KR20090029487A - Method for processing digital image - Google Patents

Abstract

A digital image processing method is provided to reduce the burden on the size of an image file by separately storing an image and photographing information after photographing the image. A digital image processing apparatus photographs an image and then generates an image file(401), makes the first photographing information separator separate the photographing time and date, photographing mode, exposure data, person information and GPS information from the photographing information, and then generates separate photographing information file(403). The digital signal processing apparatus stores the image file from which the photographing information is separated and the photographing information file in the first storage unit(405), and then determines whether to terminate the image(407).

Description

Digital image processing method {Method for processing digital image}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital image processing method, and more particularly, to a digital image processing method for separating, transmitting, and reproducing an image and photographing information with respect to a photographed or received image.

In general, there is an Exif (exchangeable image file format) area within an image file photographed by a digital image processing device, and the necessary information such as global positioning system (GPS) information is stored by default. A lot of information is stored in the image file by adding a spare area (for example, MakerNote).

However, storing the shooting information by adding an area in the image file is not only a burden on the image file size as the amount of shooting information increases, but also a security problem in terms of information management as the shooting information becomes more specific and diversified. Could not be avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a digital image processing method for separating and storing an image and photographing information after image capturing.

Another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a digital image processing method for transmitting to the outside by separating / including the shooting information from the stored image after shooting.

Another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a digital image processing method for separating the shooting information from the image received from the outside to store the image and the shooting information separated from each other.

Another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a digital image processing method for transmitting an image in which shooting information is separated / contained to the outside using file attribute information of an image file registration information window.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital image processing method comprising: (a) separating a photographing information file from an image file generated by photographing; And (b) storing the image file from which the photographing information file is separated and the separated photographing information file, respectively.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital image processing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. (A) When the image file is transmitted by external transmission, it is determined whether to separate the shooting information of the image file. Separating and storing a photographing information file from the image file; And (b) transmitting an image file from which the photographing information file is separated or transmitting an image file including the photographing information file.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital image processing method comprising the steps of: (a) searching whether a photographing information file is included in an image file received from the outside; And (b) if the photographing information file is included in the image file, separating and storing the photographing information file from the image file.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of processing a digital image, the method comprising: (a) displaying a registration information window of the image file when an image file to be transmitted to the outside is selected; (b) determining whether a photographing information file is transmitted or not in the registration information window; And (c) if transmission of the shooting information file is checked, transmitting the image file including the shooting information file to the outside, and transmitting only the image file from which the shooting information file is separated to the outside, if transmission of the shooting information file is not checked. It is preferred to include the step.

According to the present invention, by separating and storing the image and the shooting information after the image is taken to create an effect that can reduce the size burden of the image file.

Since only the desired information is selected from the photographing information when the image is reproduced, the access time for displaying the photographing information can be reduced.

In addition, when the digital imaging apparatus receives the separated image and the recording information, the image file alone or the image including the recording information is transmitted to reduce the size burden of the image file and also solve the security problem. Create an effect.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital image processing apparatus, and includes a digital image processing apparatus 100 and an external device 200. In the present invention, the digital image processing apparatus 100 may include a device capable of capturing, playing back, and transmitting an image, for example, a digital camera, a mobile phone, a PDA, a computer, and the like. Also, in the present invention, the external device 200 may be a storage medium capable of storing an image, an image processing apparatus capable of capturing, playing back, and transmitting an image, or an image processing apparatus capable of editing an image.

In FIG. 1, the digital image processing apparatus 100 may include a user input unit 101, an imaging unit 103, an image processing unit 105, a first storage unit 107, a first display unit 109, and a digital signal processing unit 111. ). In the present invention, the digital signal processor 111 includes a photographing information separator 111-1 and a first controller 111-2.

The user input unit 101 is a means inputted to execute overall operations of digital image processing, and includes a button for inputting an image for photographing and manipulation, a button for inputting an image for editing, a button for inputting an image, and the like. do.

