JP2010068129A - Imaging apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus and a program which adds display limitation to an original image, and prevents the original image from viewing of an unspecified person, or a third person other than a photographing person or a photographed person. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes: an imaging means 10 which photographs a photographed object, and obtains an original image; an image processing means 11 which carries out specific processing to the original image, and obtains a processed image; an image recording means 17 which makes the original image correspond to the processed image, and causes a recording unit to record it; a display means 12; and a limitation means 16 which performs display limitation to the display means for the original image which is made to correspond to the processed image and is recorded in the recording unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus that generates a processed image by performing predetermined processing on an original image, and a program for controlling the photographing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art An imaging device that generates a processed image by performing predetermined processing on an original image is known. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes that an electronic camera that performs white balance adjustment processing on an original image selects and records either the original image or the image after white balance adjustment processing. Patent Document 2 discloses a process for removing wrinkles, stains, freckles, acne, scars, burns, and the like from a human image (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as “facial treatment” in this specification). An image processing method is disclosed.

JP 2003-309855 A JP 11-341279 A

  In the electronic camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, an original image may be recorded. In addition, in the image processing apparatus that performs the facial processing disclosed in Patent Document 2, the effect of the facial processing may be confirmed by displaying the original image and the image after the facial processing simultaneously or alternately.

  In such a case, if anyone can freely view the original image, there is a risk of seriously damaging the emotion of the subject (subject). For example, if a person who is sensitive to changes in appearance due to aging (many consumers of facial treatment are such persons) and witnesses an image of herself with faithfully reproduced wrinkles, stains, etc., Naturally offended. Further, if such an image is viewed by an unspecified person, the subject may feel shy. Therefore, a method of recording only the processed image and deleting the original image is conceivable. However, in order to confirm the effect of the facial beauty processing after recording the image, it is necessary to record the original image together with the processed image.

  For this reason, in a photographing apparatus that performs a predetermined process on an original image to generate a processed image, particularly a photographing apparatus that performs a facial beauty process, a display restriction is imposed on the original image so that the original image is an unspecified person or subject It is demanded not to touch the person's own eyes.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background. The display is limited to the original image, and the original image is touched by an unspecified person or a third person other than the photographer and the photographed person. The present invention provides a photographing apparatus and a program for avoiding such a situation.

  An imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures a subject to obtain an original image, an image processing unit that performs a specific process on the original image to obtain a processed image, the original image, and the An image recording unit that associates a processed image with a recording unit and records the image on the recording unit, a display unit, and an original image recorded in the recording unit in association with the processed image is subjected to display restriction on the display unit. Limiting means.

  Further, in the photographing apparatus according to claim 2, the image recording means adds information indicating that there is a processed image for the original image to the original image, records the information on the recording unit, and performs the restriction. The means is characterized in that display restriction is performed on the original image to which information indicating that there is a processed image is added by the image recording means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a specific folder is set in the recording unit, the image recording unit records the original image in the specific folder, and the limiting unit Display restriction is performed on the original image by performing display restriction on the image in the specific folder.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing apparatus for processing an original image obtained by the image processing means instead of the obtained original image during a period when the original image is obtained by the imaging means. The display means further includes first display control means for controlling the display to be displayed on the display means.

  In addition, the photographing apparatus according to the invention of claim 5 further includes instruction means for instructing release of the display restriction by the restriction means, and the restriction means restricts the display when instructed by the instruction means. It is characterized by canceling the display restriction of the original image.

  In addition, the photographing apparatus according to the invention of claim 6 is characterized in that the restricting unit releases the display restriction of the original image subjected to the display restriction while the instruction unit instructs.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the instructing unit compares the user information input by the user with the user information registered in advance, and when the two match, the recording unit The display restriction of the original image recorded in the image is instructed to be released.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus according to the invention of claim 8 controls the display unit to display the processed image corresponding to the original image in parallel when displaying the original image with the display restriction removed. The display control means further includes a second display control means.

  In addition, in the photographing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, when the processed image is displayed, if there is an original image recorded in association with the processed image, the original image corresponding to the processed image is displayed. Is further provided with third display control means for controlling to display on the display means together with the processed image that the image is recorded in the image recording means.

  In the imaging device according to the invention described in claim 10, the specific process is a correction process for correcting a subject in the original image.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for obtaining a processed image by performing a specific process on an original image obtained by imaging a subject using a computer included in an imaging apparatus including a recording unit and a display unit. Processing means, image recording means for causing the recording unit to record the original image and the processed image in association with each other, display restriction on the display unit for the original image recorded in the recording unit in association with the processed image It is characterized by functioning as a limiting means for performing the above.

