JP2000115693A - Image data recording method and device, image data reproducing method and device, information recording medium and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively record the image data on a highly detailed still image, etc., while securing the recording capacity by dividing a recording image into plural pixel blocks, extracting on or more pixels out of every pixel block and combining again the extracted pixels to generate the divided images. SOLUTION: If a recording image 2 consists of 972 pixels, i.e., twice as many as a unit image in the vertical direction and 1440 pixels, i.e., twice as many as a unit image in the horizontal direction and accordingly has pixels four times as much as those of a unit image in all, the image 2 is divided into (486×720) pixel blocks 4 consisting of four pixels, including two pieces of pixels in both vertical and horizontal directions respectively. Then a single pixel is extracted from each of (486×720) pixels and these extracted pixels are recombined to generate four pieces of divided images 3. In this image data recording method, every image 3 is recorded as a single frame on an information recording medium and accordingly a highly detailed image can be properly recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data recording method and apparatus for recording high-resolution image data on an information recording medium, and an image for reproducing image data recorded on an information recording medium as high-resolution image data. Data reproduction method and reproduction apparatus, information recording medium on which image data is recorded by the image data recording method, computer-readable recording medium for causing a computer to execute the image data recording method, and the image data reproduction method The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium to be executed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of computers, digital still cameras that record images as digital image data have attracted attention as still image photographing devices. In this digital still camera, the definition of a recording image has been actively increased, and in recent years, a so-called megapixel camera having a recording pixel number exceeding one million has been provided.

[0003] Since this megapixel camera can capture a high-resolution still image close to a silver halide photograph, it is used as a substitute for photography used in silver halide photography, for example, for recording construction work and evidence of accidents in car insurance. I have. However, this megapixel camera uses a semiconductor memory having a capacity of about 16 MB as a recording medium, and has a problem that the recording capacity is small enough to record 40 to 80 images at a time. .

On the other hand, a digital video camera that captures a moving image and records it as digital data can record a moving image of, for example, two hours at a time using a magnetic tape as a recording medium.

[0005] Therefore, it is desired that a still image can be recorded by a digital video camera having a relatively large recording capacity as described above, and a digital video of the current consumer digital video standard, for example, the so-called DV standard by the HD Digital VCR Council. 2. Description of the Related Art In a video camera, a still mode for capturing a still image is provided in addition to a video mode for capturing a moving image.

[0006]

However, in the still mode of the digital video camera, a still image is recorded with the number of pixels of the NTSC level, so that a high-definition still image close to a silver halide photograph is recorded. Can not.

It is also conceivable to take a moving image using a digital video camera that always shoots a high-definition moving image, and use a part of the moving image as a high-definition still image. Not a target.

The present invention provides an image data recording method and an image data recording apparatus capable of recording high-definition still images and the like at low cost while securing a sufficient recording capacity. Provided is an image data reproducing method and an image data reproducing apparatus for reproducing image data recorded on an information recording medium by the data recording method and the image data recording apparatus, wherein the image data is recorded by the image data recording method and the image data recording apparatus. And a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the image data recording method, and a computer storing a program for causing the computer to execute the image data reproducing method It is an object to provide a readable recording medium.

[0009]

In order to record image data of a high-definition image at a low cost while securing a sufficient recording capacity, for example, the D-1 standard, the D-2 standard, and the above-mentioned DV standard can be used. According to the digital video standard, the image data of the high-definition image may be recorded in conformity with the standard for recording image data of an image having a lower resolution than the high-definition image.

In order to record the image data of the high-definition image in conformity with the standard for recording the image data of the low-resolution image, the image data of the high-definition image is converted into the image data of the low-resolution image. May be divided into the data amount of one frame, and each of the divided image data may be recorded as one frame.

The image data recording method according to the present invention has been devised based on the above-described knowledge. A recording image to be recorded is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels. And a second process of recording the image data of the image for recording on an information recording medium with each divided image of the plurality of divided images as one frame.
In the first processing, the recording image is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, and one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block. The method is characterized in that the divided images are generated by re-synthesizing the pixels.

According to this image data recording method, the recording image to be recorded is divided into a plurality of divided images in the first processing. Specifically, in the first process, first, the recording image is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks formed by a plurality of adjacent pixels. Then, one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block, and the extracted pixels are recombined to generate a divided image.

According to this image data recording method, the recording image to be recorded is, in the second processing, each divided image of the plurality of divided images generated in the first processing as one frame. It is recorded on an information recording medium.

As described above, according to this image data recording method, a recording image is divided into a plurality of divided images, and each divided image is recorded as one frame on an information recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately record in a form conforming to a standard for recording low-resolution image data.

According to this image data recording method,
The recording image is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block, and the extracted pixels are recombined to generate a divided image. Even when the divided image is displayed as it is, the displayed image is an image close to the recording image.

In this image data recording method,
In the first process, it is desirable to generate the plurality of divided images after converting the recording image into an image having a predetermined number of pixels.

More specifically, for example, the number of pixels of a recording image is an integral multiple of the number of pixels of an image for one frame of a standard for recording image data of a low-resolution image (hereinafter, referred to as a unit image). If not, in the first process, the recording image is converted into an image having an integral multiple of the number of pixels of the unit image, and then a plurality of divided images are generated. Accordingly, even when the number of pixels of the recording image is not an integral multiple of the number of pixels of the unit image, the recording image is divided into appropriate divided images.

Further, in this image data recording method,
In the second process, it is desirable that the image data of each of the divided images is recorded in a plurality of frames so as to overlap each other.

As described above, in the second process, the image data of each of the divided images is recorded in a plurality of frames so as to overlap each other, so that the reliability of the recorded image data can be improved.

Further, in this image data recording method,
In the second process, it is desirable that information indicating that the image data of the recording image is recorded for each of the divided images be recorded on the information recording medium together with the image data of the recording image.

As described above, in the second processing, the information indicating that the image data of the recording image is recorded with the divided image as one frame is stored in the information recording medium together with the image data of the recording image. In this case, it is possible to easily identify that the image is a divided image.

Further, in this image data recording method,
When an arbitrary pixel in the pixel block is set as a first pixel and a frame in which a divided image including the first pixel is recorded is set as a first frame, in the second process, the first frame The divided image recorded in the adjacent frame is
It is desirable that the image data of the image for recording be recorded on the information recording medium so as to include a pixel adjacent to the first pixel.

In the second process, by recording the image data of the recording image on the information recording medium as described above, the image data recorded on the information recording medium can be reproduced even when reproduced as a moving image. Is suppressed, and reproduction is performed without much discomfort.

Further, an image data recording apparatus according to the present invention has been created based on the above findings,
An image processing unit that divides a recording image to be recorded into a plurality of divided images; and a recording unit that records image data of the recording image on an information recording medium with each divided image of the plurality of divided images as one frame. And the image processing unit divides the recording image into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, extracts one or more pixels from each pixel block, and recombines the extracted pixels. To generate the divided image.

According to this image data recording device, the recording image to be recorded is divided into a plurality of divided images by the image processing section. Specifically, the image processing unit first divides the recording image into a plurality of pixel blocks including a plurality of adjacent pixels. Then, the image processing unit extracts one or more pixels from each pixel block and recombines the extracted pixels to generate the divided image.

According to this image data recording apparatus, the recording image to be recorded is recorded on the information recording medium by the recording section as one frame of each of the plurality of divided images generated by the image processing section. Be recorded.

As described above, according to this image data recording apparatus, the recording image is divided into a plurality of divided images, and each divided image is recorded as one frame on the information recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately record in a form conforming to a standard for recording low-resolution image data.

Further, the image data recording apparatus divides a recording image into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, extracts one or more pixels from each pixel block, and extracts the extracted pixels. Since the divided image is generated by re-synthesizing, even if the divided image is displayed as it is, the displayed image is an image close to the recording image.

In this image data recording device,
It is preferable that the image processing unit generates the plurality of divided images after converting the recording image into an image having a predetermined number of pixels.

Specifically, for example, when the number of pixels of the recording image is not an integral multiple of the number of pixels of the unit image,
The image processing unit generates a plurality of divided images after converting the recording image into an image having an integral multiple of the number of pixels of the unit image. Accordingly, even when the number of pixels of the recording image is not an integral multiple of the number of pixels of the unit image, the recording image is divided into appropriate divided images.

In this image data recording device,
The recording unit desirably records the image data of each of the divided images in a plurality of frames.

As described above, the recording section records the image data of each of the divided images in a plurality of frames so as to overlap each other, so that the reliability of the recorded image data can be improved.

