JP2005005960A - Apparatus, system, and method for image processing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method, which are capable of easily forming a frame image from an illustration image, a photographed image or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A figure region 202 and a background region 204 are automatically extracted from subject image data 200. The background region 204 is set out of a target region and subjected to processes of turning itself unicolor and turning colors transparent, whereby a transparent GIF image 208 is formed. The extension of the transparent GIF image 208 is converted to imf, and a frame image 210 is formed. In a frame image forming service which forms a frame image through a service server on a network when the subject image data 200 of a frame image are uploaded to the service server, the service server forms the frame image 210 from the subject image data 200. The frame image 210 formed through the service server can be delivered to users that can be connected to the service server through a network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method, and more particularly to an image processing technique for extracting and processing a region in an image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some mobile devices such as a mobile phone having an imaging function have a function of combining a captured image and a frame image, and the user can select a desired frame from frame images prepared in advance in the mobile device. The image can be selected. Some users can create original frame images and record them on mobile devices.
[0003]
A human image background composition device disclosed in Patent Document 1 divides a target image into a human region, a background region, and a boundary region, outputs an input human image to the human region, and inputs an input background to the background region. An image is output, and the person area and the background area are synthesized in the boundary area based on the gray value of the pixels in the boundary area and the distance from the background.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-274067
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order to divide the person area and the background area in one image, the user manually sets the boundary between the two using an operation unit such as a mouse and performs the dividing process. Setting is very difficult and requires a lot of time and effort.
[0006]
Similarly, when a user creates an original frame image, it has been necessary to set a transparent portion manually, which requires a lot of trouble. If the boundaries are complex, this effort is further increased.
[0007]
In the human image background synthesizing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the input image is divided into three areas, a human area, a background area, and a boundary area, so that the processing becomes complicated. In addition, there is a problem that the boundary region causes image quality degradation.
[0008]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method that can easily generate a frame image from an illustration image, a captured image, and the like.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes image data input means for inputting image data, and extraction for automatically extracting a region outside the object from the image data input by the image data input means. Means, a transmissive area setting means for setting a non-object area extracted by the extracting means as a transmissive area, and a transmissive process for performing a transmissive process for transmitting a color to the transmissive area set by the transmissive area setting means. Means, data format conversion means for generating a frame image by converting the data format of the image data subjected to the transparency processing by the transparency processing means, and a frame generated by converting the data format by the data format conversion means And a frame image output means for outputting an image.
[0010]
According to the present invention, a region outside the object is automatically extracted from the image data input by the image data input unit by the extraction unit, and the region outside the object is set as a transmission region by the transmission region setting unit. Since a frame image is generated by performing a transparency process for transmitting colors to the transparent area and converting the data format, it was conventionally generated while the user operated through an operation means such as a mouse. A frame image can be automatically generated.
[0011]
Image data includes image data captured by a digital camera, image data captured by a scanner, and illustrations drawn using an electronic drawing device. The compression format of the electronic data may be a JPEG format, or a bitmap (BMP) format or the like may be another compression format.
[0012]
The non-object area indicates an area other than the object when a certain object is used as an object in the image. For example, in an image composed of a person (area) and a background (area), if the person is the object, the background is the non-object area, and if the background is the object, the person is the object area. In an image composed of three or more areas, the object area and the non-object area may be composed of two or more areas.
[0013]
The transparency process is a process for transmitting a specified color among colors used in an image, such as a transparent GIF. The color to be subjected to the permeabilization process may be one color or a plurality of colors.
[0014]
The conversion of the data format includes not only the conversion of the file format and the conversion of the data compression format, but also the simple change of the extension without performing the conversion of the file format or the conversion of the data compression format. An extension can be associated with a program, and a common program can be used for data with the same extension added. In addition, the use of an extension has the advantage that the searchability of the same type of data can be improved and the data of the same file format can be managed in a unified manner.
