JPH1075414A - Image storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An object of the present invention is to easily create a portrait that is more similar to a real one in an image storage device without taking time to select a pattern for each part constituting the portrait. . When a face image of a target person to be a portrait is input by a video signal to a CPU via an image data input unit in accordance with an operation of an image input key, the image is stored in an input image memory. 15 is read out based on the basic position data of each part stored in the basic position memory 16 and a plurality of image patterns of each part stored in the part memory 17 in advance. The pattern matching unit 18 matches the type of part pattern, and the part pattern of each part having the highest matching degree of the image pattern is selected and combined and displayed on the display unit 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image storage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called electronic still camera has been known in which an image is transferred to an image pickup device such as a CCD and the image data is stored in a floppy disk or a semiconductor memory such as a RAM.

[0003] However, this type of electronic still camera has a drawback that a hand shakes at the time of printing and a good image cannot be taken, and a drawback that a large capacity memory is required. .

On the other hand, in order to reduce the memory capacity,
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a portrait creating apparatus that creates a portrait by combining image data prepared in advance, instead of image data projected on an image sensor or the like.

[0005] The conventional caricature creation device includes an eye, a nose, a mouth,
Each part, such as eyebrows, contours, hairstyles, etc., has a part memory in which a plurality of types of bitmap patterns are stored. The individual part patterns are selectively called by a key input operation and are synthesized and displayed on a display unit. You have created any portraits.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional portrait creating apparatus, there is a problem that if the types of part patterns stored in the parts memory in advance are small, it is not possible to create a portrait similar to a real one.

[0007] To deal with this, it is possible to create a caricature that is close to the real one by providing a large number of pattern types for each part in the parts memory. However, on the other hand, it takes much time and effort to select each part pattern. There is a problem that it is difficult to judge one of the overlapping or approximated patterns as an appropriate pattern.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems,
First, an object is to provide an image storage device capable of satisfactorily copying image data. Secondly, it is an object of the invention to easily create a portrait that is more similar to a real one without taking time to select each part pattern.

[0009]

That is, according to the present invention, a shutter is provided so as not to affect an image pickup device, and image input means for inputting face image data; Image storage means for storing face image data input by the above-mentioned method, parts storage means for dividing each part of the face into parts such as hair, eyes, nose, mouth and the like, and storing a plurality of types of part patterns for each part; A pattern matching unit that matches each part of the face image data stored in the image storage unit with a plurality of types of part patterns for each part of the face stored in the part storage unit; And a pattern synthesizing means for synthesizing a portrait by combining the part patterns for each part stored in the parts storage means.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 shows an image storage device of the present invention, in which 30 is an imaging device, and 31 is an information processing device generally called an electronic notebook.

The image pickup device 30 is provided with an optical system composed of a lens, an image pickup device such as a CCD on which an external image is projected via the optical system, a focusing mechanism, a shutter mechanism (not shown), and the like. ing.

The driving signal of the image pickup device and the driving signal of the shutter mechanism are sent from the electronic organizer 31 via a flexible wiring 32. Then, the image data transferred to the image sensor is sent to the electronic organizer 31 via the wiring 32.

The electronic keypad 31 has a key input unit 1 for data.
2. The display unit 19 is provided, and the specific key 12a of the key input unit 12 operates as a shutter switch of the imaging device 30, that is, when the key 12a is pressed, the shutter signal is operated by the operation signal. The mechanism is opened, and an image is printed on the image sensor.

The key 12a can be used as follows. That is, the shutter mechanism is continuously opened, the images transferred to the image sensor are sequentially sent to the electronic organizer 31 and displayed on the display unit 19, and when the image to be stored is displayed, the key 12a is pressed. When you operate,
The image at that time may be stored in an image memory described later.

Therefore, the shutter switch is set to the electronic notebook 3
Since the image pickup device is provided in the first position, it is possible to prevent a problem that the image pickup device shakes due to a hand shake of the user. The above electronic organizer 3
1 is a name, an address, and the like input from the key input unit 12;
In addition to storing and displaying telephone numbers, schedule data, and the like, and other various processes, the digital still camera also has a portrait creation function (the electronic notebook 31 is hereinafter referred to as a portrait creation apparatus).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portrait drawing apparatus. This portrait drawing apparatus includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11. The CPU 11 controls the operation of each part of the circuit in accordance with a portrait drawing program stored in the ROM 13 based on a key operation signal from the key input unit 12.
2. In addition to the ROM 13, an image data input unit 14, an input image memory 15, a basic position memory 16, a parts memory 1
7, the pattern matching unit 18 and the display unit 19 are connected.

