JP2003037815A - Generation and output of image file - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically and appropriately adjust the image quality of image data correspondingly to individual image data. SOLUTION: When a memory card MC is inserted into a slot 34, a control circuit 30 of a color printer 20 obtains image processing control information GC from the memory card MC, and analyzes the information. A CPU 31 corrects a reference value for each image quality parameter representing the characteristics of the image data so that the information is reflected in the correction. The CPU 31 corrects the value of each image quality parameter so as to bring the value nearer to the corrected reference value, and adjusts the image quality parameter of the image data so that the corrected value of each image quality is reflected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image adjusting technique for adjusting the image quality of an image file.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In addition to an automatic photographing mode, an input device such as a digital still camera (DSC) or a digital video camera (DVC) adds an effect corresponding to a specific photographing condition when generating image data to the photographed data. It has a scene setting function. For example, when the evening scene is photographed, only the photographing result in which the redness is reduced by the correction is obtained in the automatic photographing mode, whereas the photographing result in which the redness is retained can be obtained in the evening scene mode.

[0003]

However, the scene setting function in the conventional input device such as a digital still camera is effective only in the digital still camera that has taken a picture, and is not effective for output devices such as printers. As a result, no information was given whether or not the scene was set. Further, even if the presence / absence of the scene setting is passed to the printer, the scene information cannot be interpreted by the printer. Therefore, even if the scene setting function is used at the time of shooting, there is a problem that the effect maintained at the time of shooting is reduced by the image quality retouching application and the image quality automatic adjustment function provided by the printer driver. It should be noted that such a problem is not limited to DSC, but is a problem common to other image file generation devices such as DVC.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to reflect the generation condition at the time of generating image data in the image processing in the image processing apparatus. Further, it is another object of the present invention to execute image processing based on a generation condition at the time of generating image data.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problem and Its Action / Effect The first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem includes image data and image processing control parameters for designating image processing conditions for the image data. An image file generation device for generating an image file is provided. An image file generating apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image data generating unit that generates the image data, a generating condition specifying unit that specifies a generating condition when the image data is generated, the generating condition and a plurality of generating conditions. Storage means for storing a plurality of combinations with the image processing control parameters; image processing control parameter acquisition means for acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to the specified generation conditions from the storage means; And an image file generating means for generating an image file including the acquired image data and the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters.

According to the image file generation device of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to generate an image file including image data and a plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to a specified generation condition. The generation condition at the time of generating the image data can be reflected in the image processing in the image processing apparatus.

The image file generating apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention further comprises a parameter value changing means for changing the value of any image processing control parameter from the plurality of acquired image processing control parameters. good. In such a case, the value of any image processing control parameter among the plurality of image processing control parameters acquired based on the generation condition can be changed according to taste. Further, among the plurality of image processing control parameters, not only the value of any image processing control parameter may be changed, but image processing control parameters not included may be added. In such a case, in image processing, it is possible to obtain the effect of any image processing control parameter that cannot be obtained only based on the generation condition.

A second aspect of the present invention is an image file generation for generating an image file including image data and an image processing control parameter group including a plurality of the image processing control parameters for designating image processing conditions for the image data. Provide a device. An image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an image data generating unit that generates the image data,
Generation condition designating means for designating a generation condition at the time of generating the image data, image processing control parameter generating means for generating the image processing control parameter group based on the generation condition, the generated image data and the generation And an image file generating means for generating an image file including the image processing control parameter group thus generated.

According to the image file generating apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to generate an image file including image data and an image processing control parameter group generated based on a specified generating condition. Therefore, the generation condition at the time of generating the image data can be reflected in the image processing in the image processing apparatus.

A third aspect of the present invention provides an image file generating apparatus for generating an image file containing image data and image processing control information designating image processing conditions for the image data. An image processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is an image data generation unit that generates the image data, a generation condition designation unit that designates a generation condition when the image data is generated, and under the generation condition, Storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of information for specifying image processing control parameter groups to be used when executing image processing on image data as the image processing control information, and the image processing control information corresponding to the designated generation condition. Image processing control information acquisition means for acquiring from the storage means, and image file generation means for generating an image file including the generated image data and the acquired image processing control information are provided.

According to the image file generating apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, the image file including the image data and the image processing control information for specifying the image processing control parameter group to be used when the image processing is performed on the image data. Since it is possible to generate, the generation condition at the time of generating the image data can be reflected in the image processing in the image processing apparatus.

In the image file generating device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the image processing condition may be a condition corresponding to an output device outputting the image data. In such a case, the image processing control parameter can be set based on the combination of the output device and the image file generation device that generates the image file.

In the image file generating apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the image processing control parameters include at least color space, gamma correction value, contrast, brightness, color balance, saturation, Parameters relating to sharpness, memory color, and noise removal may be included. By including at least these parameters, image processing of image data can be appropriately executed.

In the image file generating apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the image file generating apparatus is an image pickup apparatus, and the generation condition is an image pickup mode in the image pickup apparatus. Is also good. The image file includes image processing control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an image processing apparatus for executing image processing using an image file containing image data and a plurality of image processing control parameters designating image processing conditions for the image data. . An image processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes image data acquisition means for acquiring the data from the image file, and image processing control parameter acquisition means for acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters from the image file. Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data based on the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters.

