JP2001057663A - Image processing unit, information processing system, and storage medium storing information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save labor and time when photographed image data are stored in a recorder by decreasing a photographing interval in the case of consecutive shot of an electronic camera. SOLUTION: A series of image data are outputted from an electronic camera to an information processing unit. The image processing unit opens an automatic save window 100 prior to start of photographing by the electronic camera and a user clicks check boxes 121, 122, 124 to set processing contents such as tone curve adjustment, unsharp mark filter processing, resolution and conversion of image size of the like with respect to image data outputted from an electronic camera. Furthermore, the user clicks boxes 102, 106, 108, 112, 116 to set a storage destination of image data, a file name and a file storage form. When the photographing is started, the electronic camera sequentially transfers the image data to the information processing unit and the image data are automatically processed and automatically stored on the basis of the setting contents.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and a storage medium storing an information processing program, and more particularly to processing and storing image data output from a connected electronic camera. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and a storage medium storing an information processing program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some electronic cameras, such as digital still cameras, can capture images while connected to a computer. When an image is taken by the electronic camera, the obtained image data is recorded in a flash memory (non-volatile memory) built in the electronic camera, and the image data is output to a computer.

Image data output from an electronic camera to a computer is displayed on a display device of the computer.

[0004]

However, if continuous photographing is attempted by an electronic camera connected to the above-described computer, it takes time to write image data to a nonvolatile memory in the electronic camera. However, there has been a problem that the operability is deteriorated due to a prolonged interval at the time. When recording image data transferred to a computer in a recording device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), the photographer sets a drive name, a folder name, a file name, etc. for each image data and saves the data Operation had to be repeated.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of shortening a photographing interval during continuous photographing by an electronic camera and saving time and effort when storing image data obtained by photographing in a recording device. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system and a storage medium storing an information processing program.

[0006]

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
The following invention will be described in association with. (1) The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention
Image data output from the connected electronic camera 2 is
The above-described object is achieved by saving in a preset storage device and a save destination of a folder name in a preset file name and save format. (2) The information processing apparatus according to the invention described in claim 2 is:
A series of image data output from the electronic camera 2 is processed under the same processing conditions and then stored. (3) The information processing apparatus according to the invention described in claim 3 is:
The processing conditions are set before the electronic camera 2 starts outputting a series of image data. (4) The invention according to claim 4 is an electronic camera 2 and information processing devices 4, 6, 8, 10 connected to the electronic camera 2.
This is applied to an information processing system having Then, the image data generated by the photographing operation performed by the electronic camera 2 is not stored in the non-volatile storage means 36 built in or detachably mounted on the electronic camera 2, and the information processing devices 4, 6, 8 are stored. , 10; information processing devices 4, 6,
Reference numerals 8 and 10 are for saving image data output from the electronic camera 2 to a preset storage device and a destination for saving a folder name in a preset file name and storage format. (5) In the information processing system according to the invention described in claim 5, a series of image data output from the electronic camera 2 is:
They are stored after being processed under the same processing conditions. (6) In the information processing system according to the sixth aspect, the processing conditions are set in advance before the electronic camera 2 starts outputting a series of image data. (7) A storage medium storing an information processing program of information processing apparatuses 4, 6, 8, and 10 for processing and storing image data output from a connected electronic camera 2. Applied to And the electronic camera 2
A storage device for storing image data output from the device, a file storage information input procedure for inputting information regarding a folder name, a file name, and a storage format, and a storage for storing image data in accordance with the setting contents input in the file storage information input procedure. The procedure is stored. (8) A storage medium storing the information processing program according to the invention of claim 8, wherein a series of image data output from the electronic camera 2 is processed under a predetermined processing condition prior to a storage procedure. The processing procedure is further stored. (9) The storage medium storing the information processing program according to the ninth aspect of the present invention stores processing condition setting information for inputting processing condition setting information before a series of image data is started to be output from the electronic camera 2. The input procedure is further stored.