In addition to the data input keys, the key input unit 12 is operated to input the image of a portrait of a person to be a portrait, and to operate the key 12a to correct the created portrait. Various function keys such as a correction key 21 and pattern selection keys 22a and 22b operated when selecting the next candidate pattern of the part to be corrected in the portrait correction mode are provided.

The image data input unit 14 is for inputting image data, for example, a video signal of a face image of a person image to be a portrait, via the flexible wiring 32. A / C separation unit 14a and an A / D conversion unit 14b are provided.

The Y / C separation section 14a separates and extracts only the luminance signal Y from the luminance signal Y and the color difference signal C included in the video signal. The video luminance signal Y from the Y / C separation circuit 14a is The signal is supplied to the A / D converter 14b.

The A / D converter 14b converts the video luminance signal Y for one field supplied from the Y / C separation circuit 14a into digital data in synchronization with a preset sampling clock. In this A / D
The image data converted to digital data via the conversion unit 14b is transferred to the input image memory 15 and stored.

The digital data stored in the input image memory 15 is converted into a video signal via the CPU 11 and displayed on the display unit 19. The basic position memory 16
Stores the basic storage position of the face image in the input image memory 15 as an address value divided for each part such as hair, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. By reading the face image data stored in the input image memory 15 in accordance with the address value obtained, the face image data captured as the portrait target person is
The information is read for each part such as the eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

The parts memory 17 stores each part of the face with hair,
The parts are divided into parts such as eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, and a plurality of types of part patterns are numbered at predetermined storage positions for each part and stored as bitmap data. A portrait pattern is formed by combining one part pattern for each part.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part pattern storage state corresponding to a "nose" part in the part memory 17 of the portrait drawing apparatus. In this part memory 17, a plurality of types of part patterns (1 to 2) are provided for each part.
0), a matching frequency register storing the number of matching matching dots with the corresponding part of the face image data stored in the input image memory 15, and a larger matching dot number stored in the matching frequency register. A rank register in which rank numbers are stored in order is provided.

The pattern matching section 18 stores each part of the face image data read from the input image memory 15 in accordance with the storage position address of each part of the face image data stored in the basic position memory 16, A plurality of part patterns of the corresponding part stored in the part memory 17 are sequentially collated, and the number of matching dots corresponding to the number of the image coincidence points is obtained. The number of coincident dots is stored in the coincidence register, and the rank of the coincidence is stored in the rank register.

Here, for all of the plurality of part patterns for each part in the parts memory 17, the number of matching dots with each part of the face image data and the order number thereof are stored. The first-order part pattern is read out, and is synthesized and displayed on the display unit 19.

Next, the operation of the portrait drawing apparatus having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a portrait creation process performed by the portrait creation device. FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing the basic process, FIG. 3B is a flowchart showing the part disassembly process, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the pattern matching process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a portrait pattern correction and change process in the portrait creation process of the portrait creation device. That is, when a portrait creation key (not shown) is operated, a portrait creation program stored in the ROM 13 is started, and the input image memory 15 is stored in the CPU 11.
Is transferred (step S).
1).

Then, the face image data for one screen stored in the input image memory 15 is corrected by erasing the extra image data existing in the background portion, and the process shifts from the part disassembling process to the pattern matching process. (Steps S2, S3, S4).

That is, in the part disassembling process, the basic position data of the face image constituting parts stored in advance in the basic position memory 16 is read out for each part such as hair, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. First, when the basic position data corresponding to the hair part is read, based on the basic position data of the hair parts, only the image data corresponding to the hair part is obtained from the face image data stored in the input image memory 15. Is taken out and sent to the pattern matching unit 18 (steps S3a, S3a).
3b).

In the pattern matching process, the first part pattern of the hair part stored in the parts memory 17 is specified in accordance with the image data of the hair part decomposed and extracted in the parts decomposing process. The data is sent to the pattern matching unit 18 (step S4a).

Then, the image data of the hair part read from the input image memory 15 and the first part pattern of the hair part read from the parts memory 17 are collated by the pattern matching unit 18 and the image pattern is compared. The number of matching dots corresponding to the matching point is counted, and the number of matching matching dots between the hair image data in the face image data and the first registered hair first part pattern is determined by the first part of the hair. It is stored in the coincidence frequency register in the parts memory 17 corresponding to the pattern (step S4).
b).

Here, in the parts memory 17, it is determined whether or not there is a next part pattern to be compared (in this case, the second part pattern of the hair), and it is determined that "the next pattern is present". Then, the second part pattern of the hair part in the parts memory 17 is designated and sent to the pattern matching unit 18 (step S4c → S4a).

Then, the hair part image data already read from the input image memory 15 and the part memory 1 are read.
7 is compared with the second part pattern of the hair part newly read out from the hair part 7, and the number of matching dots corresponding to the matching point of the image pattern is counted. The number of matching dots to be compared with the pattern is stored in the matching frequency register in the parts memory 17 corresponding to the second part pattern of the hair (step S4b).

