many people expect and use the system for fair copying or image editing functions (movement, insertion, deletion, etc.).

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the conventional image input method using an image scanner, a fairly complex pattern recognition system must be prepared in order to input the attributes of input image information in bitmap format, which requires a considerable amount of processing. There are problems in that it is time consuming and costly, does not necessarily provide a sufficient degree of accuracy and certainty, and requires considerable intervention by the operator.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention displays input image information in bitmap format on a screen and allows the operator to manually input the attribute information, thereby ensuring that attribute information with higher accuracy than the displayed image information is input. It is something to do.

FIG. 1 shows the principle of the invention.

In the figure, 10 is an image scanner that automatically reads an image document such as a drawing and converts it into image information in bitmap format.

A display 13 outputs and displays image information input from the image scanner 10 on a screen.

A keyboard 14 is used to manually input attribute information corresponding to the image information displayed on the display 13.

19 is an image database; a keyboard 14;
Manage attribute information input by

[Effect]

In FIG. 1, the image document read by the image scanner 10 is a sketch-like document (accuracy is not much of a concern.

(2) Image information input from the image scanner 10 is reproduced and displayed on the display 13.

- The operator looks at this and specifies the attributes of the image using the keyboard 14 with arbitrary precision. For example, "yen"
, a shape such as a "straight line", and values such as the coordinates of the center position and the radius.

(2) The image corresponding to the specified attribute is displayed on the display 13, and (2) is stored in the image database 19 when the operator instructs confirmation.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 10 is an image scanner, 11 is a pointing means such as a mouse, 12 is an image buffer, and 13 is a pointing device such as a mouse.
14 is a display, 14 is a keyboard, 15 is an attribute definition section, 16 is an attribute memory, 17 is an image generation section, 18 is an image information management section, and 19 is an image database.

The image information shown below, input using the image scanner IO, is stored in the image buffer 12 in bitmap format and displayed on the display 13.

Next, using the pointing means 11 and the keyboard 14, attribute information corresponding to the displayed image is input. In this case, existing input instruction means such as graphic commands and icons can be used.

The attribute definition unit 15 identifies the input attribute information and stores it in the attribute memory 16.

The image generation unit 17 reads the contents of the attribute memory 16, decodes the attribute information, generates an image, and stores it in the image buffer 12. This image generating section 17
The generated image is displayed on the display 13 with display attributes such as color or brightness changed from the image initially inputted by the image scanner 10 or the like.

The input attribute information can be modified if necessary, and when an m-authorization instruction is given, it is read out from the attribute memory 16 and stored in the image database 19 via the image information management section 18. be done.

The image information management unit I8 has an image database 19.
and perform search processing according to requests.

An example of input processing is shown in FIG. 3 (al, ('b), (C1).

FIG. 3 (al) is an example of the figure below that is read by the image scanner 10, and the image of the figure is drawn in a rough sketch.

In FIG. 3), the lower image read by the image scanner Lot' is displayed on the display 13.

FIG. 3C shows a state in which an image generated based on the attributes specified using the pointing means 11 and the keyboard 14 is displayed on the display 13.

Geometric elements include points, line segments, arcs (including whole circles), curves,
There are various symbols and figures defined by characters and applications.

In addition, as a method for indicating position, length, size, etc., ■ In the case of graphic elements that do not require accurate position, length, etc.
Direct along the rough sketch with the accuracy of pointing means.

■ For graphical elements that require accurate position, length, etc., specify the distance from the reference point and coordinates (written on a rough sketch) by numerically inputting them from a keyboard, etc.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Compared to the conventional attribute input method using automatic recognition, the method of the present invention: ・Since there are no restrictions on the graphic representation of the diagram below, there is no negative impact on the designer.

・Since the attributes of graphic elements are checked one by one when defining them, there is no need to inspect the diagram after processing.

・The system price is low.

Also, compared to the method of inputting attributes while looking at the diagram below, - When specifying attributes, the position is already determined on the display screen, so there is no need to think about the placement on the display. Normally, it takes a considerable amount of time to arrange the layout because you have to consider the beauty (intersection of lines, density of shapes), etc.

Particularly because of the large paper area, it is difficult to arrange the information when it cannot be displayed on the display all at once, but this does not pose a problem in the method of the present invention.

・Input efficiency is high because you can input by looking only at the display without having to look directly at the diagram below.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of input processing according to the present invention. 1 in Figure 10: Image Scanner 13: Display 14: Keyboard 19: Image Database Patent Applicant Usatsuk Electronics Industry Co., Ltd. Representative Patent Attorney Fumihiro Hase (2 others) Half-completed layer, pure No. 1rB 1ku3 Jimontsu 15 (6 Ihii J Rijip 1 Me\゛\J2I
l121 ,]≦All B items 1-77 squares filled in A j・j Fig. 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] A first step of inputting an image original drawn with relatively low accuracy from an image scanner (10) and displaying it on a display (13), and referring to the image displayed on the display (13). and a second step of inputting the attribute information; a third step of generating an image based on the input attribute information and displaying it on the display; and a third step of generating an image based on the input attribute information based on the confirmation instruction. An image attribute information input method comprising a fourth step of storing in a database (19).