In the section of the means for solving the above-mentioned problems, which explains the configuration of the present invention, the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention are used to make the present invention easy to understand. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0008]

FIG. 1 shows a state in which an electronic camera is connected to an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A display 6, a keyboard 8, and a mouse 10 are connected to the computer 4. 1, a computer 4, a display 6, a keyboard 8, and a mouse 10 constitute an information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. By causing the computer 4 to execute an information processing program described later, image data transferred from the electronic camera 2 to the computer 4 or an image based on image data stored in a hard disk drive or the like of the computer 4 is displayed on the display 6. Is done.

The photographer performs processing such as color adjustment and unsharp mask filter adjustment while checking the image displayed on the display 6. The processed image data is output to and stored in a storage device such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or an MO (magneto-optical recording medium) drive. Also, if there is an unnecessary image, it can be deleted.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of the electronic camera 2 and the computer 4. The connector 37 is connected to the electronic camera 2 and the connector 3 is connected to the computer 4.
8 are provided. One end of the cable 2A is detachably connected to the connector 37, and the other end is connected to the connector 38, respectively.

The configuration of the electronic camera 2 will be described. A photographing lens 12 is detachably attached to the electronic camera 2. In addition, a card-shaped flash memory 36 as a nonvolatile storage device is detachably connected to the electronic camera 2 via a connector 34. Instead of the flash memory 36, it is also possible to mount a card-shaped microminiature hard disk drive or the like, or a RAM card backed up by a built-in battery.

Focusing of the lens 12 is controlled by the CPU 28 via the lens control unit 14. The aperture unit 16 incorporated in the lens 12 is also controlled by the control unit 14 through the CP.
It is controlled by U28. Open / close operation of shutter 18 is also C
It is controlled by the PU 28 and is opened when the CCD 20 receives the subject light transmitted through the photographing lens 12.

The switch 24 is a collective illustration of a plurality of switches.
It is composed of a playback changeover switch, a shooting mode changeover switch, an exposure compensation switch, and a release switch.

The mode display LCD 30 displays a photographing mode set by the switch 24, an exposure correction amount, an exposure value such as a shutter speed and an aperture value, and a remaining battery level. The monitor LCD 32 can reproduce a captured image, display a histogram of image data, and the like.

When the photographer performs a release operation,
The shutter 18 opens and closes. At this time, the subject light transmitted through the photographing lens 12 forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 20. The CCD 20 outputs an image signal based on the subject image to the ASIC 22. ASIC 22 has RAM
26 are connected. This RAM 26 has a CPU 28
And is accessible from the CPU 28 as well. The ASIC 22 processes the image signal to generate image data, and temporarily stores the image data in the RAM 26.
When the electronic camera 2 and the computer 4 are connected as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ASIC 22 performs a predetermined process on the temporarily stored image data, and performs the processing on the computer via the cable 2A. 4 is output.
At this time, no image data is recorded in the flash memory 36. On the other hand, when the electronic camera 2 is not connected to the computer 4, the ASIC 22 performs a predetermined process on the image data temporarily stored in the RAM 26 and then records the image data in the flash memory 36.

As described above, when the computer 4 is connected to the electronic camera 2, the image data is not recorded in the flash memory 36, and when the computer 4 is not connected, the image data is stored in the flash memory 36. The reason for recording will be described. When the computer 4 is connected to the electronic camera 2, the image data is not stored in the flash memory 36 because the image data is stored in the recording device in the computer 4. Generally, a flash memory does not require power to hold recorded information, but has a longer access time than a normal RAM or the like. In particular, CCD
As the number of pixels increases, the capacity of image data also increases, and the time required to write image data to a flash memory may exceed one second in some cases. On the other hand, the frame speed during continuous shooting may reach from several frames per second to about 10 frames. Accordingly, as described above, when the computer 4 is connected to the electronic camera 2, by not writing data to the flash memory 36, the continuous shooting interval of the electronic camera 2 can be reduced.

The configuration of the computer 4 will be described.
A RAM 42 and a ROM 44 are connected to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 also has an interface (I /
F) 46, a CD-ROM drive 53, a hard disk drive (HDD) 52, a floppy disk drive (FDD) 50, an MO drive 48, and the like are connected.