That is, in this case, by repeating steps S4a to S4c in the pattern matching process, the hair image data in the face image stored in the input image memory 15 as the portrait object and the hair image data in the parts memory 17 are registered in advance. The matching process with each part pattern of the hair part is sequentially repeated, and the number of matching matching dots is stored in the matching frequency register corresponding to each part pattern.
Thereafter, when the matching process with all the hair part patterns is completed, it is determined in step S4c that "no next pattern exists", and the matching match with the hair image data stored in the matching frequency register corresponding to each part pattern is performed. Based on the number of dots, rank numbers are assigned in descending order of the matching frequency, and stored in the corresponding rank registers (step S).
4c → S4d).

In this way, first, when the processing of matching the hair image data in the face image data input to the video with all the hair part patterns and the processing of ranking the degree of coincidence are completed, the parts disassembly in steps S3 and S4 is performed again. The processing and the pattern matching processing are repeated, and the collation processing with all the eyebrow part patterns for the eyebrow image data read based on the basic position data next to the hair image data, and the ranking processing of the matching frequency are executed. .

That is, by repeating the parts disassembling process and the pattern matching process in steps S3 and S4, the image data of all the parts of the face image data stored in the input image memory 15 is stored in the part memory 17. All the stored part patterns are collated for each part, and the matching frequency is ranked (see FIG. 2).

In this way, when the order of comparison with the face image data of each part pattern is stored in the order register of each part of the parts memory 17, the respective parts (hair, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth) are stored. , Ears,...) Are read out from the part memory 17 and the display unit 19 as a portrait pattern that is theoretically closest to the face image data stored in the input image memory 15.
(Step S5a).

That is, when the user operates the image input key 20 and the face image data of the portrait subject input to the CPU 11 via the image data input unit 14 is stored in the input image memory 15, the face image data Are automatically read out from the parts memory 17 based on the pattern matching processing, and are displayed. The parts pattern most similar to the image data pattern of each part (hair, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, ears,...) The image is synthesized and displayed on the unit 19.

Then, in step S5a, when the portrait pattern closest to the portrait image data of the portrait subject is displayed on the display unit 19 in a synthesized state, and the portrait pattern is to be corrected or changed, When the correction key 21 is operated, the part name (hair, eyebrow, eye, nose, mouth, ear, etc.) to be corrected in the portrait pattern is displayed on the display unit 19 together with the portrait pattern (step S5b →). S5c).

In this case, the name of the part to be corrected is initially set to, for example, "hair", and is updated and displayed as "eyebrows" → "eyes" → "nose" →... Each time the correction key 21 is operated. Here, for example, when the correction key 21 is operated four times to select and display the part name “nose” to be corrected, and the pattern selection key (↑) 22a is operated, the part memory 1
7 based on the pattern matching order stored in the order register (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the plurality of nose part patterns.
The second-ranked nose part pattern is designated and read out, and replaced with the first-ranked nose part pattern in the currently displayed caricature pattern and synthesized and displayed (steps S5d → S5e, S5e).
5f).

In this case, the part pattern specified as the correction target is the pattern selection key (↑) 22a
Is operated, the part pattern is exchanged and corrected to the next order part pattern. Each time the pattern selection key (↓) 22b is operated, the part pattern is exchanged and corrected to the previous order part pattern (steps S5d → S5e, S5f). , S5b).

In this manner, the user designates an arbitrary part to be corrected with respect to the portrait pattern displayed on the display unit 19, and replaces the part pattern with a desired pattern. )
Is operated, the number of each part pattern constituting the portrait pattern in the current display state is changed to R as portrait data.
It is written and registered in the AM or the like (step S5g → S6).

Therefore, according to the portrait creating apparatus having the above-described configuration, in response to the operation of the image input key 20, the face image of the target person to be a portrait is input to the CPU 11 via the image data input unit 14 by the video signal and the input image is input. When stored in the memory 15, the image pattern of each part of the face image data stored in the input image memory 15 is read based on the basic position data of each part stored in the basic position memory 16 and the part memory 17 is compared with a plurality of types of part patterns for each part stored in advance in the pattern matching unit 18, and the part pattern of each part having the highest matching match of the image pattern is selected and displayed on the display unit 19. Without the need for the user to perform complicated key input operations or selecting part patterns, etc. The approximated portrait pattern can be easily formed.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an imaging device for capturing image data, and a storage device which is connected to the imaging device by a flexible wiring and has an image memory for storing the image data captured by the imaging device. And a control switch for controlling the copying by the imaging device is provided in the storage device, so that the imaging device can be fixedly imprinted and the image of the copied image can be prevented from being shaken.