According to the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image data can be subjected to the image processing based on the plurality of image processing control parameters contained in the image file. Image processing can be executed based on the generation condition at time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an image file containing image data and image processing control information for specifying an image processing parameter group consisting of a plurality of image processing control parameters for designating image processing conditions for the image data is provided. Provided is an image processing device that executes image processing using the image processing device. An image processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an image data acquisition unit that acquires the data from the image file, an image processing control information acquisition unit that acquires the image processing control information from the image file, and Storage means for storing the image processing control information and the image processing parameter group in association with each other;
Based on the acquired image processing control information, an image processing control parameter group acquisition unit that acquires the image processing parameter group from the storage unit, and based on the acquired image processing control parameter group, with respect to the image data. Image processing means for performing image processing is provided.

According to the image processing apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image data can be subjected to the image processing based on the image processing control parameter group acquired based on the image processing control information of the image file. Therefore, the image processing can be executed based on the generation condition at the time of generating the image data.

The image processing apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention may further include an output means for outputting the image data subjected to the image processing, and the image processing condition may be the one described above. The condition may correspond to the image processing device.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a program for generating an image file containing image data and image processing control parameters designating image processing conditions for the image data. A program according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is
A function of generating the image data, a function of designating a generation condition at the time of generating the image data, a function of storing a plurality of combinations of the generation condition and a plurality of the image processing control parameters, and the designated generation. A computer has a function of acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to a condition from the storage unit, and a function of generating an image file including the generated image data and the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters. It is characterized by realizing.

According to the program of the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the image file generating apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention. Further, the program according to the sixth aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects in the same manner as the image file generating device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a program for generating an image file containing image data and image processing control information designating image processing conditions for the image data. A program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention uses a function of generating the image data, a function of specifying a generation condition at the time of generating the image data, and a time of executing image processing for the image data under the generation condition. A plurality of pieces of information specifying the image processing control parameter group to be performed as the image processing control information, a function of storing the image processing control information corresponding to the designated generation condition from the storage means, It is characterized in that a computer realizes a function of generating an image file including the generated image data and the acquired image processing control information.

According to the program of the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the image file generating apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention. Further, the program according to the seventh aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects in the same manner as the image file generation device according to the third aspect of the present invention.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides a program for executing image processing using an image file containing image data and a plurality of image processing control parameters designating image processing conditions for the image data. A program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a function of acquiring the data from the image file, a function of acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters from the image file, and the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters. And a function for performing image processing on the image data based on the above.

According to the program of the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention. Further, the program according to the eighth aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects in the same manner as the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is an image file including image data and image processing control information for specifying an image processing parameter group consisting of a plurality of image processing control parameters for specifying image processing conditions for the image data. A program for executing image processing is provided. 9th of this invention
The program according to this aspect stores the function of acquiring the data from the image file, the function of acquiring the image processing control information from the image file, the image processing control information and the image processing parameter group in association with each other. And a function for acquiring the image processing parameter group from the storage unit based on the acquired image processing control information, and image processing for the image data based on the acquired image processing control parameter group. It is characterized in that the function to perform is realized by a computer.

According to the program of the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the image processing apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention. Further, the program according to the ninth aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects in the same manner as the image processing device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, referring to the drawings in the following order for image adjustment of an image file according to the present invention
A description will be given based on some examples. A. Image Processing System Configuration: B. Image file structure: C. Configuration of Image Output Device: D. Image Processing in Digital Still Camera: E. Image processing in printer: F. Other examples:

A. Configuration of Image Processing System: The configuration of an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment can be applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Figure 1
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment can be applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital still camera capable of generating an image file (image data) output by the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The image processing system 10 includes a digital still camera 1 as an input device for generating an image file.
2. A color printer 20 is provided as an output device that executes image processing based on an image file generated by the digital still camera 12 and outputs an image. As the output device, a monitor 14 such as a CRT display or an LCD display, a projector, or the like can be used in addition to the printer 20, but in the following description, the color printer 20 is used as the output device.

The digital still camera 12 is a camera for acquiring an image by forming optical information on a digital device (CCD or photomultiplier), and as shown in FIG. 2, a CCD for collecting optical information. An optical circuit 121 including an image acquisition circuit 122, an image acquisition circuit 122 for controlling the optical circuit 121 to acquire an image, an image processing circuit 123 for processing the acquired digital image, and a control for controlling each circuit. The circuit 124 is provided. The digital still camera 12 uses a memory card M as a storage device to store the acquired image as digital data.
Save to C. The JPEG format is generally used as a format for storing image data in the digital still camera 12, but in addition to this, the TIFF format, the GIF format, and the BMP format.
A storage format such as a format or a RAW format may be used.

The digital still camera 12 also has individual image processing control parameters such as brightness, contrast, exposure correction amount (exposure correction value), white balance, etc., and a plurality of image processing control parameter values in advance in accordance with shooting conditions. Selection for setting the set shooting mode
The enter button 126, a liquid crystal display 127 for previewing a taken image, and setting the taking mode and the like using the select / enter button 126 are provided. The procedure for setting the shooting mode and the image quality parameter using the select / enter button 126 and the liquid crystal display 127 will be described later.

