JPH0436880A - Picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the waiting state of various processings to improve the processing efficiency by independently and continuously performing storage, alignment, feature extraction, and discrimination. CONSTITUTION:In a period S1, first picture data is stored in a first frame memory 7 accessed by a CPU 13, and in a period S2, a sub-CPU 13 aligns first picture data stored in the first frame memory 7 and stores second picture data in a second frame memory 8. In a period S3, a feature extracting part 10 extracts features for appearance check from first picture data stored in the first frame memory 7 and the sub-CPU 13 aligns the picture of second picture data stored in the second frame memory 8 and stores third picture data in a third frame memory 9. Three frame memories are provided, and alignment processing and frame memory access are performed by the sub-CPU 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image processing device used in an inspection device or the like that performs an external appearance inspection of a product.

(Prior Art) In recent years, inspection devices using image processing have come to be used to inspect the appearance of products due to demands for labor savings.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image processing device used in such an inspection device.

In the figure, 1 is an A/D converter that converts an image signal captured by an imaging unit (not shown) such as an ITV camera into a digital signal, and 2 is a frame that stores one screen worth of image data converted to a digital signal. A memory 3 is a feature extraction unit that extracts features for visual inspection from the image data stored in the frame memory 2. Further, 4 is a CPU that performs overall control, and 5 is a timing control section that performs timing control of data output.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the image data converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 1 is stored in the frame memory 2 for a period of Sl. Next, during the S2 period, the CPU
4 performs image alignment processing, and in a period of S3, the feature extraction unit 3 extracts features for visual inspection from the image data stored in the frame memory 2. Finally, during a period of S4, the CPU 4 makes a judgment on the appearance inspection based on the extracted features.

However, in such an image processing device, since it is necessary to store the image data in the frame memory 2 during the periods S2 and S3, the next image data is not input to the frame memory 2 until the period S4. becomes possible. For this reason, a waiting state occurs in the various processes described above, resulting in a problem of poor processing efficiency.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In conventional image processing apparatuses that require a plurality of stepwise processes as described above, there is a problem that various processes involve waiting states, resulting in poor processing efficiency.

The present invention was made based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that eliminates waiting states for various processes and improves processing efficiency.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the two problems, the present invention provides at least a period for storing image data in a frame memory, and a period for storing the stored image data. The period for performing image alignment processing, the period for extracting predetermined features from the image data that has been subjected to this alignment processing, and the period for making predetermined judgments from these extracted features, and other necessary image processing. The apparatus includes at least three sets of frame memories for storing the image data, and means for independently performing the alignment process, so that the accumulation, alignment, feature extraction, and determination are performed independently and continuously. It is characterized by this.

(Function) The present invention is provided with at least three sets of frame memories for storing image data, and is also provided with means for independently performing alignment processing, and performs accumulation, alignment, feature extraction ti1, and determination independently and continuously. This makes it possible to eliminate waiting states for various processes and improve processing efficiency.

(Example) Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 6 is an A/D converter that converts an image signal captured by an imaging unit (not shown) such as an ITV camera into a digital signal, and 7 to 9 are screens for converting image data converted into digital signals, respectively. 10 is the first to third frame memories 7 to 9 for storing data.
This is a feature extraction unit that extracts features for visual inspection from image data stored in the image data.

Further, 11 is a main CPU that performs overall control.

Reference numeral 12 represents a timing control unit for controlling the timing of data output; and 3 represents a CPU used for image alignment processing and accessing the first to third frame memories 7 to 9. Note that the image alignment process referred to here refers to determining the center of the object to be imaged from the image captured by the imaging unit, and
This refers to limiting the inspection range from this center, and accessing the first to 33rd frame memories 7 to 9 refers to the frame memories that store image data by detecting empty spaces in the first to third frame memories. 0 Next, the operation of the image processing device configured in this way is explained in the second section.
This will be explained based on the timing chart shown in the figure.

First, the first image data converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 6 is sent to the CPU 1B in a period of Sl.
The data is stored in the first frame memory 7 accessed by.

Next, during the period S2, the sub CPU ], 3 performs image alignment processing of the first image data stored in the first frame memory 7, and converts it into a digital signal by the A/D converter 6. The second image data that has been
The data is stored in the second frame memory 8 accessed by 3.

Next, in the period of S3, the feature extraction unit]0 extracts features for visual inspection from the first image data stored in the first frame memory 7, and the sub CPU 13 extracts features for visual inspection from the first image data stored in the first frame memory 8. The stored second image data is subjected to image alignment processing, and the third image data converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 6 is sent to the CPU.
], the third frame memory 9 accessed by 3
Store in.

Next, in the period of S4, the image data of the first frame memory 7, in which the CPU 6 makes a judgment on appearance inspection based on the features extracted from the first image pig, is cleared, and the image data of the feature extraction section]0
extracts features for visual inspection from the second image data stored in the second frame memory 8, and
U], 3 performs alignment processing on the third image pig image stored in the third frame memory 9, and further A/
The fourth image data converted into a digital signal by the D converter 6 is stored in the first frame memory 7 accessed by the CPU 13.

Hereafter, such operations are repeated.

As described above, the image processing apparatus of this embodiment has three sets of frame memories, and the alignment processing frame memory is accessed by the sub CPU, so that there is no waiting state for various processes and the processing efficiency is high. .

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, at least three sets of frame memories for storing image pigs are provided, and a means for independently performing alignment processing is provided, and storage, alignment, feature extraction, and determination are carried out. Since the processes are performed independently and continuously, it is possible to eliminate waiting states for various processes and improve processing efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of this embodiment of the device, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional image processing device. The figure shown in FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the conventional device. 6... A/D converter, 7-9... 1st to 3rd frame memories, ]O... Feature extraction section, 11-... Main C
PU, 12...timing control unit, 13...sub C
P applicant Toshiba Engineering Corporation

Claims (1)

[Claims] At least a period of accumulating image data in a frame memory, a period of performing image alignment processing on the accumulated image data, and a period of extracting predetermined features from the image data subjected to this alignment processing; An image processing apparatus that requires a period of time for making a predetermined determination based on the extracted features is provided with at least three sets of frame memories for storing the image data and means for independently performing the alignment process, An image processing device characterized in that storage, alignment, feature extraction, and determination are performed independently and continuously.