JP5917080B2 - Image processing apparatus, magnification observation apparatus, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus , an enlargement observation apparatus, and an image processing program that process an image.

  The user of the magnifying observation apparatus can observe only a specific region of the observation object by extracting the specific region from the image of the observation object. Further, the user can calculate the size and area of a specific region of the observation object based on the region extracted from the image of the observation object.

  In the image inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the lowest luminance value to be detected in the detection target image is set as the first threshold value. Thereby, a blob of a pixel having a luminance value larger than the first threshold is specified from the detection target image. A second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value is set. As a result, blobs consisting only of luminance values smaller than the second threshold are deleted from all the identified blobs.

JP 2009-186434 A

  However, in the image inspection apparatus of Patent Document 1, it is not easy to appropriately set the second threshold value for deleting unnecessary blobs. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to easily perform a process of deleting a desired blob among a plurality of blobs in the image.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus , a magnification observation apparatus, and an image processing program that can easily perform a process of deleting a desired area among a plurality of areas in an image.

(1) An image processing apparatus according to a first invention includes a display unit for displaying a plurality of regions extracted based on a first condition in an image based on image data, and a plurality of display units displayed on the display unit. Select by specifying the position on the screen of the operation unit operated by the user to select one of the regions and the display unit by operating the operation unit among the plurality of regions extracted based on the first condition A second condition for maintaining or deleting the region is determined based on geometric feature information including at least one of the area, shape information, and length of a predetermined portion, and a display unit Of the plurality of areas displayed in the area, the area satisfying the determined second condition is determined as a necessary area or an unnecessary area, and among the plurality of areas displayed on the display unit, an area other than the necessary area or an unnecessary area To delete In which and a processing unit operable to perform.

In this image processing apparatus, a plurality of areas extracted based on the first condition in an image based on image data are displayed on the screen of the display unit . Selection of areas by the specified position on the screen of the display unit by the user among the extracted plurality of regions accepts et al is based on the first condition. Based on the geometric feature information including at least one of the area and shape information of the region selected by the designation of the position on the screen of the display unit by the user , and the length of the predetermined portion, A second condition for maintenance or deletion is determined. In addition, among the displayed areas, an area that satisfies the determined second condition is determined as a necessary area or an unnecessary area. Of the plurality of displayed areas, a process other than a necessary area or an unnecessary area is deleted. In this way, the user can easily perform a process of deleting a desired area among a plurality of areas in the image.

(2) The processing unit determines a range determined based on the value of the geometric feature information regarding the selected region as a condition, and geometric feature information within the range among the plurality of regions displayed on the display unit It may operate to determine a region having the value of as a necessary region or an unnecessary region.

In this case, the user can easily maintain or delete a region having a certain range of geometric feature information values by selecting a region having a specific geometric feature information value.

(3) The processing unit includes a table indicating geometric feature information of the region displayed by the display unit, a list image of the region selected by the operation of the operation unit, or a geometric of the region selected by the operation of the operation unit. A figure showing the distribution of the feature information may be displayed on the display unit, and the table, the list image, or the figure may be updated based on the result of the region processing.

In this case, the user can easily recognize the geometric feature information, image, or distribution of the processed region by referring to the table, the list image, or the diagram.

(4) processing unit, the table by the operation of the operation unit, when the geometric feature information is specified in the list image or figure, geometric characteristics information specified among the plurality of areas displayed on the display unit The operation may be performed so as to specify the region corresponding to.

In this case, the user table, by specifying the geometric feature information of the list image or figure, can easily recognize the region corresponding to the specified geometric feature information.

(5) The processing unit, when any of a plurality of regions displayed on the display unit is designated by an operation of the operation unit, geometric feature information corresponding to the region designated in the table, the list image, or the figure May be operated to identify.

In this case, the user can easily recognize the geometric feature information corresponding to the designated area by designating any of the plurality of areas.

(6) The first condition may be a threshold set for the brightness of the image data .

  (7) The processing unit may operate to cause the display unit to display a region before or after the change due to the processing in a display manner different from other regions among the plurality of regions displayed on the display unit. In this case, the user can easily recognize the area where the process is performed or the area where the process is performed.

(8) An image processing program according to the second invention includes a process for displaying a plurality of areas on the screen of the display unit based on a first condition extracted from an image based on image data, and the first condition a process of accepting an selection area by specifying the position on the screen of the I that display to the user among the plurality of regions extracted based on, is selected by specifying the position on the screen of the display unit by the user The second condition for maintaining or deleting the region is determined and displayed based on information on the area and shape of the region and geometric feature information including at least one of the length of a predetermined portion. Processing for determining a region satisfying the determined second condition as a necessary region or an unnecessary region among a plurality of regions, and performing processing for deleting a region other than the necessary region or an unnecessary region among the plurality of displayed regions And It is intended to be executed by the processor.

According to this image processing program, a plurality of regions extracted based on the first condition in an image based on image data are displayed on the screen of the display unit . Selection of areas by the specified position on the screen of the display unit by the user among the extracted plurality of regions accepts et al is based on the first condition. Based on the geometric feature information including at least one of the area and shape information of the region selected by the designation of the position on the screen of the display unit by the user , and the length of the predetermined portion, A second condition for maintenance or deletion is determined. In addition, among the displayed areas, an area that satisfies the determined second condition is determined as a necessary area or an unnecessary area. Of the plurality of displayed areas, a process other than a necessary area or an unnecessary area is deleted. In this way, the user can easily perform a process of deleting a desired area among a plurality of areas in the image.
(9) A magnification observation apparatus according to a third aspect is extracted based on a first condition in an image based on a microscope having an imaging apparatus for imaging an observation target and image data relating to the observation target from the imaging apparatus. A display unit for displaying a plurality of regions, an operation unit operated by a user to select one of the plurality of regions displayed on the display unit, and extracted based on the first condition Geometric including at least one of area, shape information, and predetermined part length of region selected by designating position on screen of display unit by operation of operation unit among a plurality of regions A second condition for maintaining or deleting the area is determined based on the feature information, and an area satisfying the determined second condition is determined as a necessary area or an unnecessary area among the plurality of areas displayed on the display unit. , Among a plurality of areas displayed on radical 113, in which and a processing unit operable to perform a process of deleting the area or the unnecessary area other than the necessary region.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform a process of deleting a desired area among a plurality of areas in an image.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the magnification observation apparatus provided with the image processing apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the microscope of the magnification observation apparatus provided with the image processing apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a mimetic diagram showing the state where the imaging device of a microscope is being fixed in parallel with the Z direction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state in which the imaging device of the microscope was tilted from the Z direction to a desired angle. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the screen of a display part. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 1st process example. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 1st process example. It is a flowchart which shows the process which is the 1st process example by an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process which is the 1st process example by an image processing apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the screen of a display part. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 2nd process example. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 2nd process example. It is a flowchart which shows the deletion process which is a 2nd process example by an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the deletion process which is a 2nd process example by an image processing apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the further another example of the screen of a display part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the initial image after determination of a required area | region and an unnecessary area | region. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display part by which the measurement result table | surface was displayed. It is an enlarged view of a measurement result table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display part on which the extracted image list was displayed. FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the extracted image list in FIG. 19. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display part on which the histogram image was displayed. It is an enlarged view of the histogram image of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a magnification observation apparatus provided with an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Magnification Observation Device FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a magnification observation device provided with an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, two directions orthogonal to each other in the horizontal plane are defined as an X direction and a Y direction, and a direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is defined as a Z direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the magnification observation apparatus 300 includes a microscope 100 and an image processing apparatus 200.