The digital still camera 12 used in the image processing system 10 stores the image data GD and the image processing control information GC of the image data in the memory card MC as an image file GF. That is, the image processing control information GC is automatically stored in the memory card MC as the image file GF together with the image data GD at the time of shooting. When the user selects a shooting mode (shooting scene) suitable for shooting conditions such as a person, a night view, and a sunset view, the parameter values or parameter levels of a plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to the selected shooting mode are set. The image file GF included as the image processing control information GC is stored in the memory card MC. It goes without saying that the image processing control parameters can be individually set for the exposure correction amount, the white balance, and the like.

When the photographing mode is set in the digital still camera 12, the exposure time, the white balance, the exposure time when the photographing is executed, depending on the set photographing mode.
Aperture, shutter speed, focal length of lens, etc. are uniquely set. Further, the parameter values or parameter levels of the corresponding plurality of image processing control parameter groups are handled as the image processing control information GC according to the shooting mode, and are stored in the memory card MC as the image file GF together with the generated image data GD. It The parameters and parameter values applied to each shooting mode are stored in the memory in the control circuit 124 of the digital still camera 12 in association with the shooting mode.

The image file GF generated in the digital still camera 12 is sent to the color printer 20 via the cable CV, the computer PC, or the cable CV, for example. Alternatively, the memory card MC in which the image file GF is stored in the digital still camera 12 is directly connected to the printer 20 via the computer PC mounted in the memory card slot. The image file is sent to the color printer 20 by. The following description will be given based on the case where the memory card MC is directly connected to the color printer 20.

B. Image File Structure: A schematic structure of an image file that can be used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an example of the internal structure of an image file that can be used in this embodiment.
The image file GF is an image data storage area 101 for storing the image data GD, and image processing control information G that is referred to and applied during image processing of the image data in the image processing apparatus.
An image processing control information storage area 102 for storing C is provided. The image data GD is stored in, for example, the JPEG format, and the image processing control information GC is stored in the TIFF format. The terms such as file structure, data structure, and storage area in this embodiment mean an image of a file or data when the file or data is stored in the storage device.

The image processing control information GC is information for specifying the image processing conditions of the image data generated in the image data generating device such as the digital still camera 12, and as described above, it is automatically set in accordance with the setting of the photographing mode. Group of image processing control parameters, or parameters related to exposure time, ISO sensitivity, aperture, shutter speed, focal length, and exposure correction amount and white balance arbitrarily set by the user, which can be arbitrarily set by the user , Image capture mode, target color space, and other image processing control parameters.

The image file GF according to this embodiment is
In addition to the digital still camera 12, an input device (image file generation device) such as a digital video camera or a scanner
Can also be generated by. When generated by a digital video camera, for example, an image file storing still image data and output control information, or an MPEG file
A moving image file including moving image data such as a format and output control information is generated. When this moving image file is used, output control according to the output control information is executed for all or some of the frames of the moving image.

The image file GF according to the present embodiment basically needs to have the above-mentioned image data area 101 and the image processing control information storage area 102, and is a file according to the already standardized file format. Can take structure. The case where the image file GF according to the present embodiment is adapted to the standardized file format will be specifically described below.

The image file GF according to the present embodiment can have a file structure according to the image file format standard (Exif) for digital still cameras, for example. The specifications of the Exif file are defined by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA). The schematic structure of the inside of the file when the image file GF according to the present embodiment has a file format according to this Exif file format will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic internal structure of the image file GF according to the present embodiment stored in the Exif file format.

Image file GFE as an Exif file
Is a JPEG image data storage area 111 for storing JPEG format image data and an attached information storage area 1 for storing various kinds of information regarding the stored JPEG image data.
12 and 12. JPEG data storage area 111
Corresponds to the image data storage area 101, and the auxiliary information storage area 112 corresponds to the image processing control information storage area 10
Equivalent to 2. That is, in the attached information storage area 112, JPEG such as shooting date / time, exposure, shutter speed, white balance, exposure correction amount, target color space, etc.
Image processing control information GC that is referenced when outputting an image
(Image quality adjustment processing conditions) is stored. Further, in the attached information storage area 112, in addition to the image processing control information GC, the J stored in the JPEG image data storage area 111 is stored.
Thumbnail image data of a PEG image is stored in TIFF format. As is well known to those skilled in the art, in an Exif format file, tags are used to specify each data, and each data may be called by a tag name.

The detailed data structure of the attached information storage area 112 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the auxiliary information storage area 11 of the image file GF that can be used in this embodiment.
It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of 2.

In the auxiliary information storage area 112, as shown in the drawing, image processing control information GC such as exposure time, lens F value, exposure control mode, ISO sensitivity, exposure correction amount, white balance, flash, focal length, photographing mode, etc. The parameter value for is stored according to the default address or offset value. On the output device side, the image processing control information GC can be acquired by designating an address or an offset value corresponding to desired information (parameter). The image processing control information GC is stored in an undefined area in the attached information storage area 112, which is a user-defined area released to the user.

C. Configuration of Image Output Device: The schematic configuration of the image output device according to the present embodiment, that is, the color printer 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the color printer 20 according to this embodiment.

The color printer 20 is a printer capable of outputting a color image, and for example, four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are printed on a print medium. It is an inkjet printer that forms an image by ejecting ink onto a dot pattern to form an image. Alternatively, it is an electrophotographic printer that forms an image by transferring and fixing color toner on a printing medium. In addition to the above four colors, light cyan (light cyan, LC), light magenta (light magenta, LM), and dark yellow (dark yellow, DY) may be used as the color ink.