  According to the present invention, since the display of the original image is restricted, the original image is not touched by an unspecified person, or the third person other than the photographer and the photographed person, and the self-esteem of the photographed person is increased. Can be protected.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conceptual configuration of a digital camera 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 includes an imaging unit 10, an image processing unit 11, a display unit 12, a storage unit 13, a key input unit 14, a password verification unit 15, a control unit 16, an external memory 17, and a facial processing. The unit 110 is configured.

  The imaging unit 10 includes a lens device, an imaging element, and the like, and is an apparatus that acquires an image of a subject (hereinafter referred to as an original image).

When photographing in the beautiful face mode, the image processing unit 11 uses the storage unit 13 as a work memory in response to an instruction from the control unit 16, and detects a face image area included in the image captured by the imaging unit 10. Execute the process. Since this face detection process is a known technique, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.
Further, the image processing unit 11 includes a beautiful face processing unit 110, and the beautiful face processing unit 110 uses the storage unit 13 as a working memory in response to an instruction from the control unit 16 when photographing in the beautiful face mode. This is an apparatus that creates a processed image by performing a facial beauty process on the face image area of a person in the original image detected in step (b). Here, the facial beauty processing is the redness reduction processing for correcting the human face in the original image so as to reduce the redness in the eyes of the person, the beautiful skin processing for correcting the skin color, and the improvement in blood color. Multiple treatments such as whitening treatment to correct whitening teeth, eye opening processing to widen eyes, cheek lift-up processing to make chubby cheeks and gut cheeks slender It consists of the correction contents.
In addition to the above correction processing, the facial beauty processing includes flash red-eye removal processing that removes the red-eye state during flash emission.
The redness reduction processing, flash red-eye removal processing, skin beautification processing, blood color improvement processing, tooth whitening processing, eye opening processing, and cheek lift-up processing are well-known techniques in the technical field of image processing. Description is omitted.

  The display unit 12 includes a liquid crystal display device, and displays the processed image or the original image from the storage unit 13 and the external memory 17 according to a photographer's operation.

  The storage unit 13 is a working memory used when the image processing unit 11 creates a processed image, and temporarily stores an original image and a processed image. The original image and the processed image temporarily stored in the storage unit 13 can also be displayed on the display unit 12.

  The key input unit 14 is a switch group that allows the photographer to input various operations to the digital camera 1. A part of the operation input by the photographer (for example, display of the original image on the display unit 12) is protected by a password. That is, when the photographer inputs a password from the key input unit 14 and compares the input password with a regular password registered in the password verification unit 15, the operation input is valid. become.

  The control unit 16 is a computer that controls the entire digital camera 1. Various functions of the digital camera 1 disclosed below are realized by a program installed in the control unit 16.

  The external memory 17 is configured by, for example, a memory card that is detachable from the camera body, a flash memory built in the camera body, or the like, and the processed image and the original image are stored in the external memory according to a photographer's operation. 17 is recorded. Further, the processed image or the original image recorded in the external memory 17 can be displayed on the display unit 12.

  The digital camera 1 generally functions as follows. That is, when the photographer points the digital camera 1 at the person to be photographed, the imaging unit 10 acquires the original image at a rate of 30 to 60 images per second, and the acquired original image is sequentially stored in the storage unit 13. The image processing unit 11 detects a person's face from the original image sequentially stored in the storage unit 13, performs a beautiful face process on the detected face to create a processed image, and the display unit 12 The processed images are sequentially displayed. That is, the processed image is displayed on the display unit 12 in almost real time, and the photographer confirms the processed image displayed on the display unit 12 and performs shooting. As described above, normally, only the processed image is displayed on the display unit 12, and the original image (image before the face processing is performed) is not displayed. Therefore, even if a third party looks into the display unit 12, only the processed image, that is, a beautifully corrected image can be seen, so that the subject does not feel shy.

  In addition, the photographer may want to confirm the original image. For example, it is a case where it is desired to confirm the effect of the facial treatment. In such a case, when the photographer presses and holds a specific key of the key input unit 14, the display on the display unit 12 is changed, and the original image and the corresponding processed image are displayed on the display unit 12 in parallel. Further, when the long press of the specific key is released (that is, the photographer releases the finger from the specific key), the display on the display unit 12 immediately returns to the original state, and only the processed image is displayed. With this configuration, the photographer can arbitrarily confirm the original image. Moreover, the display of the display unit 12 is restored only by the photographer removing his / her finger from the specific key. For example, when a third party inadvertently looks into the display unit 12, It is possible to avoid viewing the original image.

