DE4220540A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OVERLAYING IMAGES - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for overlaying images and a device for doing so which is part of image data contained in one of a plurality saved from memories to a desired position tion of another storage can be shifted overlapping can, which overlaps two images.

Generally includes an electronic one Color overlay device that has an electronic Using a pen plotter or a graphic design aid an electronic pen and an electronic tablet. The electronic pen is connected to a controller, and the electronic pen moves over the electronic one Blackboard to draw figures or colors for the figures add where the cursor is on the monitor emotional.

Thus, as shown in Fig. 4, an electronic panel 1 includes a drawing part 2 for drawing figures and a color selection part 3 for selecting colors to add them to the figures. The color selection part 3 comprises a plurality of parts corresponding to colors, such as a red color part 3 A, a yellow color part 3 B, a blue color part 3 C ... and a white color part 3 N. After a user drawing a one Once the drawing has been completed using the electronic pen, the user can select the relevant colors in the color selection part 3 in order to color the figure of the drawing part 2 .

Instead of coloring the figures using the electronic pen became a technique for overlapping egg developed a specific image with another image. Each but there is a problem in that the colors of the Video signals are mixed and originally out selected colors do not get during the overlap process can be. For example, if a picture is for a red one Automobile overlaid with an image for a green meadow the resulting color of the automobile turns yellow.

The present invention is intended to be those described above Overcome disadvantages of conventional technology.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a Image overlap method and a device for this are available to ask at a certain picture with a whose image can be overlaid by an image memory is used to determine the original color of the particular Get picture.  

These and other tasks are accomplished according to the invention the method defined in the appended claims and solved the device.

In particular, to achieve the above object, this includes Image overlay method according to the present invention the steps: drawing a closed, curved Line along the periphery of an image to overlay it a first memory with an image of a second memory, of displaying signals from the closed, curved line corresponding to the white color, of setting one Reference point after storing address signals of the ge closed, curved line in a third memory for Overlay the white, closed, curved line of the third memory over the image of the second memory, and overlaying relevant data from the first memory via Data of the second memory corresponding to a functional one Relationship between the reference point of the third memory and a reference point of the second memory as it passes through the electronic pen for overlaying various images is recognized one above the other.

To achieve the above object, the Image overlay device: a first Ana log / digital converter for converting composite videosi gnale in digital signals, a Synchronisa tion signal separator for separating vertical Synchronization signals from horizontal synchronization si signals in the composite video signals, an elec tronic pen for reading signals that have addresses on them  correspond to an electronic board, an amplifier for Amplify signals from the electronic pen be read, a second analog / digital converter for order convert the amplified signals into digital signals and a digital / analog converter for converting digital Output signals of the first and second analog / digital converters into analog signals for display on a monitor, and them around also includes: a first memory and a second memory cher each for storing image data, a third Memory for storing data of a closed, ge curved line by reading from the first memory electronic pen when an image overlay button is pressed, and a microcomputer for displaying white color signals that the closed, curved line of the first and third Correspond to memory, and to overlay an area of the using the first memory over the second memory of the data stored in the third memory put the two different pictures together.

The above task and other advantages of the present Invention will be made clearer by a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention tion with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an image overlay device according to the present invention.

Figs. 2A to 2D show a method like Überla image data of memories.

Figs. 3A to 3C are flow charts for explaining the method for superimposing two different images according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows an electronic board according to the prior art.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an image overlay device according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus includes a first analog-to-digital converter 10 connected to a video signal line to convert composite input video signals to digital signals, a synchronization signal separator 12 connected to the video signal line for vertical synchronization signals from to separate horizontal synchronization signals of the composite input video signal, an electronic pin 19 for reading signals corresponding to addresses on an electronic panel, an amplifier 21 connected to the electronic pin 19 for amplifying signals from the Read electronic pen 19 , a second analog / digital converter 22 , which is connected to the amplifier 21 to convert amplified signals into digital signals, a digital / analog converter 13 for converting the output digital signals from the first and second analog / digital converters 10th and 22 in analog Signa le, a first memory 15 and a second memory 16 each for storing image data, a third memory 17 for storing data of a closed curved line by obtaining the addresses of the closed curved line from the first memory 15 , the closed one , ge curved line is drawn by means of the electronic pen 19 by pressing an image overlay key 18 , and a microcomputer 11 connected to the respective elements to control the first to third memories 15 , 16 and 17 to the data of the first memory 15 , as stored in the third memory 17 , with the data of the second memory 16 in an image.

Fig. 2 shows a method for superimposing the image data of the respective memory. Figs. 2A and 2B show each state in which the stored image data to be superimposed respectively in the memories 15 and 16, corresponding to be displayed on the monitor images.

FIG. 2C shows a state in which position data of the images to be superimposed are stored, and FIG. 2D shows the result of the superimposition of the image data of FIG. 2A with the image data of FIG. 2B.