The color printer 20 is, as shown,
A mechanism that drives the print head 211 mounted on the carriage 21 to eject ink and form dots, a mechanism that causes the carriage motor 22 to reciprocate in the axial direction of the platen 23, and a paper feed motor 24.
And a control circuit 30. The mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 21 in the axial direction of the platen 23 is an endless drive between a slide shaft 25 slidably holding the carriage 21 installed in parallel with the shaft of the platen 23 and a carriage motor 22. A pulley 27 for stretching the belt 26 and a position detection sensor 28 for detecting the origin position of the carriage 21 are included. The mechanism for conveying the print paper P includes a platen 23,
The sheet feeding motor 24 rotates the platen 23, a sheet feeding auxiliary roller (not shown), and a gear train (not shown) that transmits the rotation of the sheet feeding motor 24 to the platen 23 and the sheet feeding auxiliary roller.

The control circuit 30 is the operation panel 2 of the printer.
9, the movements of the paper feed motor 24, the carriage motor 22, and the print head 211 are appropriately controlled. Printing paper P supplied to the color printer 20
Is set so as to be sandwiched between the platen 23 and the paper feed auxiliary roller, and is fed by a predetermined amount according to the rotation angle of the platen 23.

The carriage 21 has the ink cartridge 2
12 and the ink cartridge 213 are mounted. The ink cartridge 212 contains black (K) ink,
The ink cartridge 213 contains other ink, that is,
In addition to the three color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), a total of six color inks of light cyan (LC), light magenta (LM), and dark yellow (DY) are stored.

Next, the internal structure of the control circuit 30 of the color printer 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of the control circuit 30 of the color printer 20. As shown in the figure, inside the control circuit 30,
CPU 31, PROM 32, RAM 33, PCMCIA slot 34 for acquiring data from the memory card MC,
A peripheral device input / output unit (PIO) 35 that exchanges data with the paper feed motor 24, the carriage motor 22, and the like, a timer 36, a drive buffer 37, and the like are provided. The drive buffer 37 includes the ink ejection heads 214 to 220.
It is used as a buffer to supply dot on / off signals. These are connected to each other by a bus 38 and can exchange data with each other. In addition, the control circuit 30 includes an oscillator 3 that outputs a drive waveform at a predetermined frequency.
9 and the distribution output device 40 that distributes the output from the oscillator 39 to the ink ejection heads 214 to 220 at a predetermined timing.

The control circuit 30 reads the image file GF from the memory card MC, analyzes the image processing control information GC, and executes image processing based on the analyzed image processing control information GC. The control circuit 30 outputs the dot data to the drive buffer 37 at a predetermined timing while synchronizing with the movements of the paper feed motor 24 and the carriage motor 22. The detailed flow of image processing executed by the control circuit 30 will be described later.

D. Image processing in a digital still camera: With reference to FIG.
The image processing in 2 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the generation process of the image file GF in the digital still camera 12.

Control circuit 1 of digital still camera 12
Reference numeral 24 determines whether or not the user has set shooting mode (shooting scene) or image processing control information (image processing control parameter) such as white balance and exposure correction amount prior to shooting (step S100). . These image processing control information settings are made by selecting / setting button 12
6 is operated by the user selecting a shooting mode prepared in advance, which is displayed on the liquid crystal display 127, by the user. Alternatively, select similarly
By operating the setting button 126, the liquid crystal display 127
This is executed by the user setting the values of image processing control parameters such as brightness and contrast above.

A procedure for setting the image processing control parameter on the liquid crystal display 127 using the selection / setting button 126 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. Figure 9
11 to 11 are explanatory diagrams showing exemplary display modes of the liquid crystal display 127. When the “image processing control” area A1 displayed on the liquid crystal display 127 is selected by operating the selection / setting button 126 (see FIG. 9), the “shooting mode” area A2 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 127 ( (See FIG. 10). The shooting mode is reference number 1,
2. ． ． Set by. For example, when one of the shooting modes is set, the setting state of each image processing control parameter set in the set shooting mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display 127 as shown in FIG. In this example, the setting state of each image processing control parameter is displayed in a manner that is easy for the user to understand, but the parameter value may be displayed.

The control circuit 124 controls the image processing control information GC.
When it is determined that is set (step S10
0: Yes), the image data GD is generated using a parameter value defined by the set image processing control information in response to a shooting request, for example, pressing the shutter button (step S110). The control circuit 124 includes the generated image data GD and image processing control information GC including a group of image processing control parameters set according to the shooting mode.
Are stored in the memory card MC as the image file GF (step S120), and this processing routine ends.
The data generated in the digital still camera 12 is once represented by the RGB color space, and when stored in the memory card MC, it is represented by the YCbCr color space.

On the other hand, when the control circuit 124 determines that the image processing control information GC is not set (step S100: No), it generates the image data GD in response to the photographing request (step S130). ). Control circuit 1
24 stores the generated image data GD and the image processing control information GC including the correction condition automatically added when the image data is generated in the memory card MC as the image file GF (step S140), and executes this processing routine. finish. The image processing control information GC is stored in the user-defined area in the file structure having a predetermined file format as described above.

Through the above processing executed in the digital still camera 12, the image file GF stored in the memory card MC, together with the image data GD, has a plurality of image processing controls corresponding to the photographing mode set when the image data is generated. Image processing control information GC including parameters
Will be provided.