  In addition, the original image captured by the digital camera 1 and the processed image are stored in the external memory 17 in association with each other, but the stored original image or processed image may be read later and displayed. In such a case, when the photographer operates the key input unit 14 to request reading and display of the original image stored in association with the processed image in the external memory 17, the digital camera 1 asks the photographer for a password. The password verification unit 15 verifies the password input by the photographer and the regular password registered in the password verification unit 15, and displays the original image on the display unit 12 when the two match. . As described above, since the original image recorded in the external memory 17 is restricted by the password, it is possible to prevent an unspecified person from looking into the original image recorded in the external memory 17.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a shooting program that is installed in the control unit 16 and executed when shooting with the digital camera 1. Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera 1 at the time of photographing will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the photographer sets the beautiful face mode and points the digital camera 1 at the subject, the imaging unit 10 acquires the original image (step S100). The original image is an image as shown in FIG. 3, and is an image obtained by capturing the subject's appearance “as is” including the bag 20 and the stain 21 without any modification. The original image is acquired at a frequency of 30 to 60 images per second.

  When the imaging unit 10 acquires the original image, the acquired original image is temporarily stored in the storage unit 13, and the image processing unit 11 removes the candy 20 and the stain 21 from the original image stored in the storage unit 13, A processed image as shown in FIG. 4 is created. That is, the face processing is performed on the original image (step S101). The created processed image is sequentially output and displayed on the display unit 12 (step S102). The processed image is created at the same frequency as the original image, that is, 30 to 60 images per second, and sequentially displayed on the display unit 12.

  Now, there are cases where the photographer wants to confirm the original image. In such a case, the photographer presses and holds a specific key of the key input unit 14. When the specific key is pressed for a long time (step S103; Yes), an original image corresponding to the processed image is sent from the storage unit 13 to the display unit 12, and as shown in FIG. The processed image and the corresponding original image are displayed in parallel (step S104). That is, a processed image is displayed on the left side of the screen of the display unit 12 together with an icon 22 indicating that the facial processing has been performed, and an original image is displayed on the right side of the screen with an icon 23 indicating that the facial processing has not been performed. ing. For example, at this time, if the photographer thinks that the third party inadvertently looks into the display unit 12 and does not want to show the original image to the third party, the photographer releases his finger from the specific key. That's fine. If the finger is released from the specific key (step S103; No), the display on the display unit 12 returns to the original state, and only the processed image is displayed on the display unit 12.

  If the photographer operates a shutter button (not shown) (step S105; Yes), the processed image and the corresponding original image are recorded in the external memory 17 (step S106). Note that information indicating the original image and information indicating the corresponding processed image are recorded in a predetermined data area of the original image to be recorded in the external memory 17, and the corresponding original data area of the processed image is stored in the predetermined original data area. Information indicating the image is recorded.

  Photographing is performed in the above procedure, and the processed image and the corresponding original image are recorded in the external memory 17. After the photographing is completed, the processed image and the original image are read from the external memory 17 and displayed on the display unit 12. Can be displayed. That is, the processed image and the original image can be displayed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a display program that is installed in the control unit 16 and displays a processed image and an original image after shooting by the digital camera 1. Hereinafter, the display operation of the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the photographer inputs a predetermined key on the key input unit 14, the processed image recorded in the external memory 17 is displayed on the display unit 12 as shown in FIG. 7 (step S200). At this time, if information indicating an original image corresponding to a predetermined data area of the processed image is recorded, an icon 24 indicating that the corresponding original image is recorded is displayed on the display unit 12. The photographer can know the presence or absence of the original image by confirming whether or not the icon 24 is displayed.

