JP2000236542A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transfer data in an optimum time. SOLUTION: In the image processing system, when a personal computer 16 retrieves desired image data from a plurality of image data recorded on a memory card 13 of a digital camera, a transfer control section 17-1 obtains a data transfer time T1 between an image data transmission section 10-1 at a digital camera side and an image data reception section 16-1 of a side of the personal computer 16, whether or not the data transfer time T1 is shorter than a prescribed time is discriminated, and when shorter than the prescribed time, the image data transmission section 10-1 transmits non-compression sub image data, and when longer than the prescribed time, the image data transmission section 10-1 transmits compressed sub image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system most suitable for transferring image data recorded in a digital camera for photographing a subject to an external personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a digital camera converts a captured image of a subject into digital image data and stores the image data in a recording medium such as a memory card. This digital camera can transfer image data recorded on a recording medium of the digital camera to a personal computer by connecting to a personal computer, for example, and can process, print, or save the image data on the personal computer side. It is assumed that.

[0003] By the way, recording on a recording medium by such a digital camera is performed in a data format in consideration of exchange of information with a personal computer.
It is performed according to the standard of xif. The Exif standard is a graphics data format for digital cameras, and the image part is a JPEG (joint photographic
ding experts group) format, with the shooting conditions and conditions added to it. The recording on the recording medium is performed by searching for a desired image from main image data of a full image obtained by imaging a subject and a plurality of images recorded on a digital camera in accordance with the Exif standard. And sub-image (thumbnail) data used for this purpose are recorded on a recording medium. The sub-image data is created by thinning out the pixels of the main image data.

Specifically, in the case of VGA, the size of the main image data is 640 × 480 pixels, and in the case of SXGA, the size of the main image data is 1280 × 1024 pixels.
In particular, when SXGA is used, the size of the main image data is 1280 × 1024 pixels, and the size of the sub image data is reduced to, for example, 120 × 80 pixels or 80 × 60 pixels.

In the Exif standard, the area between the main image data and the sub image data in the image file format is predetermined, and if the main image data is compressed in the JPEG format, the sub image It is determined that the data should be compressed in JPEG format, and if the main image data is uncompressed, the uncompressed sub-image data should also be used. The reason why the uncompressed image data is used is to obtain a high-quality image.

[0006]

However, when retrieving desired image data from a plurality of image data recorded in the digital camera, the sub-image data is transferred from the digital camera to the personal computer. If the main image data is compressed in the JPEG format, the sub-image data is also compressed in the JPEG format, as specified in the standard, and if the main image data is uncompressed, the sub-image data is also used. You must use uncompressed ones. The data transfer speed from the digital camera to the personal computer is automatically reduced to an optimum speed automatically by, for example, repeating retransmission of data transfer.

For this reason, data transfer is performed irrespective of the data transfer time between the digital camera and the personal computer and the processing time such as expansion and contraction of image data on the personal computer side, and this data transfer takes time. Sometimes.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of transferring data in an optimum time.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data transmitting unit having a function of compressing or expanding image data, and an image data receiving unit receiving image data transmitted from the image data transmitting unit. And an image compressed from the image data transmitting unit based on the image data decompression processing time in the image data receiving unit and the data transfer time between the image data transmitting unit and the image data receiving unit. Transfer control means for determining whether to transmit data or uncompressed image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first aspect, if the image data expansion processing time in the image data receiving section is shorter than a predetermined time, the transfer control section transmits the image data from the image data transmitting section. It has a function of transmitting the obtained image data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first aspect, if the data transfer time between the image data transmitting unit and the image data receiving unit is shorter than a predetermined time, the image data is transmitted. It has a function of transmitting uncompressed image data from the data transmission unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first aspect, the transfer control unit is configured to extend the image data decompression processing time in the image data receiving unit longer than a predetermined time, and to make the image data transmitting unit communicate with the image data transmitting unit. If the data transfer time with the data receiving section is shorter than the predetermined time, the image data transmitting section has a function of transmitting uncompressed image data.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing system applied between a digital camera and a personal computer.

The configuration of the digital camera will be described. The image pickup lens system 1 has a CCD (solid state image pickup device) 2 incorporated therein. The output terminal of the CDD 2 is connected to the imaging unit 3 and outputs an analog image signal from the imaging unit 3. The size of the main image data of the imaging unit 3 is, for example, 640 × 480 pixels.