The CPU 40 is a CPU 28 of the electronic camera 2.
Image signal output from the RAM 42 or HDD
The temporary image is temporarily recorded in a temporary area 52, and a thumbnail image, a detailed image, and additional information related to the detailed image are displayed on the display 6 as described later. By operating the mouse 10 and the keyboard 8, the photographer adjusts the color tone and contrast of the image data, or performs processing such as an unsharp mask filter. Image data finally obtained after the processing (hereinafter referred to as “processed image data” in the present specification) is stored in the HDD 52.
The data is output to a storage device such as the FDD 50 or the MO drive 48 and stored.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 6. A window 83 is displayed on the display 6. At this time, the display area 8 in the window 83
Nothing is displayed on 3W. On the menu bar 84, available functions are displayed side by side. A plurality of objects (buttons) selectable with the mouse 10 are arranged and displayed on the toolbar 86. By operating the mouse 10,
The camera image window 62 is displayed on the display area 83W by moving a cursor on the camera image button 60 of the above objects and operating a switch provided on the mouse 10. Hereinafter, in this specification, operating the mouse 10 to move the cursor to a desired object and operating a switch provided on the mouse 10 will be simply referred to as “clicking”. Further, clicking the same object twice in a relatively short time is referred to as “double-clicking”. Further, the operation of moving the mouse 10 while placing the cursor on a desired object and maintaining the state where the switch is pressed is referred to as “drag”.

The camera image window 62 will be described. The camera image window 62 is roughly provided with three categories of display areas, namely, a thumbnail image display area 64, an attached information display area 66, and a detailed image display area 68. Note that FIG. 3 shows a state in which a detailed image 69 is displayed in the detailed image display area 68 and the accompanying information is displayed in the attached information display area 66. Detailed image display area 68 and attached information display area 6
6 is not displayed.

In the thumbnail image display area 64, thumbnail images based on the image data transferred from the electronic camera 2 to the computer 4 are displayed. If there is a large amount of image data and all the thumbnail images cannot be displayed at once in the thumbnail image display area 64, a scroll bar 76 is displayed at the bottom of the thumbnail image display area 64. When a photographing operation is performed by the camera 4 connected to the computer 4, the image data is transferred to the computer 4, and a thumbnail image is also added. The photographing operation of the electronic camera 2 can be performed by directly operating the electronic camera 2 or by operating the mouse 10 or the keyboard 8 to perform the photographing operation from the computer 4 side. A specific example in the case of operating from the computer 4 will be described below. When an object 92 on which a camera icon is displayed is clicked on the toolbar 86, a camera control window (not shown) is displayed on the display 6. The photographer operates the mouse 10 and the keyboard 8 to set a photographing mode and the like on the camera control window,
Issue a release operation start command.

The photographer selects the button 76C at the left end of the scroll bar 76 or the button 76B at the right end of the scroll bar 76.
By clicking, the thumbnail image display area 6
4 can be scrolled rightward or leftward in FIG. The same can be done by dragging the scroll box 76A in the left-right direction in FIG.

When a desired thumbnail image is clicked,
Since the cursor 74 is displayed around the thumbnail image, the photographer can know which thumbnail image is selected. At this time, the detailed image display area 68
Displays a detailed image 69 of the designated image, and in the additional information display area 66, additional information related to the detailed image 69 is displayed. This additional information is related information recorded with the image data. Examples of additional information include the date and time of shooting, the data format of the image data, the type of lens used, the exposure mode, the metering mode, the shutter speed, the aperture value, the exposure compensation amount, the shift amount of the program curve, and the center-weighted metering. The difference between the value and the photometry value of the divided photometry, the use of the flash device, the setting sensitivity, the white balance mode,
There are a gradation correction mode, presence / absence of contour enhancement, and the like. If all the information is too large to display all the information in the additional information display area 66 at once, a scroll bar 80 is displayed at the bottom of the additional information display area 66. The photographer can see desired additional information by clicking the buttons 80C or 80B at the left and right ends of the scroll bar 80, or by dragging the scroll box 80A in the left and right directions in FIG.

If the detailed image 69 is too large to be displayed in the detailed image display area 68, a scroll bar is displayed at the bottom or right end of the detailed image display area.
In the example of FIG. 3, the entire width direction of the detailed image 69 is displayed, and the display in the vertical direction is partially missing. Therefore, the vertical scroll bar 82 is displayed at the right end of the detailed image display area 68. I have. The photographer can view a desired portion of the detailed image 69 by clicking the buttons 82B or 82C at the upper and lower ends of the scroll bar 82 or by dragging the scroll box 82A in the up and down direction in FIG. The detailed image 69 can be displayed at a desired magnification by operating the mouse 10.

