JP2002238016A - Image processor, image processing system, image processing method, image processing program, and computer- readable recording medium recorded with the image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system that can improve the convenience of a digital camera for reducing the communication data quantity. SOLUTION: The image processing system is provided with a parameter deciding section that decides (S15) parameters used for image processing, based on received scene information when a communication section to communicate with the digital camera receives the scene information (S11); a first key-generating section that receives reduced image data resulting from reducing image data from the digital camera via a communication section (S16) and generates (S17) a first key, based on the received reduced image data; a storage section that stores (S18) the generated first key and the parameters in cross-reference with each other; an external input output section that reads the image data from a flash memory of the digital camera; a 2nd key- generating section that generates a second key, based on the read image data and reads the parameters stored in cross-reference with the first key corresponding to the generated second key; and an image processing section that uses the read parameters for apply image processing to the received image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus,
The present invention relates to an image processing system, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program is recorded. Processing device, image processing system, image processing method,
The present invention relates to an image processing program and a computer-readable recording medium storing the image processing program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, digital cameras which take an image of an imaging area and output digital image data have become widespread. There is also a service for performing predetermined image processing on image data obtained by imaging with this digital camera. This service performs image processing on image data using an image processing device including a personal computer or the like. There are the following two methods for reading and processing image data obtained by imaging with a digital camera by an image processing device.

As a first method, image data obtained by imaging with a digital camera is stored in a recording medium such as a flash memory mounted on the digital camera, and the image data is read out from the recording medium by an image processing apparatus. Things. According to the first method, it is not necessary to transmit image data having a large data amount using a communication line or the like, and the image data can be read quickly by the image processing apparatus.

As a second method, a communication unit for mutually communicating is provided in each of the digital camera and the image processing apparatus, and image data obtained by imaging is transmitted from the digital camera to the image processing apparatus via the communication unit. This is the method of sending. According to the second method, the image data can be transmitted to the image processing device immediately after the image is captured.

[0005]

However, in the first method, image processing on image data cannot be started unless a recording medium such as a flash memory is brought to a place where it can be read by the image processing apparatus. Therefore, when image data is read by the image processing apparatus, a desired image process must be selected from a plurality of image processes. As a result, there is a problem that it takes a long time from when the image processing apparatus reads the image data to when the image processing is completed. Further, at the time of imaging with a digital camera, it is not possible to determine image processing to be performed on image data in consideration of imaging conditions such as an exposure amount and a distance to a subject. For this reason, convenience was extremely poor.

In the second method, when the amount of image data is large, it takes a long time to transmit the image data from the digital camera to the image processing apparatus. In addition, there is a problem that the communication cost increases when the communication is charged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method, an image processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program is recorded.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method capable of reducing the amount of communication data.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method, an image processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program is recorded.

Still another object of the present invention is to record an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, an image processing method, an image processing program, and an image processing program in which processing from reading image data to performing image processing is simplified. To provide a computer-readable recording medium.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the image processing program with improved reliability. It is.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing the latest image processing on image data.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which allows a user of an imaging apparatus to select desired processing content.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which allows a user of an imaging apparatus to determine whether to perform image processing in consideration of a price required for image processing before performing image processing. It is to provide a device.

[0014]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a communication unit configured to communicate with an imaging device;
When information related to the image data is received, based on the received related information, a parameter determination unit that determines a parameter used for image processing, and reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data from the imaging device via the communication unit. Receiving reduced image data receiving means, first key generating means for generating a first key based on the received reduced image data, parameter storing means for storing the generated first key in association with a parameter, Image data reading means for reading image data from a recording medium of the imaging device; second key generating means for generating a second key based on the read image data; and a first key corresponding to the generated second key. Reading means for reading the parameters stored in association with each other; and image processing means for performing image processing on the received image data using the read parameters. That.

According to the present invention, when information relating to image data is received by the communication means for communicating with the imaging apparatus, parameters used for image processing are determined based on the received relevant information. Reduced image data obtained by reducing image data is received from an imaging device via a communication unit, a first key is generated based on the received reduced image data, and the generated first key and a parameter are stored in association with each other. Is done. When the image data is read from the recording medium of the imaging device, a second key is generated based on the read image data, and a parameter stored in association with the first key corresponding to the generated second key is stored. The read image data is subjected to image processing using the read parameters.

For this reason, the imaging apparatus transmits related information and reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data at the time of imaging,
Since the image processing parameters for the image data are determined at the time of imaging, the image processing parameters are determined without reading out the image data later by the image processing apparatus. As a result, the parameters of image processing can be determined according to the situation at the time of imaging, and an image processing apparatus with improved convenience can be provided.

Further, since there is no need to transmit and receive image data between the imaging device and the image processing device, it is possible to provide an image processing device capable of reducing the amount of communication data.

Further, since image processing is performed on image data using parameters determined at the time of imaging by the imaging apparatus, if image processing is performed using parameters determined at the time of imaging after reading out image data. It is not necessary to determine image processing parameters after reading image data. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus in which the processing from reading out image data to performing image processing is simplified.

Furthermore, since the image data and the parameters are associated with the first key generated based on the reduced image data and the second key generated based on the image data, the image data and the parameters can be reliably associated. As a result, an image processing device with improved reliability can be provided.

Preferably, the parameter determining means of the image processing apparatus includes: an acquiring means for acquiring a plurality of image processing contents based on the received related information; and an image transmitting the acquired plurality of image processing contents to the imaging apparatus. Processing content transmitting means;
Selecting signal receiving means for receiving a signal for selecting a desired image processing content from the plurality of image processing contents from the imaging device, and determining a parameter corresponding to the image processing content selected by the received selection signal. .

According to the present invention, a plurality of image processing contents are obtained based on the received related information, and the obtained plurality of image processing contents are transmitted to the imaging device. The content of the image processing performed on the image data is not acquired by the imaging device, but is acquired by the image processing device. As a result, the content of the image processing can be flexibly changed by the image processing apparatus, so that an image processing apparatus capable of performing the latest image processing on image data can be provided.

Further, a signal for selecting a desired image processing content from a plurality of image processing contents is received from the imaging device,
A parameter corresponding to the image processing content selected by the received selection signal is determined. For this reason, when there are a plurality of image processing contents acquired based on the related information, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of selecting a desired processing content by a user of the imaging apparatus.

