Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program

An image processing method for mixing image information on a main image layer with image information on an on-screen display layer that includes display information including character information or graphic data and displaying the mixed image on a display screen having a predetermined image size, the image processing method comprising the steps of:

• scaling the image information on the main image layer in accordance with the image size of the display screen;
• enlarging the image information on the on-screen display layer having a predetermined reference size so as to be fitted in the image size of the display screen;
• and
• mixing the enlarged image information on the on-screen display layer with the enlarged or reduced image information on the main image layer,
• wherein the enlarging includes a first on-screen display partial enlargement step for enlarging the image information in an area where the display information is not present on the on-screen display layer and a second on-screen display partial enlargement step for enlarging the image information in an area where the display information is present on the on-screen display layer by a method different from that of the first on-screen display partial enlargement step.

A computer-readable program causing a computer to perform a process of displaying an image on a display screen having a predetermined image size, the program causing the computer to function as:

• a first memory area storing image information on a main image layer;
• a second memory area storing image information on an on-screen display layer that includes display information including character information or graphic data and that has a predetermined reference size;
• image scaling means for scaling the image information on the main image layer in the first memory area in accordance with the image size of the display screen;
• on-screen display enlarging means for reading out the image information on the on-screen display layer from the second memory area and enlarging the readout image information so as to be fitted in the image size of the display screen;
• and
• mixing means for mixing the enlarged image information on the on-screen display layer with the enlarged or reduced image information on the main image layer,
• wherein the on-screen display enlarging means includes first on-screen display partial enlargement means for enlarging the image information in an area where the display information is not present on the on-screen display layer and second on-screen display partial enlargement means for enlarging the image information in an area where the display information is present on the on-screen display layer by a method different from that of the first on-screen display partial enlargement means.

An image processing apparatus displaying an image on a display screen having a predetermined image size, the image processing apparatus comprising:

• a first memory area storing image information on a main image layer;
• a second memory area storing image information on an on-screen display layer that includes display information including character information or graphic data and that has a predetermined reference size;
• an image scaling unit configured to scale the image information on the main image layer in the first memory area in accordance with the image size of the display screen;
• an on-screen display enlarging unit configured to read out the image information on the on-screen display layer from the second memory area and enlarge the readout image information so as to be fitted in the image size of the display screen;
• and
• a mixing unit configured to mix the enlarged image information on the on-screen display layer with the enlarged or reduced image information on the main image layer,
• wherein the on-screen display enlarging unit includes a first on-screen display partial enlargement unit that enlarges the image information in an area where the display information is not present on the on-screen display layer and a second on-screen display partial enlargement unit that enlarges the image information in an area where the display information is present on the on-screen display layer by a method different from that of the first on-screen display partial enlargement unit.