IMAGE INTAKE DEVICE

Abstract: A RAM section (5) stores front porch times representing the times to start of significant image information periods following production of horizontal synchronisation signals. An indexing register (R) refers to a stored front porch time to index the times of start of significant image information periods and is associated with a down counter (DC). The indexing register output is used to time the start of significant periods. The stored front porch time can be varied depending on the camera in which the intake device is fitted and is supplied from a host computer (8). Video output from industrial cameras.

Description: This invention relates to a picture processing apparatus for processing picture information introduced from a picture input unit such as an industrial camera by a raster scanning system. When one frame of a picture of a CRT display is introduced into a picture processing apparatus from a picture input unit (hereinafter referred to simply as a "camera") such as an industrial camera by a raster scanning system, the picture signal outputted by the camera comprises one vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC for establishing synchronization of a picture in the vertical direction, a plurality of horizontal synchronizing signals HSYNC for establishing synchronization of the picture in the horizontal direction, and a luminance signal PCSG which includes significant picture information. Figs. 3(a) and (b) illustrate an example of a general picture signal waveform. Fig. 3(a) is a time chart of a signal waveform corresponding to one frame, and Fig. 3(b) is a time chart regarding one line in the horizontal direction. The luminance signal PCSG is effective in a significant picture information interval PCPD, and the significant picture information interval PCPD is provided in synchronization with each horizontal signal HSYNC. In other words, the significant picture information interval PCPD starts a predetermined period of time (the front porch time FP) after the horizontal synchronizing signal is produced. The front porch time FP from the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC to the start of the significant picture information interval PCPD generally differs from one type of camera to another. Since a conventional picture processing apparatus is designed solely for a specific type of camera, the front porch time FP is set so as to conform to the picture signal from the camera. Accordingly, if a picture from a camera of a different type is to be processed, the front porch time FP will not conform. As a result, the picture signal will not be introduced into the apparatus in a faithful and accurate manner. It is therefore desirable to provide a picture processing apparatus in which significant picture information can be introduced in an accurate manner by bringing the front porch time into conformance with cameras of a variety of different types. EP-A-0 189 195 discloses an apparatus for correcting time base error of a video signal, having features corresponding to those of the preamble of accompanying claim 1. According to the present invention, there is provided a picture processing apparatus for processing picture information, comprising:- a picture memory for storing a picture signal; storage means for storing a front porch time extending from generation of a horizontal synchronizing signal of a picture signal until the start of a significant picture information interval; and introducing means for introducing significant picture information into the picture memory from the starting time of the significant picture information interval based on said front porch time; characterised in that:- the picture processing apparatus is arranged to receive the picture information from a video camera; calculating means are provided for calculating the starting time of the significant picture information interval by using the stored front porch timer in the form of a down-counter which is arranged to be preset with the front porch time stored in said storage means in response to each horizontal synchronizing signal in the picture signal and then to count down from the preset value to zero, the time taken to reach zero representing the time from output of the horizontal synchronizing signal until the start of the significant picture information interval; and in that means are provided for changing the front porch time stored in the storage means, whereby the picture processing apparatus can be adapted to video cameras having different characteristics. By means of the picture processing apparatus of the present invention, the front porch time is stored, and the significant picture information is introduced by calculating the starting time of the significant picture information interval by referring to the stored front porch time. Therefore, even if the front porch time differs depending upon the type of camera, different cameras can be dealt with by storing the front porch time corresponding to the type of camera. This makes it possible to introduce the significant picture information in an accurate manner. The calculation of the starting time of the significant picture information interval performed by the calculating means and the accompanying processing for introducing the significant picture information performed by the introducing means are carried out for every horizontal synchronizing signal. In addition, if a camera having a different front porch time is used, the front porch time presently stored in the register is changed to another value by a host computer. Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a system block diagram of a picture processing apparatus embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a flowchart of picture introducing processing in the Fig. 1 system; Fig. 3(a) is a time chart of signals for displaying picture information in one frame of a CRT display; and Fig. 3(b) is a time chart of signals in a single horizontal scan. In Fig. 1, a picture processing apparatus 1 embodying the present invention comprises a picture input unit 2 such as an industrial camera, a processor 3 for processing picture information inputted from the picture input unit 2, a read-only memory (ROM) 4 storing a program for controlling the operation of the processor 3, a RAM 5 for storing the intermediate results of processing performed by the processor 3, a picture memory section, namely a frame memory 6, for storing picture information processed by the processor 3, and a CRT display 7 for displaying picture information stored in the frame memory 6. Processing for the introduction of a picture is executed by the processor 3 controlled by a microprogram stored in the ROM 4. When the microprogram is executed, use is made of an area for a register R and an area for a down-counter DC in the RAM 5. A front porch time FP conforming to the picture input unit 2 presently connected to the system is stored beforehand in the register R from an external host computer 8 or the like. If a different picture input unit is to be connected, it will suffice to store a different front porch time conforming to this input unit in the register R from the host computer 8. It is possible to alter the front porch time FP in accordance with the type of picture input unit 2. The front porch time FP stored in the register R from the host computer 8 is preset in the down-counter DC. Thus the time required for the value of the count in the down-counter DC to reach zero, namely the time from output of the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC until the beginning of the significant picture information interval PCPD, is measured. The operation of the picture introducing apparatus constructed as set forth above will now be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 2. It should be noted that the flowchart is an example of a picture introducing process implemented by the microprogram in ROM 4. The front porch time FP conforming to the picture input unit 2 presently connected is stored beforehand by the host computer 8 in the region of RAM 5 for the register R. First, it is determined (step ST1) whether the vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC from the picture input unit 2 has been outputted. If the vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC has not yet been outputted, the program returns to the step ST1 to await the output of the signal. When the vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC is outputted, this is recognized as indicating the start of a new picture frame, upon which the program proceeds to the next step, which is a step ST2. This step is for starting processing to introduce a picture and involves initially setting a counted value HCNT of the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC to "0". Next, it is determined (step ST3) whether the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC from the picture input unit 2 has been outputted. If the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC has not yet been outputted, the program returns to the step ST3 to await the output of the signal. When the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC is outputted, the program proceeds to a step at which the front porch time FP is counted starting from the moment the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC is outputted. A step ST4 calls for the front porch time FP stored beforehand in the register R to be preset in the down-counter DC. Next, a step ST5 calls for the down-counter DC to be counted down (decremented) at a predetermined timing. A step ST6 calls for a determination as to whether the counted value HCNT in the down-counter DC has reached zero. If it has not, this means that the front porch time has not elapsed. Accordingly, the program returns to the step ST5 to continue the countdown. When the counted value in the downcounter DC becomes zero, this means that the front porch time FP has elapsed, so that the picture information from the picture input unit is construed to be in the significant picture information interval PCPD. As a result, the picture starts to be introduced (step ST7). After the picture information, namely the luminance signal PCSG, is introduced to the frame memory 6 by the first scan in the horizontal direction, the next scan in the horizontal direction is performed and it is determined whether more picture information is to be introduced (step ST8). In other words, after the vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC is outputted, it is determined whether all N horizontal synchronizing signals HSYNC have been outputted. If the counted value HCNT has not yet reached N, this means that all of the horizontal synchronizing signals HSYNC have not yet been outputted. In such case, the counted value HCNT is incremented by +1 at a step ST9 and the program returns to the step ST3 to introduce the picture information synchronized with the next horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC. When processing for introducing picture information is thus performed with regard to all of the plurality of horizontal synchronizing signals HSYNC and the counted value HCNT attains the value N at the step ST8, the processing for introducing the picture is terminated. The picture processing apparatus of the invention is useful in that by storing a front porch time corresponding to the type of picture input unit such as an industrial camera or the like, the apparatus can be made to conform to different picture input units so that processing can be performed upon introducing the significant picture information in accurate fashion.