In this image data recording apparatus,
It is preferable that the recording unit records information indicating that the image data of the recording image is recorded for each of the divided images together with the image data of the recording image on the information recording medium.

As described above, the recording unit records the information indicating that the image data of the recording image is recorded for each of the divided images on the information recording medium together with the image data of the recording image. Accordingly, it is possible to easily identify that the image is a divided image.

In this image data recording device,
When an arbitrary pixel in the pixel block is a first pixel and a frame in which a divided image including the first pixel is recorded is a first frame, the recording unit is adjacent to the first frame. It is preferable that the image data of the recording image be recorded on the information recording medium so that the divided image recorded in the frame includes a pixel adjacent to the first pixel.

The recording unit records the image data of the image for recording on the information recording medium as described above, so that the image data recorded on the information recording medium can be shaken even when reproduced as a moving image. Is suppressed, and reproduction is performed without much discomfort.

Further, an image data reproducing method according to the present invention has been devised based on the above-mentioned knowledge,
The reproduction image to be reproduced is divided into a plurality of divided images, and the image of the reproduction image is recorded from an information recording medium on which image data of the reproduction image is recorded with each divided image of the plurality of divided images as one frame. When reproducing data, a first process of reading the plurality of divided images from the information recording medium, and extracting one or more pixels for each divided image of the plurality of divided images read by the first process A second process of constructing a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of pixels, combining the plurality of pixel blocks, resynthesizing the reproduction image, and outputting the reconstructed image.

According to this image data reproducing method, in the first processing, a plurality of divided images recorded on the information recording medium are read, and in the second processing, the reproduced image is reproduced from the read divided images. Are recombined. Specifically, in the second process, first, one or more pixels are extracted for each of the plurality of divided images, and a plurality of pixel blocks including a plurality of pixels are constructed. Then, the image for reproduction is recombined by combining the plurality of pixel blocks.

As described above, according to this image data reproducing method, the reproduction image divided into a plurality of divided images and recorded on the information recording medium is recombined and reproduced. It is possible to reproduce a reproduction image recorded on an information recording medium as a high-definition image in a form conforming to a standard for recording the information.

In this image data reproducing method,
In the first processing, it is desirable that information indicating that the reproduction image is recombined and reproduced from the plurality of divided images is read from the information recording medium together with the plurality of image data.

As described above, in the first processing, the information indicating that the reproduction image is recombined from the plurality of divided images and reproduced is read out together with the plurality of divided images from the information recording medium, thereby obtaining the information. It is possible to easily identify a plurality of divided images read from the recording medium as an image that becomes a high-definition reproduction image by being recombined.

Further, the image data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention has been created based on the above knowledge,
The reproduction image to be reproduced is divided into a plurality of divided images, and the image of the reproduction image is recorded from an information recording medium on which image data of the reproduction image is recorded with each divided image of the plurality of divided images as one frame. An image data reproducing apparatus for reproducing data, comprising: a reading unit that reads the plurality of divided images from the information recording medium; and one or more pixels for each divided image of the plurality of divided images read by the reading unit. And constructing a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of pixels, combining the plurality of pixel blocks, re-synthesizing the image for reproduction, and outputting the image.

According to this image data reproducing apparatus, the reading section reads a plurality of divided images recorded on the information recording medium, and the image processing section recombines the reproduced image from the read divided images. Is done. Specifically, the image processing unit first extracts one or more pixels from each of the plurality of divided images and constructs a plurality of pixel blocks including the plurality of pixels. Then, the image processing unit re-synthesizes the reproduction image by combining the plurality of pixel blocks.

As described above, according to this image data reproducing apparatus, the reproduction image divided into a plurality of divided images and recorded on the information recording medium is recombined and reproduced. It is possible to reproduce a reproduction image recorded on an information recording medium as a high-definition image in a form conforming to a standard for recording the information.

In this image data reproducing apparatus,
It is preferable that the reading unit reads information indicating that the reproduction image is recombined and reproduced from the plurality of divided images together with the plurality of divided images from an information recording medium.

As described above, the reading section reads from the information recording medium together with the plurality of divided images, information indicating that the reproduction image is recombined and reproduced from the plurality of divided images. It is possible to easily identify that the plurality of divided images read out from the image to be a high-definition reproduction image by being recombined.

The information recording medium according to the present invention is created based on the above-mentioned knowledge, and a recording image to be recorded is divided into a plurality of divided images. An information recording medium on which image data of the recording image is recorded with each divided image as one frame, wherein the divided image is obtained by dividing the recording image into a plurality of pixel blocks including a plurality of adjacent pixels. Split,
One or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block, and the extracted pixels are recombined.

Since the recording image recorded on this information recording medium is recorded in a state of being divided into a plurality of divided images, the plurality of divided images are re-synthesized and reproduced to provide high definition. It can be reproduced as an image.

Further, the recording image recorded on the information recording medium is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block, and the extracted pixels are extracted. Since the pixels are re-synthesized into a plurality of divided images, even if the divided images are reproduced without being re-synthesized, the displayed image is an image close to the recording image.

A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is created based on the above-mentioned knowledge, and includes a first processing for dividing a recording image to be recorded into a plurality of divided images. And a second process of recording the image data of the recording image on an information recording medium by recording each image of the plurality of divided images as one frame on an information recording medium. The recording medium, wherein, as the first process, the recording image is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks each including a plurality of adjacent pixels, and one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block. And a program for causing a computer to execute a process of generating a plurality of divided images by re-synthesizing the image.

By causing the computer to perform the first and second processes using this recording medium, the recording image is divided into a plurality of divided images, and each divided image is formed as one frame on the information recording medium. Since the image is recorded, a high-definition image can be appropriately recorded in a form conforming to a standard for recording low-resolution image data.

Further, if the computer is caused to perform the first and second processes using this recording medium, the recording image is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels. Since one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block, and the extracted pixels are recombined to generate a plurality of divided images, the displayed image is displayed even if the divided images are displayed as they are. Is an image close to the recording image.

Further, the computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention has been created based on the above-mentioned knowledge, and a reproduction image to be reproduced is divided into a plurality of divided images. A computer-readable program storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process of reproducing the image data of the reproduction image from an information recording medium on which the image data of the reproduction image is recorded with each divided image of the divided images as one frame. A first process of reading the plurality of divided images from the information recording medium, and extracting one or more pixels from each of the plurality of divided images read by the first process; To construct a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of pixels, and re-synthesize the image for reproduction by combining the plurality of pixel blocks. It is characterized in that a program for executing a second process for outputting to the computer is recorded.

By causing the computer to perform the first and second processes using this recording medium, the reproduction image divided into a plurality of divided images and recorded on the information recording medium is recombined. Since the image is reproduced, the reproduction image recorded on the information recording medium can be reproduced as a high-definition image in a form conforming to the standard for recording low-resolution image data.

[0055]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, the so-called NTS
Rec. ITU-RB
T. 601-5 and Rec. ITU-R BT. 656
-3, among which 525-line, 60 field /
The case where digital video by the s system is used will be described as an example. That is, in the following description, the number of pixels of an image constituting one frame is 720 × 486 pixels, and the aspect ratio of the entire screen is 4: 3.

The present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a 625-line 50 field / s system, Rec. ITU-R BT. It can also be realized by using digital video in which the aspect ratio of the entire screen of an image constituting one frame is 16: 9 in accordance with 1120.

In the following description, an original image to be recorded is called a photographed image, an image obtained by converting the photographed image to have a predetermined number of pixels is called a recording image, and a recording image is recorded. Is called a divided image, an image obtained by recombining the divided images is called a reproduction image, and an image converted so that the reproduction image has a predetermined number of pixels is called a print image.

1. First, an image data recording method according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the flow of processing by the image data recording method according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the image data recording method according to the present invention, first, a photographed image 1 photographed by a solid-state electronic image pickup device such as a CCD, for example, constitutes one frame of digital video (hereinafter, referred to as a frame) This is converted into a recording image 2 having pixels that are an integral multiple of the number of pixels of a unit image.

Specifically, the unit image is 486 in the vertical direction.
In the case where the number of pixels is 720 pixels in the horizontal direction, for example, the number of pixels in the captured image 1 is twice as large as that of the unit image in the vertical direction.
72 pixels, 14 pixels, which is twice the number of unit images in the horizontal direction
The image is converted into a recording image 2 having 40 pixels and having four times the number of pixels of the unit image.