The imaging unit 103 includes a shutter, a lens unit, an aperture, a charge coupled device (CCD), and an ADC, which are not shown in the figure, to perform a series of operations related to image capturing. The shutter is a mechanism for adjusting the amount of light exposed together with the aperture. The lens unit receives light from an external light source and processes an image. At this time, the iris adjusts the amount of light incident (light quantity) according to the degree of opening and closing. The opening and closing degree of the iris is controlled by the digital signal processing unit 111. The CCD accumulates the amount of light input through the lens unit and outputs an image captured by the lens unit in accordance with the accumulated light amount in accordance with the vertical synchronization signal. Image acquisition of the digital image processing apparatus is performed by a CCD that converts light reflected from a subject into an electrical signal. In order to obtain a color image using a CCD, a color filter is required, and most of them employ a filter (not shown) called a color filter array (CFA). CFA has a structure arranged regularly by passing only one color light per pixel, and has various shapes according to the arrangement structure. The ADC converts an analog video signal output from the CCD into a digital signal.

The image processor 105 performs signal processing to display an image signal converted into an electrical signal. To this end, the image processor 105 removes the black level generated by the dark current and performs gamma correction to encode the input image signal according to the nonlinearity of human vision. In addition, the image processor 105 performs CFA interpolation to interpolate the Bayer pattern implemented by the RGRG line and the GBGB line of the gamma-corrected predetermined data into the RGB line, converts the interpolated RGB signal into a YUV signal, By performing the Y signal filtering, the edge compensation for sharply processing the image and the color correction for correcting the color values of the U and V signals using the standard color coordinate system are performed, and the noise is removed. Thereafter, the image processor 105 compresses and signals the Y, U, and V signals from which the noise is removed to generate a JPEG file, and the generated JPEG file is displayed on the first display unit 109, and the first storage unit ( 107). All of the operations of the image processor 105 operate under the control of the digital signal processor 111.

When an image is captured by the general digital image processing apparatus 100, image information and photographing information are stored as one file as shown in FIG. 3A. However, in the present invention, the image file is divided into an image portion and a photographing information portion and stored in the first storage unit 107 from the viewpoint of the size burden and security of the image file. This overall operation is operated under the control of the digital signal processor 111.

The digital signal processor 111 includes a first photographing information separator 111-1 and a first controller 111-2.

The first photographing information separating unit 111-1 separates photographing information including an image photographing date and time, a photographing mode, exposure data, person information, GPS information, and the like from the image file and is separately controlled under the control of the controller 111-2. Create a shooting information file (e.g. TXT, XML, XHTML, etc ..). At this time, the file name of the image and the name of the shooting information file may be the same or different, and the extension may be different. For example, referring to FIG. 3A, an image may be named ABCD.JPG, and referring to FIG. 3B, photographing information may be named EFGH.TXT.

The controller 111-2 controls the operation of the first photographing information separating unit 111-1, and controls the separated image file and the photographing information file to be stored in the first storage unit 107, respectively. The controller 111-2 controls the image file from which the photographing information is separated or the image file including the photographing information to be transmitted to the outside. In addition, the control unit 111-2 stores the photographing information by separating the image file received from the outside. The controller 111-2 controls the display of the image file including the shooting information or the image file from which the shooting information is separated. A series of operations of the control unit 111-2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10.

2 illustrates a detailed view of an external device 200 according to an embodiment. As described above, the types of the external device 200 are various, and for convenience of description, it is assumed that the external device 200 is configured as shown in FIG. 2, for example. The external device 200 includes a second storage unit 201, a second display unit 203, a second photographing information separator 205, and a second controller 207.

The second photographing information separating unit 205 receives photographing information including an image photographing date and time, a photographing mode, exposure data, person information, GPS information, etc. received from the outside or stored in the second storage unit 201 from the image file. Separately, a separate shooting information file (for example, TXT, XML, XHTML, etc.) is generated under the control of the second control unit 207.