Claims: A picture processing apparatus for processing picture information, comprising:- a picture memory (6) for storing a picture signal; storage means for storing a front porch time (FP) extending from generation of a horizontal synchronizing signal (HSYNC) of a picture signal until the start of a significant picture information interval; and introducing means (3) for introducing significant picture information into the picture memory (6) from the starting time of the significant picture information interval based on said front porch time (FP); characterised in that:- the picture processing apparatus is arranged to receive the picture information from a video camera (2); calculating means are provided for calculating the starting time of the significant picture information interval by using the stored front porch time (FP), in the form of a down-counter (DC) which is arranged to be preset with the front porch time (FP) stored in said storage means in response to each horizontal synchronizing signal (HSYNC) in the picture signal and then to count down from the preset value to zero, the time taken to reach zero representing the time from output of the horizontal synchronizing signal until the start of the significant picture information interval; and in that means (8) are provided for changing the front porch time (FP) stored in the storage means (5), whereby the picture processing apparatus can be adapted to video cameras having different characteristics. A picture processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means (8) for changing the front porch time (FP) are provided by a host computer for supplying the storage means (5) with a front porch time (FP) conforming to a given picture signal. A picture processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage means (5) is a RAM having a register area (R) in which the front porch time (FP) is stored. A picture processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the down-counter (DC) is constituted by an area of the RAM (5) separate from the register area (R). A picture processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the introducing means (3) executes picture introducing processing by controlling a picture processor in accordance with a microprogram stored in a ROM (4).

Inventors: KURAKAKE, MITSUO, MURAOKA, YUTAKA 2-5-504, UTSUKIDAI, OTSUKA, SHOICHI
Applicants: FANUC LTD.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: H04N5
IPC codes: H04N17, H04N5