An output terminal of the image pickup unit 3 is provided for converting and dividing an image signal from the image pickup unit 3 into digital image data.
/ D converter 4, Y / C for processing image luminance and color difference
The unit 5, a buffer memory 6, an image size conversion unit 7 for reducing main image data by thinning are connected, and a irreversible data compression unit 9 and a card control unit 10 are connected via a shooting mode changeover switch 8. ing.

When the main image data is reduced by thinning out, the image size conversion unit 7 sends out the main image data as it is, for example, at a reduction ratio of 1: 1, and transmits the main image data at a reduction ratio of 1:10. Is reduced to obtain sub-image data. The image size conversion unit 7 is connected to a mode changeover switch 12 via a photographing mode unit 11. In particular, when the size of the main image data is small, the mode changeover switch 12 is controlled to switch the sub image data to the data size. The data is sent to the compression unit 9.

The data compression section 9 receives the digital sub-image data from the image size conversion section 7, performs DCT (discrete cosine transform) for each block unit of the sub-image data, and subsequently performs each of the luminance and color difference. It has a function of quantizing using a quantization table to obtain code data (hereinafter, referred to as compressed sub-image data).

The card control unit 10 includes an image size conversion unit 7
Receiving the uncompressed main image data, the uncompressed sub-image data and the compressed sub-image data from the data compression unit 9,
These uncompressed main image data, uncompressed sub-image data, and compressed sub-image data are each converted into a file in a separate area on the memory card 13 as a recording medium in accordance with the TIFF (tag image file format) standard of the image data format. It has a recording function.

Here, FIG. 2 shows one example according to the TIFF standard.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an image file format for image data.

First, there is an image file header.
th IFD (0th image file directory) is formed. The 0th IFD includes the number of directory entries, the width of an image, a pointer to main image data, and a sub-IFD.
Each area includes a pointer to the next IFD and a pointer to the next IFD.

Next, a 0th IFD data area is formed, and then a sub-IFD is formed.
Areas such as the number of entries, the maker note N1, and a pointer (0) to the next IFD are formed.

Next, a data area of the sub-IFD is formed, and a maker's data as an auxiliary data area is formed in this area.
A region for the note N2 is formed. In the maker note N2, a maker note directory is formed as shown in the enlarged view on the right side of FIG. 2, where the maker note header, the number of directory entries, a pointer to the compressed sub-image data, and the next IFD Each area such as a pointer is formed. And then, the manufacturer note data,
Each area of the compressed sub-image data Qs is formed.

Next, a 1st IFD (a directory of a 1st uncompressed sub-image) is formed. In the first IFD, areas such as the number of directory entries, the width of an image, a pointer to uncompressed image data, a maker note N3, and a pointer (0) to the next IFD are formed.

Next, an area for 1st IFD data, an area for uncompressed sub-image data Qf, and an area for main image data Qm are formed.

In the image file format conforming to the TIFF standard as described above, it is determined that uncompressed main image data, which is a full image, is recorded in the 0th IFD and uncompressed sub-image data is recorded in the 1st IFD. ing.

The card control unit 10 stores the main image data in the main image data area Q of the 0th IFD according to the TIFF standard.
m, the uncompressed sub-image data is recorded in the uncompressed sub-image data area Qf of the 1st IFD, and the compressed sub-image data is stored in an auxiliary area, for example, the auxiliary area of the main image data, that is, the data in the sub-IFD. It has a function of recording in the compressed sub-image data area Qs in the maker note N2.

The card control section 10 has the following functions as a control operation for recording the main image data, the non-compressed sub-image data, and the compressed sub-image data on the memory card 13. Note that each of the control operations for recording on the memory card 13 may be set to any one of the control operations, and a desired control operation is set by the user.

That is, the card control unit 10 records the main image data in the main image data area Qm of the 0th IFD according to the TIFF standard as described above, and
The function of recording in the uncompressed sub-image data area Qf of the st IFD, and when the compressed sub-image data is selectively recorded in the memory card 13, the compressed
And a function of recording in the area Qf of the first IFD uncompressed sub-image data.