Here, in the existing digital video standards (for example, D-1 standard, D-2 standard, DV standard, etc.), the aspect ratio of pixels is often not 1: 1. Since the aspect ratio of the pixel is assumed to be 1: 1, it is necessary to pay attention to the aspect ratio of the pixel when converting the captured image 1 into the recording image 2.

Specifically, Rec. ITU-R BT.
601-5 and Rec. ITU-RBT. In digital video based on 656-3, as shown in FIG. 2, since the aspect ratio of the pixel is 1: 0.9, when the aspect ratio of the pixel of the captured image 1 is 1: 1, The photographed image 1 is converted into the recording image 2 in consideration of the difference in the aspect ratio.

Here, it is desirable to convert the photographed image 1 into the recording image 2 so that the aspect ratio of the entire screen of the recording image 2 is the same as the aspect ratio of the entire screen of the unit image.

Specifically, Rec. ITU-R BT.
601-5 and Rec. ITU-RBT. In digital video conforming to 656-3, since the aspect ratio of the entire screen of the unit image is 3: 4, the captured image 1 is set so that the aspect ratio of the entire screen of the recording image 2 is 3: 4.
Is converted into a recording image 2.

As described above, by making the aspect ratio of the entire screen of the recording image 2 the same as the aspect ratio of the entire screen of the unit image, when a divided image is reproduced as a moving image by digital video, distortion is generated. It becomes possible to reduce.

When the aspect ratio of the entire screen of the photographed image 1 is the same as the aspect ratio of the entire screen of the unit image, when the divided image is reproduced as a moving image by digital video, a screen with less distortion is displayed. It can be displayed.

In the above, an example in which the number of pixels of the recording image 2 is four times the number of pixels of the unit image has been described. However, the magnification of the number of pixels of the recording image 2 with respect to the number of pixels of the unit image is large. The larger the size, the higher the quality of the reproduction image. In the above description, an example is described in which the number of pixels of the recording image 2 is twice the number of pixels of the unit image in the vertical direction and twice in the horizontal direction. The magnification for the number of pixels of the image may be different between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

If the photographed image 1 has pixels that are an integral multiple of the number of pixels of the unit image and the aspect ratio of the pixels matches the aspect ratio of the pixels of the unit image of the digital video to be used, this conversion processing is performed. Alternatively, the captured image 1 may be used as it is as the recording image 2.

Next, the recording image 2 is divided into the number of divided images 3 equal to the magnification of the pixel with respect to the unit image. Specifically, for example, when the recording image 2 has four times the number of pixels of the unit image, the recording image 2 is divided into four divided images 3.

In the division method, first, the recording image 2 is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks 4 composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels as shown in FIG. More specifically, the recording image 2 has twice the number of pixels as the unit image in the vertical direction.
144, which is 2 pixels, twice as large as the unit image in the horizontal direction
In the case where the recording image 2 is composed of 0 pixels and has four times the number of pixels of the unit image, the recording image 2 includes 486 × 720 pixel blocks 4 each having two pixels in each of the vertical and horizontal directions.
Is divided into

Further, as shown in FIG.
Consists of 1458 pixels, which is three times the number of unit images in the vertical direction, and 2160 pixels, which is three times the number of unit images in the horizontal direction, and has nine times the number of pixels of the unit image. The recording image 2 is divided into 486 × 720 pixel blocks 4 composed of nine pixels, three in each of the vertical and horizontal directions.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Consists of 1,872 pixels, which is four times the number of unit images in the vertical direction, and 2,880 pixels, which is four times the number of pixels in the horizontal direction, and has 16 times the number of pixels of the unit image. A 486 × 720 pixel block 4 in which a recording image 2 is composed of 16 pixels, 4 in both the vertical and horizontal directions
Is divided into

Then, one pixel is extracted from each of the divided 486 × 720 pixel blocks 4, and the extracted pixels are recombined to generate four divided images 3.

Here, in the recording image 2, pixels that are separated in the vertical or horizontal direction by a magnification relative to the number of pixels of the unit image are adjacent pixels in the divided image 3.
For example, a divided image 3 generated based on a recording image 2 having twice the number of pixels both vertically and horizontally with respect to a unit image 3
, The pixels 2 in the vertical or horizontal direction of the recording image 2
Pixels that are separated by one are adjacent pixels. Also,
In the divided image 3 generated based on the recording image 2 having pixels three times as large as the unit image both vertically and horizontally, the divided image 3 is separated from the recording image 2 by three pixels in the vertical or horizontal direction. Pixels are adjacent pixels. Further, in the divided image 3 generated based on the recording image 2 having pixels four times as large as the unit image both vertically and horizontally, only four pixels in the vertical or horizontal direction of the recording image 2 are provided. The distant pixels are adjacent pixels.

In the above description, an example has been described in which one pixel is taken out of each of a plurality of divided pixel blocks 4 to generate a divided image 3, but the image data recording method according to the present invention is described. Is not limited to this example. A plurality of divided images 3 may be generated by extracting a plurality of pixels from each of the plurality of divided pixel blocks 4 and recombining them. Good. In this case, the number of pixels constituting each pixel block 3 is larger than the number of divided images 3.

Next, the generated divided images 3 are arranged in the time direction as one frame of digital video.
The information is sequentially recorded on a recording medium 5 such as a digital video tape or a digital video disk.

Here, each of the generated divided images 3 may be recorded in only one frame. However, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the divided images 3 overlaps with a plurality of frames. May be recorded. In this way, by recording each of the divided images 3 in a plurality of frames, the error rate of the recorded image data can be reduced and the reliability of the data can be improved.

When a plurality of divided images 3 are sequentially recorded in the time direction, the recording order of the divided images 3 is such that the recording image 2 is recorded in the order of pixels adjacent in the vertical, horizontal, or oblique direction. It is desirable to do. As described above, by setting the order of recording of the divided image 3 to the order of adjacent pixels in the recording image 2, a good reproduction image can be displayed when the divided image 3 is reproduced as a moving image in digital video. it can. That is, since the plurality of divided images 3 sequentially recorded in the time direction are generated by extracting different pixels of the recording image 2 and recombining them, the plurality of divided images 3 sequentially recorded in the time direction are obtained. When the image 3 is reproduced as a moving image on a digital video, the image appears to be vibrating. However, if the order of recording the divided images 3 is the order of adjacent pixels in the recording image 2, the change in the image becomes smooth, and the vibration of the image can be made inconspicuous.

In this case, of the plurality of divided images 3 sequentially recorded in the time direction, the pixels included in the first recorded divided image 3 and the pixels included in the last recorded divided image 3 also include: If a plurality of divided images 3 are recorded so that pixels adjacent in the recording image 2 in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, or the oblique direction are recorded, the change in the image can be made smoother.

As described above, in the image data recording method according to the present invention, the recording image 2 is divided into a plurality of divided images 3 and each divided image 3 is recorded on the recording medium 5 as one frame. Therefore, a high-definition image can be appropriately recorded using digital video that conforms to the existing digital video standard.

According to this image data recording method,
The recording image 2 is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks 4 composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block 4, and the extracted pixels are recombined to form a plurality of divided images. Since the divided image 3 is generated, even when the divided image 3 is displayed as a moving image, it is possible to display an image that is similar to the recording image 2 and has a little uncomfortable feeling.

[0082] 2. Image Data Reproducing Method Next, an image data reproducing method according to the present invention for reproducing image data recorded on the recording medium 5 by the above-described image data recording method will be described.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the flow of processing by the image data reproducing method according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, in the image data recording method according to the present invention, first, a plurality of divided images 3 recorded in a plurality of frames of a recording medium 5 such as a digital video tape or a digital video disk are taken out. .

Here, when one divided image 3 is recorded in a plurality of frames so as to overlap, any one of the divided images 3 may be taken out of the plurality of frames. It is desirable to take out all of the plurality of frames or a part of the plurality of frames, perform an averaging process for each pixel between the taken out frames, and take out this as a divided image. In this case, examples of the averaging process include a method of performing weighted averaging, a method of obtaining an intermediate value, and a method of selecting the largest value among a plurality of values. As described above, by performing the averaging process and extracting one divided image, it is possible to repair the loss of the image data generated during storage in the recording medium 5 or reproduction during digital video.

Next, a reproduction image 6 is recombined from the plurality of divided images 3 taken out.

As shown in FIG. 8, the re-synthesis of the reproduction image 6 is performed in a reverse procedure to the method of dividing the recording image 2 into a plurality of divided images 3 in the image data recording method described above. That is, when reconstructing the reproduction image 6 from the plurality of divided images 3, first, one or a plurality of pixels are extracted for each divided image 3, and recording is performed from the extracted plurality of pixels. At times, the same pixel block 4 as when the recording image 2 is divided into the divided images 3 is constructed.

