JPH05314273A - Method and device for processing image data - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the method and device for processing image data so as to easily prepare the contour of an image. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with an input device 14 to prepare the editing image, edge detecting means 3 provided at a CPU 11 so as to detect the edge of continuous image data around a designated point in the prepared editing image, and contour data adding means 5 to add contour data to the edge detected by the edge detecting means 3. As the result, the image processor simplified in the structure for applying the modification effects on the image by forming the contour with high accuracy with simple processing to the image can be provided at low manufacture cost.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus for adding contour data to edges of image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Adding a contour to an image has a decorative effect on the image and also an effect of emphasizing the image with respect to a background image with good contrast. For example, when a second image such as a title or description is superimposed (superimposed) on the first image captured by the video camera using an input device such as a light pen,
In order to make the image of 3) stand out on the first image with good contrast, the second image is contoured. The second image in this case is often composed of characters and figures and may be relatively complicated as an image. Conventionally, in order to form a contour in such an image, a differentiating circuit is provided. The contour forming device is used to detect the boundary position of the image and successively create the contour image there.

[0003]

The conventional contour image creation described above requires a complicated apparatus and complicated processing, and there is a problem in terms of manufacturing cost of the apparatus. Further, a freely drawn figure or the like cannot be contoured without Dodd conversion, and for example, in an image composed of characters and figures, it is not possible to compose the contour in a state in which these are put together. The present invention has been made in view of the current state of contour creation for an image of this type described above, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing method and an image processing apparatus that can easily create a contour for an image.

[0004]

The above object is achieved by detecting an edge of image data that is continuous around a specified point in an image and adding contour data to this edge. Further, the above-mentioned object is to add contour data to an edge of the second image in the image processing method for creating the third image by superimposing the second image on the first image, and the contour data is added. This is achieved by superimposing the generated second image on the first image. Further, the above-mentioned object is, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1 showing the configuration of the present invention, an edge detecting means for detecting an edge from image data continuous around a specified point in an image created by the image creating means 2. 3 and contour data adding means 5 for adding contour data to the edge detected by the edge detecting means 3.

[0005]

According to the present invention, the edge of the image data which is continuous around the specified point set in the image is detected, and the contour data is added to the detected edge. Further, in the present invention, in the image processing method of superimposing the second image on the first image to create the third image, contour data is added to the edge of the second image, and the contour data is added. The first image is superimposed on the generated second image. The operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. In step S1, a designated point is set in the image, in step S2 edges of image data continuous around the designated point are detected, and in step S3.
The contour data is added to the edge detected in step S4, and it is confirmed in step S4 that the contour data is added to all the image data.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment of an image processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, a CPU 11 is provided with a video RAM (hereinafter referred to as VRAM) 1 via a bus B.
2, an input device 14 including a ROM 13, a RAM 15, and a light pen are connected, and a display device 16 is connected to the VRAM 12. Here, the CPU 11 is provided with edge detecting means, contour data adding means and superimposing means, the CPU 11 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the embodiment, and the ROM 13 stores the operation program of the embodiment. It has been stored. In addition, the input device 14
Has a function of inputting image data from outside and inputting edited image data for forming an image with a light pen. further,
The RAM 15 has a function of storing various data during image processing, the VRAM 12 has a function of storing image data from the input device 14, and the display device has a first image, It has a function of displaying an edited image which is the second image, a processed image obtained by adding a contour to the edited image, and a first image obtained by superposing the processed image.

Next, the image processing operation of the embodiment having such a structure will be described with reference to a process of adding a contour to an edited image drawn by operating the light pen of the input device 14. First, the basic operation of the image processing of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described. 5 to 8 are explanatory diagrams of the basic operation of the image processing of the embodiment, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams of the shift of the image processing from the parent horizontal line to the adjacent horizontal line in the embodiment. Is. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the designated point 20 is set on the longest horizontal line in the X-axis direction of the edited image to which the contour is added.
The edges 21 and 22 are detected by a change in the presence or absence of image data at the pixel adjacent to the image data at the end of the image in the left and right X coordinate directions, and the image data portion sandwiched between these edges is the original parent. Fill parameters are created. Further, contour data is added to the edge (Fill) corresponding to the fill parameter of the original parent, and based on the fill parameter of the original parent, the edge for the image data is similarly detected for the horizontal lines adjacent in the Y-axis direction. The child fill parameters are sequentially created between the edges, and the contour is added in the same manner. And next, the child's fill parameter as the parent's fill parameter,
Image data of a horizontal line adjacent to the fill parameter in the Y-axis direction is sequentially created as child fill parameters, and the edges of the respective lines thus detected are sequentially contoured to obtain an image. A contour is attached to the entire periphery of.