E. Image Processing in Color Printer 20: Image processing in the color printer 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12
6 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of image processing in the color printer 20 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of image processing in the color printer 20. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the concept of automatic image quality adjustment processing in the color printer 20. Figure 15
6 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for automatic image quality adjustment in the color printer 20. In the image processing in the color printer 20 according to the present embodiment, the color space conversion processing is executed first, and the automatic image quality adjustment is executed later.

Control circuit 30 of color printer 20 (CP
When the memory card MC is inserted into the slot 34, U31) reads the image file GF from the memory card MC and temporarily stores the read image file GF in the RAM 33 (step S100). The CPU 31 controls the image processing control information GC indicating information when the image data is generated from the attached information storage area 102 of the read image file GF.
Is searched (step S110). When the CPU 31 can search / find the image processing control information (step S
120: Yes), and acquires and analyzes the image processing control information GC at the time of generating the image data (step S130). CP
The U31 executes image processing, which will be described in detail later, based on the analyzed image processing control information GC (step S140), and prints out the processed image data (step S).
150).

The CPU 31 retrieves image processing control information
If not found (step S120: N
o) Since the image processing control information at the time of generating the image data cannot be reflected, the image processing control information that the color printer 20 holds in advance as a default value,
That is, various parameter values are acquired from the ROM 32 and normal image processing is executed (step S160). CP
U31 prints out the processed image data (step S150), and ends this processing routine.

Image processing executed in the color printer 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The CPU 31 of the color printer 20 takes out the image data GD from the read image file GF (step S20).
0). As described above, the digital still camera 12 saves image data as a JPEG format file. In the JPEG file, Y is used to increase the compression rate.
Image data is stored using the CbCr color space.

The CPU 31 executes a 3 × 3 matrix operation S in order to convert the image data based on the YCrCb color space into the image data based on the RGB color space (step S210). The matrix operation S is an arithmetic expression shown below.

[0062]

[Equation 1]

The CPU 31 executes gamma correction and matrix calculation M using the matrix M on the image data based on the RGB color space thus obtained (step S220). When executing the gamma correction, the CPU 31 acquires the gamma value on the DSC side from the image processing control information GC, and uses the acquired gamma value to execute the gamma conversion process on the video data. That is, the gamma value is also included in the image processing control parameter value specified by the image processing control information GC. Matrix M is RG
This is a matrix for converting the B color space into the XYZ color space. Image file GF used in this embodiment
Can include color space information to be used during image processing. Therefore, when the image file GF includes color space information, the CPU 31 refers to the color space information when executing the matrix operation M. , Matrix operation is performed using the matrix (M) corresponding to the designated space. The matrix operation M is an operation expression shown below.

[0064]

[Equation 2]

The color space of the image data GD obtained after executing the matrix operation M is the XYZ color space. conventionally,
The color space used for image processing in the printer or computer is fixed to sRGB, and the color space of the digital still camera 12 cannot be effectively used. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the image file GF includes color space information,
A printer (printer driver) that changes the matrix (M) used in the matrix calculation M according to the color space information is used. Therefore, the color space of the digital still camera 12 can be effectively used to realize correct color reproduction.

The CPU 31 converts the color space of the image data GD from the XYZ color space to the wRGB color space in order to execute the image adjustment based on the image processing control information GC.
That is, matrix operation N ⁻¹ and inverse gamma correction are executed (step S230). The wRGB color space is a wider color space than the sRGB color space. When executing the gamma correction, the CPU 31 acquires the default gamma value on the printer side from the ROM 32, and uses the reciprocal of the acquired gamma value to execute the inverse gamma conversion process on the video data. When executing the matrix operation N ⁻¹ , the CPU 31 executes the matrix operation using the matrix (N ⁻¹ ) corresponding to the conversion from the ROM 31 to the wRGB color space. The matrix operation N ⁻¹ is an operation expression shown below.

[0067]

[Equation 3]

The color space of the image data GD obtained after executing the matrix operation N ^-1 is the wRGB color space. This w
As described above, the RGB color space is a color space wider than the sRGB color space and corresponds to the color space of image data that can be generated by the digital still camera 12.

The CPU 31 executes image processing of the image data GD based on the image processing control information GC (step S).
240). Image processing based on the image processing control information GC in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 1
4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the mode numbers stored in the PROM 32 and the like in the control circuit 30 of the printer 20 and the levels of the image processing control parameters corresponding to the mode numbers. As described above, the image file GF according to the present embodiment includes the image data GD to be image-processed.
And image processing control information GC for controlling the image processing in the printer 20. Color printer 20 (C
The PU 31) analyzes the image processing control information GC and acquires the value of each image processing control parameter to be used in image processing.

In this embodiment, the level of each image processing control parameter that constitutes the photographing mode is determined in consideration of the reproducibility of the image data GD in the printer 20.
That is, "standard" for brightness, "slightly bright"
Parameter level such as the control circuit 3 of the printer 20.
How 0 interprets is verified, and the verification result is reflected in the parameter level setting. In this embodiment, the shooting modes are 1, 2. ． ． The CPU 31 analyzes the level of each image processing control parameter corresponding to each shooting mode based on the reference number, and determines the value of each image processing control parameter.