  When displaying the original image, the photographer presses and holds a specific key of the key input unit 14. When the specific key is pressed for a long time (step S201; Yes), the control unit 16 displays the icon 25 (see FIG. 8) on the display unit 12 (step S202), and prompts the photographer to input a password. . When the photographer inputs a password from the key input unit 14 (step S203; Yes), the password verification unit 15 compares the input password with a regular password registered in the password verification unit 15. If the two match (step S204; Yes), the display restriction of the original image recorded in the external memory 17 is released, and the control unit 16 reads the original image corresponding to the processed image from the external memory 17, The processed image and the corresponding original image are displayed in parallel on the display unit 12 as shown in FIG. 5 (step S205). Needless to say, when the password is not input (step S203; No), when the password is incorrect (step S204; No), the display of the original image is rejected. Also, the release of the display restriction associated with the password verification may be released for all of the original images recorded in the external memory 17 or corresponds to the processed image displayed on the display unit 12. Only the original image to be displayed may be canceled.

  As described above, since the digital camera 1 places a display restriction on the original image recorded in the external memory 17 by the password, a person who does not know the password cannot display the original image. If the password is kept secret from the photographed person, the photographed person cannot display the original image. In other words, the original image can be prevented from being displayed by unspecified persons including the photographed person, so that the self-esteem of the photographed person is protected, and the shame caused to the photographed person is reduced by displaying the original image. Can do.

  Note that the display restriction of the original image is generally performed by comparing information held only by the user such as a password, that is, information registered in advance with the user information, but the user information is not limited to the password. For example, user biometric information, that is, fingerprints, voiceprints, iris shapes, finger vein shapes, and the like can be used as user information. Alternatively, instead of collating user information, display restriction may be performed using a mechanical or electromagnetic key.

  In the present invention, among the images recorded in the external memory 17, the display restriction is performed on the original image, and the display restriction is not performed on the processed image. For this purpose, the area where the original image and the processed image are recorded may be physically separated, and display restriction may be performed on an image recorded in one area (that is, the area where the original image is recorded). The processed image may be divided by software, that is, the original image and the processed image may be recorded separately in different folders or directories, and display restrictions may be applied to the folder or directory to which the original image belongs.

1 is a conceptual configuration diagram of a digital camera 1 illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of a photography program. It is a figure which shows an original image. It is a figure which shows a process image. It is the figure which displayed the processed image and the original image on the display screen. It is a flowchart of a display program. It is the figure which displayed the processing image currently recorded on the display screen. It is the figure which displayed the processing image currently recorded on the display screen.

Explanation of symbols

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera, 10 ... Imaging part, 11 ... Image processing part, 12 ... Display part, 13 ... Memory | storage part, 14 ... Key input part, 15 ... Password verification , 16 ... control unit, 17 ... external memory, 110 ... facial processing unit, 20 ... saddle, 21 ... stain, 22 ... icon, 23 ... icon, 24. ..Icon, 25 ... icon

Claims (11)

Imaging means for capturing a subject and obtaining an original image;
Image processing means for obtaining a processed image by performing a specific process on the original image;
Image recording means for causing the recording unit to record the original image and the processed image in association with each other;
Display means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a restriction unit that restricts display on the display unit with respect to an original image recorded in association with the processed image in the recording unit. The image recording means adds information indicating that there is a processed image for the original image to the original image and records it in the recording unit,
The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restriction unit performs display restriction on an original image to which information indicating that there is a processed image is added by the image recording unit. A specific folder is set in the recording unit, and the image recording unit records the original image in the specific folder,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restriction unit performs display restriction on the original image by performing display restriction on an image in the specific folder.   First display control for controlling to display on the display means a processed image for the original image obtained by the image processing means in place of the obtained original image during a period when the original image is obtained by the imaging means. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means. Further comprising instruction means for instructing release of the display restriction by the restriction means,
5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when instructed by the instructing unit, the restricting unit cancels the display restriction of the display-restricted original image.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the restriction unit releases the display restriction of the display-restricted original image while the instruction unit instructs.   The instructing unit collates user information input by the user with user information registered in advance, and instructs to cancel the display restriction of the original image recorded in the recording unit when both match. The photographing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein   The display device further comprises second display control means for controlling the display means to display the processed image corresponding to the original image in parallel when displaying the original image with the display restriction removed. The imaging device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.   When the processed image is displayed, if there is an original image recorded in association with the processed image, the processed image indicates that the original image corresponding to the processed image is recorded in the image recording unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising third display control means for controlling to display on the display means.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific process is a correction process for correcting a subject in the original image. A computer included in an imaging device including a recording unit and a display unit,
Image processing means for obtaining a processed image by performing a specific process on an original image obtained by imaging a subject;
Image recording means for causing the recording unit to record the original image and the processed image in association with each other;
A program that causes an original image recorded in the recording unit in association with the processed image to function as a restriction unit that restricts display on the display unit.

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