  The microscope 100 includes an imaging device 10, a stage device 20, and a rotation angle sensor 30. The imaging device 10 includes a color CCD (charge coupled device) 11, a half mirror 12, an objective lens 13, an A / D converter (analog / digital converter) 15, an illumination light source 16, and a lens driving unit 17. The stage apparatus 20 includes a stage 21, a stage drive unit 22, and a stage support unit 23. An observation object S is placed on the stage 21.

  The illumination light source 16 is, for example, a halogen lamp that generates white light or a white LED (light emitting diode). The white light generated by the illumination light source 16 is reflected by the half mirror 12 and then focused on the observation object S on the stage 21 by the objective lens 13.

  The white light reflected by the observation object S passes through the objective lens 13 and the half mirror 12 and enters the color CCD 11. The color CCD 11 includes a plurality of red pixels that receive red wavelength light, a plurality of green pixels that receive green wavelength light, and a plurality of blue pixels that receive blue wavelength light. The plurality of red pixels, the plurality of green pixels, and the plurality of blue pixels are two-dimensionally arranged. From each pixel of the color CCD 11, an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of received light is output. The output signal of the color CCD 11 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 15. Digital signals output from the A / D converter 15 are sequentially supplied to the image processing apparatus 200 as image data. An imaging element such as a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor may be used instead of the color CCD 11.

  The objective lens 13 is provided so as to be movable in the Z direction. The lens driving unit 17 moves the objective lens 13 in the Z direction under the control of the image processing apparatus 200. Thereby, the position of the focus of the imaging device 10 moves in the Z direction.

  The stage 21 is provided on the stage support 23 so as to be rotatable around an axis in the Z direction. The stage drive unit 22 moves the stage 21 relative to the stage support unit 23 in the x direction and the y direction, which will be described later, based on a movement command signal (drive pulse) given from the image processing apparatus 200. A stepping motor is used for the stage drive unit 22. The rotation angle sensor 30 detects the rotation angle of the stage 21 and gives an angle detection signal indicating the detected angle to the image processing apparatus 200.

  The image processing apparatus 200 includes an interface 210, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 220, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 230, a storage device 240, an input device 250, a display unit 260, and a work memory 270.

  The ROM 230 stores a system program. The storage device 240 is composed of a hard disk or the like. The storage device 240 stores an image processing program and various data such as image data given from the microscope 100 through the interface 210. Details of the image processing program will be described later. The input device 250 includes a keyboard and a pointing device. A mouse or a joystick is used as the pointing device.

  The display unit 260 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (electroluminescence) panel.

  The working memory 270 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used for processing various data.

  The CPU 220 executes an image processing program stored in the storage device 240 to perform image processing such as processing or deletion processing, which will be described later, based on the image data using the work memory 270, and also performs an image processing based on the image data. It is displayed on the display unit 260. In addition, the CPU 220 controls the color CCD 11, the illumination light source 16, the lens driving unit 17, and the stage driving unit 22 of the microscope 100 through the interface 210.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the microscope 100 of the magnification observation apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are indicated by arrows.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the microscope 100 has a base 1. On the base 1, a first support base 2 is attached, and a second support base 3 is attached so as to be fitted on the front surface of the first support base 2.

  A connecting portion 4 is attached to the upper end portion of the first support base 2 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis R1 extending in the Y direction. A rotating column 5 is attached to the connecting portion 4. Thereby, the rotation support column 5 can be tilted in a vertical plane parallel to the Z direction with the rotation axis R1 as a fulcrum as the connection portion 4 rotates. The user can fix the connecting portion 4 to the first support base 2 with the fixing knob 9.

  An annular support portion 7 is attached to the front surface of the connecting portion 6. A substantially cylindrical imaging device 10 is attached to the support portion 7. In the state of FIG. 2, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is parallel to the Z direction. The support unit 7 includes a plurality of adjustment screws 41 for moving the imaging device 10 in a horizontal plane. The position of the imaging device 10 can be adjusted using the plurality of adjustment screws 41 so that the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 intersects the rotation axis R1 perpendicularly.

  A slider 8 is attached to the front surface of the second support 3 on the base 1 so as to be slidable in the Z direction. An adjustment knob 42 is provided on the side surface of the second support base 3. The position of the slider 8 in the Z direction (height direction) can be adjusted by the adjustment knob 42.

  The stage support 23 of the stage device 20 is attached on the slider 8. The stage 21 is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis R3 in the Z direction with respect to the stage support portion 23. The stage 21 is set with an x direction and ay direction that are orthogonal to each other in the horizontal plane. The stage 21 is provided to be movable in the x direction and the y direction by the stage driving unit 22 of FIG. When the stage 21 rotates around the rotation axis R3, the x direction and the y direction of the stage 21 also rotate. Thereby, the x direction and the y direction of the stage 21 are inclined in the horizontal plane with respect to the X direction and the Y direction.