Image processing control parameters for each photographing mode will be described with reference to FIG. Shooting mode 1
Is suitable for standard shooting conditions, for example, shooting mode 2
Is suitable for shooting conditions for shooting a person, shooting mode 3 is suitable for shooting conditions for landscapes, shooting mode 4 is suitable for shooting conditions for shooting evening scenes,
The shooting mode 5 is suitable for shooting conditions for shooting a night view, and the shooting mode 6 is suitable for shooting conditions for shooting flowers, for example. The shooting mode 7 is suitable for macro shooting conditions, the shooting mode 8 is suitable for shooting sports persons, and the shooting mode 9 is suitable for backlighting conditions. Suitable, shooting mode 10 is
For example, shooting mode 1 is suitable for shooting conditions for shooting autumn leaves.
1 is suitable for, for example, a shooting condition for shooting a commemorative photo.
If the shooting mode is not set, the parameter indicating the set shooting mode is set to 0.

The CPU 31 executes image processing on the image data GD based on the value of the acquired image processing control parameter. When the shooting mode is not designated, that is, when the shooting mode parameter is set to 0, the image processing for the image data GD is not executed for each of the image processing control parameters.

When the image quality automatic adjustment processing is completed, the CPU 31 executes wRGB color conversion processing and halftone processing for printing (step S250). In the wRGB color conversion processing, the CPU 31 refers to the conversion lookup table (LUT) for conversion to the CMYK color space corresponding to the wRGB color space stored in the ROM 31, and changes the color space of the image data from the wRGB color space to CMYK. Change to color space. That is, image data composed of R, G, and B gradation values is used in the color printer 20, for example, C and M.
・ Convert to the data of the gradation value of each of Y, K, LC and LM.

In the halftone processing, the color-converted image data is received and the gradation number conversion processing is performed. In this embodiment, the image data after color conversion is expressed as data having a 256 gradation width for each color. In contrast,
The color printer 20 of the present embodiment can take only one of the states of “forming a dot” and “not forming a dot”, and the color printer 20 of the present embodiment is locally limited to 2
Only gradation can be expressed. Therefore, the image data having 256 gradations is converted into the image data expressed in 2 gradations that the color printer 20 can express. As a typical method of this two-gradation (binarization) processing, there is a method called an error diffusion method and a method called an ordered dither method.

In the color printer 20, prior to the color conversion process, if the resolution of the image data is lower than the print resolution, linear interpolation is performed to generate new data between the adjacent image data, and conversely If is also high, the resolution conversion processing for converting the resolution of the image data into the print resolution is executed by thinning out the data at a constant rate.
Further, the color printer 20 executes an interlace process of rearranging the image data converted into a format indicating the presence or absence of dot formation in the order to be transferred to the color printer 20.

As described above, according to the digital still camera 12 of the present embodiment, the image processing executed in the printer 20 can be controlled by setting the photographing mode on the digital still camera 12. That is, since the shooting mode and the image processing control parameter used in the image processing are associated with each other, the level or value of the image processing control parameter can be designated by setting the shooting mode. Therefore, it is possible to set the image processing conditions to be executed in the printer 20 for the image data at the time of shooting, and it is possible to obtain an output result that appropriately reflects the image processing conditions desired at the time of shooting. Further, it is possible to easily associate the image data with the image processing conditions assumed at the time of shooting, and it is not necessary to set the image processing conditions again at the time of image processing of the image data, and the image processing reflecting the image processing conditions can be performed. Can be facilitated.

In addition, the color printer 2 in this embodiment
According to 0, the image processing of the image data GD can be executed by reflecting the image processing control information GC included in the image file GF. Therefore, it is possible to execute the image processing that reflects the user's shooting intention at the time of shooting by reflecting the shooting mode (shooting environment) set at the time of shooting. As a result, the conventional problem that the shooting mode at the time of shooting is not interpreted, the arbitrary shooting intention is corrected, and the user's intention cannot be reflected can be solved.

F. Other Embodiments: In the above embodiment, all image processing is executed in the color printer 20 without using the personal computer PC, and the dot pattern is formed on the print medium according to the generated image data GD. All or part of the image processing may be executed on a computer or a server via a network. In this case, it is realized by giving an image processing function to an image data processing application (program) such as a retouching application or a printer driver installed in the hard disk of the computer. The image file GF generated by the digital still camera 12 is provided to the computer via a cable or the memory card MC. On the computer, the application is started by the user's operation, the image file GF is read, the image processing control information GC is analyzed,
Conversion and adjustment of the image data GD are executed. Alternatively,
By detecting the insertion of the memory card MC or by detecting the insertion of the cable, the application is automatically started, the image file GF is read, the image processing control information GC is analyzed, and the image data G is read.
The conversion and adjustment of D may be automatically performed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image processing control information GC stores the reference number corresponding to the set photographing mode, and in the printer 20, the reference number corresponds to the level of each image processing control parameter. Although the value of each parameter is obtained, the value of the image processing control parameter may be directly described in the image processing control information GC. In such a case, the digital still camera 12 may be provided with a map showing the correspondence between the reference number provided on the printer 20 (personal computer PC) side and the value of each image processing control parameter. Alternatively, the value of the image processing control parameter can be dynamically generated according to the shooting mode and the actual shooting condition (exposure or the like).