An example of how to use the above information processing apparatus will be described below. In studio photography or the like, the photographer completes the setting of the illumination light source and the like, and takes a trial photograph. The image data obtained by the test shooting is transferred to the computer 4, and the photographer can check the result of the test shooting on the display 6. The photographer looks at the detailed images 69 while viewing the objects 87 and 8 arranged on the toolbar 86.
By clicking on 9, 91 or the like, a window for performing desired image processing is started, and correction of gradation, color tone, sharpness, or the like is performed. When the conditions for the image processing are determined in this manner, the photographer starts the actual shooting.

In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, at the time of actual photographing, a series of image data sequentially output from the electronic camera 2 is processed under the processing conditions determined according to the result of the trial photographing. Can be saved to a preset storage device (drive) and a destination of the folder name in a preset file name and storage format. That is, a series of image data sequentially output from the electronic camera 2 is automatically processed and automatically saved without any operation of the computer 4 by the photographer during actual shooting, so that the photographer concentrates on photographing. can do. Hereinafter, in this specification, a process in which a series of image data sequentially output from the electronic camera 2 is automatically processed and automatically stored is referred to as “automatic storage process”. The storage destination of the processed image data in the above-described automatic storage processing is, for example, the HDD 52, the FDD 50, or the MO.
There is a drive 48 and the like.

The details of the automatic saving process will be described below with reference to FIGS. When an item 85 displayed as “Camera” in a menu bar 84 in the window 83 (FIG. 3) is clicked, a pull-down menu (not shown) is displayed. "Auto save" in it
By clicking on an item (not shown) displayed as “!”, “Auto S” shown in FIG.
An “ave” window 100 is displayed. Hereinafter, this is referred to as “auto save window 100” in this specification.

The objects and boxes displayed in the auto save window 100 will be described.
The box 102 is for setting a drive name and a folder of a save destination for saving the processed image data output from the electronic camera 2. Boxes 106, 108, and 112 displayed in the area 104 are for the photographer to set a file name when saving the above-described image data. In a box 106, a prefix of a file name, that is, a name of a head portion is set. In box 108, the suffix of the file name,
That is, the name of the last part is set. Box 112
In, an initial value of a serial number added when a series of image data is individually stored is set. The number of digits of the serial number can be changed by dragging the object (slider) 110 in the left-right direction in FIG. Alternatively, the number of digits can be increased or decreased by clicking the object 110a or 110b. The set number of digits is displayed on the right side of the object 110b. In the example of FIG. 4, the number of digits is set to 3. Since the contents set as described above are displayed in the file name sample display area 114, the photographer can easily grasp the entire set file name.

The box 116 is used to set the storage format of the image data to be stored. Available storage formats include a dedicated storage format that can be read and written only by the image processing device, a general-purpose storage format such as bitmap,
There are JPEG, TIFF and the like. Photographer is box 11
When 6a is clicked, a list of the above-mentioned storage formats is displayed in a pull-down menu format. The photographer selects a desired storage format from this list.

The check box 118 is for the photographer to set whether or not to compress the image data when saving it. When the check box 118 is clicked, a desired compression ratio can be set in the data compression ratio setting box 120.

The check box 121 is for the electronic camera 2
This button is clicked when it is necessary to perform color correction such as tone curve correction and color tone correction on image data output from. When the photographer clicks this check box 121, the option button 121a of “Apply Curves” and “Apply Color Ad”
The option button 121b of “justification” can be selected.

The check box 122 is clicked when it is necessary to correct the sharpness of the image.
The check box 124 indicates the resolution (dp) of the image data.
i) and clicked when the image size needs to be changed. "8-bit" option button 12
4a and "12-bit" option button 124
b is for setting the number of gradations when saving the image data.

A window displayed on the display 6 when the check boxes 121 and 122 and the option buttons 121a and 121b are clicked among the above-described check boxes and option buttons will be described.