  The imaging range (field-of-view range) of the imaging device 10 varies depending on the magnification of the imaging device 10. Hereinafter, the imaging range of the imaging device 10 is referred to as a unit region. Image data of a plurality of unit regions can be acquired by moving the stage 21 in the x direction and the y direction. By connecting the image data of a plurality of unit areas, the images of the plurality of unit areas can be displayed on the display unit 260 in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the imaging device 10 of the microscope 100 is fixed in parallel with the Z direction. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the imaging device 10 of the microscope 100 is tilted from the Z direction to a desired angle.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting portion 4 is fixed to the second support 3 by tightening the fixing knob 9 with the rotating support column 5 parallel to the Z direction. Thereby, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 intersects the rotation axis R1 perpendicularly in a state parallel to the Z direction. In this case, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 is perpendicular to the surface of the stage 21.

  By loosening the fixing knob 9, the connecting portion 4 can be rotated around the rotation axis R1, and the rotation column 5 can be tilted about the rotation axis R1. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 can be inclined at an arbitrary angle θ with respect to the Z direction. In this case, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 intersects the rotation axis R1 perpendicularly. Similarly, the optical axis R2 of the imaging device 10 can be tilted at an arbitrary angle on the opposite side to FIG. 4 with respect to the Z direction.

  Therefore, by matching the height of the surface of the observation object on the stage 21 with the height of the rotation axis R1, the same portion of the observation object can be observed from the vertical direction and the oblique direction.

(2) First Processing Example by Image Processing Device FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen of the display unit 260. 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams for explaining the first processing example. As shown in FIG. 5, an image display area 261 and an extraction condition setting area 262 are displayed on the screen of the display unit 260.

  In the image display area 261, an image of the observation object is displayed based on the image data stored in the storage device 240 of FIG. An image is composed of a plurality of pixels. Hereinafter, an image displayed in the image display area 261 based on the image data stored in the storage device 240 is referred to as an initial image IM. In the extraction condition setting area 262, a next button 263a, a return button 263b, an end button 263c, and the like are displayed. Further, a threshold setting bar 264 is displayed in the extraction condition setting area 262. The threshold setting bar 264 has a slider 264s that can move in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, in the extraction condition setting area 262, a measurement result display button 265, an extracted image list display button 266, and a histogram display button 267 are displayed.

  In FIG. 5, different regions of the initial image IM are represented by a plurality of dot patterns and hatching patterns. Specifically, the areas A1 to A8 are represented by the first dot pattern. Regions B1 to B3 made up of a plurality of other blobs are represented by hatching patterns. A background area X is represented by a second dot pattern. Here, each region is composed of one or a plurality of continuous pixels. Region X has the highest luminance, regions B1 to B3 have the second highest luminance, and regions A1 to A8 have the lowest luminance.

  In image processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of regions are extracted from initial image IM based on luminance. In this case, the initial image IM is binarized using a luminance threshold value (hereinafter abbreviated as a threshold value), whereby a plurality of regions are extracted. For example, a region composed of pixels having a luminance value equal to or less than a threshold value is extracted. The user can set the threshold by moving the slider 264s in the threshold setting bar 264 in the horizontal direction using the input device 250 of FIG. In the present embodiment, pixels in the extracted area are represented by “1”, and pixels in other areas are represented by “0”.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the user extracts only the plurality of regions A1 to A8 from the initial image IM by setting an appropriate threshold value for distinguishing the plurality of regions A1 to A8 and the regions B1 to B3 and X. can do. Regions A1, A2, A5, and A6 have constricted portions a1, a2, a5, and a6, respectively. Here, the constricted portion is a portion having a smaller width than other portions.

  Next, the process which changes the state of the area | region into the desired area | region among several extracted area | regions A1-A8 is performed. Processing that changes the state of the region is called processing. The processing includes, for example, separation processing for separating one region into a plurality of regions, combining processing for combining a plurality of regions into one region, enlargement processing for expanding a region, reduction processing for reducing a region, luminance of a region, For example, processing for changing the hue or brightness, or blurring processing. In this example, as a processing process, a separation process is performed in which desired areas A1 and A2 are separated from each other by a constricted portion.

  In this case, in order to perform separation processing only on desired regions A1 and A2 among the plurality of regions A1 to A8, it is necessary to set various conditions such as the size of the constricted portion. Therefore, it is not easy to perform the separation process only on the desired areas A1 and A2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, separation processing can be performed only on desired regions A1 and A2 by the following method.

  First, the user moves the slider 264s of the threshold setting bar 264 in FIG. 5 using the input device 250 in FIG. 1 to extract a threshold for extracting one or a plurality of regions from the initial image IM. Set. The user can extract only the areas A1 to A8 by setting an appropriate threshold value for distinguishing the areas A1 to A8 from the other areas B1 to B3 and X.

  Thereafter, the user operates the next button 263 a in FIG. 5 using the input device 250. Thereby, extraction area data for displaying the extracted areas A1 to A8 is generated. The generated extraction area data is stored in the work memory 270 of FIG. When the user operates the return button 263b in FIG. 5 using the input device 250, the extraction of the area is canceled. Thereby, the user can reset the threshold value.

  In the present embodiment, pixels in the extracted area are represented by “1”, and pixels in other areas are represented by “0”. Therefore, the pixels in the extracted region, that is, the “1” pixels are displayed in black so as to overlap the initial image IM. In FIG. 6A, since the areas A1 to A8 are extracted areas, the areas A1 to A8 are displayed in black based on the extracted area data stored in the work memory 270.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the user designates a rectangular selection range R for the areas A <b> 1 to A <b> 8 extracted using the input device 250. Thereby, a region that is included in the selection range R or intersects the frame of the selection range R is selected. In this example, a selection range R that includes at least a part of the regions A1 and A2 and does not include the regions A5 and A6 is designated. In the example of FIG. 6B, the region A1 intersects the selection range R. Further, the areas A2 to A4 are included in the selection range R. Therefore, when the user designates the next button 263a using the input device 250, the areas A1 to A4 are selected. Hereinafter, an area selected by designating the selection range R is called a selection area, and an area not selected by designating the selection range R is called a non-selection area. Image data for displaying the selected area is stored in the work memory 270 as selected area data. Further, the image data for displaying the non-selected area is stored in the work memory 270 as non-selected area data.

  The user can reselect the region by designating the selection range R again using the input device 250 and then designating the next button 263a.

  In the present embodiment, the pixel in the selected area is represented by “1”, and the pixel in the non-selected area is represented by “0”. Therefore, the pixel in the selected region, that is, the pixel “1” is displayed in black so as to overlap the initial image IM. In FIG. 6C, since the areas A1 to A4 are selection areas, the areas A1 to A4 are displayed in black based on the selection area data stored in the work memory 270.