The card control unit 10 also includes main image data, non-compressed sub-image data, and auxiliary data relating to the main image data or non-compressed sub-image data, ie, the 0th image file directory, the 1st non-compressed sub-image. A function of recording each directory as a file, and recording the compressed sub-image data selectively on the memory card 13;
It has a function of recording in the IFD maker note N3.

The card control unit 10 includes a communication control unit 14
A personal computer 16 is connected to the communication controller 14 via a communication line 15 such as RS-232C.

However, the card control unit 10 has an image data transmission unit 10 for reading and transferring an image file according to the TIFF standard recorded on the memory card 13 to the personal computer 16 through the communication control unit 14.
-1 is provided, and the personal computer 16 is provided with an image data receiving section 16-1 for receiving image data transferred from the digital camera.
The personal computer 16 has a decompression unit 1 for decompressing the compressed sub-image data transferred from the digital camera.
6-2 are provided.

The main control unit 17 has a CCD 2, an imaging unit 3, an A / D conversion unit 4, a Y / C unit 5, a buffer memory 6, and an image size conversion unit 7 in accordance with a series of imaging operation algorithms for photographing the subject A. , The data compression unit 9 and the card control unit 10 and the personal computer 1
6 has a function of controlling the operation of the communication control unit 14 according to a transfer operation algorithm when transferring an image file.

The main control unit 17 determines the image data based on the image data expansion processing time in the expansion unit 16-2 of the personal computer 16 and the data transfer time between the digital camera and the personal computer 16. It has a function of a transfer control unit 17-1 for determining whether to transmit uncompressed compressed sub-image data or compressed sub-image data from the transmission unit 10-1.

More specifically, the transfer control unit 17-1, based on the image file size of the personal computer 16, the compression ratio of the image data, the data amount, the data processing speed, etc., as shown in FIG. Compressed sub-image data Da,
Db,..., Dd as parameters, the image data transmitting section 10-1 of the digital camera and the personal computer 1.
A data transfer time T1 with the image data receiving unit 16-1 on the sixth side is obtained. If the data transfer time T1 is shorter than a predetermined time, the uncompressed sub-image data is transmitted from the image data transmitting unit 10-1. It has a function to transmit.

Here, the amount of image data is obtained from the number of pixels and the compression ratio, and has a relationship of Da>Db>,...,> Dd, and the communication capability is between the digital camera and the personal computer 16. Communication performance eg RS232C
If it is connected by, it is determined by 230Kbps to 9600bps.

The transfer control section 17-1 also determines the size of the image file on the personal computer 16 side, the compression rate of the image data, the amount of data, the data processing speed, and the like.
Image data receiving unit 16 of personal computer 16
-1, the processing time of image data expansion, ie, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
b, '... Dd' are used as parameters to obtain a decompression processing time T2 for the decompression capability of the decompression unit 16-2 on the personal computer 16 side. It has a function of transmitting compressed sub-image data from the unit 10-1.

Here, the amount of image data is obtained from the number of pixels and the expansion rate, and has a relationship of Da '>Db'>,...,> Dd '. -2, which is determined by the performance of the CPU operating the bus, ie, bus width, clock, frequency, and the like.

As described above, the transfer control section 17-1 has a function of transmitting uncompressed sub-image data or compressed sub-image data from the image data transmitting section 10-1 on the digital camera side. For example, the following determination may be made. That is, the transfer control unit 17-1 communicates with the digital camera and the personal computer 1 as described above.
6 and the extension time T2 of the personal computer 16 are determined, the data transfer time T1 and the extension time T2 are compared, and the data transfer time T1 is determined.
If the length is smaller than 1, the uncompressed image data is transmitted from the same image data transmission unit 10-1. If the expansion time T2 is short, the image data transmission unit 10-1 on the digital camera side transmits the compressed sub-image data. are doing.

Next, the operation of the device configured as described above will be described.

The image of the subject A is represented by C through the imaging lens system 1.
When an image is formed on the CD2, the CDD2 photoelectrically converts the image of the subject A, and the next imaging unit 3 processes the output signal of the CCD2 and outputs it as an analog image signal. The next A / D converter 4 converts an analog image signal output from the imaging unit 3 into digital image data.
The digital image data image from the / D conversion unit 4 is processed for luminance and color difference and sent to the buffer memory 6.