Preferably, the image processing device includes: a calculating unit for calculating an estimated price for image processing based on the reduced image data and the determined parameters; and an estimated price transmitting unit for transmitting the calculated estimated price to the imaging device. And further comprising:

According to the present invention, the estimated price calculated based on the reduced image data and the determined parameters is transmitted to the imaging device, so that the user of the imaging device can perform image processing before performing image processing. An image processing apparatus capable of determining whether to perform image processing in consideration of a necessary price can be provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes: a communication unit for communicating with the imaging device; and when the communication unit receives information related to the image data, the received related information Parameter determining means for determining a parameter to be used for image processing, a first key receiving means for receiving a first key generated based on the image data from the imaging device via a communication means, and a received first key. Parameter storage means for associating and storing parameters, image data reading means for reading image data from a recording medium of the imaging apparatus, second key generation means for generating a second key based on the read image data, Reading means for reading parameters stored in association with the first key corresponding to the generated second key, and image data received using the read parameters And an image processing means for image processing.

According to the present invention, when information relating to image data is received by the communication means for communicating with the imaging device, parameters used for image processing are determined based on the received relevant information. The first key generated based on the image data is received from the imaging device via the communication unit, and the received first key and the parameter are stored in association with each other. When the image data is read from the recording medium of the imaging device, a second key is generated based on the read image data, and a first key corresponding to the generated second key is generated.
The parameters stored in association with the key are read, and the received image data is subjected to image processing using the read parameters.

For this reason, if the imaging apparatus transmits only the first key generated based on the relevant information and the image data at the time of imaging, the image processing parameters for the image data are determined at the time of imaging, and the image data is later converted to the image data. The parameters for image processing are determined without being read out by the processing device.
As a result, the parameters of image processing can be determined according to the situation at the time of imaging, and an image processing apparatus with improved convenience can be provided.

Further, since there is no need to transmit and receive image data between the imaging device and the image processing device, it is possible to provide an image processing device capable of reducing the amount of communication data.

Further, since image processing is performed on image data using parameters determined at the time of imaging by the imaging apparatus, if image processing is performed using parameters determined at the time of imaging after reading out image data. It is not necessary to determine image processing parameters after reading image data. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus in which the processing from reading out image data to performing image processing is simplified.

Further, since the image data and the parameters are associated with the first key generated based on the reduced image data and the second key generated based on the image data, the image data and the parameters can be reliably associated. As a result, an image processing device with improved reliability can be provided.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image processing system is an image processing system including at least one imaging device and an image processing device, wherein the imaging device is configured to communicate with the image processing device. A first communication unit, an imaging unit that captures an image of the imaging region and outputs image data, a reduced image data generation unit that generates reduced image data obtained by reducing the output image data, and a configuration related to the output image data. Related information transmitting means for transmitting information to the image processing apparatus via the first communication means, reduced image data transmitting means for transmitting the generated reduced image data to the image processing apparatus via the first communication means, and recording medium Image data storage means for storing the image data output to the image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus comprises: a second communication means for communicating with the imaging apparatus; When information related to the data is received, a parameter determining unit that determines parameters used for image processing based on the received related information, and a second communication unit that transmits reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data from the imaging device to the second communication unit. Receiving means for receiving reduced image data, first key generating means for generating a first key based on the received reduced image data, and parameter storing means for storing the generated first key and a parameter in association with each other Image data reading means for reading image data from a recording medium of the imaging device;
A second key for generating a second key based on the read image data;
Key generating means, reading means for reading parameters stored in association with the first key corresponding to the generated second key, and image processing means for performing image processing on image data received using the read parameters And

According to the present invention, the imaging device generates reduced image data obtained by reducing the output image data, transmits information related to the output image data to the image processing device, and generates the reduced image data. The data is transmitted to the image processing device, and the output image data is stored in the recording medium. Then, in the image processing device, when information related to the image data is received by the second communication unit for communicating with the imaging device, parameters used for image processing are determined based on the received related information. Reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data is received from the imaging device via the second communication unit, a first key is generated based on the received reduced image data, and the generated first key is associated with the parameter. Is memorized. When the image data is read from the recording medium of the imaging device, a second key is generated based on the read image data, and a parameter stored in association with the first key corresponding to the generated second key is stored. The read image data is subjected to image processing using the read parameters.

For this reason, if the image pickup apparatus transmits the related information and reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data at the time of image pickup,
Since the image processing parameters for the image data are determined at the time of imaging, the image processing parameters are determined without reading out the image data later by the image processing apparatus. As a result, the parameters of the image processing can be determined according to the situation at the time of imaging, and an image processing system with improved convenience can be provided.

Since there is no need to transmit and receive image data between the imaging device and the image processing device, it is possible to provide an image processing system capable of reducing the amount of communication data.

Further, since image processing is performed on image data using parameters determined at the time of imaging by the imaging apparatus, if image processing is performed using parameters determined at the time of imaging after reading out image data. It is not necessary to determine image processing parameters after reading image data. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing system in which the processing from reading out image data to performing image processing is simplified.

Further, since the image data and the parameters are associated with the first key generated based on the reduced image data and the second key generated based on the image data, the image data and the parameters can be reliably associated. As a result, an image processing system with improved reliability can be provided.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image processing method includes the steps of: when information related to image data is received by communication means for communicating with an imaging device, based on the received related information; Determining a parameter used for image processing, receiving reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data from the imaging device via a communication unit, and generating a first key based on the received reduced image data; Storing the generated first key and a parameter in association with each other, reading image data from a recording medium of the imaging device, and generating a second key based on the read image data. Reading the parameter stored in association with the first key corresponding to the second key, and receiving the parameter using the read parameter. And a step of image processing of the image data.

According to the present invention, when the information relating to the image data is received by the communication means for communicating with the imaging device, the parameters used for the image processing are determined based on the received relevant information. Reduced image data obtained by reducing image data is received from an imaging device via a communication unit, a first key is generated based on the received reduced image data, and the generated first key and a parameter are stored in association with each other. Is done. When the image data is read from the recording medium of the imaging device, a second key is generated based on the read image data, and a parameter stored in association with the first key corresponding to the generated second key is stored. The read image data is subjected to image processing using the read parameters.

For this reason, if the image pickup apparatus transmits the related information and reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data at the time of image pickup,
Since the image processing parameters for the image data are determined at the time of imaging, the image processing parameters are determined without reading out the image data later by the image processing apparatus. As a result, the parameters of the image processing can be determined according to the situation at the time of imaging, and an image processing method with improved convenience can be provided.

Since there is no need to transmit and receive image data between the imaging device and the image processing device, it is possible to provide an image processing method capable of reducing the amount of communication data.

Further, since image processing is performed on image data using the parameters determined at the time of imaging by the imaging device, if image processing is performed using the parameters determined at the time of imaging after reading the image data. It is not necessary to determine image processing parameters after reading image data. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing method that simplifies the processing from reading image data to performing image processing.