  Next, the user uses the input device 250 to instruct the separation process of the region having the constricted portion. Thereby, the separation process is performed on the regions A1 and A2 having the constricted portion among the selected regions A1 to A4. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, the region A1 is separated into a region A11 and a region A12 with the constricted portion a1 in FIG. 5 as a boundary. The region A2 is divided into a region A21 and a region A22 with the constricted portion a2 in FIG. 5 as a boundary. The selection area data corresponding to the areas A1 and A2 stored in the work memory 270 is updated with image data for displaying the areas A11, A12, A21, and A22 after the separation processing.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to highlight an area where the processing has been performed. In the example of FIG. 7A, the regions A11, A12, A21, and A22 after the separation processing are highlighted with different display modes such as colors and brightness different from those of the other regions A3 to A8. Thus, the user can easily recognize the area where the separation process has been performed.

  Thereafter, the processed region is combined with another selected region and a non-selected region. In the present embodiment, the pixel in the combined region is represented by “1”, and the pixels in other regions (regions that have not been extracted) are represented by “0”. Therefore, the pixel in the combined region, that is, the pixel “1” is displayed in black so as to overlap the initial image IM. In FIG. 7B, areas A11, A12, A21, A22, A3 to A8 are displayed in black based on the extracted area data stored in the work memory 270.

  In this way, among the extracted areas A1 to A8, the separation process is performed only on the desired areas A1 and A2 without performing the separation process on the areas A5 and A6.

(3) Processing Processing FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing processing processing that is a first processing example performed by the image processing apparatus 200. The processing is performed by the CPU 220 executing a processing program stored in the storage device 240. Hereinafter, the processing by the image processing apparatus 200 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9.

  The CPU 220 in FIG. 1 determines whether or not the image data stored in the storage device 240 in FIG. 1 has been selected by the user (step S1). When no image data is selected, the CPU 220 waits until image data is selected by the user. When image data is selected by the user in step S1, the CPU 220 displays an initial image IM in the image display area 261 of the display unit 260 in FIG. 5 based on the selected image data (step S2).

  Next, the CPU 220 determines whether or not the binarization of the initial image IM has been instructed (step S3). The user uses the input device 250 in FIG. 1 to move the slider 264s in FIG. 5 to set an appropriate threshold value, and then operates the next button 263a in FIG. 5 to instruct binarization. When the binarization of the initial image IM is not instructed, the CPU 220 waits until the user instructs the binarization of the initial image IM.

  When the user instructs to binarize the initial image IM in step S3, the CPU 220 executes binarization of the initial image IM (step S4). As a result, the CPU 220 generates extracted area data for displaying the area extracted by the binarization of the initial image IM. Further, the CPU 220 displays an area extracted based on the generated extracted area data in the image display area 261 of the display unit 260 in FIG.

  Subsequently, the CPU 220 determines whether or not an area has been selected by the user specifying the selection range R using the input device 250 (step S5). When the area is not selected, the CPU 220 waits until the user selects the area. When an area is selected by the user in step S5, the CPU 220 generates selected area data for displaying the selected area and non-selected area data for displaying the non-selected area, and the generated selected area data and non-selected area data. The selected area data is stored in the work memory 270 of FIG. 1 (step S6).

  Next, the CPU 220 determines whether or not the user has instructed processing of the selected area (step S7). If the processing of the selected area is not instructed, the CPU 220 returns to the process of step S5. Thereby, the user can re-select the area. When the user instructs processing of the selected area in step S7, the CPU 220 executes processing of the selected area (step S8). In the example of FIG. 7, the processing process is a separation process of an area having a constricted portion among selected areas. Moreover, in the example of FIG. 7, the area | region where the processing process was performed is highlighted.

  Thereafter, the CPU 220 updates the selection area data stored in the work memory 270 to the selection area data after the processing (step S9). Next, the CPU 220 synthesizes the non-selected area data and the updated selected area data (step S10). Subsequently, the CPU 220 displays an image based on the combined image data in the image display area 261 of the display unit 260 (step S11), and ends the processing process.

(4) Effects of Processing Processing In the image processing device 200 according to the present embodiment, the user uses the input device 250 among the plurality of regions of the initial image IM displayed in the image display region 261 of the display unit 260. Thus, the processing is performed only on the area designated by the selection range R. Thereby, the user can easily perform processing of a desired area among a plurality of areas in the initial image IM.

  In the present embodiment, not only a region included in the selection range R but also a region that intersects the frame of the selection range R is designated as the selection region. Thus, even when the region intersects the frame of the selection range R, the same processing is performed on the inner region and the outer region of the selection range R frame. As a result, it is possible to prevent the boundary between the inner area and the outer area of the frame of the selection range R from becoming discontinuous or unnatural.

(5) Second Processing Example by Image Processing Device FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the screen of the display unit 260. 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams for explaining the second processing example.

  As shown in FIG. 10, an initial image IM2 different from the initial image IM is displayed in the image display area 261 of the display unit 260 based on the image data stored in the storage device 240 of FIG.

  In FIG. 10, different areas of the initial image IM2 are represented by a plurality of dot patterns and hatching patterns. Specifically, the regions C1 to C15 are represented by the first dot pattern. Regions D1 to D4 are represented by hatching patterns. A background area Y is represented by a second dot pattern. Here, each region is composed of one or a plurality of continuous pixels. Region Y has the highest luminance, regions D1 to D4 have the second highest luminance, and regions C1 to C15 have the lowest luminance.

  First, the user sets a threshold for extracting a plurality of regions from the initial image IM2 by moving the slider 264s of the threshold setting bar 264 of FIG. 10 using the input device 250 of FIG. To do. The user can extract only the regions C1 to C15 by setting an appropriate threshold value for distinguishing the regions C1 to C15 from the other regions D1 to D4 and Y.

  Thereafter, the user operates the next button 263 a in FIG. 10 using the input device 250. Thereby, extraction area data for displaying the extracted areas C1 to C15 is generated. The generated extraction area data is stored in the work memory 270 of FIG. When the user operates the return button 263b in FIG. 10 using the input device 250, the extraction of the area is canceled. Thereby, the user can reset the threshold value.