Then, the plurality of pixel blocks 4 constructed as described above are combined in the same order as at the time of recording, so that the reproduction image 6 is recombined.

Next, the reproduction image 6 is converted into a print image 7 having an arbitrary number of pixels. The conversion of the reproduction image 6 into the print image 7 may be performed in a procedure reverse to the method of converting the photographed image 1 into the recording image 2 in the image data recording method described above.

When the print image 7 is printed by a printer or displayed on a monitor or the like, the aspect ratio of pixels is determined by the reproduction image 6.
, Ie, the aspect ratio of the pixels of the unit image, and the number of pixels of the print image 7 is equal to the number of pixels of the captured image 1. When the number of pixels is equal to the number of pixels of the print image 7, the conversion process may be omitted and the reproduction image 6 may be used as the print image 7 as it is.

As described above, in the image data reproducing method according to the present invention, the reproduction image 6 divided into the plurality of divided images 3 and recorded on the recording medium 5 is recombined and reproduced. It is possible to reproduce the reproduction image 6 recorded using digital video conforming to the existing digital video standard as a high-definition image.

[0091] 3. Image Data Recording Apparatus Next, an image data recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of an image data recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The image data recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 9 is configured to receive the high-resolution still image signal S1, the high-resolution moving image signal S2, or the low-resolution moving image signal S3.
Alternatively, the high-resolution moving image signal S2 is recorded on the recording medium 5 as image data D1 of a still image including a plurality of divided images 3, and the input high-resolution moving image signal S2 or low-resolution moving image signal S3 is converted to a low-resolution moving image. The configuration is such that the image data D2 can be recorded on the recording medium 5. In the following description, high resolution refers to a resolution higher than the resolution of an image recorded based on a digital video standard to which the image data recording device 10 conforms, and low resolution refers to this image data recording device. 10 refers to the resolution of an image recorded based on the digital video standard to which it conforms.

The image data recording apparatus 10 includes a video input section 11 to which the high resolution still picture signal S1, the high resolution moving picture signal S2 or the low resolution moving picture signal S3 is inputted, and a high resolution still picture signal supplied from the video input section 11. A still image signal processing unit 12 that converts the image signal S1 or the high-resolution moving image signal S2 into image data D1 of a still image composed of a plurality of divided images 3, and a high-resolution moving image signal S2 or a low The resolution moving image signal S3 is converted to low-resolution moving image data D
2 and a still image signal D1 supplied from the still image signal processing unit 12 or a low resolution moving image data D2 supplied from the moving image signal processing unit 13. A recording signal processing unit 14 that performs signal processing to generate image data D3 in a format conforming to the digital video standard, and a signal recording unit 15 that records image data D3 supplied from the recording signal processing unit 14 on the recording medium 5.
And

The video input unit 11 includes a still image input unit 16 and a moving image input unit 17. The video input unit 11 has a function of selecting a required signal from a plurality of input signals.

The still image input unit 16 receives the high-resolution still image signal S1 or the high-resolution moving image signal S2 and supplies necessary images to the still image signal processing unit 12. That is, the input image is supplied to the still image signal processing unit 12 as the photographed image 1. On the other hand, the moving image input unit 17 outputs the high-resolution moving image signal S2
Alternatively, the low-resolution moving image signal S3 is input, and a required image is supplied to the moving image signal processing unit 13.

The still image signal processing unit 12 converts a photographed image 1, which is a main part of the present invention, into a divided image 3 via a recording image 2. That is, the still image signal processing unit 12 first converts the captured image 1 (high-resolution still image signal S1 or high-resolution moving image signal S2) supplied from the still image input unit 16 into the data format, the number of pixels of the image, and the like. By converting the color gamut and the like, the captured image 1 is converted into image data corresponding to the data format of the recording image 2. Here, when the photographed image 1 has the data format of the recording image 2, this conversion processing may be omitted.

After that, the still image signal processing section 12 converts the image data of the recording image 2 into image data D1 corresponding to the data format of the divided image 3 based on the above-mentioned method. Then, the image data D1 of the still image including the plurality of divided images 3 is supplied to the recording signal processing unit 14.

The moving picture signal processing section 13 converts the moving picture signal (high resolution moving picture signal S2 or low resolution moving picture signal S3) supplied from the moving picture input section 17 into the data format, the frame frequency of the image, the number of pixels and the color gamut. Then, the high-resolution moving image signal S2 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3 is converted into a signal format recordable as the low-resolution moving image data D2, and supplied to the recording signal processing unit 14.

The recording signal processing unit 14 performs a shuffling process on the still image data D1 supplied from the still image signal processing unit 12 or the low resolution moving image data D2 supplied from the moving image signal processing unit 13. By performing predetermined processing such as encoding processing, error correction processing, and recording encoding processing, the image data D1 of a still image or the image data D2 of a moving image is converted into image data D3 in a format conforming to the digital video standard. The recording signal processing unit 14 includes, in addition to the still image data D1 or the moving image data D2, an audio signal, additional information such as date and time, copyright information, and the like.
Is also converted to image data D1 corresponding to the data format of the divided image 3 and recorded.

The signal recording unit 15 synchronizes the recording signal processing unit 14 with a clock or the like, and converts the still image data D1 or the moving image image data D1 into image data D3 of a format conforming to the digital video standard. D2, the audio signal, the additional information, and the image data of the recording image 2 are divided image 3
Is recorded on a recording medium 5, such as a digital video tape or a digital video disk, indicating that the image data is converted into image data D1 corresponding to the data format described above.

According to the image data recording apparatus 10 configured as described above, the captured image 1 (high-resolution still image signal S1
Alternatively, the high-resolution moving image signal S2) is
Is converted into image data D1 corresponding to the data format of the plurality of divided images 3 via the recording image 2. The image data D1 is converted by the recording signal processing unit 14 into image data D3 in a format conforming to the digital video standard. Then, the image data D3 is recorded on the recording medium 5 in the signal recording unit 15 with each divided image 3 as one frame. Therefore, according to the image data recording device 10, a high-definition image can be appropriately recorded in accordance with the existing digital video standard.

Further, in the image data recording apparatus 10, the still image signal processing section 12 divides the recording image 2 into a plurality of pixel blocks 4 each composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels. Since the above pixels are extracted and the extracted pixels are recombined to generate a plurality of divided images 3, even when the divided images 3 are displayed as a moving image, the divided images 3 are approximated to the recording image 2. An image with less discomfort can be displayed.

The above description is based on the high-resolution still image signal S1,
A high-resolution moving image signal S2 or a low-resolution moving image signal S3 is externally input, and the input high-resolution still image signal S1 or high-resolution moving image signal S2 is recorded as a still image data D1 including a plurality of divided images 3 on a recording medium. 5 has been described as an example, but the image data recording apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this example.
For example, the recording medium includes a video image capturing unit that captures an object, and converts the high-resolution still image signal S1 or the high-resolution moving image signal S2 generated by the video image capturing unit into still image data D1 including a plurality of divided images 3. 5 may be configured to be recorded.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of an image data recording device provided with a video photographing section. The image data recording device 20 shown in FIG. 10 has the same configuration as the image data recording device 10 except that the image data recording device 20 includes a video photographing unit 21 instead of the video input unit 11 of the above-described image data recording device 10. The same components as those of the image data recording device 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description is omitted.

In the image data recording device 20, the video photographing section 21 is composed of an image pickup section 22 and an image pickup signal processing section 23, and picks up an image of a subject and outputs a high-resolution still image signal S1,
It has a function of outputting the high-resolution moving image signal S2 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3 as a video signal.

The image pickup section 22 is constituted by an optical system and an image pickup element, and supplies a signal picked up by an image pickup means such as a CCD image pickup element to the image pickup signal processing section 23. The imaging signal processing unit 23 converts the signal supplied from the imaging unit 22 into a high-resolution still image signal S1, a high-resolution moving image signal S2, or a low-resolution moving image signal S3. And the imaging signal processing unit 2
3 is a high resolution still image signal S1 or a high resolution moving image signal S
2 is supplied to the still image signal processing unit 12, and the high resolution moving image signal S2 or the low resolution moving image signal S3 is supplied to the moving image signal processing unit 13.