Further, since the image data and the parameters are associated with the first key generated based on the reduced image data and the second key generated based on the image data, the image data and the parameters can be reliably associated. As a result, an image processing method with improved reliability can be provided.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, when information related to image data is received by communication means for communicating with the imaging device, the image processing program executes the processing based on the received related information. Determining a parameter used for image processing, receiving reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data from the imaging device via a communication unit, and generating a first key based on the received reduced image data; Storing the generated first key and a parameter in association with each other, reading image data from a recording medium of the imaging device, and generating a second key based on the read image data. Reading the parameter stored in association with the first key corresponding to the second key, and receiving using the read parameter. The image data is an image processing program for executing the steps on a computer to the image processing.

According to the present invention, when information relating to image data is received by the communication means for communicating with the imaging device, parameters used for image processing are determined based on the received relevant information. Reduced image data obtained by reducing image data is received from an imaging device via a communication unit, a first key is generated based on the received reduced image data, and the generated first key and a parameter are stored in association with each other. Is done. When the image data is read from the recording medium of the imaging device, a second key is generated based on the read image data, and a parameter stored in association with the first key corresponding to the generated second key is stored. The read image data is subjected to image processing using the read parameters.

For this reason, if the imaging device transmits reduced information obtained by reducing the related information and the image data at the time of imaging,
Since the image processing parameters for the image data are determined at the time of imaging, the image processing parameters are determined without reading out the image data later by the image processing apparatus. As a result, the parameters of the image processing can be determined according to the situation at the time of imaging, and an image processing program with improved convenience and a computer-readable recording medium storing the image processing program can be provided.

Further, since there is no need to transmit and receive image data between the imaging apparatus and the image processing apparatus, an image processing program capable of reducing the amount of communication data and a computer-readable recording medium storing the image processing program A medium can be provided.

Further, since image processing is performed on the image data using the parameters determined at the time of imaging by the imaging apparatus, if the image processing is performed using the parameters determined at the time of imaging after reading the image data. It is not necessary to determine image processing parameters after reading image data. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing program that simplifies the processing from reading image data to performing image processing, and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the image processing program.

Further, since the image data and the parameters are associated with the first key generated based on the reduced image data and the second key generated based on the image data, the image data and the parameters can be reliably associated. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing program with improved reliability and a computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program is recorded.

[0049]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or corresponding members, and description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1
Referring to FIG. 1, the image processing system mainly includes a digital camera 100 and an image processing device 130. In FIG. 1, a digital camera 100 and an image processing device 1
Although each of the image processing systems 30 and 30 is shown, the image processing system may have a plurality of digital cameras and image processing devices.

The digital camera 100 includes a control unit 101 for controlling the entire digital camera 100 and a control unit 101
Includes a scene determination unit 107, a display unit 109, a storage unit 111, an operation unit 113, a camera unit 115, and a communication unit 117, each of which is connected to each other.

The camera section 115 includes a lens for photographing a subject and a photoelectric conversion element such as a charge-coupled device (hereinafter, referred to as “CCD”). The light incident from the lens is C
Image on CD. The CCD performs photoelectric conversion, converts an analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal. The output digital signal is image data. Image data is
It is output to the control unit 101 and the flash memory 119.

The scene determining section 107 is connected to the photometric section 103 and the distance measuring section 105. The photometry unit 103 divides the imaging area of the camera unit 115 into multiple parts, and measures the amount of received light in each of the divided areas. The measured photometric value is transmitted to the scene determination unit 107. Distance measuring unit 105
Measures the distance to the subject included in the imaging area of the camera unit 115. The measured distance value is used as the scene determination unit 1
07.

The scene determining section 107 performs shooting based on the photometric value received from the photometric section 103, the distance value received from the distance measuring section 105, and the image data received from the camera section 115 via the control section 101. Determine the scene. The determined shooting scene is transmitted to the control unit 101.

When the main subject is included in the image pickup area of the camera unit 115, the scene judgment by the scene judgment unit 107 includes information on the main subject area, the distance to the main subject, and the background area other than the main subject area. Is used to make a scene determination. Close-up, telephoto,
Six scenes of portrait, landscape, night view, and sports are determined. The determined scene is transmitted to the control unit 101 as scene information. More specifically, close-up scenes, telephoto scenes, portrait scenes,
A landscape scene is determined. The close-up scene and the telephoto scene may be determined based on the distance measurement value or the zoom magnification of the camera lens. A night scene is determined by light source detection or color cast detection. Further, by detecting a motion vector from image data obtained from the camera unit 115 at different times, it is determined that the subject is a moving object. When it is determined that the subject is a moving object, a sports scene is determined. The number of scenes to be determined is not limited to these, and may be larger or smaller.

The flash memory 119 stores image data. Here, the flash memory 119 is used.
, But is not limited to this.
Magnetic tape or magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, DV
An optical disk such as D may be used.

The storage unit 111 includes a read only memory (ROM) for storing a program to be executed by the control unit 101, and a random access memory (RAM) used as a work area for executing the program by the control unit 101. ). Further, the storage unit 111 stores determination information used by the scene determination unit 107 described later.

The display unit 109 is a display such as a liquid crystal display device, and displays predetermined information according to an instruction from the control unit 101. The operation unit 113 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and allows a user of the digital camera 100 to input predetermined information.

The communication section 117 performs wireless communication with the image processing apparatus 130. Accordingly, the control unit 101
Communication with the image processing apparatus 130 is possible via the communication unit 117. For example, a mobile phone terminal may be used for the communication unit 117.

The image processing device 130 is constituted by a personal computer. In addition, a workstation such as a general-purpose computer and UNIX (registered trademark) may be used instead of the personal computer.

The image processing device 130 includes the image processing device 13
And a control unit 13 for controlling the entirety of
1, a storage unit 133, a communication unit 135,
It includes a printer 137 and an external input / output unit 139.

The storage unit 133 has a read-only memory (R) for recording a program to be executed by the control unit 131.
OM) and a random access memory (RA) serving as a work area necessary for the control unit 131 to execute a program.
M). Further, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, or the like may be used.

The communication section 135 enables the image processing apparatus 130 to communicate with the digital camera 100 by radio. This allows the control unit 131 to communicate with the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 135. The communication unit 135
For example, it may be an interface for connecting to a network such as the Internet. Communication between the communication unit 117 of the digital camera 100 and the communication unit 135 of the image processing apparatus 130 may use a general-purpose network such as the Internet, or may use dedicated wireless communication.