In the present embodiment, pixels in the extracted area are represented by “1”, and pixels in other areas are represented by “0”. Therefore, pixels of the pixel of the extracted area or "1" is black displayed so as to overlap the initial image IM 2. In FIG. 11A, since the areas C1 to C15 are extracted areas, the areas C1 to C15 are displayed in black based on the extracted area data stored in the work memory 270.

  In the second processing example, the deletion process is performed on a desired area among the plurality of extracted areas. In the deletion process, an area to be maintained is determined as a necessary area among a plurality of areas by the following method, and an area to be deleted is determined as an unnecessary area.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the user selects one area having specific feature information among the areas C <b> 1 to C <b> 15 extracted using the input device 250 with the cursor C. In the example of FIG. 11B, the area C7 is selected with the cursor C. The feature information may be the area of the region, the length of a predetermined portion of the region, or the distance between the predetermined portion of the region and the center of gravity within a specified range. The feature information may be information related to the shape of the region or information related to the value of the pixel in the region. Further, when the region is substantially elliptical, the feature information may be a ratio between the major axis and the minor axis, for example, a circularity. The circularity is a parameter representing the proximity of the figure to the circle. The closer the figure is to a circle, the closer the degree of circle is to 1. The circularity is calculated by dividing the area of the region by the square of the peripheral length of the region and further multiplying by a predetermined coefficient (for example, 4π). The pixel value may represent luminance, color, or contour component. In this example, the user sets the area of the region as feature information in advance using the input device 250.

  Next, a condition for maintaining or deleting the area is determined based on the feature information of the selected area. In this example, the condition for deleting the region is determined based on the area of the region C7 selected by the cursor C. For example, the condition for deleting a region is to have an area equal to or smaller than that of the region C7. Areas that meet the deletion criteria are highlighted. In this example, the areas of the regions C1 to C3 are larger than the area of the region C7, and the areas of the regions C4 to C6 and C8 to C15 are equal to or smaller than the area of the region C7. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 11B, the regions C4 to C15 are highlighted with different display modes such as colors or luminances different from the regions C1 to C3. Thus, the user can easily recognize the area where the deletion process is performed.

  Here, the user operates the next button 263 a using the input device 250. Thus, an area that satisfies the deletion condition is determined as an unnecessary area, and an area that does not satisfy the deletion condition is determined as a necessary area. In this example, the areas C1 to C3 are determined as necessary areas, and the areas C4 to C15 are determined as unnecessary areas. In addition, necessary area data for displaying the areas C1 to C3 which are necessary areas and unnecessary area data for displaying the areas C4 to C15 which are unnecessary areas are generated. The generated necessary area data and unnecessary area are stored in the work memory 270.

In the present embodiment, after determining the necessary area and the unnecessary area, the pixels in the necessary area are represented by “1”, and the pixels in the other areas are represented by “0”. Therefore, the pixels of the required pixel That area "1" is black displayed so as to overlap the initial image IM 2. In FIG. 11C, since the areas C1 to C3 are necessary areas, the areas C1 to C3 are displayed in black based on the necessary area data stored in the work memory 270.

  There is a case where it is desired to redo the determination of the necessary area and the unnecessary area because the desired area to be deleted is not included in the unnecessary area or the area to be maintained is not included in the necessary area. In that case, the user can re-determine the necessary area and the unnecessary area by designating again one of the areas C1 to C15 extracted using the input device 250 with the cursor C. In the example of FIG. 12A, the area C15 is designated by the cursor C. The areas of the regions C1 to C9 are larger than the area of the region C15, and the areas of the regions C10 to C14 are equal to or smaller than the area of the region C15. For this reason, in the example of FIG. 12A, the regions C10 to C15 are highlighted with different display modes such as colors or luminance different from the regions C1 to C9.

  Here, the user operates the next button 263 a using the input device 250. Thereby, the areas C1 to C9 are determined as necessary areas, and the areas C10 to C15 are determined as unnecessary areas. Further, necessary area data for displaying the areas C1 to C9 which are necessary areas and unnecessary area data for displaying the areas C10 to C15 which are unnecessary areas are generated. The generated necessary area data and unnecessary area are stored in the work memory 270. In FIG. 12B, since the areas C1 to C9 are necessary areas, the areas C1 to C9 are displayed in black based on the necessary area data stored in the work memory 270.

  When the user operates the end button 263c using the input device 250, the necessary area is maintained and the unnecessary area is deleted. In this example, the areas C1 to C9 are maintained, and the areas C10 to C15 are deleted.

  In this way, the deletion process is performed on the desired areas C10 to C15 while the areas C1 to C9 are maintained among the extracted areas C1 to A15.

  In this example, an area that satisfies the deletion condition is determined as an unnecessary area, and an area that does not satisfy the deletion condition is determined as a necessary area. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An area that satisfies the maintenance condition may be determined as a necessary area, and an area that does not satisfy the maintenance condition may be determined as an unnecessary area.

  In this example, a region having an area equal to or smaller than the area selected by the cursor C is determined as an unnecessary region, but the present invention is not limited to this. A region having the same feature information as the feature information value of the selected region may be determined as a necessary region or an unnecessary region. For example, a region having the same area as the region selected by the cursor C may be determined as the necessary region. A region having the same area as the region selected by the cursor C may be determined as an unnecessary region.

  Furthermore, a region having an area larger than that of the region selected by the cursor C may be determined as an unnecessary region. A region having an area equal to or smaller than the area of the region selected by the cursor C may be determined as the necessary region. A region having an area larger than the area of the region selected by the cursor C may be determined as the necessary region.

(6) Deletion Process FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing a deletion process that is a second process example performed by the image processing apparatus 200. The deletion process is performed by the CPU 220 executing a deletion process program stored in the storage device 240. Hereinafter, deletion processing by the image processing apparatus 200 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14.

  The CPU 220 in FIG. 1 determines whether or not the image data stored in the storage device 240 in FIG. 1 has been selected by the user (step S21). When no image data is selected, the CPU 220 waits until image data is selected by the user. When image data is selected by the user in step S21, the CPU 220 displays the initial image IM2 on the image display area 261 of the display unit 260 of FIG. 10 based on the selected image data (step S22).

  Next, the CPU 220 determines whether or not the binarization of the initial image IM2 has been instructed (step S23). The user uses the input device 250 in FIG. 1 to move the slider 264s in FIG. 10 to set an appropriate threshold value, and then operates the next button 263a in FIG. 10 to instruct binarization. When the binarization of the initial image IM2 is not instructed, the CPU 220 waits until the user instructs the binarization of the initial image IM2.