Figs. 3A to 3C are flow charts for explaining the image superimposition method according to the present invention, in which the first memory 15, second memory 16 and third memory 17 are each weils characterized by MA, MB and MC. In FIG. 3, the method for overlaying different images in step S 101 checks whether the overlay button is pressed. Steps S 102 and S 103 are for performing normal operation if there is no input from the overlay key 18 and if there is input from the overlay key 18 , step S 104 follows to decide whether the user is electronic Pen 19 uses ver, and when the electronic pen operates to store the address in the third memory 17 using an address of a first recognized position of the image. In step S 101 , the electronic board is checked. In step S 106 , a reference point is assigned.

In addition, a decision step S 107 is performed to determine address values that change depending on the movements of the electronic pen 19 , and a step S 108 is performed to shout a "1" in a relevant address of the third memory 17 if the address value has been changed. A decision step S 109 is performed to decide whether a closed, curved line has been made along a periphery of an image to be overlaid, so that step S 110 is performed to return to step S 107 when the closed, curved line is not complete, and to display the data of the second memory 16 on the monitor 14 when the line is complete.

Subsequently, a decision step S 111 Runaway leads, in which it is decided whether the electronic pen 19 moves, so that the steps S 112 and S 113 Runaway leads to assist in detecting a movement of the elec tronic pin 19 the addresses of the electronic board 20 check to calculate a functional relationship between the address of the electronic panel 20 and the address of the second memory 16 . Then the closed, curved line of the first memory 15 is displayed in white color on the monitor 14 in a step S 114 .

The process can be returned to step S 112 via steps S 115 and S 116 by moving the closed, curved line on the image of the second memory 16 with the electronic pen 19 as desired to decide whether an image end key 23 was entered to end the image overlay when movement of the electronic pen 19 was detected.

Step S 117 is performed to calculate a functional value for superimposing the desired data of the first memory 15 over the data of the second memory 16 , and step S 118 is carried out to change the row addresses and column addresses of the first memory 15 to " 0 ".

A decision step S 119 is performed to check the row and column addresses of the third memory 17 , so that the column addresses are increased in a step S 120 when the zero row and column addresses are found. A decision step S 121 is performed to decide whether the column address has arrived at its final column address of the electronic board 29 , so that step S 122 is carried out to return to the decision step S 119 if the final column address has not been reached, and to increment the row address when the final column address is reached.

A decision step S 123 is performed to decide whether the address has reached its final row address of the electronic panel 20 , so that step S 124 is performed to end the program when the final row address has been reached and to Set column address to "0" if the final row address has not been reached, thereby returning the process to decision step S 119 .

Steps S 125 and S 126 are carried out in order to superimpose the closed, curved line of the first memory 15 on the second memory 16 and to increase the column address of the first memory 15 when the row and column addresses of the third memory 17 are each "1""in step S 119 .

Steps S 125 and S 126 are repeated in step S 127 if the row and column addresses of the third memory 17 are not "1", and the next column address is increased by one in step S 128 if the row and column addresses are equal to "1". Steps S 129 and S 130 are performed to repeat the above steps until the final column address of the electronic panel 20 is reached and to increase the row address by one when the final column address is reached.

Steps S 131 and S 132 are performed to check the final row address of the electronic panel 20 and to set the column address "0" when the final row address has not been reached, to return to decision step S 119 , and to proceed to end the program when it is determined that the final line address has been reached.

In the present invention, as described above and as shown in Fig. 1, the composite video signals are amplified by the first analog / digital converter 10 and supplied to the microcomputer 11 . The microcomputer 11 applies a clock signal to the most analog / digital converter 10 , so that the analog / digital converter 10 is released and digital data are output.

In the meantime, the synchronization signal separator separates vertical synchronization signals V-SYNC from horizontal synchronization signals H-SYNC in order to apply them to the microcomputer 11 . Then the microcomputer 11 applies the output data signals from the first analog / digital converter 10 via a data line to the digital / analog converter 13 in order to convert the input digital signals into analog signals in order to display them on the monitor 14 .

In the meantime, if the user desires to overlay two images by overlaying image signals from the first memory 15 over the image signals from the second memory 16 , press the image overlay key 18 . Then the microcomputer 11 recognizes the key input and applies an address signal to the first memory 15 .

In this case, the data signals stored in the first memory 15 are made available to the microcomputer 11 via a data line and displayed on the monitor 14 . When the data signals from the first memory 15 are displayed on the monitor 14 , the user can draw a closed, curved line on the desired area of the image with the electronic pen 19 on the electronic board 20 while observing the monitor 14 . When the closed, curved line is drawn on the electronic board 20 , signals for the closed, curved line are read by the electronic pen 19 and applied to the second analog / digital converter 22 to be amplified by the amplifier 21 .