Next, the image size converter 7 reads the digital image data recorded in the buffer memory 6 and reduces the digital image data to a reduction ratio of 1:
In step 1, the digital image data is transmitted as main image data without reduction, and the digital image data is reduced by thinning out at a reduction ratio of 1:10 and transmitted as sub-image data. The main image data and the sub image data are sent to the card control unit 10 through the shooting mode changeover switch 8, and the sub image data is also sent to the data compression unit 9 by changing the shooting mode changeover switch 8. You.

The data compression section 9 receives the sub-image data from the image size conversion section 7, performs DCT for each block unit of the sub-image data, and then performs quantization using the quantization tables for luminance and chrominance. , Compressed sub-image data.

The card control unit 10 receives the uncompressed main image data, the uncompressed sub-image data from the image size conversion unit 7 and the compressed sub-image data from the data compression unit 9 and The main image data, the uncompressed sub-image data and the compressed sub-image data are stored in the memory card 1 respectively.
3 is filed and recorded in accordance with the TIFF standard image file shown in FIG.

For example, the card control unit 10 records the main image data in the main image data area Qm of the 0th IFD, and stores the non-compressed sub-image data in the non-compressed sub-image data area Qf of the 1st IFD.
And the compressed sub-image data is recorded in the compressed sub-image data area Qs in the maker note N2 in the sub-IFD data in the main image data.

The card control unit 10 sets the desired control operation according to the following control operations by the user.
The main image data, the uncompressed sub-image data, and the compressed sub-image data are each stored in the memory card 13 as a file.

That is, the card controller 10 records the main image data in the main image data area Qm of the 0th IFD according to the TIFF standard as described above, and
When recording in the non-compressed sub-image data area Qf of the st IFD and selectively recording the compressed sub-image data in the memory card 13, the compressed sub-image data is Recording is performed in the area Qf.

The card control unit 10 stores the main image data, the non-compressed sub-image data, the 0th image file directory relating to the main image data or the non-compressed sub-image data, and the 1st uncompressed sub-image directory. When a file is recorded on the memory card 11 and the compressed sub-image data is selectively recorded on the memory card 13,
This compressed sub-image data is stored in the auxiliary data area of the memory card 13, that is, the maker note N3 of the first IFD.
To record.

After the photographing of the subject A is completed and the main image data, the uncompressed sub-image data and the compressed sub-image data are recorded on the memory card 13 as described above, the personal computer 16 Connected. When a plurality of image data are recorded on the memory card 13 of the digital camera, the personal computer 16 searches for the plurality of image data recorded on the memory card 13 and receives desired image data. The non-compressed sub-image data or the compressed sub-image data is used for this image data search.

At this time, the transfer control section 17-1 on the digital camera side follows the transfer control flowchart shown in FIG. 5 to determine the size of each of the compressed and uncompressed sub-image data recorded on the memory card 13 in step # 1. Is checked, and in the next step # 2, the extension capability of the
In the next step # 3, the communication capability, that is, the communication performance between the digital camera and the personal computer 16 is checked, for example, 230 Kbps to 9600 bps if connected by RS232C.

Next, the transfer control section 17-1 proceeds to step # 4
As shown in FIG. 3, the image data transmitting unit 10-1 on the digital camera side and the image data receiving unit 16- on the personal computer 16 are used as parameters for the plurality of uncompressed sub-image data amounts Da, Db,. 1 is obtained.

Next, the transfer control section 17-1 proceeds to step # 5
, It is determined whether or not the obtained data transfer time T1 is shorter than a predetermined time, and if shorter than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step # 6 where the uncompressed sub-image data is transmitted from the image data transmitting unit 10-1. If the transmission is longer than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step # 7 and the image data transmission unit 10-
1 to transmit the compressed sub-image data.

The transfer control section 17-1 is not limited to the above-described data transfer operation control, and may perform data transfer by the following operation control. That is, the transfer control unit 1
7-1 is a decompression processing time with respect to the decompression capability in the decompression unit 16-2 of the personal computer 16 by using a plurality of compressed sub-image data amounts Da ', Db,'... Dd 'as parameters as shown in FIG. T2 is obtained, and if the decompression time T2 is shorter than a predetermined time, the compressed sub-image data is transmitted from the image data transmitting section 10-1 on the digital camera side, and if longer than the predetermined time, the uncompressed sub-image data is transmitted.