The external input / output unit 139 can read image data stored in the flash memory 119.
Further, it is possible to read a program recorded on a recording medium 140 such as a compact disk. Control unit 13
1 can be executed by the control unit 131 by reading the program recorded on the recording medium 140 by the external input / output unit 139.

As the recording medium 140, a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk), an optical disk (CD-
Discs such as ROM / MO / MD / DVD), I
Card system such as C card (including memory card) and optical card, or mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM
For example, a medium that fixedly holds a program, such as a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, may be used. Alternatively, the medium may be a medium that carries the program fluidly so that the program or data is downloaded from the network.

In response to an instruction from the control unit 131, the printer 137 converts the image data read from the flash memory 119 by the external input / output unit 139 or the image data subjected to image processing described later into a recording medium such as paper. Print out to

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing detailed functions of the control unit 131 of the image processing apparatus 130 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, control unit 131 includes a parameter determination unit 141, a process management unit 143, and an image processing unit 14
5 is included.

The parameter determining section 141 includes a communication section 135
Using the scene information received from the digital camera 100 via the PC, an image processing service name suitable for the scene information is determined. The correspondence between the image processing service name and the scene information is stored in the storage unit 133 as a mapping table.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the mapping table stored in the storage unit 133 of the image processing apparatus 130 according to the present embodiment. The scene information determined by the scene determination unit 107 of the digital camera 100 includes six scenes of portrait, landscape, close-up, telephoto, night view, and sports. On the other hand, the services that can perform image processing in the image processing apparatus 130 are four services of beautiful skin, a purikura style, vivid green, and a blue sky. The mapping table shows the correspondence between the scene information and the service name suitable for each scene information.

Referring to FIG. 3, for example, “bright green” and “blue sky” are associated as image processing services suitable for scene information of “landscape”. In addition, as image processing services suitable for scene information of “portrait”, image processing services of “beautiful skin” and “purikura style” are associated.

Returning to FIG. 2, based on the scene information received from the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 135, the parameter determination unit 141 extracts an image processing service corresponding to the received scene information. For example, when the received scene information is “landscape”, two image processing services “bright green” and “blue sky” are extracted. When the received scene information is “portrait”, two image processing services of “beautiful skin” and “purikura style” are extracted. Then, the extracted image processing service name is transmitted to the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 135.

On the other hand, in the digital camera 100, when the image processing service name is received from the image processing device 130 via the communication unit 117, the received service name is displayed on the display unit 10.
9 is displayed. The user of the digital camera 100 can select a desired image processing service by looking at the image processing service name displayed on the display unit 109. Then, when the image processing service is selected by the user, a selection signal corresponding to the selected image processing service is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 130 via the communication unit 117.

Parameter determining section 1 of image processing apparatus 130
At 41, one image processing service is determined based on the selection signal received via the communication unit 135. Then, a parameter corresponding to the image processing service is determined and transmitted to the processing management unit 143.

The parameters are determined with reference to a parameter correspondence table that associates the image processing services with the parameters. The parameter correspondence table is stored in the storage unit 1.
33.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a parameter correspondence table stored in the storage unit 133 of the image processing apparatus 130 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, the parameter correspondence table is a table that defines correspondence between parameters used for image processing performed by image processing section 145 and image processing services. Here, the image processing executed by the image processing unit 145 is performed by three image processings of saturation correction, contrast correction, and sharpness correction. Parameters are defined for each image process. That is, a saturation parameter is defined for saturation correction, a contrast parameter is defined for contrast correction, and a sharpness parameter is defined for sharpness correction. For example, for the image processing service of “beautiful skin”, the saturation parameter is defined as “3”, the contrast parameter is defined as “2”, and the sharpness parameter is defined as “1”. Here, as the parameter is closer to 1, the degree of correction is weaker, and as it is closer to 5, the degree of correction is stronger. Also, for the image processing service of “Purikura style”, the saturation parameter is defined as “5”, the contrast parameter is defined as “5”, and the sharpness parameter is defined as “3”. Thus, the parameters of the image processing are defined for each image processing service.

Returning to FIG. 2, the parameter determining unit 141
For example, when the scene information received from the digital camera 100 is “landscape”, the image processing service name of “bright green” and “blue sky” is transmitted to the digital camera. Then, when a selection signal for selecting the image processing service of “blue sky” from the two image processing services is received from the digital camera 100, the parameter corresponding to the image processing service of “blue sky” is determined. , To the process management unit 143. The parameters corresponding to the “blue sky” image processing service are as follows:
The contrast parameter is “4” and the sharpness parameter is “4”.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing detailed functions of the processing management section 143 of the image processing apparatus 130 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, processing management section 143 includes a first key generation section 147 and a second key generation section 149.

The first key generation section 147 receives the parameters from the parameter determination section 141 and receives the reduced image data from the digital camera 100 via the communication section. First
The key generation unit 147 generates a first key based on the received reduced image data. Then, the received parameter and the generated first key are stored in the storage unit 133 as corresponding data in association with each other. Then, the first key generation unit 147
Transmits an ACK signal indicating the end of communication to the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 135.

The first key is a value representing a feature of an image, and the following features can be used. (1) Statistics such as average or variance of pixel level values. (2) A value representing a color feature of a color image, or a statistic such as an average or a variance of the value representing the color feature. As the color feature, for example, a hue can be used. (3) A value indicating a frequency characteristic of an image or a statistic such as an average or a variance of the value. As the value indicating the frequency characteristic of the image, a value obtained by performing discrete cosine transform on the image data can be used. (4) An edge image or a statistic of an edge image obtained by performing a filtering process using a differential filter on image data. The statistics of the edge image include the area of the edge portion included in the edge image, the first moment,
The center of gravity can be used. (5) Textures included in image data or texture statistics. As the texture, a statistic such as a distance indicating the relationship between n pixels and the average or variance of the density difference can be used.

It is not always necessary to obtain one first key from one image, and a plurality of first keys may be obtained. When obtaining a plurality of keys, for example, the first key may be obtained for each of the red (R) component, the green (G) component, and the blue (B) component of the color image data, or the cyan (C) component. The first key may be determined for each of the magenta (M) component and the yellow (Y) component.

Further, the image data may be divided into a plurality of areas, and a first key may be obtained for each of the plurality of divided areas. In this case, the first key may be obtained by the number of divided areas. Is required. For the division of the image data, for example, a method of dividing the image data into a plurality of rectangular areas can be used.

Further, the first key corresponds to the above (1) to (1).
(5) may be obtained independently, or a plurality of first keys may be obtained by combining a plurality of them.