Under this condition, the digital data signals for the closed, curved line are applied to the digital / analog converter 13 via the microcomputer 11 and converted into analog signals for display in white color on the monitor 14 .

In other words, the microcomputer 11 assigns white color to the addresses of the positions recognized by the electronic pen 19 , and the microcomputer 11 also applies a "1" to the same addresses of the third memory 17 to store the closed, curved line . When the closed curved line is finished, the starting point of the closed curved line is set as the reference point.

After setting such a reference point, the user gives a signal to the microcomputer 11 so that the data of the second memory 16 is displayed on the monitor 14 . Then, the user moves the electronic pen 19 so as to guide it over the electronic tablet 20 so that the data of the third memory 17 can be overlaid on any area of the image of the second memory 16 . In other words, the data having the third SpeI Chers 17 an address distribution around the reference point of the third memory 17 by the instantaneous position of the elec tronic pin cher as the reference point for the third SpeI 17 is taken.

In addition, in accordance with the address distribution of the third memory 17, white color signals are applied to the monitor 14 , on which the data from the second memory 16 are shown.

Accordingly, even when the electronic pen 19 moves on the electronic tablet 20 , the data of the third memory 17 is overlaid on the image of the second memory 16 by taking the current position of the electronic pen 19 as a reference point. Therefore, the data of the third memory 17 always keep the same shape, ie the shape of the closed, curved line, which represents the data of the first memory 15 to be overlaid. The content of the second memory 16 moves on the monitor 14 in accordance with the movements of the electronic pen 19 .

When the content of the third memory 17 appears at the position where an overlay is to be performed, the user moves the electronic pen 19 on the electronic tablet 20 in such a way that the desired data (the image data which is closed by a curved one) Line of the first memory 15 are included) of the first memory 15 should be superimposed on the second memory 16 .

According to the functional relationship between the reference point of the third memory 17 and the reference point of the second memory 16 (as entered by means of the electronic pen 19 ), the data of the first memory 15 are overlaid on the second memory 16 .

The method of superimposing the image data is shown in FIG. 2, in which FIGS. 2A and 2B each represent states in which image data are stored in the first and second memories 15 and 16, respectively, which are 1: 1 with the image of the monitor should match. FIG. 2C shows only the position data of the image to be superimposed, and FIG. 2D shows the result of the superimposition of the image data of FIG. 2A with that of FIG. 2B.

The third memory 17 contains only position information about the image data to be superimposed, the information containing only "1" at the position which corresponds to the shape of the closed, curved line of the first memory 15 .

Then the position of "1" is searched for by increasing the row address, starting from the first row and column addresses (1,1) and increasing the column address from the row and column addresses (2,1), making it possible to find the position of "1". If the position of "1" is found at N, M (assuming that the electronic tablet 20 has 256 rows on 715 columns), then the content of the first memory 15 at N, M via the second memory 16 becomes the same functional relationship between the reference point of the third memory 17 and the reference point of the second memory 16 , as entered by means of the electronic pen 19 , superimposed.

Then the overlay process continues by increasing the row address in turn until "1" is found. That is, the overlay process is performed in accordance with the functional relationship between the reference point of the third memory and the reference point of the second memory 16 , as inputted by the electronic pen.

Then, the column address is repeatedly increased in the same manner as described above until the desired area of the contents of the first memory 15 is completely overlaid on the second memory 16 by overlaying the image data of the first memory 15 over the image data of the second memory 16 to end.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a solution for the conventional problem that the original Color is not reproduced, but that it turns into one their color is changed when an image of a certain Color overlaid on another image of a different color becomes.

Figs. 3A to 3C are flow charts for explaining the control of the image superimposition method according to the prior lying invention. In these flowcharts, he most, second and third memories 15 , 16 and 17 are designated MA, MB and MC, respectively.

First, when the user presses the image overlay key 18 (step S 101 ), the program goes from step S 101 to step S 102 , and when the image overlay key 18 is not pressed, the program goes from step S 101 to step S 103 to the perform normal operation. In the case in which the image overlay key 18 is pressed, the image data signals stored in the first memory 15 are displayed on the monitor 14 under the control of the microcomputer 11 .

During such a display, when the user operates the electronic pen 19 , the relevant address of the electronic tablet 20 is checked (step S 105 ), and the first detected position of the electronic pen 19 is taken as reference points PR, PC, respectively represent a reference point for the row address and a reference point for the column address, so that the reference points are stored in the third memory 17 (step S 106 ).

When the user moves the electronic pen 19 on the electronic tablet 20 , the microcomputer 11 adjusts the address value (step S 107 ), and a record of the track of the electronic pen 19 is stored in the relevant address of the third memory 17 of the value "1" is stored (step S 108 ).