When the check box 121 shown in FIG. 4 is clicked to place a check mark, and then the option button 121a is clicked to place a check mark, a tone curve window 128 shown in FIG. Is done. By operating the keyboard 8 or the mouse 10 while the tone curve window 128 is active, the shape of the tone curve 130 can be changed. Thereby, the contrast of the image can be adjusted by correcting the specific part of the gradation.

When the check box 121 shown in FIG. 4 is clicked to place a check mark, and then the option button 121b is clicked to place a check mark, a color correction window 140 shown in FIG. Is done. Color correction window 14
With 0 active, dragging the objects (sliders) 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150 left and right in FIG. 6 adjusts the brightness and contrast of the entire image, and adjusts red, green, blue, It is possible to adjust the hue of each color.

When the check box 122 shown in FIG. 4 is clicked to place a check mark, an unsharp mask window 132 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 6. Unsharp mask window 1
By dragging the objects (sliders) 134, 136, and 138 in the left-right direction in FIG. 7 with the 32 activated, the photographer can adjust the degree of the effect of the unsharp mask filter.

When the photographer sets desired processing conditions for the image data in the above-described window and clicks the button 116a shown in FIG. 4, the save format options that can be set are pulled down as shown in FIG. Displayed in menu 116b. The example of FIG. 8 shows a state in which a dedicated storage format that is readable and writable only by the information processing apparatus is selected. In this case, the gradation of the image data is 12
Since the option button 124a is fixed to the bit, the option button 124a is lightly displayed to indicate that the 8-bit gradation cannot be selected.

After completing the above settings, press the "OK" button 1
When the button 26 is clicked, a window 152 for capturing an image signal shown in FIG. The photographer starts photographing by directly operating the keyboard 8 and the mouse 10 of the computer 4 or the electronic camera 2. Image data generated by shooting is sequentially transferred from the electronic camera 2 to the computer 4, and the image data is automatically subjected to processing based on the processing contents set as described above. Then, the processed image data is automatically and sequentially stored in a storage destination set by the photographer in a file name and a storage format set by the photographer. The number of stored image data is displayed in the display area 154. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, “0” is displayed, which indicates a state in which shooting (processing and storage of image data) has not been performed since the image signal capturing window 152 was opened. Hereafter, button 1 of “Cancel Auto Save”
Until the button 56 is clicked, the above-described automatic processing and automatic storage of the image data are repeatedly performed in accordance with the photographing performed by the electronic camera 2.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart for explaining an information processing program for executing the above-described information processing on the computer 4. When the information processing program shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the CPU 40 in the computer 4, the above-described information processing is performed. This program is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk, and is usually installed in the hard disk drive 52 before execution by the CPU 40. Alternatively, the information processing program may be written in the ROM 44, an EEPROM (not shown), or the like. Further, a part or all of the information processing program may be loaded from another computer or the like connected via a communication line or a network, or a part or all of the information processing program may be downloaded through the Internet or the like. Is also good.

The information processing program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. In this information processing program, after the window 83 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, the operator clicks an item 85 indicating “Camera” in the menu bar 84 to display a pull-down menu, and the It is activated when an item displayed as “Auto Save” (not shown) is clicked.

The CPU 40 performs a display process of the auto save window 100 shown in FIG. 4 in step S100. In step S101, the CPU 40 inputs the processing conditions for image data, the storage destination, the file name, the storage format, and other conditions as described above with reference to FIGS. When the CPU 40 recognizes that the “OK” button 126 has been clicked, the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the CPU 40
An image capture window 152 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display 6. The CPU 40 determines in step S103
Initializes the serial number of the file name. That is, C
The PU 40 sets the initial value of the serial number in the file name based on the value set in the box 112 in FIG.

In step S104, the CPU 40
It is determined whether the automatic save has been canceled. That is, in step S104, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the button 156 shown in FIG. 9 has been clicked.
If affirmative, automatic processing of image data shown in FIG.
End the automatic save process. At this time, the image capturing window 152 of FIG. 9 is closed. On the other hand, step S
If the determination in step 104 is negative, the CPU 40 proceeds to step S
Proceeding to 105, it is determined whether image data from the electronic camera 2 has been input. If the determination in step S105 is negative, the process of the CPU 40 returns to step S104,
The above processing is repeated. On the other hand, if the determination in step S105 is affirmative, the CPU 40 proceeds to step S106.
Proceed to.