The second key generation unit 149 is connected to the external input / output unit 1
Image data is received from 39, and a second key is generated based on the received image data. Then, the corresponding data having the first key similar to the generated second key is extracted from the corresponding data stored in the storage unit 133. Further, the parameters of the extracted corresponding data are stored in the image processing unit 1.
Send to 45.

The second key is a value representing the feature of the image, and is created by the same logic as the first key. Therefore, if the first key is (1) a statistic such as the average or variance of pixel level values, the second key is similarly
(1) Statistics such as average or variance of pixel level values. The number of the second keys is the same as the number of the first keys. When the number of the first keys is one, the number of the second keys is also one. When there are a plurality of first keys, for example, when the first key is obtained from three components of RGB, the second key is similarly obtained from three components of RGB.

Therefore, the first key and the second key are reduced image data when the image data to be created is the first key, whereas the image data is reduced when the image data is the second key. , But with the same logic. Therefore, the first key and the second key are the same if the reduced image data used to generate the first key is an image obtained by reducing the image data used to generate the second key. Or a similar value.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence data stored in the storage unit 133 of the image processing apparatus 130 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, the corresponding data is the first data.
This is data in which keys and parameters are associated with each other. For example, in the corresponding data whose first key is “AAA”, the saturation parameter is “3”, the contrast parameter is “2”, and the sharpness parameter is “1”.

On the other hand, in the digital camera 100, image data obtained by taking an image with the camera unit 115 is stored in the flash memory 119.

When the image data stored in the flash memory 119 is read later by the external input / output unit 139, a second key is generated by the second key generation unit 149 based on the read image data. The corresponding data having the first key similar to the generated second key is read, and the parameters of the read corresponding data are transmitted to the image processing unit 145.

The image processing unit 145 includes an external input / output unit 139
Then, predetermined image processing is performed on the image data read from the flash memory 119 using the received parameters.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing detailed functions of the image processing section 145 of the image processing apparatus 130 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, image processing section 145 includes a saturation correction section 151, a contrast correction section 152, and a sharpness correction section 153.

The image data received from the external input / output unit 139 is subjected to saturation correction by a saturation correction unit 151, contrast is corrected by a contrast correction unit 152, and sharpness is corrected by a sharpness correction unit 153. Is corrected and output to the printer 137. Saturation correction unit 1
51, contrast correction unit 152 and sharpness correction unit 1
The parameters received from the process management unit 143 are given to 53. The saturation correction unit 151 is provided with a saturation parameter, the contrast correction unit 152 is provided with a contrast parameter, and the sharpness correction unit 153 is provided with a sharpness parameter.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by digital camera 100 in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, in digital camera 100, it is determined whether or not the shutter button of operation unit 113 has been turned on (step S1). If the shutter button has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S2; otherwise, the process waits until the shutter button is turned on.

In step S2, the camera unit 115 performs an imaging control operation, and image data obtained by imaging is stored in the flash memory 119 (step S2). Further, image data obtained by imaging is transmitted to the scene determination unit 107 via the control unit 101.

The scene determination unit 107 performs a scene determination based on the image data output from the camera unit 115, the photometric value output from the photometric unit 103, and the distance measurement value output from the distance measurement unit 105. Then, the scene determination unit 107
Is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 130 via the control unit 101 and the communication unit 117 (step S3).

Then, the process waits until image processing service list data is received from the image processing apparatus 130 (step S4). As described above, the image processing service list data is a list of image processing services that can be provided by the image processing apparatus 130 and is suitable for the scene information determined by the scene determination unit 107. When the image processing service list data is received via the communication unit 117, the control unit 101 displays the received image processing service name on the display unit 109 (Step S).
5). Thereby, the user of the digital camera 100
By looking at the displayed image processing service name, it is possible to determine which image processing service is to be applied to the image data.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image processing service list display screen displayed on display section 109 of digital camera 100 in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, image processing service list display screen 150 includes image processing service names 155, 1 received via communication unit 117.
56 and 157 are listed and displayed. Also, a cursor 154 is displayed. By operating the operation unit 113, the user can move the cursor 154 to select a desired image processing service. The figure shows a state in which the image processing service of “beautiful skin” is selected.

In this state, by pressing the confirmation key of the operation unit 113, “beautiful skin” is selected as the image processing service, and a selection instruction indicating that “beautiful skin” has been selected is transmitted via the communication unit 117. It is transmitted to the image processing device 130.

Returning to FIG. 8, at step S5, the display unit 10
When the list of image processing services is displayed on the operation unit 9, the operation unit 11
3 and waits until a selection instruction is input (step S6). When the confirmation key of the operation unit 113 is pressed, a selection instruction is sent to the image processing apparatus 130 by the communication unit 117.
(Step S7).

Next, the digital camera 100 transmits reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data obtained by the camera unit 115 to the image processing apparatus 130 via the communication unit 117 (step S8). Transmission of the reduced image data means a signal for performing image processing on the image data by the image processing device 130. That is, if the reduced image data is not transmitted, the first key is not generated by the first key generation unit 147 of the image processing apparatus 130, so that the corresponding data in which the first key is associated with the parameter is not created. Therefore, even if the image data is later read by the image processing apparatus, no image processing is performed because there is no corresponding data. In order to clarify that the image processing is performed, a request signal for requesting the processing may be transmitted to the image processing apparatus. In this case, the image processing device 130
The first key generation unit creates corresponding data after receiving the request signal.

Next, the digital camera 100 is in a standby state until an ACK signal indicating the end of communication is received from the image processing apparatus 130 (step S9). And AC
When the K signal is received, the communication ends and the process ends.

Although FIG. 8 illustrates the case where one image data is output by the camera unit 115, when a plurality of images are output, the processing shown in FIG. Is done.

If no selection instruction is given in step S6, the process ends without transmitting reduced image data. Thereby, the flash memory 11
9 among the image data stored in the image processing apparatus 1
The image data in which the corresponding data is stored in the storage unit 133 of the 30 will be image data to be subjected to image processing by the image processing apparatus 130 later. Conversely, of the image data stored in the flash memory 119, the image processing device 130
The image data for which the corresponding data is not stored in the storage unit 133 is image data for which image processing is not performed by the image processing apparatus 130 later.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process number assigning process executed by the image processing apparatus 130 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, image processing apparatus 130 is in a standby state until scene information is received from digital camera 100 (step S11). In the digital camera 100, the scene information is transmitted to the image processing device 130 by the processing in step S3 in FIG.

When the scene information is received, an image processing service suitable for the received scene information is extracted (step S12). This extraction is performed by the image processing device 13.
The image processing service corresponding to the scene information is extracted using the mapping table stored in the 0 storage unit 133. A list of the names of the extracted image processing services is created as image processing service list data. The image processing service list data is transmitted to the digital camera 100 by the communication unit 1
The data is transmitted via the link 35 (step S13).