When the data transfer time T1 between the digital camera and the personal computer 16 and the decompression time T2 on the personal computer 16 side are determined as described above, the transfer control section 17-1 determines these data transfer time T1 and the decompression time. Compared with the time T2, if the data transfer time T1 is short, the uncompressed image data is transmitted from the same image data transmission unit 10-1, and if the decompression time T2 is short, the image data transmission unit 10-1 on the digital camera side transmits The compressed sub-image data is transmitted.

Then, the personal computer 16
An image file transferred from the digital camera is received, and the image data is processed, printed, or stored, for example.

As described above, in one embodiment,
When retrieving desired image data from the personal computer 16 among a plurality of image data recorded on the memory card 13 of the digital camera, the transfer control unit 17-
1, the image data transmission unit 10- on the digital camera side
1 and the data transfer time T1 between the image data receiving unit 16-1 of the personal computer 16 are determined, and it is determined whether or not the data transfer time T1 is shorter than a predetermined time.
If the time is shorter than the predetermined time, the image data transmitting unit 10-
1 transmits uncompressed sub-image data, and if it is longer than a predetermined time, the image data transmitting section 10-1 transmits compressed sub-image data. Therefore, the data transfer time between the digital camera and the personal computer 16 is reduced. In addition, it is possible to select uncompressed sub-image data or compressed sub-image data for achieving an optimum data transfer time in consideration of the expansion and contraction time of image data on the personal computer side, and data transfer can be performed in a short time.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be modified as follows.

For example, the compressed sub-image data may be recorded not only in the maker note in the Exif standard image file but also in another area.

The present invention can be applied not only to image data transfer between a digital camera and a personal computer but also to other data transfer systems.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing system capable of transferring data in an optimum time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment in which an image processing system according to the present invention is applied between a digital camera and a personal computer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image file format according to the TIFF standard applied to the system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an expansion time using a plurality of compressed sub-image data as parameters.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data transfer time using a plurality of compressed sub-image data as parameters.

FIG. 5 is a transfer control flowchart of the system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: imaging lens system, 2: CCD (solid-state imaging device), 3: imaging unit, 4: A / D conversion unit, 5: Y / C unit, 6: buffer memory, 7: image size conversion unit, 9: data Compression unit, 10: card control unit, 10-1: image data transmission unit, 13: memory card, 14: communication control unit, 16: personal computer, 16-1: data reception unit, 16-2: decompression unit, 17 : Main control unit 17-1: Transfer control unit

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 5B047 AA01 AB02 EA09 EB17 5B089 GA01 GA25 JB03 KA08 KB09 KH28 5C053 FA04 FA08 FA27 GA11 GB00 GB05 GB06 GB09 GB17 GB21 GB28 GB36 KA01 LA02 LA11 LA14 5C059 KK31 LA01 PP01 TA14 MC14 SS14 TC25 TC37 TC38 UA34 UA38 5C062 AA14 AB10 AB17 AB42 AC25 AC27 AC43 AC67 AF06 BA00

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising: an image data transmitting unit having a function of compressing or expanding image data; and an image data receiving unit receiving image data transmitted from the image data transmitting unit. The compressed image data is transmitted from the image data transmitting unit based on the decompression processing time of the image data in the receiving unit and the data transfer time between the image data transmitting unit and the image data receiving unit, or An image processing system, comprising: transfer control means for determining whether to transmit uncompressed image data. 2. The transfer control unit has a function of transmitting the compressed image data from the image data transmitting unit if a decompression processing time of the image data in the image data receiving unit is shorter than a predetermined time. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer control unit transmits the uncompressed image data from the image data transmitting unit when a data transfer time between the image data transmitting unit and the image data receiving unit is shorter than a predetermined time. The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission function. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer control unit is configured to perform a decompression processing time of the image data in the image data receiving unit longer than a predetermined time and a data transfer time between the image data transmitting unit and the image data receiving unit. The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of transmitting the uncompressed image data from the image data transmitting unit if is shorter than a predetermined time.