Such image processing is performed according to the following basic rules shown in FIGS. A. The contour data adding means adds contour data to the outer edges of the fill parameter detected by the edge detecting means (FIG. 6). B. Between the fill parameters existing in the X coordinate area of the common parent fill parameters existing on the same horizontal line,
The contour data adding means adds the contour data (FIG. 7). C. When the child fill parameter is reduced on the left side of the parent fill parameter (C1), on the right side of the parent fill parameter (C2), and when the fill parameter does not exist (C3), contour data adding means Adds contour data to the corresponding area (FIG. 8). At this time, the end of the added contour data in the X coordinate direction is made to coincide with the contour data of the end of the parent fill parameter located at the closest position.

Here, the image processing on the horizontal line adjacent to the fill parameter of the original parent in the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 9A, an edge is detected, contour data is added to the edge, and the parent data is added. When the fill parameter is created, image processing proceeds to a horizontal line that is adjacent to the fill parameter in the Y-axis direction. First, the position corresponding to the X coordinate at the left end of the parent fill parameter is set as the fill point f. In this case, since there is no image data at the left X coordinate, the pixel is a boundary with the image data at the end of the edited image. If it is not a point, as shown in FIG. 9B, the end is made to match the contour data of the closest parent fill parameter edge by the above-mentioned basic rule C1 and the contour data is added to the X coordinate right direction. While detecting the edge position. If image data exists at the fill point f, the edge of the fill parameter that exists in the X coordinate left direction is first detected. In any of these detection operations, the edge position where the pixel is a boundary point with the image data is detected, the fill parameter of the child is detected between the edge positions, and the outline data is added to the edge according to the basic rule A. The child fill parameters are formed as shown in FIG. Next, by repeating the above-described processing until the position corresponding to the X coordinate of the right end of the parent fill parameter with respect to the horizontal line and applying the basic rules A, B, and C, the contour data is obtained as shown in FIG. The fill parameters of the added child are sequentially created. When the processing of the horizontal line is completed, the same processing is performed on the horizontal line adjacent to the parent fill parameter in the Y-axis direction downward. After that, contour data is sequentially added in the Y-axis direction using the child fill parameter as the parent fill parameter.

Next, an example of image processing of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 11 to 14. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment, and FIGS. 11 to 14 are explanatory diagrams of the image processing according to the embodiment. Step S in FIG.
11, the edge of the pixel line of the horizontal line that constitutes the edited image is detected, the one having the longest distance between the edges in the X coordinate direction is selected, the fill parameter of the original parent is created, and the fill parameter is set. The designated point 20 is set to, and contour data is added to the edge in step S12. Then, in step S13, the RAM 1 is set as the fill parameter of the original parent.
5 is stacked in the ring buffer area. Step S
In step S14, the fill parameter is popped up, and in step S15, the child fill parameter is created and the corresponding contour drawing process is performed based on the fill parameter.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, for the horizontal line adjacent to the original parent fill parameter above the Y axis,
Image processing proceeds with the pixel at the X coordinate position of the image data at the left end of the original parent fill parameter as the fill point. In this case, since there is no image data to the left of the X coordinate of the fill point, the edge is made to match the contour data of the fill parameter edge of the original parent according to the basic rule C1, and the contour data is moved to the X coordinate right direction. Add it.
In this state, the edge position where the pixel is a boundary point with the image data is detected, the fill parameter of the child is detected from the edge position, and the outline data is added to the edge according to the basic rule A to calculate the fill parameter of the first child. To create. Similarly, the edge position is detected until the X coordinate of the left end of the fill parameter of the original parent is reached, the edge corresponding to the fill parameter of the second child is detected, and the basic rule A is used to fill the second child. The contour data is added to the edge of the parameter, and the basic rule B adds the contour data between the fill parameter of the first child and the fill parameter of the second child. Similarly, the edge corresponding to the fill parameter of the third child is detected, the contour data is added to the edge of the fill parameter of the third child by the basic rule A, and the fill parameter of the second child and the fill parameter of the second child are added by the basic rule B. Contour data is added between the three fill parameters. Then, according to the basic rule C2, the contour data is added to the third fill parameter reduced on the right side by matching the end portion in the right direction of the X coordinate with the contour data of the original parent fill parameter edge. To be done.

