Image processor, image processing method, recording medium, computer program and semiconductor device

Abstract

An image processor is provided which utilizes images taken by an imaging device, e.g., a digital camera, as an input interface to enter commands, etc. A memory is operable to store in real time a series of images of a location captured by the imaging device over time. A detector detects a target captured in the series of images and a quantitative value of a movement component of the target by detecting differences between features of the captured series of images between points in time. An image generator is operable to generate an object image, the object image following a movement of the detected target and including an image representing a trace of the movement. An image generator generates a combined image from the object image and an image from the captured series of images. An output is operable to output in real time a signal representing the combined image at the location captured in the series of images.

1 . An image processor, comprising: 
 a memory operable to store in real time a series of images of a location captured by an imaging device over time, the captured series of images at least partially including a target that is subject to move within the captured series of images from one point in the time to another point in the time;    a detector operable to detect the target and a quantitative value of a movement component thereof by detecting differences between features of the captured series of images at a first point in the time and at a second point in the time;    an image generator operable to generate an object image representing a predetermined object so that the object image follows a movement of the detected target and includes an image representing a trace of the movement, the image generator being further operable to generate a combined image from the object image and an image from the captured series of images; and    an output operable to output in real time a signal representing the combined image at the location captured in the series of images.    
   
   
       2 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the combined image includes a mirrored image of the target.  
   
   
       3 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the output is operable to output the signal representing the combined image to a predetermined display device.  
   
   
       4 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the target is a first target, the captured series of images at least partially includes a plurality of targets including the first target, each of the plurality of targets being subject to move within the captured series of images from one point in the time to another point in the time, and the detector is operable to detect the quantitative value of the movement component of each of the plurality of targets and to detect a particular one of the plurality of targets based on the detected quantitative values of the movement components of the plurality of targets such that the object image follows the movement of the particular target, and the image representing the trace of the movement represents the trace of the movement of the particular target.  
   
   
       5 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the object image is associated with predetermined processing and the image generator is further operable to perform the predetermined processing when the detected quantitative value of the movement component satisfies a predetermined condition.  
   
   
       6 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the detected quantitative value of the movement component includes a rate of movement of the target.  
   
   
       7 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the detected quantitative value of the movement component includes a cumulative amount of movement of the target.  
   
   
       8 . An image processing method, comprising: 
 storing in real time a series of images of a location captured by an imaging device over time, the captured series of images at least partially including a target that is subject to move within the captured series of images from one point in the time to another point in the time;    detecting the target and a quantitative value of a movement component thereof by detecting differences between features of the captured series of images at a first point in the time and at a second point in the time;    generating an object image representing a predetermined object so that the object image follows a movement of the detected target and includes an image representing a trace of the movement;    generating a combined image from the object image and an image from the captured series of images; and    outputting in real time a signal representing the combined image at the location captured in the series of images.    
   
   
       9 . A computer-readable recording medium having instructions recorded thereon, the instructions being executable by a computer or image processing system to perform a method, the method comprising: 
 storing in real time a series of images of a location captured by an imaging device over time, the captured series of images at least partially including a target that is subject to move within the captured series of images from one point in the time to another point in the time;    detecting the target and a quantitative value of a movement component thereof by detecting differences between features of the captured series of images at a first point in the time and at a second point in the time;    generating an object image representing a predetermined object so that the object image follows a movement of the detected target and includes an image representing a trace of the movement;    generating a combined image from the object image and an image from the captured series of images; and    outputting in real time a signal representing the combined image at the location captured in the series of images.    
   
   
       10 . A system operable to process an image, comprising: 
 one or more semiconductor devices, the one or more semiconductor devices including:    a memory operable to store in real time a series of images of a location captured by an imaging device over time, the captured series of images at least partially including a target that is subject to move within the captured series of images from one point in the time to another point in the time,    a detector operable to detect the target and a quantitative value of a movement component thereof by detecting differences between features of the captured series of images at a first point in the time and at a second point in the time,    an image generator operable to generate an object image representing a predetermined object so that the object image follows a movement of the detected target and includes an image representing a trace of the movement, the image generator being further operable to generate a combined image from the object image and an image from the captured series of images, and    an output operable to output in real time a signal representing the combined image at the location captured in the series of images.