Image processing in the color printer 20 is
As shown in FIG. 20, the image quality automatic adjustment processing may be executed first, and then the color space conversion may be executed. Basic information may be processed. Further, the image processing in the color printer 20 is executed by a matrix calculation using a combination matrix (MN ⁻¹ ) combining the matrix M and the matrix N ⁻¹ when changing the color space characteristic from the sRGB color space to the wRGB color space. May be done. Furthermore, various conversion system matrices may be combined as necessary.
By combining the matrices, a series of matrix calculation processes can be speeded up.

In the above embodiments, the color printer 20 is used as the output device, but the output device is a CRT,
A display device such as an LCD or a projector can also be used. In such a case, the display device as the output device executes the image processing program (display driver) that executes the image processing described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, for example. Alternatively, when the CRT or the like functions as a display device of a computer, the image processing program is executed on the computer side. However, the image data that is finally output is in RG, not CMYK color space.
It has a B color space.

In such a case, it is possible to reflect the shooting mode at the time of shooting in the display result on the display device such as a CRT in the same way as the shooting mode at the time of shooting can be reflected in the print result through the color printer 20. You can Therefore,
The image data GD generated by the digital still camera 12 can be displayed more accurately.

Although the output device, the image processing device, and the program according to the present invention have been described based on the embodiments, the embodiments of the present invention described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention. It does not limit the invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

In the above embodiment, the image processing control parameters such as the light source, the exposure correction amount, the target color space, the brightness and the sharpness are used as the photographing mode.
It is an arbitrary matter to decide which parameter should be used as a parameter constituting the photographing mode.

The values of the parameters illustrated in the table of FIG. 8 are merely examples, and the values do not limit the invention of the present application. Furthermore, the values of the matrices S, M, and N ⁻¹ in each formula are merely examples, and the target color space or the color printer 20 is used.
It goes without saying that the color space can be appropriately changed depending on the available color space.

In the above embodiment, the digital still camera 12 was used as the image file generating device, but
Other than this, a scanner, a digital video camera or the like may be used. Image file G when using a scanner
The designation of the fetched data information of F may be executed on the computer PC, or a preset button to which setting information is previously assigned for information setting, a display screen for arbitrary setting, and a setting button are set on the scanner. The scanner may be provided and can be executed by the scanner alone.

In the above embodiment, the Exif format file has been described as a specific example of the image file GF.
The format of the image file according to the present invention is not limited to this.
That is, an image file including the image data generated by the image data generating device and the image processing control information GC that specifies the image processing condition of the image data may be used. With such a file, it is possible to appropriately execute the image processing on the image data based on the image processing condition set in the image file generation device and output the image data from the output device.

The image data and the output device control information CI
In the image file GF that includes and, the association data that associates the output device control information CI with each other is generated, and one or more image data and the output device control information CI are stored in independent files. Also included is a file capable of associating the image data with the output device control information CI by referring to the association data. In such cases,
Although the image data and the output device control information CI are stored in separate files, the image data and the output device control information CI are inseparable at the time of image processing using the output device control information CI. This is because it functions as if they are stored in substantially the same file. That is, a mode in which the image data and the output device control information CI are used in association with each other at least at the time of image processing is included in the image file GF in this embodiment. In addition, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-
It also includes moving image files stored in optical disc media such as ROM and DVD-RAM.

The digital still camera 12 and the color printer 20 used in the above embodiments are merely examples, and the configurations thereof are not limited to those described in each embodiment. The digital still camera 12 may have at least the function of generating the image file GF according to the above-described embodiment. In addition, in the color printer 20, at least the image file G according to the present embodiment is used.
Analyze the shooting mode (image processing control parameter) of F,
It suffices if the image processing for the image data GD can be executed based on the analysis result.

The photographing mode may be combined with other modes. For example, even when shooting in the same mode 1,
The sharpness parameter value may be increased or decreased depending on the resolution of image capturing (resolution of image data). In addition, other conditions such as the presence / absence of flash photography may be added.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image data processing system to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital still camera capable of generating an image file (image data) processed by the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the internal structure of an image file that can be used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic internal structure of an image file stored in an Exif file format.

FIG. 5 is an image file GF that can be used in the first embodiment.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure of an attached information storage area 112 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a color printer 20 in the first embodiment.

7 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of a control circuit 30 of the color printer 20. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of generation processing of an image file GF in the digital still camera 12.

9 is an explanatory diagram showing an exemplary display mode of the liquid crystal display 127. FIG.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an exemplary display mode of the liquid crystal display 127.

11 is an explanatory diagram showing an exemplary display mode of the liquid crystal display 127. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of image processing in the color printer 20 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of image processing executed in the color printer 20 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a combination of a shooting mode, an image quality parameter, and reference numbers designating a shooting mode.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of image processing in another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Image processing system 12 ... Digital still camera 121 ... Optical circuit 122 ... Image acquisition circuit 123 ... Image processing circuit 124 ... Control circuit 126 ... Select / Enter button 127 ... Liquid crystal display 14 ... Display 20 ... Color printer 21 ... Carriage 211 ... Print head 212 ... Ink cartridge 213 ... Ink cartridge 214-220 ... Ink ejection head 22 ... Carriage motor 23 ... Platen 24 ... Paper feed motor 25 ... Sliding shaft 26 ... Drive belt 27 ... Pulley 28 ... Position detection sensor 29 ... Operation panel 30 ... Control circuit 31 ... Arithmetic processing unit (CPU) 32 ... Programmable read only memory (PROM) 33 ... Random access memory (RAM) 34 ... PCMCIA slot 35 ... Peripheral device input / output unit (PIO) 36 ... Timer 37 ... Drive buffer 38 ... bus 39 ... Oscillator 40 ... Distribution output device GF ... Image file (Exif file) 101 ... JPEG image data storage area 102 ... Attached information storage area 103 ... Makernote storage area MC: Memory card