[0015]
The frame image is an image that is added to the composite image when the composite image is generated. For example, when the background of the composite image is replaced with another background image or when a decoration frame is added to the composite image An image of a decorative frame. The frame image has a transmissive portion, and the synthesized image is displayed on the transmissive portion on the synthesized image.
[0016]
In order to achieve the above object, an image processing system according to the present invention includes a communication terminal including a communication unit that transmits image data via a network, and image data sent from the communication terminal via the network. An image processing system comprising: an image processing server for processing, wherein the image processing server accepts image data from the communication terminal via the network and image data input means and the image data input means Extraction means for automatically extracting a non-object area from image data, transmissive area setting means for setting the non-object area extracted by the extraction means as a transmissive area, and a transmissive area set by the transmissive area setting means A permeation processing means for performing a permeation process for transmitting the color to the surface, and a permeation process is performed by the permeation processing means. Data format converting means for converting the data format of the image data to generate a frame image, and providing means for providing the frame image generated by converting the data format by the data format converting means via the network. It is characterized by that.
[0017]
According to the present invention, when image data for generating a frame image is transmitted from a communication terminal connectable to a network to a server, the server automatically extracts a non-object area from the image data, The region outside the object is subjected to a transmission process to generate a frame image. The frame image can be provided via the network.
[0018]
In addition, since the frame image can be easily generated by using the present invention, it is possible to provide a service for generating an original frame image by the server.
[0019]
It indicates that the network is connected so that information communication can be performed between a plurality of devices including the Internet and a LAN. Network communication forms include wired, wireless, and infrared, and communication protocols include TCP / IP and UDP / IP. Other network forms and other communication protocols may be applied.
[0020]
The server may be composed of a single computer or a plurality of computers.
[0021]
According to an aspect of the present invention, the image processing server sends image data recording means for recording the frame image and a frame image recorded in the recording means from a terminal device connected to the network. Frame image distribution means for distributing a desired frame image in response to a frame image request.
[0022]
According to this aspect, the image data recording means for recording the frame image is provided, and a desired frame image is distributed in response to a frame image request from a terminal device connected to the network. The frame image thus made can be reused, and the user who uses the terminal device connectable to the network can use the frame image recorded in the image data recording means.
[0023]
According to another aspect of the present invention, the communication terminal includes an image data acquisition unit that acquires a frame image generated by the image processing server, and a display unit that displays the frame image acquired by the image data acquisition unit. It is characterized by having.
[0024]
It is preferable that the acquired frame image can be enlarged or reduced in accordance with the display capability of the display device. Furthermore, it is better if not only the size but also the resolution and capacity size can be changed.
[0025]
According to another aspect of the present invention, the communication terminal includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates image data, a combining unit that combines the image data generated by the imaging unit and the frame image,
It is characterized by having.
[0026]
It is convenient to display the frame image and the subject image on the display means so that the image can be taken while matching the angle of view with the frame image.
[0027]
If the communication terminal is provided with recording means for recording the composite image, the frame image can be reused in the communication terminal, which is convenient.
[0028]
In order to achieve the above object, an image processing method according to the present invention includes a communication terminal having communication means for transmitting and acquiring image data via a network, and an image sent from the communication terminal via the network. An image processing method in an image processing system comprising an image processing server for processing data, the step of sending image data from the communication terminal to the server via the network, and the server in the communication terminal A receiving step for receiving the image data sent from the receiving step, an extracting step for automatically extracting a region outside the object from the image data received in the receiving step, and a region outside the object extracted by the extracting step as a transmission region A transmissive area setting step for setting the transmissive area, and a transmissive process for transmitting the color to the transmissive area set in the transmissive area setting step. A signal processing step, an image format conversion step of generating a frame image by converting a compression format of the image data subjected to the transparency processing in the transparency processing step, and a frame generated by converting the compression format by the image format conversion step. A providing step of providing an image via the network.
[0029]
A recording step of recording the generated frame image in the recording unit, and the frame image recorded in the recording unit may be distributed in response to a frame image request from the communication terminal connected to the network Good.