  When the user instructs the binarization of the initial image IM2 in step S23, the CPU 220 executes binarization of the initial image IM2 (step S24). As a result, the CPU 220 generates extracted area data for displaying the area extracted by the binarization of the initial image IM2. Further, the CPU 220 displays an area extracted based on the generated extracted area data in the image display area 261 of the display unit 260 in FIG.

  Subsequently, the CPU 220 determines whether or not an area has been selected by selecting, with the cursor C, one area having specific feature information from among the areas extracted using the input device 250 ( Step S25). When the area is not selected, the CPU 220 waits until the user selects the area.

  When an area is selected by the user in step S25, the CPU 220 determines an area deletion condition based on the feature information of the selected area (step S26). In the examples of FIGS. 11 and 12, the feature information is the area of the region selected by the cursor C. Moreover, the condition of the area to be deleted is that the area has an area equal to or smaller than the area of the area selected by the cursor C. In the examples of FIGS. 11B and 12A, the area to be deleted is highlighted.

  Next, the CPU 220 determines whether or not the user has instructed the determination of the necessary area and the unnecessary area by operating the next button 263a of FIG. 10 using the input device 250 (step S27). When the determination of the necessary area and the unnecessary area is not instructed, the CPU 220 returns to the process of step S25. Thereby, the user can re-select the area.

  When the user instructs the determination of the necessary area and the unnecessary area in step S27, the CPU 220 determines an area that does not satisfy the deletion condition as a necessary area, and determines an area that satisfies the deletion condition as an unnecessary area (step S27). S28). Thereafter, the CPU 220 generates necessary area data for displaying the necessary area and unnecessary area data for displaying the unnecessary area, and stores the generated necessary area data and unnecessary area data in the work memory 270 of FIG. (Step S29). In this example, the display of the necessary area and the unnecessary area is maintained until an instruction is given to maintain the necessary area or delete the unnecessary area.

  Next, the CPU 220 determines whether or not the user has instructed to maintain the necessary area or delete the unnecessary area by operating the end button 263c of FIG. 10 using the input device 250 (step S30). When the maintenance of the necessary area and the deletion of the unnecessary area are not instructed, the CPU 220 returns to the process of step S25. Thereby, the user can re-select the area.

  When the user instructs to maintain the necessary area or delete the unnecessary area in step S30, the CPU 220 deletes the unnecessary area (step S31). As a result, unnecessary area data stored in the work memory 270 is deleted, and unnecessary areas are deleted from the image display area 261 of the display unit 260. Thereafter, the deletion process ends.

(7) Effect of Deletion Processing In the image processing device 200 according to the present embodiment, the user uses the input device 250 among the plurality of regions of the initial image IM2 displayed in the image display region 261 of the display unit 260. Thus, a region having an area larger than the region selected by the cursor C is determined as a necessary region. In addition, a region having an area equal to or smaller than the region selected by the cursor C using the input device 250 by the user is determined as an unnecessary region. Deletion processing is executed on the determined unnecessary area. As a result, the user can easily perform deletion processing on a desired area.

(8) Display of Measurement Results, Extracted Image List, and Histogram The measurement result display button 265, the extracted image list display button 266, and the histogram display button 267 in FIGS. 5 and 10 will be described. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating still another example of the screen of the display unit 260. As shown in FIG. 15, an initial image IM3 different from the initial images IM and IM2 is displayed in the image display area 261 of the display unit 260 based on the image data stored in the storage device 240 of FIG. In the initial image IM3, an image showing a part of the circuit board is displayed as an observation object.

  In FIG. 15, different regions of the initial image IM3 are represented by a plurality of dot patterns and hatching patterns. Specifically, the circuit board includes an insulating layer. A plurality of rectangular conductor patterns, another plurality of rectangular conductor patterns, and a plurality of circular conductor patterns are formed on the insulating layer. Regions E1 to E35 composed of a plurality of rectangular conductor patterns, regions F1 to F5 composed of other plurality of rectangular conductor patterns, and regions G1 to G25 composed of a plurality of circular conductor patterns are the first hatching patterns. It is represented. A region Z made of an insulating layer is represented by a first dot pattern. Here, each region is composed of one or a plurality of continuous pixels. The brightness of the area Z is higher than the brightness of the areas E1 to E35, F1 to F5, and G1 to G25.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the initial image IM3 after the necessary area and the unnecessary area are determined. In the initial image IM3 of FIG. 15, by setting an appropriate threshold value for distinguishing the regions E1 to E35, F1 to F5, G1 to G25 and the other regions Z, the regions E1 to E35, F1 to F1 are set from the initial image IM3. Only F5, G1 to G25 are extracted. Thereafter, similarly to the second processing example performed by the image processing apparatus 200, a region having an area equal to or smaller than a desired area is selected from the extracted regions with the cursor. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 16, the areas E1 to E35 are determined as necessary areas, and the areas F1 to F5 and G1 to G25 are determined as unnecessary areas.

  A unique identification number is assigned to each of the plurality of areas E1 to E35, which are necessary areas. In this example, identification numbers “No. 1” to “No. 35” are assigned to the areas E1 to E35, respectively. In addition, various feature information values are measured for each of the plurality of necessary areas. The feature information includes, for example, the area of the region, the perimeter, the maximum diameter, or the minimum diameter.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the CPU 220 when the measurement result display button 265 is operated will be described. When the user operates the measurement result display button 265 using the input device 250 of FIG. 1, the CPU 220 creates a measurement result table including the characteristic information measured for each region and displays it on the display unit 260.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating the display unit 260 on which a measurement result table is displayed. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the measurement result table 2650 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, the measurement result table 2650 includes a measurement result display area 2651, an edit result display area 2652, and a plurality of result display fields 2653, 2654, 2655, 2656.

  In each row of the measurement result display area 2651, an identification number of the necessary area and a plurality of feature information values corresponding to the identification number are displayed. In the example of FIG. 18, each row of the measurement result display area 2651 displays the identification number, area, perimeter length, and maximum diameter of each of the areas E1 to E35. In the measurement result display area 2651, the value of each feature information can be displayed in descending order or ascending order.

  The editing result display area 2652 displays the editing result of the characteristic information values in the areas E1 to E35. The editing result includes, for example, an average value, standard deviation value, maximum value, minimum value, and total value of feature information. The result display field 2653 displays the number of areas E1 to E35 that are necessary areas. In this example, the number of necessary areas is “35”.