In step S106, the CPU 40
Processing based on the processing conditions input in step S101 is performed on the image data input from the electronic camera 2. In step S107, the CPU 40 stores the processed image data in the storage format input in step S101 to the storage device and the storage destination of the folder name input in step S101.

In step S108, the CPU 40
In preparation for storing the next image data, the serial number in the file name is incremented, and the process returns to step S104. In this way, when the electronic camera 2 captures an image, the image data is output to the computer 4, and the image data is automatically processed by the computer 4 and stored automatically. At this time, the same processing conditions that are set in advance are applied to a series of image data output from the electronic camera 2 before photographing is started. The storage destination, file name, and storage format for storing the image data are also set in advance before shooting. Therefore, the photographer does not need to set the processing conditions of the image data, the storage destination, the file name, the storage format, and the like for each image data, so that the photographer can concentrate on the imaging. Furthermore, electronic camera 2
When the image data is transferred from the
Image data is not recorded in the flash memory 36 mounted on the electronic camera 2. Therefore, the flash memory 3
6, the time required for recording the image data in the electronic camera 2 can be omitted, and the frame speed when performing continuous shooting with the electronic camera 2 can be increased.

The RAM 2 built in the electronic camera 2
By increasing the capacity of 6, the frame speed of continuous shooting can be increased as follows. That is, when the electronic camera 2 is set to the continuous shooting mode and the release button is kept pressed, the speed at which the image data generated by the electronic camera 2 increases at a speed higher than the speed at which the computer 4 processes and saves the image data. is there. In this case, the image data processing speed in the computer 4 may be a bottleneck, and the transfer speed of image data between the electronic camera 2 and the computer 4 may be a bottleneck. In such a case, by temporarily storing the image data in the RAM 26 of the electronic camera 2, the frame speed can be increased. At this time, the transfer of the image data from the electronic camera 2 to the computer 4 may be temporarily interrupted, and the image data may be output to the computer 4 at a stretch after a series of photographing operations is stopped. Alternatively, the photographing operation and the image data transfer operation are performed in parallel, and the transfer speed and the processing speed in the computer 4 become a bottleneck, and only the portion that overflows on the electronic camera 2 side is temporarily stored in the RAM 26. It may be recorded.

Although the above description has been made on the assumption that the above-described automatic processing and automatic storage of image data are performed when the electronic camera 2 and the computer 4 are connected via the cable 2A, the present invention is applied to this embodiment. Not limited to For example, shooting with a stand-alone electronic camera 2
The image data generated at this time is stored in the RAM 26 or the flash memory 36 or the like. Then, the electronic camera 2 and the computer 4 may be connected to transfer the image data in the RAM 26 to the computer 4 at a point in time when a series of photographing operations is completed. Further, instead of using the cable 2A, image data may be transferred from the electronic camera 2 to the computer 4 by light or radio waves.
In this case, the photographer does not have to worry about the length of the cable 2A and the handling of the cable 2A,
You can shoot with more free camera work. As described above, even when information can be wirelessly transmitted and received between the electronic camera 2 and the computer 4, the electronic camera 2 and the computer 4 can be considered “connected” in the present invention.

In the above description, the case where studio shooting is performed has been described as an example, but outdoor shooting is also possible. For example, the state of flowering of a plant can be recorded by interval photographing. In such a case, shooting is likely to be performed for a long time, and the color temperature of sunlight may change. In such a case, it may be programmed in advance so that the condition of the color correction automatically changes according to the photographing time. That is, not only the same processing is performed on a series of image data to be stored, but also the image data is sequentially processed while changing the processing contents according to a plurality of processing procedures input in advance and stored. Good. At this time, it is also possible to program so as to change the storage destination, file name, storage format, and the like of the image data.