After that, when a closed curved line is completed along the periphery of the image of the first memory 15 , the program goes from step S 109 to step S 110 , and the monitor 14 displays an image corresponding to the image data of the second memory 16 .

If the user continues to move the electronic pen (step S 111 ), the microcomputer 11 detects this and checks the position (TR, TC) of the electronic tablet 20 (step S 112 ). Then, the microcomputer 11 calculates functions SR, SC formed between the addresses TR, TC of the electronic board 20 and the addresses PR, PC of the first memory 15 (step S 113 ).

Then, the microcomputer 11 outputs all addresses AR, AC corresponding to the shape of the closed, curved line of the third memory 17 to the digital / analog converter 13 by means of the electronic pen 19 in order to output data from the third memory 17 with the displayed image of the second Overlay memory 16 . Accordingly, the closed, curved line of the first memory 15 is shown in white color on the image of the second memory 16 on the monitor 14 .

After that, if the electronic pen 19 is moved further on the image of the second memory 16 , the program goes from step S 115 to step S 116 . However, if the electronic pen 19 is not moved, the microcomputer 11 decides whether the image overlay process has ended. When the user presses an overlay termination key 23 , the microcomputer 11 recognizes this and goes from step S 116 to step S 117 to overlay the desired data of the first memory 15 onto the second memory 16 by calculating the functions XR, XC. Under this condition, who the row address DR and the column address DC of the first memory 15 "0" (step S 118 ).

In the meantime, when the row and column addresses of the third memory 17 have the same value "0", the program goes from step S 119 to step S 120 to increase the column address. If the column address has not yet reached the final column address 715 of the electronic panel 20 , the program goes back from step S 121 to step S 119 to increment the column address by one.

When the column address reaches 715 , the program goes to step S 122 , and the microcomputer 11 increments the row address of the third memory 17 by 1.

During the row address increment, if the row address has a value other than 255, the program goes from step S 123 to step S 124 to clear the column address to "0" and returns to step S 119 .

In the meantime, when the addresses DR, DG of the third memory 17 have a value of "1", the microcomputer 11 superimposes the contents of the first memory 15 on the second memory 16 and increases the column address of the first memory 15 by 1 (step S 125 and step S 126 ).

Then the microcomputer 11 checks whether the column and row addresses have a value of "1". If they do not have a value of "1", the program returns from step S 127 to step S 125 to repeat steps S 125 and S 126 described above, and if the column and row addresses of the third memory 17 have a value of "1", the column address is increased by 1 (step S 128 ).

After that, when the column address reaches 715 by repeating the above-described steps, the program goes from step S 129 to step S 130 to increase the row address by 1. If the row address has a value other than 255, the microcomputer 11 sets the column address "0" (step S 131 ), and returns the program from step S 132 to step S 119 to repeat the above-described steps. However, if the row address has a value corresponding to 255, the execution of the program is ended.

According to the present invention as above an accurate color generation can be achieved be carried out by external controls if an image with another image using an electronic Pen or a graphical drawing apparatus superimposed shall be.

Claims (2)

1. Image superimposition method for superimposing various images, in which composite video signals are converted into digital signals for processing and converted, processed signals into analog signals for display on a monitor ( 14 ) for superimposition with another set of signals read by an electronic pen ( 19 ), converted, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:
Drawing a closed, curved line along the periphery of an image of a first memory ( 15 ) for superimposing on an image of a second memory ( 16 ),
Displaying signals that correspond to the closed, curved line in white color,
Determining a reference point after storing address signals of the closed, curved line in a third memory ( 17 ),
Superimposing the white, closed, curved line of the third memory over the image of the second memory, and
Superimposing the data of the first memory over the data of the second memory in accordance with a functional relationship between the reference point of the third memory and a reference point of the second memory, as recognized by the electronic pen for superimposing different images on top of each other. 2. Image overlay device for overlaying various images, characterized in that it comprises:
a first analog / digital converter ( 10 ) for converting composite video signals into digital signals,
a synchronization signal separator ( 12 ) for separating vertical synchronization signals from horizontal synchronization signals in the composite video signals,
an electronic pen ( 19 ) for reading signals corresponding to addresses on an electronic board ( 20 ),
an amplifier ( 21 ) for amplifying signals read by the electronic pen,
a second analog / digital converter ( 22 ) for converting the amplified signals into digital signals and a digital tal / analog converter ( 13 ) for converting digital output signals of the first and second analog / digital converters into analog signals for display on a monitor ( 14 ); and that it also includes:
a first memory ( 15 ) and a second memory ( 16 ) each for storing image data,
a third memory ( 17 ) for storing data of a closed curved line provided from the first memory by reading by means of the electronic pen when an image overlay key is pressed, and
a microcomputer ( 11 ) for displaying white color signals corresponding to the closed, curved line of the first and third memories and for overlaying an area of the first memory over the second memory using the data stored in the third memory to add the two different images together.