The high-resolution still image signal S1 or the high-resolution moving image signal S2 (captured image 1) supplied from the imaging signal processing unit 23 is, as in the case of the above-described image data recording apparatus 10, the still image signal processing unit Is converted into the divided image 3 via the recording image 2. Then, in the recording signal processing unit 14, predetermined processing is performed on the image data D1 of the still image composed of the plurality of divided images 3, and the image data D1 is converted into image data D3 conforming to the digital video standard. Then, the image data D3 is recorded on the recording medium 5 by the recording unit 15.

Therefore, the image data recording device 20
According to the image data recording device 10 described above,
High-definition images can be appropriately recorded in accordance with existing digital video standards.

Further, in the image data recording apparatus 20, the still image signal processing unit 12 converts the recording image 2 into a plurality of pixel blocks each composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, similarly to the above-described image data recording apparatus 10. 4 and one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block 4 and the extracted pixels are recombined to generate a plurality of divided images 3. Therefore, when this divided image 3 is displayed as a moving image In this case, it is possible to display an image that is similar to the recording image 2 and has little uncomfortable feeling.

[0110] 4. Next, an image data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of an image data reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The image data reproducing device 30 shown in FIG. 11 can reproduce a high-resolution still image signal S1 or a low-resolution moving image signal S3 from image data D3 recorded on a recording medium 5 such as a digital video tape or a digital video disk. The configuration is possible.

The image data reproducing device 30 includes a signal reading section 31 for reading image data D3 from the recording medium 5.
And performs predetermined signal processing on the image data D3 read by the signal reading unit 31 to generate image data D1 of a still image or image data D2 of a low-resolution moving image, an audio signal, additional information, and the like. The recording signal processing unit 32 and the still image data D1 supplied from the recording signal processing unit 32
A still image signal processing unit 33 that converts the low resolution moving image data D2 supplied from the recording signal processing unit 32 into a low resolution moving image signal S3. The high-resolution still image signal S1 or the moving image signal processing unit 3 supplied from the still image signal processing unit 33.
And a video output unit 35 that outputs the low-resolution moving image signal S3 supplied from the control unit 4.

[0113] The signal reading section 31
The image data D3 is read from the recording medium 5 such as a digital video tape or a digital video disk while synchronizing the clock with the clock 2 and the like. At this time, together with the image data D3, the signal readout unit 31 converts the audio signal, the additional information such as date and time and copyright information, and the image data of the reproduction image 6 into the image data D1 corresponding to the data format of the divided image 3.
And the like indicating that the information is to be recorded after being converted into
Read from

The recording signal processing section 32 includes the signal reading section 3
A shuffling process, an encoding process, an error correction process, a recording encoding process, and the like are performed on the image data D3 read from No. 1 to generate still image data D1 or low-resolution moving image data D2. .

The still image signal processing section 33 converts the divided image 3, which is a main part of the present invention, into the print image 7 via the reproduction image 6. That is, the still image signal processing unit 33 first reproduces the still image data D1 (a plurality of divided images 3 including a plurality of frames) supplied from the recording signal processing unit 32 based on the above-described method. Is converted into image data corresponding to the data format of the image for use 6.

After that, the still image signal processing section 33 converts the image data corresponding to the data format of the image for reproduction 6 into a data format, the number of pixels of the image, a color gamut, etc. Is converted into a captured image 1 (high-resolution still image signal S1). Then, the still image signal processing unit 33 outputs the high-resolution still image signal S1.
Is supplied to the video output unit 35.

The moving image signal processing unit 34
The image data D2 of the low-resolution moving image is supplied to the low-resolution moving image data D2 by converting the data format, the frame frequency of the image, the number of pixels, and the color gamut.
2 is converted into a signal (low-resolution moving image signal S3) that can be output from the video output unit 35 and supplied to the video output unit 35.

The video output unit 35 includes a still image output unit 36 and a moving image output unit 37. The video output unit 35 outputs the captured image 1 (high-resolution still image signal S1) supplied from the still image signal processing unit 33 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3 supplied from the moving image signal processing unit 34 to an external device. Having. That is, when the high resolution still image signal S1 is supplied from the still image signal processing unit 33, the video output unit 35 outputs the high resolution still image signal S1 to the outside, When the low-resolution video signal S3 is supplied from the unit 34, the video output unit 37 outputs the low-resolution video signal S3 to the outside.

According to the image data reproducing apparatus 30 configured as described above, the reproduction image 6 divided into the plurality of divided images 3 and recorded on the recording medium 5 is processed by the still image signal processing unit 3.
3, the image is re-synthesized, converted into a high-resolution print image 7 (high-resolution still image signal S1), and output from the still image output unit 36 to the outside. Therefore, according to the image data reproducing apparatus 30, the reproduction image 6 divided into the divided images 3 and recorded on the recording medium 5 in a format conforming to the existing digital video standard is reproduced as a high-definition print image 7. It becomes possible.

[0120] 5. Image Data Recording / Reproducing Apparatus Next, an image data recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described.

FIG. 12 shows a detailed block diagram of an example of the image data recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This FIG.
The image data recording / reproducing device 40 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to have the functions of the image data recording device 10, the image data recording device 20, and the image data reproducing device 30 described above.

That is, the image data recording / reproducing device 4
0 is a high-resolution still image signal S1 or a high-resolution moving image signal S1 obtained by capturing an image of a subject with a video image capturing unit.
2 is recorded on the recording medium 5 as a video signal of a still image composed of divided images, or the high-resolution still image signal S1 or the high-resolution moving image signal S2 input to the video input unit is a video signal of a still image composed of divided images. As the high-resolution moving image signal S2 or the low-resolution moving image signal S
3 is recorded on the recording medium 5 as a low-resolution moving image video signal, or the high-resolution moving image signal S2 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3 input to the video input unit is recorded on the recording medium 5 as a low-resolution moving image video signal. It has a recording function.

The image data recording / reproducing device 40
Has a function of reproducing the high-resolution still image signal S1 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3 from the video signal recorded on the recording medium 5.

Here, a method for recording and reproducing a low-resolution moving image signal, that is, a method according to the DV standard as a digital video system will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Other digital video standards may be used.

In the image data recording / reproducing apparatus 40, the video image pickup section 41 includes the image pickup section 42 and the image pickup signal processing section 4
3 and has a function of imaging a subject and outputting a high-resolution still image signal S1, a high-resolution moving image signal S2, or a low-resolution moving image signal S3 as a video signal.

The imaging section 42 includes an optical system including a zoom lens 44 and an iris 45, an optical system mechanism control section 46,
It comprises an image pickup means 47 such as a CCD image pickup device and a detection section 48 for detecting a focus and an exposure amount. Then, the imaging unit 42 supplies a signal obtained by the imaging unit 47 imaging the subject to the imaging signal processing unit 43.

The imaging signal processing unit 43 converts the signal supplied from the imaging unit 47 into a high-resolution still image signal S 1, a high-resolution moving image signal S 2 or a low-resolution moving image signal S 3, and supplies the converted signal to the video input unit 49.

The video input unit 49 includes a still image input unit 50 and a moving image input unit 51. The video input unit 49 has a function of selecting a necessary signal from a plurality of input signals.

The still image input unit 50 receives the high-resolution still image signal S1 or the high-resolution moving image signal S2 and supplies necessary images to the still image signal processing unit 52. That is, the input image is supplied to the still image signal processing unit 52 as the photographed image 1. On the other hand, the moving image input unit 51 outputs the high-resolution moving image signal S2
Alternatively, the low-resolution moving image signal S3 is input, and a required image is supplied to the still image signal processing unit 53.

At the time of recording, the still image signal processing section 52 converts the captured image 1 which is a main part of the present invention from the recorded image 2
Is converted into the divided image 3 through. That is, the still image signal processing unit 52 first converts the captured image 1 (high-resolution still image signal S1 or high-resolution moving image signal S2) supplied from the still image input unit 50 into the data format, the number of pixels of the image, and the like. By converting the color gamut and the like, the captured image 1 is converted into a signal corresponding to the data format of the recording image 2. Here, when the photographed image 1 has the data format of the recording image 2, this conversion processing may be omitted.

Thereafter, the still image signal processing section 52 converts the image data of the recording image 2 into image data D1 corresponding to the data format of the divided image 3 based on the method described above. Then, the image data D1 of the still image including the plurality of divided images 3 is supplied to the recording signal processing unit 54.

Further, at the time of reproduction, the still image signal processing section 52 converts the divided image 3, which is a main part of the present invention, into the print image 7 via the reproduction image 6. That is, the still image signal processing unit 52 first reproduces the still image data D1 (a plurality of divided images 3 including a plurality of frames) supplied from the recording signal processing unit 54 based on the above-described method. Is converted into image data corresponding to the data format of the image for use 6.