Next, image processing is performed on a horizontal line adjacent to the original parent fill parameter in the Y-axis downward direction,
Using the pixel at the X coordinate position of the image data at the left end of the original parent fill parameter as a fill point, an edge is similarly detected, the fill parameter of the fourth child is created, and the outline data is added according to the basic rule A. Then, with respect to the horizontal line, edges corresponding to the fill parameter of the fifth child are detected in the right direction of the X coordinate, fill parameters of the fifth child are created, and contour data is added to these edges according to the basic rule A. .. Then, outline data is added between the fill parameter of the fourth child and the fill parameter of the fifth child by the basic rule B, and the outline data is added by the basic rule C2 to the end of the fill parameter of the fifth child whose right side is reduced. The part is added to match the contour data of the fill parameter edge of the original parent.

Here, the fill parameter of the first child, the second
An image for a horizontal line adjacent to the horizontal line above the Y axis by using the child fill parameter and the third child fill parameter as the first parent fill parameter, the second parent fill parameter, and the third parent fill parameter, respectively. Processing is performed. First, the pixel at the X coordinate position of the leftmost image data of the fill parameter of the first parent is used as a fill point. In this case, since there is no image data to the left of the X coordinate of the fill point, the basic rule C1 is used to determine the edge portion. The contour data position is aligned with the contour data position at the end of the fill parameter of the first parent, and the contour data is added. Then, the edge corresponding to the fill parameter of the 1-1 th child is detected, the fill parameter of the 1-1 th child is detected, and the basic rule A adds contour data to the edge of the fill parameter of the 1-1 th child. It Next, the pixel at the X coordinate position of the leftmost image data of the fill parameter of the second parent is used as a fill point. In this case, since there is no image data between the fill point and the fill parameter of the 1-1 th child, According to the rule C1, contour data is added in the right direction of the X axis. In this process, edges corresponding to the fill parameter of the 2-1th child are detected, contour data is added to these edges by the basic rule A, and the right side is reduced by the basic rule C2.
The contour data is added to the fill parameter of one child by matching the end position with the contour data position of the end of the fill parameter of the third parent, which is the closest position. Then, the image processing is performed with the pixel at the X coordinate position of the leftmost image data of the fill parameter of the third parent as the fill point. In this case, since the image data exists at the fill point,
The edge is detected in the left direction of the X coordinate to detect the same edge as the fill parameter of the 2-1th child. However, in this case, since the overlap is detected, the fill parameter of the 3-1st child is not created.

Next, the fill parameter of the fourth child, the fifth
Image processing is performed on a horizontal line adjacent to the horizontal line including the fill parameters of the parent as the fill parameter of the fourth parent and the fill parameter of the fifth parent, respectively, using the fill parameter of the child as the fill parameter of the fourth parent and the fill parameter of the fifth parent. First,
Since there is no image data in the X coordinate direction of the fill point with the pixel at the X coordinate position of the leftmost image data of the fourth parent fill parameter as the fill point, basic rule C
By 3, the edge position is matched with the edge data position of the edge of the fourth parent fill parameter, and the edge data is added.
Next, the pixel at the X coordinate position of the image data at the left end of the fill parameter of the fifth parent is used as the fill point, and since there is no image data to the left of the X coordinate of the fill point, the end is defined by the basic rule C3 as the fifth parent. The contour data is added in conformity with the contour data position at the end of the fill parameter of. In this process, the edges corresponding to the fill parameter of the 5-1st child are detected, and the outline data is added to these edges according to the basic rule A.

Here, the fill parameter of the 1-1 th child and the fill parameter of the 2-1 th child are respectively set as the fill parameter of the 1-1 th parent and the fill parameter of the 2-1 th parent, and the fill parameters of these parents are set. Image processing is performed on a horizontal line adjacent to the horizontal line including the parameter on the Y axis. First, since the pixel at the X coordinate position of the image data at the left end of the 1-1st parent fill parameter is the fill point and there is no image data in the X coordinate direction of the fill point, the end part is defined as the first rule by the basic rule C3. -1 Contour data is added to match the contour data at the end of the parent fill parameter. Similarly, since the pixel at the X coordinate position of the image data at the left end of the 2-1st parent fill parameter is the fill point and there is no image data in the X coordinate direction of the fill point, the edge is defined by the basic rule C3. The contour data is added in conformity with the contour data at the end of the 2-1st parent fill parameter.