  In the result display column 2654, the total area of the plurality of regions E1 to E35 is displayed. The total area can also be displayed in the edit result display area 2652 as a total value of the area of the area. In the editing result display area 2652, the area of the entire area of the initial image IM3 is displayed as the entire screen area. In the result display field 2656, the total area with respect to the entire screen area is displayed as a total area ratio. In this example, the total area ratio is displayed as a percentage.

  When the user designates a line including any identification number and feature information displayed in the measurement result display area 2651 of the measurement result table 2650 using the input device 250, the necessary area of the initial image IM3 corresponding to the line is displayed. Highlighted. In the example of FIG. 18, as indicated by an arrow a, a line including the identification number “No. 5” is designated. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 17, the area E5 corresponding to the row including the identification number “No. 5” is highlighted with a different display mode such as a different color or luminance from the other areas. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the area corresponding to the designated identification number and the value of the feature information.

  Similarly, when the user designates any necessary area from the initial image IM3 displayed in the image display area 261 using the input device 250, the identification number and feature information of the measurement result display area 2651 corresponding to the necessary area. The line containing the value of is highlighted. As a result, the user can easily recognize the identification number and the value of the feature information corresponding to the designated necessary area.

  Next, returning to FIG. 16, the operation of the CPU 220 when the extracted image list display button 266 is operated will be described. When the user operates the extracted image list display button 266 using the input device 250 of FIG. 1, the CPU 220 extracts extracted images including images of a plurality of necessary areas based on the necessary area data in the work memory 270 of FIG. A list is created and displayed on the display unit 260.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the display unit 260 on which the extracted image list is displayed. FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the extracted image list of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the extracted image list 2660 includes a feature information selection field 2661, a display order selection field 2662, one or more extracted image display areas 2663, and one or more feature information display areas 2664. The number of extracted image display areas 2663 and the number of feature information display areas 2664 are equal to the number of necessary areas. Therefore, in this example, the number of extracted image display areas 2663 and the number of feature information display areas 2664 are “35”.

  Each of the plurality of extracted image display areas 2663 and the plurality of feature information display areas 2664 is assigned an identification number of a necessary area. In each extracted image display area 2663, an image of a necessary area corresponding to the assigned identification number is displayed. A feature information display area 2664 is arranged below each extracted image display area 2663. In each of the plurality of feature information display areas 2664, the value of the feature information of the necessary area corresponding to the assigned identification number is displayed.

  The feature information displayed in the feature information display area 2664 can be selected from various feature information displayed in the feature information selection field 2661. In the example of FIG. 20, the feature information displayed in the feature information display area 2664 is an area. In addition, the display order of the plurality of extracted image display areas 2663 and the plurality of feature information display areas 2664 can be selected from various display orders in the display order selection field 2662. In the example of FIG. 20, the display order of the plurality of extracted image display areas 2663 and the plurality of feature information display areas 2664 is descending.

  When the user designates any one of the extracted image display area 2663 and the feature information display area 2664 displayed in the extracted image list 2660 using the input device 250, the extracted image display area 2663 and the feature information display area 2664 are identified. The necessary area of the initial image IM3 corresponding to the number is highlighted. In the example of FIG. 20, as indicated by an arrow b, an extracted image display area 2663 and a feature information display area 2664 having an identification number “No. 32” are designated. Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 19, the area E32 corresponding to the identification number “No. 32” is highlighted with a different display mode such as a color or luminance different from the other areas. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the area corresponding to the specified identification number, image, and feature information value.

  Similarly, when the user designates any necessary area from the initial image IM3 displayed in the image display area 261 using the input device 250, an extracted image display area 2663 assigned an identification number corresponding to the necessary area. The image and the feature information display area 2664 are highlighted. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the identification number, the image, and the value of the feature information corresponding to the designated area.

  Next, returning to FIG. 16, the operation of the CPU 220 when the histogram display button 267 is operated will be described. When the user operates the histogram display button 267 using the input device 250 of FIG. 1, the CPU 220 creates a histogram image for the feature information of the necessary area and displays it on the display unit 260.

  FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the display unit 260 on which a histogram image is displayed. FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the histogram image 2670 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the histogram image 2670 includes a feature information selection field 2671 and a histogram display area 2672. In the histogram display area 2672, a histogram for feature information of a plurality of necessary areas is displayed.

  The feature information displayed in the histogram display area 2672 can be selected from various feature information displayed in the feature information selection field 2671. In the example of FIG. 22, the feature information displayed in the histogram display area 2672 is an area. The first feature information range of the histogram includes a necessary area with the identification number “No. 35”. The second feature information range of the histogram includes identification numbers “No. 1” to “No. 4”, “No. 7” to “No. 15”, “No. 17”, “No. 19” to “No. .28 "required area is included. The third feature information range of the histogram includes a necessary area with the identification number “No. 33”. The fourth feature information range of the histogram includes necessary areas of identification numbers “No. 30” to “No. 32” and “No. 34”. The fifth feature information range of the histogram includes a necessary area of the identification number “No. 29”. The sixth feature information range of the histogram includes necessary areas of identification numbers “No. 5”, “No. 6”, “No. 16”, “No. 18”.

  When the user designates any feature information range displayed in the histogram display region 2672 using the input device 250, the necessary region of the initial image IM3 corresponding to the identification number included in the feature information range is highlighted. 22, the identification numbers “No. 1” to “No. 4”, “No. 7” to “No. 15”, “No. 17”, “No. 19” are indicated by arrows c. A second feature information range including a necessary area of “No. 28” is designated. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 21, the identification numbers “No. 1” to “No. 4”, “No. 7” to “No. 15”, “No. 17”, “No. 19” to “No. The areas E1 to E4, E7 to E15, E17, and E19 to E28 corresponding to the required area of 28 ″ are highlighted by different display modes such as colors or brightness different from those of the other areas. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the region corresponding to the designated feature information range.

  Similarly, when the user designates any necessary area from the initial image IM3 displayed in the image display area 261 using the input device 250, the histogram of the histogram display area 2672 including the identification number corresponding to the necessary area is displayed. The feature information range is highlighted. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the feature information range corresponding to the designated area.