After that, the still image signal processing section 52 converts the image data corresponding to the data format of the reproduction image 6 into a data format, the number of pixels of the image, a color gamut, and the like. Is converted into a captured image 1 (high-resolution still image signal S1). Then, the still image signal processing section 52 outputs the high-resolution still image signal S1.
Is supplied to the video output unit 55.

At the time of recording, the moving image signal processing unit 53
The moving image signal (high-resolution moving image signal S2 or low-resolution moving image signal S3) supplied from the moving image input unit 51 is converted into a data format, an image frame frequency, the number of pixels, a color gamut, etc. The signal S2 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3 is converted into a signal format recordable as low-resolution moving image data D2, and supplied to the recording signal processing unit 54.

At the time of reproduction, the moving picture signal processing section 53 converts the low resolution moving picture image data D2 supplied from the recording signal processing section 54 into a data format, an image frame frequency, the number of pixels, and a color gamut. Then, the image data D2 of the low-resolution moving image is converted into a signal (low-resolution moving image signal S3) that can be output from the video output unit 55, and supplied to the video output unit 55.

At the time of recording, the recording signal processing unit 54
Shuffling processing is performed on the still image data D1 supplied from the still image signal processing unit 52 or the low-resolution moving image data D2 supplied from the moving image signal processing unit 53,
A predetermined process such as an encoding process, an error correction process, and a recording encoding process is performed to convert the still image data D1 or the moving image data D2 into image data D3 in a format conforming to the DV standard.
Convert to Further, in addition to the still image data D1 or the moving image data D2, the recording signal processing unit 54 stores the audio signal, additional information such as date and time and copyright information, and the image data of the recording image 2 into divided image data. Information indicating that the image data is converted into image data D1 corresponding to the data format 3 and recorded is also supplied.

At the time of reproduction, the recording signal processing section 54 performs shuffling processing, encoding processing, error correction processing, recording encoding processing, and the like on the image data D3 read from the signal writing and reading section 56. Then, the image data D1 of a still image or the image data D2 of a low-resolution moving image is generated.

In the image data recording / reproducing apparatus 40, a digital signal input / output unit 57 is connected to the recording signal processing unit 54, and a digital signal is input via the digital signal input / output unit 57, or May be output through the digital signal input / output unit 57.

At the time of recording, the signal writing / reading unit 56 synchronizes the recording signal processing unit 54 with a clock or the like, and outputs image data D in a format conforming to the DV standard.
The image data D1 of the still image or the image data D2 of the moving image and the audio signal, the additional information, and the image data of the image for recording 2 converted into the image data D1 corresponding to the data format of the divided image 3 and recorded. Information indicating that the recording is performed is recorded on a recording medium 5 such as a digital video tape or a digital video disk.

The signal writing / reading section 56
During reproduction, image data D is read from a recording medium 5 such as a digital video tape or a digital video disk while synchronizing the recording signal processing unit 54 with a clock or the like.
3 and the audio signal, the additional information, and information indicating that the image data of the recording image 2 is converted into image data D1 corresponding to the data format of the divided image 3 and recorded, and the like.

The video output unit 55 includes a still image output unit 58 and a moving image output unit 59. The video output unit 55 outputs the captured image 1 (high-resolution still image signal S1) supplied from the still image signal processing unit 52 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3 supplied from the moving image signal processing unit 34 to an external device. Having. That is, when the high resolution still image signal S1 is supplied from the still image signal processing unit 52, the video output unit 55 outputs the high resolution still image signal S1 to the outside, When the low-resolution moving image signal S3 is supplied from the unit 53, the moving image output unit 59 outputs the low-resolution moving image signal S3 to the outside.

According to the image data recording / reproducing apparatus 40 configured as described above, the captured image 1 (high-resolution still image signal S1 or high-resolution moving image signal S2) is recorded in the still image signal 2, the image data is converted into image data D1 corresponding to the data format of the plurality of divided images 3.
Then, the image data D1 is converted by the recording signal processing unit 54 into image data D3 in a format conforming to the DV standard. Then, the image data D3 is recorded in the recording medium 5 by the signal writing and reading unit 56 with each divided image 3 as one frame. Therefore, according to the image data recording device 40, a high-definition image can be appropriately recorded in accordance with the existing DV standard.

Further, in the image data recording device 40, the still image signal processing section 52 divides the recording image 2 into a plurality of pixel blocks 4 each composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels. Since the above pixels are extracted and the extracted pixels are recombined to generate a plurality of divided images 3, even when the divided images 3 are displayed as a moving image, the divided images 3 are approximated to the recording image 2. An image with less discomfort can be displayed.

According to the image data recording / reproducing apparatus 40, the reproduction image 6 divided into the plurality of divided images 3 and recorded on the recording medium 5 is recombined in the still image signal processing section 52, and The print image 7 is converted into a print image 7 having a high resolution (high-resolution still image signal S1), and is output from the still image output unit 58 to the outside. Therefore, according to the image data recording / reproducing apparatus 40, the reproduction image 6 divided into the divided images 3 and recorded on the recording medium 5 in a format conforming to the existing DV standard is reproduced as a high-definition print image 7. It becomes possible.

Note that the image data recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied can be realized using a general-purpose computer.

FIG. 13 shows a detailed block diagram of an example of an image data recording / reproducing apparatus using a general-purpose computer. The image data recording / reproducing device 60 shown in FIG.
It is configured to have both functions.

That is, the image data recording / reproducing device 6
0 records the high-resolution still image signal S1 or the high-resolution moving image signal S2 input to the computer 61 on the recording medium 5 as a still image video signal composed of divided images,
A function of recording the high-resolution moving image signal S2 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3 input to the computer 61 as a low-resolution moving image video signal on the recording medium 5, and a function of converting the video signal recorded on the recording medium 5 to a high-resolution still image A function of reproducing the signal S1 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3.

The image data recording / reproducing device 60
The functions of the video input unit 11 and the still image signal processing unit 12 in the image data recording device 10 described above and the functions of the still image signal processing unit 33 and the video output unit 35 in the image data reproduction device 30 described above are transmitted to the computer 61. The feature is that it is performed.

In the image data recording / reproducing apparatus 60, the CPU 62 of the computer 61 has a function of controlling and calculating the whole apparatus, and uses, for example, Pentium (trademark) of Intel Corporation. This CP
U62 can perform image processing calculations such as the above-described conversion processing among the captured image 1, the recording image 2, the reproduction image 6, and the print image 7.

The cache memory 63 is a high-speed storage unit that stores information in the memory 64 that is frequently accessed by the CPU 62. The system can be speeded up by directly transmitting and receiving information to and from the CPU 62. .

The system controller 65 includes a CPU 62
And the cache memory 63, the memory 64, the host bus 6
6 and a circuit section for adjusting the timing of a computer bus such as the PCI bus 67.
ITON (430FX) (trademark) or the like is used.

The memory 64 is a storage portion for writing and reading information according to instructions from the CPU 62 or the system controller 65.
micRandom Access Memory) is used. And
The memory 64 stores the C
The PU 62 is connected to various resources on the PCI bus 67,
Information can be stored. Of course, this memory 64 can also store image data.

The host bus 66 is a means for transmitting information directly connected to the CPU 62,
3. Information can be exchanged at high speed with the system controller 65 and the like.

The PCI bus 67 is a means for transmitting information separated from the host bus 66, and is connected to the system controller 65. The CPU 62 can access various resources connected to the PCI bus 67 via the system controller 65.

The video controller 68 is connected to the PCI bus 6
7 and a monitor 69, and draws information such as images, figures, and characters on a video memory in the video controller 68 based on an instruction from the CPU 62 or the like, and outputs the contents to the monitor 69. Has become. Of course, the video memory in the video controller 68 can store image data. Also, a part of the signal line is used between the monitor 69 and the monitor 69 according to the VESA DDC (display data channel) standard.
Can also send and receive device characteristic information and the like stored in the device.

The monitor 69 is composed of a video display device such as a CRT, PDP, liquid crystal display device, and projector, and displays information such as images, graphics, characters, etc., including high-resolution still image signals and low-resolution moving image signal images. be able to.

The external storage control unit 70 is connected between the PCI bus 67 and the external storage device 71, and based on the information access request via the PCI bus 67,
The control of writing / reading of information is performed for a predetermined area of. For this connection, for example, SCS
I, IEEE1394, etc. are used.