The controller 207 controls the operation of the second photographing information separator 205 and controls the separated image file and the photographing information file to be stored in the second storage unit 201, respectively. The controller 207 controls the image file from which the photographing information is separated or the image file including the photographing information to be transmitted to the outside. In addition, the control unit 207 stores the photographing information by separating the image file received from the outside. The controller 207 controls the image file including the shooting information or the image file from which the shooting information is separated to be displayed on the second display unit 203. A series of operations of the control unit 207 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10.

Hereinafter, the digital image processing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10. The digital image processing method according to the present invention may be performed inside the digital image processing apparatus 100 or the external device 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. It may be performed inside the digital signal processor 111 or the second controller 207 with the help of peripheral components in the device.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital image processing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. For example, the digital image processing apparatus 100 may be performed by the digital processing apparatus 100 or the external device 200. Assume that it is performed in the device 100.

First, when an image is captured by the digital image processing apparatus 100 (step 401), an image file is generated. The generated image file includes image data and image capture information including image capture date and time, image capture mode, exposure data, person information, GPS information, and the like.

The digital signal processor 111 causes the first photographing information separator 111-1 to separate photographing information including an image photographing date and time, photographing mode, exposure data, person information, GPS information, and the like from the image file. A separate shooting information file (eg TXT, XML, XHTML, etc.) is generated (step 403).

Then, the digital signal processing unit 111 stores the image file and the shooting information file from which the shooting information is separated in the first storage unit 107, respectively (step 405).

Thereafter, the digital signal processor 111 determines whether to end image capturing (step 407). If the image is continuously captured, the digital signal processor 111 jumps to step 401, and ends when the image is not captured.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital image processing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. For example, the digital image processing may be performed in the digital processing apparatus 100 or the external device 200. Assume that it is performed in the device 100.

First, the digital signal processor 111 receiving the user input signal determines whether to transmit an image file stored in the first storage unit 107 to the outside (step 501).

When the image file stored in the first storage unit 107 is transmitted to the outside, the digital signal processor 111 determines whether the photographing information file is separated from the image file to be transmitted (step 503).

If the photographing information file is not separated from the image file to be transmitted, the digital signal processing unit 111 separates the photographing information from the image file and stores the photographing information file as the photographing information file in the first storage unit 107 (step 505). The digital signal processor 111 causes the first photographing information separator 111-1 to separate photographing information including an image photographing date and time, photographing mode, exposure data, person information, GPS information, and the like from the image file. A separate photographing information file (for example, TXT, XML, XHTML, etc.) is generated and stored in the first storage unit 107. The image file from which the photographing information is separated is also stored in the first storage unit 107.

Thereafter, the digital signal processing unit 111 determines whether to transmit the image file including the shooting information file to the outside (step 507), and when transmitting the image file including the shooting information file to the outside, the digital signal processing unit 111 The photographing information file and the image file stored separately are transmitted to the outside (for example, the external device 200) (step 509).

However, when transmitting the image file from which the photographing information file is separated, the digital signal processor 111 may transmit only the image file from which the photographing information file stored in the first storage unit 107 is separated (eg, an external device). (200) (step 511).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital image processing method according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the digital image processing apparatus 100 may be performed by the digital processing apparatus 100 or the external device 200. Assume that it is performed at 200.

When the external device 200 receives an image file from the outside (step 601), the second controller 207 determines whether the photographing information file is a separate image file (step 603).

When the received image file and the photographing information file are received together, that is, the image file and the photographing information file are not separated, the second control unit 207 causes the second photographing information separator 205 to photograph the image from the image file. In operation 605, the control unit separates the shooting information file including the date, time, shooting mode, exposure data, person information, GPS information, and the like.

When the photographing information file is separated from the image file, the second controller 207 stores the image file in which the photographing information file is separated in the second storage unit 201, and stores the separated photographing information file in the second storage unit 201. (Step 607).

However, if the received image file and the photographing information file are separated, the second controller 207 stores the image file from which the photographing information file is separated in the second storage unit 201 (step 609).

