def imread(img_or_path, flag='color'):
    """Read an image.

    Args:
        img_or_path (ndarray or str): Either a numpy array or image path.
            If it is a numpy array (loaded image), then it will be returned
            as is.
        flag (str): Flags specifying the color type of a loaded image,
            candidates are `color`, `grayscale` and `unchanged`.

    Returns:
        ndarray: Loaded image array.
    """
    if isinstance(img_or_path, np.ndarray):
        return img_or_path
    elif is_str(img_or_path):
        flag = imread_flags[flag] if is_str(flag) else flag
        check_file_exist(img_or_path,
                         'img file does not exist: {}'.format(img_or_path))
        return cv2.imread(img_or_path, flag)
    else:
        raise TypeError('"img" must be a numpy array or a filename')
Read an image.

    Args:
        img_or_path (ndarray or str): Either a numpy array or image path.
            If it is a numpy array (loaded image), then it will be returned
            as is.
        flag (str): Flags specifying the color type of a loaded image,
            candidates are `color`, `grayscale` and `unchanged`.

    Returns:
        ndarray: Loaded image array.