Then, the process is in a standby state until a selection instruction is received from the digital camera 100 (step S14).
This selection instruction is a selection instruction transmitted by the digital camera 100 to the image processing device in the process of step S7 in FIG. In addition, when the user of the digital camera 100 does not want to provide the image processing service, as a selection instruction,
A selection signal indicating that image processing is not desired is transmitted. In this case, the image processing apparatus 130 ends the process in step S14 by receiving the selection instruction indicating that the image processing service is not desired. When a selection instruction to select one of the image processing services is received, parameters are determined (step S15). The determination of the parameters is performed by the above-described parameter determination unit 141, and is determined with reference to the parameter correspondence table stored in the storage unit 133.

Then, the process stands by until the reduced image data is received from the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 135 (step S16). When the reduced image data is received, a first key is generated by the first key generation unit (Step S17).

Next, the generated first key and the determined parameter are stored in the storage unit 133 in association with each other (step S18).

Then, an ACK signal indicating the end of the communication is transmitted to digital camera 100 via communication unit 135 (step S19).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of image processing executed by image processing apparatus 130 in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 11, image processing apparatus 130
It is determined whether or not the flash memory 119 has been set (step S21). The process waits until the flash memory 119 is set. When the flash memory 119 is set, the process proceeds to step S22. If the print request is set, the process waits until the user of the image processing apparatus 130 inputs a print request from an input device such as a keyboard (step S22).

When a print request is input, the image data stored in the flash memory 119 is read (step S23). Then, a second key is generated by the second key generation unit 149 based on the read image data (step S24).

Next, from the corresponding data stored in the storage unit 133, the corresponding data having the first key similar to the generated second key is read (step S25), and it is determined whether there is a plurality of corresponding data. Is determined (step S26).
When there are a plurality of correspondence data, the process proceeds to step S27,
If there is one, the process proceeds to step S34, and if there is no corresponding data, the process ends.

In step S27, the parameter corresponding to the first key of the read corresponding data is read. Then, the image data read in step S23 is reduced (step S28). Image processing is performed on the reduced image data using the read parameters (step S28). The image data on which the image processing has been performed is displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device of the image processing apparatus. Then, it is determined whether or not there is corresponding data among the read corresponding data, for which the processes of steps S27 to S29 have not been executed yet (step S3).
0), if present, the processing of steps S27 to S29 is executed using the corresponding data. If not, the process proceeds to step S31.

In step S31, in step S29,
The image data that has been subjected to the image processing is displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device of the image processing apparatus 130 using the parameters of the corresponding data. Then, it waits for an input of a selection instruction to select any one of the plurality of displayed image data (step S32). The selection instruction is input by a user of the image processing apparatus 130 from an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse provided in the image processing apparatus 130.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image data selection screen displayed on the display unit of image processing apparatus 130 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 12, on image data selection screen 190, date on which image data read from flash memory 119 in step S23 in FIG. 11 was captured, and image data 191 and image data 191 processed in step S29 are displayed. 192, 193, and 194, and first parameters corresponding to parameters used for image processing of the respective image data.
A key and a print key 195 are displayed.

The user of the image processing apparatus 130 selects one of the displayed image data 191, 192, 193, and 194.
When one is selected and selected, the first key of the selected image data and the parameter corresponding to the first key are selected.

Returning to FIG. 11, when a selection instruction is input in step S32, parameters used for image processing on the selected image are selected (step S33), and the flow advances to step S35.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the number of the corresponding data read is one, the parameters of the read corresponding data are read (step S34), and the flow advances to step S35.

In step S35, image processing is performed on the image data read in step S23 using the parameters selected in step S33 or the parameters read in step S34. And
The image data subjected to the image processing is printed out by the printer 137 (step S36).

As described above, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the digital camera 100
When the scene information determined by the scene determination unit 107 is transmitted to the image processing device 130 when the image data is output by the camera unit 115, the image processing device 130 The parameters used in the image processing are determined. As a result, the parameters of the image processing can be determined according to the imaging conditions, and the convenience of the imaging device is improved.

The image data stored in the flash memory 119 is linked with the parameters stored in the storage unit 133 of the image processing apparatus by the first key and the second key.
Therefore, when the image processing apparatus 130 reads the image data stored in the flash memory 119, the parameters corresponding to the image data have already been determined. Therefore, the image processing apparatus can immediately perform image processing after reading the image data from the flash memory 119, so that the time from reading the image data to ending the image processing can be reduced.

Further, the parameters used in the image processing performed on the image data are
Is determined without transmitting image data to the image processing apparatus from the digital camera 100. Therefore, there is no need to transmit and receive large amounts of image data between the digital camera 100 and the image processing apparatus 130, and the amount of communication data can be reduced. it can.

Further, since the image processing service that can be provided by the image processing apparatus 130 is determined by the image processing apparatus 130, the image processing service that can be provided by the image processing apparatus 130 can be changed only by changing the image processing service that can be provided by the image processing apparatus 130 Service can be changed. As a result, the digital camera 100
Since the image processing service to be applied to the image data is determined without any information about the image processing, the latest image processing can be performed.

Further, in the digital camera 100, a list of image processing services suitable for scene information is stored in the image processing apparatus 1.
30 and is displayed on the display unit 109, the user can select a desired image processing service from the displayed image processing service list.

Further, since the image data and the parameters are associated with the first key generated based on the reduced image data and the second key generated based on the image data, the image data and the parameters can be reliably associated. As a result, the reliability of the image processing device 130 is improved.

<Modification> Next, a modification of the image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. The image processing system according to the modified example has a function of transmitting an estimated price for image processing of image data output from the camera unit 115 from the image processing apparatus 130 to the digital camera 100.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a detailed function of parameter determining section 160 of image processing apparatus 130 according to a modification of the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, parameter determining section 160 includes an estimation calculating section 161. The estimate calculation unit 161 estimates the price of the image processing service based on the reduced image data received from the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 135 and the parameters determined by the parameter determination function of the parameter determination unit 160.
The estimated price is transmitted to the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 135.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the digital camera according to a modification of the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 14, digital camera 10
At 0, it is determined whether or not the shutter button of the operation unit 113 has been turned ON (step S41). If the shutter button has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S2; otherwise, the process waits until the shutter button is turned on.

In step S42, a control operation for imaging is performed in the camera unit 115, and image data obtained by imaging is stored in the flash memory 119. Further, image data obtained by imaging is transmitted to the scene determination unit 107 via the control unit 101.