7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital image processing method according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the digital image processing apparatus 100 may be performed by the digital processing apparatus 100 or the external device 200. Assume that it is performed at 200. In addition, it is assumed that the shooting information file and the image file are separated.

The second controller 207 enters the image file external transmission mode to transmit the image file to the outside by user selection (step 701). When the image file enters the external transmission mode, the second display unit 203 displays a transferable image file stored in the second storage unit 201.

The second controller receives one image file selection signal to be transmitted by the user selection signal (step 703).

When one image file to be transmitted is selected, the second display unit 203 displays a property window of the selected image file as shown in FIG. 8 (step 705).

In operation 707, the second controller 207 determines whether or not to check " transfer shooting information file " in the file property (characteristic) of the displayed registration information window.

If <Shooting information file transfer> is checked, a photographing information file and an image file including an image photographing date and time, a photographing mode, exposure data, person information, GPS information, and the like are transmitted to the outside (step 709).

However, if <Shooting information file transfer> is not checked, the second controller 207 transmits only the image file from which the shooting information file is separated (step 711).

9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an image reproducing method of the digital image processing method according to the present invention. For example, the digital image processing apparatus may be performed by the digital processing apparatus 100 or the external device 200. Assume it is performed at 100.

The digital signal processing unit 111 receives an image file of an image file received from the outside and stored in the first storage unit 107 or an image file captured by the digital image processing apparatus 100 and stored in the first storage unit 107. Playback is performed on the first display unit 109 (step 901).

When an image file is reproduced, the digital signal processor 111 displays an identifier for identifying a photographing information file on a portion of the image displayed on the first display unit 109 (step 903). 10A shows an arbitrary video file playback screen. In FIG. 10A, as an identifier capable of confirming the shooting information, an <view information> icon is displayed.

Subsequently, the digital signal processor 111 determines whether the identifier (&quot; watch &quot; icon) is activated (step 905). If the identifier is activated, the image file includes the shooting information file. If the identifier is not activated, the image file does not include the shooting information file.

As a result of the determination by the digital signal processor 111, if the identifier is activated and the identifier is selected (step 907), the photographing information on the image being played is displayed (step 909). 10B shows photographing information displayed together with the image when the identifier is activated and selected. At this time, the location image (uniform resource locator) of the shooting information is displayed on the displayed image, and the location URL of the image is displayed on the displayed shooting information so that the user can confirm the shooting information and the storage location of the image. In addition, when an arbitrary submenu is selected from the displayed shooting information submenu, the corresponding information may be checked. For example, if GPS information is selected from the shooting information submenu, GPS information such as the date and place where the image is captured may be checked.

However, when the identifier is not activated as a result of the determination by the digital signal processor 111, it is impossible to check the photographing information and displays only the image (step 911).

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital image processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of an external device of FIG. 1. FIG.

3 is a diagram illustrating separation of an image and photographing information in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital image processing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital image processing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital image processing method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital image processing method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a screen for selecting whether to include photographing information when transmitting an image to the outside in FIG. 7.

9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an image reproducing method of the digital image processing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of reproducing an image and photographing information in FIG. 9.

Claims (4)

(a) separating the photographing information file from the image file generated by the photographing; And and (b) storing the image file from which the photographing information file is separated and the separated photographing information file, respectively. (a) when the image file is transmitted to an external transmission, determining whether to separate the shooting information of the image file, and separating and storing the shooting information file from the image file; And (b) transmitting the image file from which the photographing information file is separated or transmitting the image file including the photographing information file. (a) searching whether a photographing information file is included in an image file received from the outside; And (b) if the image file includes a photographing information file, separating the photographing information file from the image file and storing the photographing information file. (a) if an image file to be transmitted to the outside is selected, displaying a registration information window of the image file; (b) determining whether a photographing information file is transmitted or not in the registration information window; And  (c) if transmission of the shooting information file is checked, transmitting the image file including the shooting information file to the outside, and transmitting only the image file from which the shooting information file is separated to the outside, if the shooting information file transmission is not checked. Digital image processing method comprising a.

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