The external storage device 71 is a magnetic disk device such as a hard disk or a floppy disk, or a CD-RO.
M, an optical disk device such as MD-DATA, a semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory, a magnetic tape device such as a DAT, and an information recording medium and its driving device. Information such as images, graphics, characters, programs and the like including the video of the resolution moving image signal S3 can be recorded and reproduced.

The still image input / output processing section 72 is connected to the PCI bus 67, and is capable of inputting / outputting a high-resolution still image signal S1 or a high-resolution moving image signal S2 based on an instruction from the CPU 62 or the like. This still image input / output processing unit 7
Reference numeral 2 fetches image data captured by a digital still camera or the like into the memory 64 or the external storage device 71 through an interface such as an RS-232C, a Centronics-compliant parallel signal, or an SCSI. Conversely, the still image input / output processing unit 72 can output image data stored in the memory 64 or the external storage device 71 to another computer, a printer, or the like.

The moving image input / output processing unit 73 is connected to the PCI bus 6
7, and can input and output the high-resolution moving image signal S2 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3 based on an instruction from the CPU 62 or the like. The moving image input / output processing unit 73
For example, input / output processing such as selection and branching of a composite video signal compliant with NTSC, PAL, SECAM, or the like, an S-video signal or a component video signal in which a luminance signal and a chroma signal are separated, and level adjustment of the video signal are performed. it can. Further, the moving image input / output processing unit 73 can digitize the video signal into the memory 64 or the external storage device 71 and output the video signal stored in the memory 64 or the external storage device 71. it can.

The transmission / reception control unit 74 is connected to the PCI bus 67 and the digital signal input / output unit 75 outside the computer 61, and based on an information access request from inside the image data recording / reproducing device 60 or an information access request from a communication partner. Transmission and reception of information are controlled. For this connection, for example, SCSI, IEEE 1394, or the like is used.

At the time of recording, the moving image signal processing unit 76
The moving image signal (the high-resolution moving image signal S2 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3) supplied from the moving image input / output processing unit 73 of the computer 61 is converted into a data format, an image frame frequency, the number of pixels, a color gamut, and the like. Then, the high-resolution moving image signal S2 or the low-resolution moving image signal S3 is converted into a signal format recordable as low-resolution moving image data D2, and supplied to the recording signal processing unit 77.

At the time of reproduction, the moving picture signal processing section 76 converts the low resolution moving picture image data D2 supplied from the recording signal processing section 77 into a data format, an image frame frequency, the number of pixels, and a color gamut. After the conversion, the image data is supplied to the moving image input / output processing unit 73.

At the time of recording, the recording signal processing unit 77
The low-resolution moving image data D2 supplied from the moving image signal processing unit 76 is subjected to predetermined processing such as shuffling processing, encoding processing, error correction processing, and recording / encoding processing to obtain still image data D1. Or moving image data D
2 is converted into image data D3 in a format conforming to the DV standard. In addition to the moving image data D2, the recording signal processing unit 77 is also supplied with additional information such as an audio signal, date and time, and copyright information.

At the time of reproduction, the recording signal processing section 77 performs shuffling processing, encoding processing, error correction processing, recording encoding processing, and the like on the image data D3 read from the signal writing and reading section 78. Then, low-resolution moving image data D2, an audio signal, and additional information such as date and time and copyright information are generated.

At the time of recording, the signal writing / reading unit 78 synchronizes the recording signal processing unit 77 with a clock or the like, and outputs the image data D in a format conforming to the DV standard.
The image data D2 of the moving image, the audio signal, the additional information, and the like converted into 3 are recorded on a recording medium 5 such as a digital video tape or a digital video disk.

The signal writing / reading unit 78
During reproduction, the image data D is read from the recording medium 5 such as a digital video tape or a digital video disk while synchronizing the recording signal processing unit 77 with a clock or the like.
Read 3

In the image data recording / reproducing apparatus 70 configured as described above, the process of converting the photographed image 1 into the divided image 3 via the recording image 2 and recording the divided image 3 on the recording medium 5, For example, the process of taking out the program 3 and reproducing the print image 7 via the reproduction image 6 is performed by, for example, reading out the program from a recording medium on which a program for causing the computer 61 to perform these processes is recorded, and operating the CPU 62 according to the program. This is done by letting

A program for causing the computer 61 to perform the above-described processing is written in the external storage device 71. The program written in the external storage device 71 is read from the external storage device 71 by the external storage
It is supplied to the system controller 65 via the CI bus 67. The system controller 65 causes the CPU 62 to operate according to the supplied program.
A process of converting the photographed image 1 into a divided image 3 via the recording image 2 and recording the divided image 3 on the recording medium 5, a process of extracting the divided image 3 from the recording medium 5 and reproducing the print image 7 via the reproduction image 6 Is performed.

The image data recording / reproducing device 60 includes the functions of the video input unit 11 and the still image signal processing unit 12 in the image data recording device 10 described above, and the functions of the still image signal processing unit 33 and the still image signal processing unit 33 in the image data reproducing device 30 described above. The function of the video output unit 35 is performed by the computer 61. Therefore, the image data recording / reproducing device 60
As with the image data recording / reproducing apparatus 40 described above, a high-definition image can be appropriately recorded according to the existing DV standard, and is recorded on the recording medium 5 in a format conforming to the existing DV standard. The reproduced image 6 can be reproduced as a high-definition print image 7.

The image data recording / reproducing device 60
Since the main function is performed by the computer 61, the configuration is simplified.

[0172]

According to the image data recording method of the present invention, a recording image to be recorded is divided into a plurality of divided images, and each divided image is recorded as one frame on an information recording medium. A high-definition image can be appropriately recorded in a form conforming to a standard for recording low-resolution image data having a lower resolution than the high-definition image.
Therefore, according to this image data recording method, a high-definition image can be recorded at low cost while securing a sufficient recording capacity.

According to the image data recording method,
The recording image is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block, and the extracted pixels are recombined to generate a plurality of divided images. Therefore, even if the divided image is displayed as it is, the displayed image is an image close to the recording image.

Further, according to the image data recording apparatus of the present invention, the recording image to be recorded is divided into a plurality of divided images in the image processing section, and the plurality of divided images are divided by the recording section. Since one frame is recorded on the information recording medium, a high-definition image can be appropriately recorded in conformity with a standard for recording low-resolution image data. Therefore, according to this image data recording apparatus, it is possible to record a high-definition image at a low cost while securing a sufficient recording capacity.

Further, the image data recording apparatus divides a recording image into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, extracts one or more pixels from each pixel block, and extracts the extracted pixels. Since a plurality of divided images are generated by re-synthesizing, even if the divided images are displayed as they are, the displayed image is an image close to the recording image.

Further, according to the image data reproducing method of the present invention, the reproduction image divided into a plurality of divided images and recorded on the information recording medium is recombined and reproduced. It is possible to reproduce a reproduction image recorded on an information recording medium as a high-definition image in a form conforming to a standard for recording the information.

Further, according to the image data reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the reproduction image divided into a plurality of divided images and recorded on the information recording medium is recombined and output by the image processing section, so that the low resolution It is possible to reproduce the reproduction image recorded on the information recording medium as a high-definition image in a form conforming to the standard for recording the image data.

Further, in the information recording medium according to the present invention, the recording image is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, and one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block and extracted. Since the image data of the recording image is recorded as a plurality of divided images obtained by recombining the divided pixels as one frame, a high-definition image can be obtained by resynthesizing and reproducing the plurality of divided images. It is possible to reproduce as.

Further, the recording image recorded on this information recording medium is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block, and the extracted pixels are extracted. Since the pixels are re-synthesized into a plurality of divided images, even if the divided images are reproduced without being re-synthesized, the displayed image is an image close to the recording image.

Further, by using the computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention to cause a computer to perform processing for recording a recording image to be recorded on an information recording medium, a plurality of recording images can be obtained. , And each divided image is recorded on the information recording medium as one frame, so that a high-definition image can be appropriately recorded in a form conforming to a standard for recording low-resolution image data. . Therefore, if this computer-readable recording medium is used to cause a computer to perform processing for recording a recording image on an information recording medium, a high-definition image can be produced at a low cost while securing a sufficient recording capacity. It becomes possible to record.

If the recording medium is made to be processed by the computer using the recording medium, the recording image is composed of a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels. , And one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block, and the extracted pixels are re-synthesized to generate a plurality of divided images. The resulting image is an image close to the recording image.