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0031]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032]
The image processing apparatus 10 can be configured by, for example, a personal computer, and is controlled by the control unit 12. The control unit 12 has a ROM 16 in which execution programs and various data are recorded via the bus 14. A RAM 18 for temporarily storing data is connected.
[0033]
It also has input / output interfaces with external and internal devices. The input / output interface includes a USB interface 20, a PC card interface 22, a parallel interface 24, and a communication interface 26.
[0034]
The USB interface 20 is an interface for connecting peripheral devices capable of USB connection. The USB connection has a hot plug function that can recognize connected peripheral devices without turning off the power of the image processing apparatus 10. In addition to peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and CD-ROM drives, a digital still camera (DSC), MD player, and the like can be connected. Therefore, it is convenient to provide a plurality of USB interfaces 20. In addition to the USB interface, a serial interface of another standard such as RS232C or IEEE1394 may be provided.
[0035]
A PC card slot 28 is provided via the PC card interface 22, and data recorded on a recording medium such as a PC card can be taken into the image processing apparatus 10.
[0036]
Various media such as a semiconductor memory card represented by xD-Picture Card, SmartMedia (trademark), CompactFlash (trademark), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk can be used as the recording medium.
[0037]
It is convenient to provide the PC card interface 22 corresponding to different standards. A plurality of media interfaces of the same standard may be provided.
[0038]
The parallel interface 24 is an interface for connecting peripheral devices that transmit and receive data by parallel communication. The parallel interface includes a Centronics interface, a SCSI interface, an IDE interface, and the like.
[0039]
A printer is mainly connected to the Centronics interface, and a hard disk, an MO drive, a CD-ROM drive, and the like can be connected to the SCSI interface and the IDE interface.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a built-in hard disk 30 via an IDE interface. Of course, an internal hard disk and an externally connected hard disk may be provided via a SCSI interface.
[0041]
The hard disk 30 is provided with a data storage area, and various data can be stored in the storage area. The hard disk 30 has a program area, and various programs can be installed.
[0042]
The communication interface 26 is an interface for connecting to an existing LAN or the Internet. A wireless communication interface, an Ethernet interface, or the like can be applied to the communication interface 26, and data communication such as image data can be performed via an existing LAN or the Internet.
[0043]
Original image data that is the basis of a frame image input to the image processing apparatus 10 via these input / output interfaces is subjected to decompression processing by the compression / decompression unit 32, and then sent to the image processing unit 34, where the frame image Image processing for generation is performed.
[0044]
The image processing unit 34 includes a microcomputer (DSP) with an enhanced image processing function, an image processing dedicated LSI, a memory, and the like. Of course, the DSP can be used also as the control unit 12, and the memory can be used as the ROM 16 and the RAM 18. Details of image processing in frame image generation will be described later.
[0045]
Further, the image processing apparatus 10 converts the input original image data and the generated frame image into a format (for example, NTSC color composite video signal) that can be displayed on the display device 36 in order to display it on the display device 36. A display circuit 38 is provided.
[0046]
The display device 36 may be built in the image processing apparatus 10 or may be outside the image processing apparatus 10. Instead of the CRT monitor and LCD monitor, other types of display devices such as organic LE may be used for the display device 36.
[0047]
A user can input characters and symbols to the image processing apparatus 10 via the operation unit (user interface) 40. Furthermore, an instruction to execute an image processing program, change a program, or cancel can be given to the image processing apparatus 10 via the operation unit 40.
[0048]
The operation unit 40 includes a touch panel type display device integrated with voice recognition type input means and the display device 36 in addition to operation means such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a joystick.
[0049]
Next, generation of a frame image will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0050]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram related to frame image generation, and FIG. 3 shows a transition until an original image including an object such as a person input to the image processing apparatus 10 becomes a frame image.
[0051]
A frame image is an image that is added (pasted) to a composite image when generating a composite image. For example, another background image in image composition in which the background of a certain image is replaced with another background, or a frame of a certain image There is an image of a decorative frame of a composite image in which a decorative frame is added to a part.