The scene determination section 107 performs a scene determination based on the image data output from the camera section 115, the photometric value output from the photometric section 103, and the distance measurement value output from the distance measuring section 105. Then, the scene determination unit 107
Is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 130 via the control unit 101 and the communication unit 117 (step S43).

Then, the process waits until image processing service list data is received from the image processing apparatus 130 (step S44). As described above, the image processing service list data is a list of image processing services that can be provided by the image processing apparatus 130 and is suitable for the scene information determined by the scene determination unit 107. When the image processing service list data is received via the communication unit 117, the control unit 101 displays the received image processing service name on the display unit 109 (step S4).
5). Thereby, the user of the digital camera 100
By looking at the displayed image processing service name, it is possible to determine which image processing service is to be applied to the image data.

When the list of image processing services is displayed on the display section 109, the apparatus stands by until a selection instruction is input from the operation section 113 (step S46). Then, when the confirmation key of the operation unit 113 is pressed, a selection instruction is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 130 via the communication unit 117 (step S47).

Next, the digital camera 100 transmits the reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data obtained by the camera unit 115 to the image processing apparatus 130 via the communication unit 117 (step S48). Transmission of the reduced image data means a signal for performing image processing on the image data by the image processing device 130.

Next, from the image processing apparatus 130 to the communication unit 13
Then, the system waits until the estimated price is received via the terminal 5 (step S49). When the estimated price is received, the estimated price is displayed on the display unit 109 (Step S50). Thus, the user of the digital camera 100 can determine whether it is worth performing image processing by looking at the displayed estimated price.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an estimated price display screen displayed on the display unit of the digital camera according to a modification of the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 15, estimated price display screen 170 includes area 171 for displaying a sample image when image processing is performed, and area 172 for displaying an estimated price when the image processing service is provided. including. The area 171 displays image data obtained by performing image processing corresponding to the image processing service desired by the user on the reduced image. In an area 172, an estimated price when image processing corresponding to an image processing service desired by the user is performed on image data output by the camera unit 115 is displayed.

Returning to FIG. 14, in the next step S51, the apparatus enters a standby state until a request instruction indicating whether or not to perform image processing is input. Request instruction is digital camera 1
00 is input from the operation unit 113. When the request instruction has been input, the request instruction is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 130 via the communication unit 117 (step S5).
2). The request instruction includes a signal indicating that image processing is to be performed and a signal indicating that image processing is not to be performed. If an instruction signal indicating that image processing is not to be performed is input, the request instruction is transmitted and the process is terminated. Proceed to S53.

In the step S53, the image processing apparatus 130
And waits until an ACK signal indicating the end of communication is received. When the ACK signal is received, the communication ends and the processing ends.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process number assigning process executed by the image processing apparatus 130 according to a modification of the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 16, image processing apparatus 130 is in a standby state until scene information is received from digital camera 100 (step S6).
1). In the digital camera 100, step S in FIG.
By the process of 43, the scene information is transmitted to the image processing device 130.

When the scene information is received, an image processing service suitable for the received scene information is extracted (step S62). This extraction is performed by the image processing device 13.
The image processing service corresponding to the scene information is extracted using the mapping table stored in the 0 storage unit 133. A list of the names of the extracted image processing services is created as image processing service list data. The image processing service list data is transmitted to the digital camera 100 by the communication unit 1
The data is transmitted via the link 35 (step S63).

Then, the process enters a standby state until a selection instruction is received from the digital camera 100 (step S64).
This selection instruction is a selection instruction transmitted from the digital camera 100 to the image processing apparatus in the process of step S47 in FIG. If the user of the digital camera 100 does not want to provide the image processing service, a selection signal indicating that the user does not want to perform image processing is transmitted as a selection instruction. In this case, the image processing apparatus 130 ends the process in step S14 by receiving the selection instruction indicating that the image processing service is not desired. When a selection instruction to select one of the image processing services is received, parameters are determined (step S65). The determination of the parameters is performed by the above-described parameter determination unit 141, and is determined with reference to the parameter correspondence table stored in the storage unit 133.

Then, the process stands by until the reduced image data is received from the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 135 (step S66). When the reduced image data is received, an estimated price is calculated based on the parameters determined in step S65 and the reduced image data. In this case, the price when image processing is performed on the reduced image data using the parameter is obtained, and the price when image processing is performed on the image data using the reduction ratio of the reduced image data is calculated (step S67). ). To calculate the estimated price, price data for each image processing is stored in the storage unit 133, and the estimated price is determined based on the price data. Further, a price per processing time may be set in the price data.

The calculated estimated price is
00 through the communication unit 135 (step S6).
8). Then, the process stands by until the request instruction is received from the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 135 (step S69). When the request instruction is received, step S
Go to 70.

In the step S70, the first key generation unit 14
7, a first key is generated based on the reduced image data received in step S66. The generated first key and the parameter determined in step S65 are stored in the storage unit 133 in association with each other (step S71).

Then, an ACK signal indicating the end of communication is transmitted to digital camera 100 via communication unit 135 (step S72).

As described above, the image processing system according to the modification of the present embodiment is a digital camera 100
User can determine whether to perform image processing in consideration of the price required for image processing before performing image processing.

Although the embodiment has been described with reference to a single image processing apparatus, a plurality of image processing apparatuses may be provided. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing system having a plurality of image processing apparatuses. Referring to FIG. 17, three image processing apparatuses 130, 130A, and 130B
Is included. For this reason, in the digital camera 100, 3
One of the image processing apparatuses 130, 130A, and 130B can be selected to request an image processing service. When the image processing services that can be provided by each of the image processing apparatuses 130, 130A, and 130B are different, the user of the digital camera 100 receives three more options in receiving the image processing service, and thus has more options. An image processing service can be provided.

FIG. 18 shows the display unit 10 of the digital camera 100 in an image processing system having a plurality of image processing apparatuses.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing device selection screen displayed on the screen 9. Referring to FIG. 15, image processing device selection screen 180
The server name 181 corresponding to the image processing apparatus 130
And a server name 181A corresponding to the image processing apparatus 130A
And a server name 181B corresponding to the image processing apparatus 130B
Are enumerated and displayed. Then, a cursor 182 is displayed on the image processing apparatus selection screen 180, and the user of the digital camera 100 operates the operation unit 113 to move the cursor 182 and select a desired image processing apparatus. it can.

When any one of the three image processing apparatuses is selected, the communication section 117 of the digital camera 100 communicates only with the selected image processing apparatus.