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5B057 AA20 BA02 CA08 CA12 CA16                       CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CE02                       CE03 CE06 CE11 CE17 CE18                       CH09                 5C052 AA17 CC11 DD02 FA01 FA03                       FA04 FD02 FD13 GA01 GA03                       GA05 GB06 GE08                 5C053 FA04 FA08 GA11 GB36 KA03                       KA05 LA01 LA03 LA06                 5C077 LL19 MP08 PP02 PP03 PP15                       PP32 PP34 PP37 TT09

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An image file generating device for generating an image file including image data and image processing control parameters for specifying image processing conditions for the image data, the image data generating means generating the image data, A generation condition designating unit that designates a generation condition when the image data is generated, a storage unit that stores a plurality of combinations of the generation condition and a plurality of the image processing control parameters, and the storage unit that corresponds to the designated generation condition. An image processing control parameter acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of image processing control parameters from the storage means; and an image file generation means for generating an image file including the generated image data and the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters. An image file generation device including. 2. The image file generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a parameter value changing unit that changes a value of an arbitrary image processing control parameter from the plurality of acquired image processing control parameters. apparatus. 3. An image file generation device for generating an image file including image data and an image processing control parameter group consisting of a plurality of image processing control parameters for specifying image processing conditions for the image data, Image data generation means for generating data, generation condition designation means for designating generation conditions at the time of generating the image data, image processing control parameter generation means for generating the image processing control parameter group based on the generation conditions, An image file generating device comprising: an image file generating unit that generates an image file including the generated image data and the generated image processing control parameter group. 4. An image file generation device for generating an image file including image data and image processing control information for specifying an image processing condition for the image data, the image data generating means generating the image data. Generation condition designating means for designating a generation condition at the time of generating the image data, and information for specifying an image processing control parameter group to be used at the time of executing image processing on the image data under the generation condition, as the image processing control information. A plurality of storage means for storing, image processing control information acquisition means for acquiring the image processing control information corresponding to the specified generation condition from the storage means, the generated image data and the acquired image processing An image file generation device including an image file generation unit that generates an image file including control information. 5. The image file generation device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing condition is a condition corresponding to an output device that outputs the image data. 6. The image file generation device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing control parameter includes at least a color space,
An image file generation device including parameters relating to gamma correction value, contrast, brightness, color balance, saturation, sharpness, memory color, and noise removal. 7. The image file generation device according to claim 1, wherein the image file generation device is an image pickup device, and the generation condition is an image pickup mode in the image pickup device. File generator. 8. An image processing apparatus that executes image processing using an image file that includes image data and a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data. Image data acquisition means for acquiring, image processing control parameter acquisition means for acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters from the image file, based on the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters, for the image data An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs image processing. 9. Image processing is executed using an image file containing image data and image processing control information specifying an image processing parameter group consisting of a plurality of image processing control parameters designating image processing conditions for the image data. An image processing apparatus, comprising image data acquisition means for acquiring the data from the image file, image processing control information acquisition means for acquiring the image processing control information from the image file, the image processing control information and the image Storage means for storing a processing parameter group in association with each other; image processing control parameter group acquisition means for acquiring the image processing parameter group from the storage means based on the acquired image processing control information; and the acquired image processing Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data based on the control parameter group. Image processing apparatus to obtain. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising an output means for outputting the image data subjected to the image processing. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image processing condition is a condition corresponding to the image processing device. 12. A program for generating an image file including image data and image processing control parameters designating image processing conditions for the image data, the function of generating the image data, and a program for generating the image data. A function of designating a generation condition; a function of storing a plurality of combinations of the generation condition and a plurality of image processing control parameters; and a storage unit storing the plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to the designated generation condition. And a function for generating an image file including the generated image data and the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters by a computer. 13. A program for generating an image file including image data and image processing control information for designating image processing conditions for the image data, the function of generating the image data, and a function for generating the image data. A function of specifying a generation condition; a function of storing a plurality of pieces of information specifying an image processing control parameter group to be used when executing image processing on the image data under the generation condition, as the image processing control information; The computer has a function of acquiring the image processing control information corresponding to the generated generation condition from the storage unit, and a function of generating an image file including the generated image data and the acquired image processing control information. The program to be realized. 14. A program for executing image processing using an image file including image data and a plurality of image processing control parameters for designating image processing conditions for the image data, wherein the data is acquired from the image file. A computer, a function of acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters from the image file, and a function of performing image processing on the image data based on the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters. Program to let. 15. Image processing is performed using an image file including image data and image processing control information that specifies an image processing parameter group consisting of a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data. A program, a function of acquiring the data from the image file, a function of acquiring the image processing control information from the image file, and a function of storing the image processing control information and the image processing parameter group in association with each other. And a function of acquiring the image processing parameter group from the storage unit based on the acquired image processing control information, and performing image processing on the image data based on the acquired image processing control parameter group A program that causes functions to be realized by a computer.