[0052]
The original image data 200 shown in FIG. 3 input to the image processing apparatus 10 via the image data input unit 100 (corresponding to the input / output interface shown in FIG. 1) is sent to the non-object region extraction unit 102 shown in FIG. Here, the person area 202 and the background area 204 shown in FIG. 3 are distinguished, and the person area 202 as the object area and the background area 204 as the non-object area are automatically extracted (see FIG. 3).
[0053]
In the present embodiment, the JPEG format (.jpg) is applied to the original image data 200. However, the original image data 200 is not limited to the JPEG format, and a bitmap format (.bmp) or another format may be applied.
[0054]
As a method for automatically extracting a person area from the original image data 200, there are the following methods. First, a facial part extracting step is executed in the facial part extracting means.
[0055]
A feature extraction process is performed in order to extract facial parts such as eyes, nose and mouth in the original image data 200. In the feature extraction process, wavelet transformation is performed to extract and quantize wavelet coefficients having appropriate positions and frequencies. A matching process is performed with face part dictionary data created by performing a similar feature extraction process from a large number of sample images in advance, and a facial part is extracted.
[0056]
Next, a person area extracting step is executed by the person area extracting means. In the person area extracting step, the position where the face part is extracted by the face part extracting means is determined as a face, and division processing by color and texture is performed. This is a process of dividing similar color and texture areas together.For example, a skin color area including eye coordinates is used as a face area, and black and brown areas that are slightly above eye coordinates are used as hair areas. To extract a person area.
[0057]
Also, a matching process between the human area dictionary data indicating the average positional relationship between the eye position and the boundary line between the person and the background, and the boundary line 206 between the person area 202 and the background area 204 obtained from the original image data 200 is performed. And a boundary line detecting step for obtaining a boundary line 206 between the person area 202 and the background area 204 is executed by the boundary line detecting means.
[0058]
In addition to the person area automatic extraction method described above, a filter processing unit that extracts a boundary line 206 between a person and a background from high-frequency components in the original image data 200 and a method for extracting the person area 202 from the original image data 200, Then, the skin color in the original image data 200 is extracted (skin color extraction step), and the region extension is sequentially performed on the connected regions that are considered to belong to the same region from a certain point of the skin color region. The face area is extracted depending on whether the shape of the area is the face shape (face extraction process), and the hair area at the top of the face area is similarly extracted (hair area extraction process), and the neck and chest areas at the bottom of the face are extracted. Etc. (neck region extraction step, chest region extraction step) and the like, there is a method of extracting the person region 202, and the like. Various methods can be considered as a method for automatically extracting the person region 202 from the original image data 200, and the method is not limited to the above method.
[0059]
Thereafter, in the non-target region permeation unit 104 of FIG. 2, the background region 204 which is the non-target region shown in FIG. Further, a transparency process for making the background region 204 a transparent color is performed, and a GIF image 208 in a transparent GIF format is generated. Note that the file name of the GIF image 208 in the transparent GIF format is frame1. changed to gif.
[0060]
The image 208 has an extension. gif is. The frame image 210 is generated by replacing with ifm.
[0061]
Extension. from gif. If replaced with ifm, the transparent GIF format image 208 and the frame image 210 can be distinguished and managed. In addition, a program that can handle the frame image 210 can be associated. When an operation for opening the frame image 210 file is performed, the program associated with the frame image 210 is automatically started, and the frame is displayed on the program. An image 210 file can be configured to open.
[0062]
The extension of the frame image 210 is. The extension indicating the image compression format may be applied without being limited to ifm, and other extensions can be applied according to the convenience of file management, the program using the frame image 210, or the like.
[0063]
The generated frame image 210 is output from the image data output unit 108 in FIG. 3 in accordance with a user instruction such as printing, data transfer, data display, and the like performed via the operation unit 40 in FIG. The frame image 210 may be recorded on the hard disk 30 in FIG.