In the present embodiment, the image data obtained by photographing with the digital camera 100 is taken in by the image processing device 130 via the flash memory 119.
30 may be transmitted by communication. In this case, the communication speed for transmitting the image data is preferably higher than the communication speed for the communication between the communication unit 117 and the communication unit 135, and the communication cost is low when the communication is charged. Preferably, it is irrigated.

In the image processing system according to the present embodiment and the image processing system according to the modified example, the digital camera 100 is provided with the scene determination unit 107, and the digital camera 100 performs the scene determination process.
The scene determination unit 107 may be provided in the image processing device 130. In this case, instead of transmitting scene information from the digital camera 100 to the image processing apparatus 130, the photometric value output by the photometric unit 103, the Reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data output by 115 is transmitted to the image processing apparatus.

[0150] The image processing apparatus 130 determines a scene using the received photometric value, distance measurement value, and reduced image data. The determined scene information is transmitted to the parameter determination unit 141.

As described above, by providing the scene determination unit 107 in the image processing device 130 instead of the digital camera 100, the processing performed by the digital camera 100 can be reduced, and the convenience of the digital camera 100 is further improved. .

Although the image processing system has been described in the present embodiment, FIGS.
It goes without saying that the present invention can be understood as an image processing method for executing the processing shown in FIG. 14 or FIG.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating detailed functions of a control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mapping table stored in a storage unit of the image processing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter correspondence table stored in a storage unit of the image processing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating detailed functions of a processing management unit of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence data stored in a storage unit of the image processing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating detailed functions of an image processing unit of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the digital camera according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing service list display screen displayed on the display unit of the digital camera.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process number assigning process executed by the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image processing performed by the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image data selection screen displayed on a display unit of the image processing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating detailed functions of a parameter determination unit of an image processing device according to a modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by a digital camera according to a modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an estimated price display screen displayed on a display unit of a digital camera according to a modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process number assigning process executed by the image processing apparatus according to a modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing system having a plurality of image processing apparatuses.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing device selection screen displayed on a display unit of a digital camera in an image processing system having a plurality of image processing devices.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 digital camera, 101, 131 control unit, 1
03 photometry unit, 105 distance measurement unit, 107 scene determination unit,
109 display unit, 111,133 storage unit, 113 operation unit, 115 camera unit, 117, 135 communication unit, 1
19 flash memory, 130 image processing device, 13
7 printer, 139 external input / output unit, 140 recording medium, 141 parameter determination unit, 143 processing management unit,
145 image processing unit, 147 first key generation unit, 149
2nd key generation unit, 150 image processing service list display screen, 151 saturation correction unit, 152 contrast correction unit, 153 sharpness correction unit, 160 parameter determination unit, 161 estimation calculation unit, 170 price display screen, 18
0 Image processing device selection screen, 190 image data selection screen.

Claims (8)

[Claims] A communication unit for communicating with an imaging apparatus; and when information related to image data is received by the communication unit, a parameter used for image processing is determined based on the received related information. Parameter determining means; reduced image data receiving means for receiving reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data from the imaging device via the communication means; and generating a first key based on the received reduced image data. First key generation means; parameter storage means for storing the generated first key and the parameter in association with each other; image data reading means for reading the image data from a recording medium of the imaging device; Second key generation means for generating a second key based on the generated image data, and a key associated with the first key corresponding to the generated second key. Parameters and reading reading means, and a image processing means for image processing the image data the received using the read parameters, the image processing apparatus. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the parameter determination unit acquires a plurality of image processing contents based on the received related information, and an image processing unit transmits the acquired plurality of image processing contents to the imaging apparatus. A content transmitting unit, and a selection signal receiving unit that receives a signal for selecting a desired image processing content from the plurality of image processing contents from the imaging device, and the image processing selected by the received selection signal The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a parameter corresponding to the content is determined. 3. A calculating means for calculating an estimated price for image processing based on the reduced image data and the determined parameters, and an estimated price transmitting means for transmitting the calculated estimated price to the imaging device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. A communication unit for communicating with an imaging apparatus, and when information related to image data is received by the communication unit, a parameter used for image processing is determined based on the received related information. Parameter determining means, first key receiving means for receiving a first key generated based on the image data from the imaging device via the communication means, and associating the received first key with the parameter. Parameter storage means for storing; image data reading means for reading the image data from a recording medium of the imaging device; second key generation means for generating a second key based on the read image data; Reading means for reading a parameter stored in association with a first key corresponding to the second key, and receiving the parameter using the read parameter. The image data provided with image processing means for image processing, the image processing apparatus. 5. An image processing system comprising at least one imaging device and an image processing device, wherein the imaging device is configured to: a first communication unit for communicating with the image processing device; Imaging means for outputting image data; reduced image data generating means for generating reduced image data obtained by reducing the output image data; and information relating to the output image data to the image processing apparatus in the first communication means. Related information transmitting means for transmitting the generated reduced image data to the image processing apparatus via the first communication means; and the output image data to a recording medium And an image data storage unit for storing image data, wherein the image processing device includes: a second communication unit for communicating with the imaging device; Parameter determining means for determining parameters to be used for image processing based on the received related information; and reducing image data obtained by reducing the image data from the imaging device to the second Reducing image data receiving means for receiving via the communication means, first key generating means for generating a first key based on the received reduced image data, and associating the generated first key with the parameter Parameter storage means for reading and storing; image data reading means for reading the image data from a recording medium of the imaging device; second key generation means for generating a second key based on the read image data; Reading means for reading a parameter stored in association with the first key corresponding to the read second key; and The received image data with an image processing means for image processing, the image processing system. 6. When information related to image data is received by a communication unit for communicating with an imaging apparatus, a step of determining a parameter used for image processing based on the received related information; Receiving reduced image data obtained by reducing data from the imaging device via the communication unit; generating a first key based on the received reduced image data; and generating the first key. Storing the parameters in association with the parameters; reading the image data from a recording medium of the imaging device; generating a second key based on the read image data; Reading a parameter stored in association with a first key corresponding to the key; and receiving the received parameter using the read parameter. And a step of image processing the image data, the image processing method. 7. When information related to image data is received by a communication unit for communicating with an imaging apparatus, a step of determining a parameter used for image processing based on the received related information; Receiving reduced image data obtained by reducing data from the imaging device via the communication unit; generating a first key based on the received reduced image data; and generating the first key. Storing the parameters in association with the parameters; reading the image data from a recording medium of the imaging device; generating a second key based on the read image data; Reading a parameter stored in association with a first key corresponding to the key; and receiving the received parameter using the read parameter. The image processing program for executing the steps on a computer performing image processing on image data. 8. A computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program according to claim 7 is recorded.