Further, by using the computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention to cause a computer to perform a process of reproducing a reproduction image to be reproduced from an information recording medium, a plurality of divided images can be obtained. Since the playback images recorded on the information recording medium are divided and recombined and played back, the playback images recorded on the information recording medium can be converted to high-definition images in accordance with the standard for recording low-resolution image data. It can be reproduced as a simple image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow of processing of an image data recording method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image constituting one frame of the existing digital video standard.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method of dividing a recording image.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a method of dividing a recording image.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating still another example of a method of dividing a recording image.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method for recording a divided image.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a processing flow of an image data reproducing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method of recombining a reproduction image.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image data recording device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the image data recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image data reproducing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image data recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the image data recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photographed image, 2 recording image, 3 divided image, 4 pixel block, 5 recording medium, 6 reproduction image, 7 print image, 10, 20 image data recording device, 12 still image signal processing unit, 14 recording signal processing unit , 15 signal recording unit,
30 image data reproducing device, 31 signal readout unit, 3
2 recording signal processing unit, 33 still image signal processing unit, 40,
Reference Signs List 60 image data recording / reproducing device, 52 still image signal processing unit, 54, 77 recording signal processing unit, 56, 78 signal writing / reading unit, 61 computer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference)

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A first process for dividing a recording image to be recorded into a plurality of divided images, and information recording of the image data of the recording image using each divided image of the plurality of divided images as one frame. And a second process of recording on a medium. In the first process, the recording image is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks each including a plurality of adjacent pixels, and one or more pixels are separated from each pixel block. And extracting the divided pixels by re-synthesizing the extracted pixels to generate the divided image. 2. The image data recording method according to claim 1, wherein in the first processing, the recording image is converted into an image having a predetermined number of pixels and then divided into the plurality of divided images. . 3. The image data recording method according to claim 1, wherein in the second processing, the image data of each of the divided images is recorded in a plurality of frames, respectively. 4. In the second processing, information indicating that image data of the recording image is recorded for each of the divided images is recorded on the information recording medium together with the image data of the recording image. 2. The image data recording method according to claim 1, wherein: 5. An arbitrary pixel in the pixel block is a first pixel.
When the frame in which the divided image including the first pixel is recorded is the first frame, in the second processing, the divided image recorded in the frame adjacent to the first frame is 2. The image data of the recording image is recorded on the information recording medium so as to include a pixel adjacent to the first pixel.
The image data recording method described in the above. 6. An image processing unit that divides a recording image to be recorded into a plurality of divided images, and an image recording medium that divides the image data of the recording image into one frame of each of the plurality of divided images. The image processing unit divides the recording image into a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of adjacent pixels, and extracts one or more pixels from each pixel block. An image data recording device for recomposing the divided pixels to generate the divided image. 7. The image data recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image processing section converts the recording image into an image having a predetermined number of pixels and then divides the image into the plurality of divided images. 8. The image data recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording section records the image data of each of the divided images in a plurality of frames, respectively. 9. The recording section records information indicating that image data of the recording image is recorded for each of the divided images together with the image data of the recording image on the information recording medium. 7. The image data recording device according to claim 6, wherein: 10. When an arbitrary pixel in the pixel block is a first pixel, and a frame in which a divided image including the first pixel is recorded is a first frame, the recording unit includes: The image data of the recording image is recorded on the information recording medium such that a divided image recorded in a frame adjacent to one frame includes a pixel adjacent to the first pixel. Item 7. The image data recording device according to Item 6. 11. A reproduction image to be reproduced is divided into a plurality of divided images, and each divided image of the plurality of divided images is taken as one frame from an information recording medium on which image data of the reproduction image is recorded. When reproducing the image data of the image for reproduction, a first process of reading the plurality of divided images from the information recording medium, and one for each divided image of the plurality of divided images read by the first process A second process of extracting the above pixels, constructing a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of pixels, re-synthesizing the image for reproduction by combining the plurality of pixel blocks, and outputting the resultant image is performed. Image data reproducing method. 12. Each of the divided images is recorded so as to overlap a plurality of frames. In the second processing, one of the divided images overlapped and recorded in the plurality of frames is copied. 12. The image data reproducing method according to claim 11, wherein said reproducing image is re-synthesized based on the selected divided image. 13. The divided image is recorded in a plurality of frames so as to overlap each other. In the second process, an averaging process is performed on the divided images recorded in a manner overlapping the plurality of frames. 12. The image data reproducing method according to claim 11, wherein the reproducing image is re-synthesized based on the image obtained by the averaging process. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the first processing, information indicating that the reproduction image is recombined from the plurality of divided images and reproduced is read from the information recording medium together with the plurality of divided images. The image data reproducing method according to claim 11, wherein 15. A divided image recorded in an arbitrary frame among the plurality of divided images is defined as a first divided image, and a divided image recorded in a frame adjacent to the first divided image is defined as a second divided image. When an image is obtained, in the second processing, the pixels included in the first divided image and the pixels included in the second divided image are adjacent to each other in the pixel block so as to be adjacent pixels. 12. The image data reproducing method according to claim 11, wherein the reproducing image is re-synthesized. 16. A reproduction image to be reproduced is divided into a plurality of divided images, and each divided image of the plurality of divided images is taken as one frame from an information recording medium on which image data of the reproduction image is recorded. An image data reproducing apparatus that reproduces image data of a reproduction image, a reading unit that reads the plurality of divided images from the information recording medium, and a reading unit that reads each of the plurality of divided images read by the reading unit. And an image processing unit that extracts one or more pixels, constructs a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of pixels, combines the plurality of pixel blocks, recombines the reproduction image, and outputs the combined image. Characteristic image data reproducing apparatus. 17. Each of the divided images is recorded so as to overlap with a plurality of frames, and the image processing unit selects one of the divided images recorded so as to overlap with the plurality of frames. 17. The image data reproducing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the reproduction image is re-synthesized based on the selected divided image. 18. Each of the divided images is recorded so as to overlap a plurality of frames, and the image processing section performs an averaging process on the divided images recorded so as to overlap the plurality of frames. 17. The image data reproducing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the reproducing image is re-synthesized based on the image obtained by the averaging process. 19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the reading unit reads information indicating that the reproduction image is recombined and reproduced from the plurality of divided images together with the plurality of divided images from the information recording medium. Item 17. An image data reproducing apparatus according to Item 16. 20. A divided image recorded in an arbitrary frame among the plurality of divided images is defined as a first divided image, and a divided image recorded in a frame adjacent to the first divided image is defined as a second divided image. When the image is processed, the image processing unit performs the reproduction so that pixels included in the first divided image and pixels included in the second divided image are adjacent pixels in the pixel block. 17. The image data reproducing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image for use is recombined. 21. An information recording medium in which a recording image to be recorded is divided into a plurality of divided images, and image data of the recording image is recorded with each divided image of the plurality of divided images as one frame. In the divided image, the recording image is divided into a plurality of pixel blocks each including a plurality of adjacent pixels, one or more pixels are extracted from each pixel block, and the extracted pixels are recombined. An information recording medium characterized by comprising: 22. The information recording medium according to claim 21, wherein each of the divided images is recorded in a plurality of frames in an overlapping manner. 23. The recording medium according to claim 21, wherein information indicating that the recording image is divided into a plurality of divided images and recorded is recorded together with the image data of the recording image. Information recording medium. 24. When an arbitrary pixel in the pixel block is a first pixel, and a frame in which a divided image including the first pixel is recorded is a first frame, the pixel is adjacent to the first frame. The divided image recorded in the frame
22. The information recording medium according to claim 21, wherein the image data of the recording image is recorded so as to include a pixel adjacent to the first pixel. 25. A first process of dividing a recording image to be recorded into a plurality of divided images, and information recording of the image data of the recording image by using each divided image of the plurality of divided images as one frame. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute a second process for recording on the medium is recorded, wherein the first process includes the recording image including a plurality of adjacent pixels. And a program for causing a computer to execute a process of generating one or more pixels from each pixel block, extracting one or more pixels from each pixel block, and recombining the extracted pixels to generate the divided image. Computer-readable recording medium. 26. A reproduction image to be reproduced is divided into a plurality of divided images, and each divided image of the plurality of divided images is defined as one frame from an information recording medium on which image data of the reproduction image is recorded. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute a process of reproducing image data of a reproduction image is recorded, wherein a first process of reading the plurality of divided images from the information recording medium; One or more pixels are extracted from each of the plurality of divided images read out in the process 1 to form a plurality of pixel blocks composed of a plurality of pixels, and the reproduction is performed by combining the plurality of pixel blocks. A program for causing a computer to execute a second process of resynthesizing and outputting the image for use by a computer. Data-readable recording medium.