[0064]
In the present embodiment, the permeation process is performed using the background area 204 as the non-target area. However, the permeation process is performed using the person area 202 that is the target area as the non-target area, and the background area 204 is defined as the target area. It is also possible to generate a frame image in which is shown.
[0065]
For example, when a frame image is combined with an image of another person to create a photo (two-shot photo) in which two people are photographed side by side, or as a signature such as a business card or employee ID card When an image is used, a frame image in which a person area is shown (background area is transparentized) is generated. When a scenery of a sightseeing spot is used as a frame image, the background area is indicated ( It is preferable that a frame image corresponding to the application can be generated so as to generate a frame image in which a person region is transparentized.
[0066]
The frame image generation mode is set for the purpose of the frame image (for signature and background synthesis), and the target area and the non-target area are automatically determined according to this setting and transmitted to the non-target area. The aspect which performs a conversion process may be sufficient, and the aspect which a user selects a target object area | region and a non-target object area | region may be sufficient.
[0067]
In an image set with three or more areas, two or more areas can be set as the object area and the non-object area.
[0068]
Further, when the frame image is generated, if the user can set the size (size), resolution, and the like, an image suitable for the display capability of the display device provided in the terminal device used by the user can be displayed. .
[0069]
In FIG. 2, an image data input unit 100 and an image data output unit 108 correspond to input / output means such as the USB interface 20 and the communication interface 26 in FIG. 1, and the non-target region extraction unit 102 and the non-target region transmission in FIG. The conversion unit 104 corresponds to the image processing unit 34. 2 corresponds to the compression / decompression unit 32 and the image processing unit 34.
[0070]
In the image processing apparatus 10 configured as described above, the person area 202 and the background area 204 are automatically extracted from the input original image data 200, and the extracted background area 204 is subjected to a colorization process and a transparency as an area outside the object. Processing is performed to generate a frame image 210 in which the extension is replaced with ifm. Therefore, an original frame image can be generated without troublesome operations.
[0071]
The image processing apparatus 10 described above can be realized by a personal computer (PC) or the like, but is not limited thereto, and may be realized by a service server for image processing on a network.
[0072]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing system to which the image processing method according to the present invention is applied. 4, parts that are the same as or similar to those in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0073]
In FIG. 4, reference numerals 300 and 302 denote camera-equipped mobile phones that can be connected to a network 310 such as the Internet. Hereinafter, the camera-equipped mobile phone is simply referred to as a mobile phone. The mobile phone 300 is used by the user A, and the mobile phone 302 is used by the user B. The mobile phone 300 and the mobile phone 302 are provided with a display 304 and a display 306, respectively, and function as a display device that displays an incoming call display or a finder when the camera function is used. An LCD monitor may be applied to the displays 304 and 306, or an organic EL or other display device may be applied.
[0074]
Connected to the network 310 is a service server 320 that performs image processing similar to the image processing in the image processing apparatus 10 described above. The service server 320 includes a frame image generation server 322, a frame image storage server 324, and a frame image distribution server 326.
[0075]
The frame image generation server 322 generates a frame image 210 from the original image data 200 sent to the server via the network 310, and the frame image storage server 324 stores the frame image 210 generated by the frame image generation server 322 in a database. In addition, it manages user information such as user IDs and e-mail addresses. The frame image distribution server 326 distributes the frame image 210 stored in the frame image storage server 324 in response to a frame image request sent to the service server 320 via the network 310.
[0076]
When the mobile phone 300 and the mobile phone 302 use the frame image generation service provided by the service server 320, the home image of the service server 320 is accessed and the original image data 200 requested to generate the frame image is stored in the service server 320. Upload to. In addition, the service server 320 can present the user with an area to be transparentized when generating a frame image and allow the user to select an area to be transparentized.