(9) Effect of Display of Measurement Result, Extracted Image List, and Histogram The user can specify the feature information displayed in the measurement result table 2650, the extracted image list table 2660, or the histogram image 2670, thereby specifying the specified feature information. The necessary area of the corresponding image display area 261 can be easily recognized.

  In addition, the user designates one of a plurality of necessary areas displayed in the image display area 261, whereby the measurement result table 2650, the extracted image list 2660, or the histogram image 2670 corresponding to the designated necessary area is specified. Information can be easily recognized.

(10) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the measurement result table 2650, the extracted image list 2660, and the histogram image 2670 are created for each of the necessary areas in the second processing example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Not. The measurement result table 2650, the extracted image list table 2660, and the histogram image 2670 for the unnecessary area in the second processing example or the selected area or the non-selected area in the first processing example may be created.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the histogram image 2670 is created as a distribution map, it is not limited to this. Other distribution maps such as a scattergram (scatter diagram) image may be created as the distribution map.

(11) Correspondence between each component of claim and each part of embodiment The following describes an example of a correspondence between each component of the claim and each part of the embodiment. It is not limited.

  The initial images IM, IM2, and IM3 are examples of images, the display unit 260 is an example of a display unit, the input device 250 is an example of an operation unit, and the CPU 220 is an example of a processing unit and a processing device. The image processing apparatus 200 is an example of an image processing apparatus, the measurement result table 2650 is an example of a table, the extracted image list 2660 is an example of a list image, and the histogram image 2670 is an example of the figure.

  As each constituent element in the claims, various other elements having configurations or functions described in the claims can be used.

The present invention can be effectively used for various image processing apparatuses , magnification observation apparatuses, and image processing programs.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2, 3 Support stand 4,6 Connection part 5 Rotating support | pillar 7 Support part 8,264s Slider 9 Fixed knob 10 Imaging device 11 Color CCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Half mirror 13 Objective lens 15 A / D converter 16 Illumination light source 17 Lens drive part 20 Stage apparatus 21 Stage 22 Stage drive part 23 Stage support part 30 Rotation angle sensor 41 Adjustment screw 42 Adjustment knob 100 Microscope 200 Image processing apparatus 210 Interface 220 CPU
230 ROM
240 storage device 250 input device 260 display unit 261 image display area 262 extraction condition setting area 263a next button 263b back button 263c end button 264 threshold setting bar 265 measurement result display button 266 extracted image list display button 267 histogram display button 270 Working memory 300 Magnification observation device 2650 Measurement result table 2651 Measurement result display region 2651 Editing result display region 2653 to 2656 Result display column 2660 Extracted image list 2661, 2671 Feature information selection column 2661 Display order selection column 2663 Extracted image display region 2664 Feature information display area 2670 Histogram image 2672 Histogram display area a to c Arrows a1, a2, a5, a6 Constricted portion A1 to A8, A11, A12, A21, A22, B ˜B3, C1 to C15, D1 to D4, E1 to E35, F1 to F5, G1 to G25, X, Y, Z area C cursor IM, IM2, IM3 initial image R selection range R1 rotation axis R2 optical axis R3 rotation Axis S Observation object

Claims (9)

A display unit for displaying a plurality of regions extracted based on a first condition in an image based on image data;
An operation unit operated by a user to select any of the plurality of areas displayed on the display unit;
Information on the area and shape of the region selected by specifying the position on the screen of the display unit by the operation of the operation unit among the plurality of regions extracted based on the first condition , and a predetermined portion A second condition for maintaining or deleting the area is determined based on geometric feature information including at least one of the lengths of the plurality of lengths, and the determined first of the plurality of areas displayed on the display unit is determined. A process that operates to determine an area that satisfies the condition 2 as a necessary area or an unnecessary area, and to perform a process of deleting an area other than the necessary area or the unnecessary area from among the plurality of areas displayed on the display unit An image processing apparatus. The processing unit determines, as the condition, a range determined based on a value of geometric feature information regarding the selected region, and among the plurality of regions displayed on the display unit, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus operates to determine an area having a value of feature information as the necessary area or the unnecessary area. The processing unit includes a table showing geometric feature information of the region displayed by the display unit, a list image of the region selected by the operation of the operation unit, or a geometric of the region selected by the operation of the operation unit. 3. The image processing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a display showing a distribution of characteristic information is displayed on the display unit, and the table, the list image, or the figure is updated based on a result of processing of a region. apparatus. When the geometric feature information is specified in the table, the list image, or the figure by the operation of the operation unit, the processing unit is configured to specify the specified geometric among a plurality of regions displayed on the display unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image processing apparatus operates to specify a region corresponding to typical feature information. When one of a plurality of regions displayed on the display unit is designated by an operation of the operation unit, the processing unit is configured to correspond to the specified region in the table, the list image, or the figure. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image processing apparatus operates to specify typical feature information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first condition is a threshold value set for the luminance of the image data. The processing unit operates to cause the display unit to display a region before or after change due to the processing in a display mode different from other regions among a plurality of regions displayed on the display unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6. Processing for displaying a plurality of regions extracted based on the first condition in the image based on the image data on the screen of the display unit ;
A process of accepting an selection area by specifying the position on the screen of the display unit that by the user of said first plurality of regions extracted based on the condition of,
An area based on geometric feature information including at least one of area and shape information of an area selected by designating a position on the screen of the display unit by a user and a length of a predetermined portion The second condition for maintaining or deleting the image is determined, and among the plurality of displayed areas, the area satisfying the determined second condition is determined as a necessary area or an unnecessary area, and the plurality of displayed areas Among them, a process for deleting an area other than the necessary area or the unnecessary area,
An image processing program to be executed by a processing device. A microscope having an imaging device for imaging an observation target;
A display unit for displaying a plurality of regions extracted based on a first condition in an image based on image data relating to an observation target from the imaging device;
An operation unit operated by a user to select any of the plurality of areas displayed on the display unit;
Information on the area and shape of the region selected by specifying the position on the screen of the display unit by the operation of the operation unit among the plurality of regions extracted based on the first condition , and a predetermined portion A second condition for maintaining or deleting the area is determined based on geometric feature information including at least one of the lengths of the plurality of lengths, and the determined first of the plurality of areas displayed on the display unit is determined. A process that operates to determine an area that satisfies the condition 2 as a necessary area or an unnecessary area, and to perform a process of deleting an area other than the necessary area or the unnecessary area from among the plurality of areas displayed on the display unit A magnifying observation device.

Images