In the portrait drawing apparatus, each part of the face is divided into parts such as hair, eyes, nose, mouth, etc., and a part storage means for storing a plurality of types of part patterns for each part; Pattern matching means for matching each part of the stored face image data with a plurality of types of part patterns for each part of the face stored in the part storage means; and It is provided with a pattern synthesizing unit that combines the part patterns for each part stored in the storage unit and synthesizes a portrait, so that it is easy to create a portrait that is more similar to the real one without having to take time to select each part pattern. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portrait creating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part pattern storage state corresponding to a “nose” part in a part memory of the portrait creating apparatus.

3A and 3B are flowcharts showing a portrait creation process by the portrait creation device, wherein FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing the basic process, FIG. 3B is a flowchart showing the part disassembly process, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the pattern matching process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a portrait pattern correction and change process in the portrait creation process of the portrait creation device.

FIG. 5 is an overall view of an image storage device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Key input unit, 13 ... ROM, 14 ... Image data input unit, 14a ... Y / C separation unit, 14b ... A / D conversion unit, 15 ... Input image memory, 16 ... Basic position memory, 17 ... Parts memory, 18 ... Pattern matching part, 19 ... Display part, 20 ... Image input key, 21 ... Correct key, 22a, 22b ... Pattern selection key, 30 ... Imaging device, 31 ... Electronic notebook, 32 ... Flexible wiring.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 6, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image storage device. In particular, the present invention relates to an image storage device to which an imaging device and an information processing device having a storage device separate from the imaging device are connected.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0004

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0004] In addition, on the other hand, is an information processing apparatus such as an electronic notebook
Are known. This kind of information processing devices such as electronic organizers
In addition to storing image data, creating portraits
Some are known.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

When the above-described electronic still camera is connected to an information processing device, an image is captured by a shutter operation provided in the electronic still camera, and the captured image data is transmitted to the information processing device. What you transfer is normal. In this case, as described above, at the time of imprinting, there is a problem that a hand shakes and a good image cannot be imprinted.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image storage apparatus which can Utsushitoru the images data better.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image capturing apparatus for capturing image data, and an image capturing apparatus connected to the image capturing apparatus and captured by the image capturing apparatus. An information processing device having an image memory for storing image data stored therein, and a control switch for controlling copying by the imaging device is provided in the information processing device. . Thus, the imprinting operation can be performed by the operation of the information processing apparatus having the image memory for storing the image data, and there is an effect that the image of the copied image can be prevented from being shaken. Further, as described in claim 2, the imaging device and the information processing device may be connected by a flexible wiring. Further, as described in claim 3, the information processing device may include a display device that displays image data stored in the image memory. Also,
As described in claim 4, the information processing device may include a display device that displays image data captured by the imaging device. Further, in the invention described in claim 5, an image pickup apparatus provided with a shutter mechanism, and an information processing apparatus connected to the image pickup apparatus via a flexible wiring, wherein a drive signal of the shutter mechanism is the information processing apparatus. An image storage device is provided which is sent from the device via the flexible wiring, and a shutter signal of the imaging device is opened by the drive signal to imprint an image. Thus, the shutter drive signal can be sent from the information processing apparatus having the image memory for storing the image data to the image pickup apparatus via the flexible wiring, so that an effect of preventing a shake of the copied image can be obtained. Further, in the invention according to claim 6, an imaging device that captures image data, an image memory that is connected to the imaging device and stores image data captured by the imaging device, and a display unit that displays the image data. Means for sequentially transmitting image data taken by the imaging device to the information processing device and displaying the image data on the display unit, and storing the image data in the image memory by a predetermined operation Means for causing the image storage device to be provided. This allows the image to be stored to be stored in the image memory when the image to be stored is displayed while confirming the image to be copied on the information processing apparatus side. Further, as described in claim 7, the information processing apparatus may include a portrait creating unit. Further, as described in claim 8, the information processing apparatus may include an image input unit. The image input means may be a means for inputting a video signal.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0044

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0044]

As described above , according to the present invention , the operation of the information processing apparatus having an image memory for storing image data is performed.
Can perform an operation imprinting at work, it is possible to prevent the image of Utsushitori swings.

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0045

[Correction method] Deleted

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image capturing apparatus for capturing image data, and a storage device connected to the image capturing apparatus via a flexible wiring and having an image memory for storing image data captured by the image capturing apparatus. An image storage device, wherein a control switch for controlling picking is provided in the storage device. 2. The image storage device according to claim 1, wherein said storage device is an information processing device that inputs information, stores and processes the input information. 3. The image storage device according to claim 1, wherein said storage device further comprises a display device for displaying image data stored in said image memory.