[0077]
When the service server 320 receives a request for generating a frame image for performing transparency processing on the background portion from the original image data 200 uploaded from the user A, the service server 320 extracts the person area 202 and the background area 204 from the original image data 200, A permeation process is performed using the background area 204 as a non-object area, and the frame image 210 is generated by converting the data format (changing the extension). The frame image 210 generated in this way is registered in the frame image database in the frame image storage server 324, and the frame image 210 is stored.
[0078]
The frame image 210 generated as described above may be stored in the frame image storage server 324 and delivered to the frame image generation requester (user A in the present embodiment) attached to an e-mail or image download ( A mail attached with a URL for (image browsing) may be sent to the user A. User A can download and use the frame image 210 from the frame image storage server 324.
[0079]
In this image processing service, user B uses the mobile phone 302 to access the home page of the service server 320, browse the frame image stored in the frame image storage server 324, and download the desired frame image. can do.
[0080]
For example, when the user B desires to download the frame image 210 from the frame images stored in the frame image storage server 324 (frame image request), the frame image 210 is sent to the mobile phone 302 via the frame image distribution server 326. Is sent out. In the mobile phone 302, the frame image 210 is recorded in a predetermined memory (recording means) and displayed on the display 306. It may be configured such that the size and resolution of the frame image can be changed in accordance with the display capability of the display 306 of the mobile phone 302.
[0081]
Thus, the frame image 210 downloaded from the service server 320 can be enjoyed as a composite image 342 combined with the image 340 taken using the camera function of the mobile phone 302.
[0082]
It is preferable that the frame image 210 is displayed on the display 306 and the positional relationship with the image 340 can be confirmed when the image 340 is captured.
[0083]
The composite image is compressed as image data in JPEG format or BMP format. The composite image 342 can be printed using a printing device (not shown) on the network or a printing device (not shown) that can be used by the user B, and the composite image 342 is subjected to other image processing. It is also possible.
[0084]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the above-described image processing system. First, original image data 200 for generating a frame image is transmitted from the mobile phone 300 used by the user A to the service server 320 (step S10).
[0085]
Upon receiving the original image data 200, the service server 320 generates a frame image 210 from the original image data 200 (step S12), registers the frame image 210 in the frame image database in the frame image storage server 322, and the frame image storage server 324. The frame image 210 is stored in the image storage area (step S14).
[0086]
On the other hand, when there is a frame image request from the mobile phone 302 used by the user B (step S16), the service server 320 responds to the frame image request from the frame image storage server 324 via the frame image distribution server 326 to the user. B sends out the desired frame image 210 (step S18).
[0087]
When the cellular phone 302 receives the frame image 210 transmitted from the service server 320 (step S20), the frame image 210 is recorded in the memory in the cellular phone 302, and the frame image 210 is displayed on the display 306.
[0088]
In the mobile phone 302, an image 340 is captured using the camera function (step S22), the captured image 340 and the frame image 210 are combined (step S24), and the combined image 342 can be enjoyed.
[0089]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of frame image generation shown in step S12 of FIG. When the process of generating the frame image 210 from the original image data 200 shown in step S12 is started (step S100 in FIG. 6), first, the frame image generation server 322 is sent (step S102).
[0090]
Next, a person area 202 that is a target area and a background area 204 that is a non-target area are automatically extracted from the original image data 200 (step S104). A permeabilization process is performed, and the region outside the object is permeabilized (step S106).
[0091]
Further, the extension of the transparent image is replaced with ifm (step S108), the frame image 210 is generated (step S110), and the frame image generation process is ended (step S112).
[0092]
When the service server 320 receives a print order for the composite image 342 from the user B, the service server 320 transfers the composite image 342 to a print server (not shown). The print server includes a server computer and a printing device, and prints out the composite image 342 by the printing device based on the composite image 342 received from the service server 320. The printed photo print is delivered to a receiver such as a convenience store or photo shop designated by the user, or directly to the user's home.
[0093]
In addition, the frame image generation in the service server 320 can replace the process of each process with a software program (application software). The program can be downloaded via a network, and when the program is downloaded and installed in a device such as a PC, the above-described frame image generation can be performed in the device. The program can also be distributed by copying it to a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a PC card.