Finally, with the 5-1st child fill parameter as the 5-1st parent fill parameter, image processing is performed on a horizontal line adjacent to the horizontal line including this parent fill parameter below the Y axis. The pixel at the X coordinate position of the image data at the left end of the 5-1st parent fill parameter is used as the fill point, and there is no image data in the X coordinate direction of the fill point. The contour data is added so as to match the contour data at the end of the parent fill parameter. The outline data described above can be created with a color selected in advance.

In the above-described image processing, from the fill parameter of the original parent, the fill parameter of the first parent to the fill parameter of the fifth parent, the fill parameter of the 1-1 parent, the fill parameter of the 2-1 parent, and The 5-1st parent fill parameter is sequentially stacked in the ring buffer area of the RAM 15 in step S12 of the flowchart of FIG. 4, and the newly stacked parent fill parameter is sequentially popped up to the corresponding child fill parameter. Contour data addition processing is performed, and when this processing is completed, it is erased from the ring buffer area. Therefore, in the embodiment, in step S13, the fill parameter of the 5-1st parent is finally stacked in the ring buffer, and when the contour shown in FIG. 14 is drawn, the determination in step S14 is NO and the image processing is completed.

In the above description, the case where the edge of the image data of the edited image is detected and the contour data is added to this edge has been described. However, the edited image having the contour thus formed is the CPU 11 of FIG. By the command of the superimposing means, the superimposing can be performed as a second image with a contour on the first image that is input from the outside and that is captured by, for example, a video camera. Further, although the case where a single contour is added has been described in the embodiment, it is also possible to add a double contour in different colors in the same manner.

In this way, according to the embodiment, the original images having a relatively complicated structure, which are composed of characters and figures, for example, are treated as a single image and are processed with high accuracy as shown in FIG. The contour is drawn. In the embodiment, the edge detecting means detects a change in the presence or absence of the image data of the edited image and detects the edge to create the fill parameter. The edited image data is easily identified from the first image data by the color code. Since it is possible, it is not necessary to provide a complicated edge detection circuit. In the embodiment, the contour data adding means adds the contour data for each horizontal line to the parent fill parameter detected by the edge detecting means in accordance with a predetermined basic rule. It is possible to provide a device for contouring with high precision at a low manufacturing cost.

[0020]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an edge of continuous image data around a specified point in an image is detected, and contour data is added to this edge. Contouring can be performed to give a modifying effect to the image. Further, according to the present invention, in an image processing method for superimposing a second image on a first image to create a third image, contour data is added to an edge of the second image, and the contour data is added to the edge. Since the second image to which the data is added is superimposed on the first image, the second image can be superimposed on the first image as a background with a good contrast and an excellent modifying effect. It becomes possible to do. Further, according to the present invention, the edge detecting means detects the edge of the image data continuous around the specified point in the image, and the contour data adding means adds the contour data to the edge detected by the edge detecting means. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus having a simple structure that performs high-precision contour formation on an image with a simple process and gives a modifying effect to the image at a low manufacturing cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of fill parameter setting of an original parent of image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a basic rule A of image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a basic rule B of image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a basic rule C1 of image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention,
It is explanatory drawing of C2 and C3.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a shift to an adjacent horizontal line and fill parameter creation processing in image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of image processing completed with adjacent horizontal lines according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of contour addition to a fill parameter of an original parent in image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of contour addition to a horizontal line adjacent to a fill parameter of an original parent in image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

13 is an explanatory diagram of contour addition to a horizontal line adjacent to a horizontal line to which a contour is added in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an edited image to which a contour is added by the image processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image display device 2 Image creation means 3 Edge detection means 5 Contour data addition means 11 CPU 12 Video RAM 13 ROM 14 Input device 15 RAM 16 Display device

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Izumi Kawanishi 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method, characterized in that an edge of continuous image data is detected around a specified point in an image, and contour data is added to this edge. 2. The third image is obtained by superimposing the second image on the first image.
In the image processing method for creating the image, the contour image is added to the edge of the second image, and the second image to which the contour data is added is superimposed on the first image. Processing method. 3. An edge detecting means for detecting an edge of image data continuous around a specified point in an image, and a contour data adding means for adding contour data to the edge detected by the edge detecting means. Characteristic image processing device.