[0094]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a region outside the object is automatically extracted from the image data input via the image data input unit by the extraction unit, and a frame image is generated as a transmission image using the region outside the object as a transmission part. Is done. Therefore, a frame image can be easily generated, which is very convenient.
[0095]
In a network system (image processing system) in which the image processing apparatus is applied as a server, a frame image can be easily generated using image data sent from the terminal device connected to the network to the server, The server can provide a service for generating an original frame image. Further, when the server is provided with a recording unit, a frame image generated by the server can be used by a user who uses a terminal device that can be connected to the network.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image processing unit related to frame image generation.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a transition until an original image becomes a frame image.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an image processing system to which an image processing method according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the image processing system in FIG. 4;
6 is a flowchart showing a flow of control related to frame image generation in FIG. 5;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image processing apparatus, 12 ... Control part, 32 ... Compression / decompression part, 34 ... Image processing part, 100 ... Image data input part, 102 ... Outside-object area | region extraction part, 104 ... Object area | region permeation | transmission part, 106 ... Transparency-compatible image format conversion unit, 108 ... image data output unit, 200 ... original image data, 202 ... person area, 204 ... background area, 210 ... frame image, 300, 302 ... mobile phone, 322 ... frame image generation server, 326 ... Frame image distribution server

Claims (6)

Image data input means for inputting image data;
Extraction means for automatically extracting a region outside the object from the image data input by the image data input means;
Transmissive region setting means for setting the non-object region extracted by the extracting means as a transmissive region;
A permeabilization processing means for performing a permeabilization process for transmitting a color to the transmissive area set by the transmissive area setting means;
Data format conversion means for converting the data format of the image data subjected to the transparency processing by the transparency processing means and generating a frame image;
Frame image output means for outputting a frame image generated by converting the data format by the data format conversion means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing system comprising a communication terminal having communication means for sending image data via a network, and an image processing server for processing image data sent from the communication terminal via the network,
The image processing server includes image data input means for receiving image data from the communication terminal via the network;
Extraction means for automatically extracting a region outside the object from the image data received by the image data input means;
Transmissive region setting means for setting the non-object region extracted by the extracting means as a transmissive region;
A permeabilization processing means for performing a permeabilization process for transmitting a color to the transmissive area set by the transmissive area setting means;
Data format conversion means for converting the data format of the image data subjected to the transparency processing by the transparency processing means and generating a frame image;
Providing means for providing a frame image generated by converting the data format by the data format converting means via the network;
An image processing system comprising: The image processing server includes image data recording means for recording the frame image;
A frame image distribution unit that distributes a frame image desired by a user of the terminal device in response to a frame image request sent from the terminal device connected to the network, the frame image recorded in the recording unit;
The image processing system according to claim 2, further comprising: The communication terminal includes image data acquisition means for acquiring a frame image generated by the image processing server;
4. The image processing system according to claim 2, further comprising display means for displaying the frame image acquired by the image data acquisition means. The communication terminal captures an image of a subject and generates image data;
Combining means for combining the image data generated by the image pickup means and the frame image;
The image processing system according to claim 2, 3, or 4. An image in an image processing system comprising a communication terminal having communication means for sending and acquiring image data via a network, and an image processing server for processing image data sent from the communication terminal via the network A processing method,
Sending image data from the communication terminal to the server via the network;
A receiving step in which the server receives image data sent from the communication terminal;
An extraction step of automatically extracting a region outside the object from the image data received in the reception step;
A transmission region setting step of setting the region outside the object extracted by the extraction step as a transmission region;
A signal processing step of performing a permeabilization process for transmitting a color to the transmission region set in the transmission region setting step;
An image format conversion step of generating a frame image by converting a compression format of the image data subjected to the transparency processing in the transparency processing step;
Providing a frame image generated by converting a compression format by the image format conversion step via the network;
An image processing method comprising:

Images