In the above description, the photographer sets the processing conditions, the storage destination, the file name, and the storage format before shooting, and the computer 4 (CPU 40) inputs (recognizes) these settings.
An example has been described. In addition, information on the above-described processing conditions and the like may be stored in the HDD 52 or the like in advance, and the CPU 40 may input this information from the HDD 52 or the like. Or, if the photographer
By operating, the above-described processing conditions and the like are set on the electronic camera 2, and the processing conditions may be output to the computer 4 before outputting the image data.

Electronic camera 2 connected to computer 4
In addition to the still camera described above, a movie camera may be used. In this case, the image data output from the electronic camera 2 to the computer 4 is moving image data. When saving moving image data, a group of image data from the start of the shooting operation to the stop thereof is stored under one file name.

In the correspondence between the above embodiment and the claims, the computer 4, the display 6, the keyboard 8, and the mouse 10 correspond to the information processing device, the flash memory 36 corresponds to the non-volatile storage means, and the flowchart of FIG. Is the file setting saving input procedure, the process of step S107 is the saving procedure,
The processing in step S106 constitutes an image data processing procedure, and the processing in step S101 constitutes a processing condition setting information input procedure.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (1) According to the first or seventh aspect of the present invention, image data output from an electronic camera is stored in a preset storage device and a preset folder name in a preset file name and storage destination. By saving in the format, you can save the image data by changing the save destination, file name, and save format according to the shooting purpose and scene, etc., and save the trouble of classifying and organizing the image data after shooting. Can be omitted. Further, it is not necessary to perform the above-described setting for each piece of image data, so that the photographing operation can be efficiently performed, and the nerve can be easily concentrated on the photographing operation. In addition, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image data is output to the information processing device without being stored in the non-volatile storage unit, so that the time required for recording the image data in the non-volatile storage unit is obtained. Can be omitted. As a result, the frame speed during continuous shooting can be increased. (2) According to the invention described in claim 2, 5, or 8,
By processing a series of image data output from the electronic camera under the same processing conditions, it is possible to make the color, contrast, sharpness, and the like of an image obtained by a series of shootings have a uniform tendency. Therefore, the need for post-processing the stored image data is reduced. Even when post-processing is required, the color, contrast, sharpness, etc. of the stored images are aligned to a certain tendency, so that the post-processing work efficiency is greatly improved. Can be. (4) According to the invention described in claim 3, 6, or 9,
The above-mentioned processing conditions are set in advance before a series of image data is started to be output from the electronic camera, so that processing can be performed on all the series of image data output from the electronic camera under preferable processing conditions. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an electronic camera is connected to an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of an electronic camera and an information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an auto save window displayed on the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a tone curve window displayed on the information display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a color correction window displayed on the information display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an unsharp mask window displayed on the information display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a save format option is displayed in an auto save window displayed on the information display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an image signal reading window displayed on the information display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an information processing program executed by a CPU incorporated in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... electronic camera 4 ... computer 6 ... display 8 ... keyboard 10 ... mouse 26 ... RAM 36 ... flash memory 40 ... CPU 62 ... camera image window 83 ... window 84 ... menu bar 86 ... toolbar 100 ... auto save windows 102, 106, 108, 112, 116 ... Boxes 118, 121, 122, 124 ... Check boxes 121a, 121b, 124a, 124b ... Option buttons 128 ... Tone curve window 140 ...
Color correction window 132: Unsharp mask window 152: Image signal capture window

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image data output from a connected electronic camera is transferred to a preset storage device and a destination for saving a folder name, a preset file name,
And an information processing apparatus for storing the information in a storage format. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a series of image data output from the electronic camera is processed under the same processing conditions and then stored. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing condition is set before the electronic camera starts outputting the series of image data. . 4. An information processing system having an electronic camera and an information processing device connected to the electronic camera, wherein image data generated by performing a shooting operation with the electronic camera is built in the electronic camera or The information processing device outputs the image data output from the electronic camera without being stored in the removable storage device that is detachably mounted, and stores the image data output from the electronic camera in a preset storage device and folder. An information processing system characterized in that a file is stored in a storage location of the file name in a preset file name and storage format. 5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein a series of image data output from said electronic camera is processed under the same processing conditions and then stored. 6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the processing condition is set before the electronic camera starts outputting the series of image data. . 7. A storage medium storing an information processing program of an information processing apparatus for processing and storing image data output from a connected electronic camera, wherein the image data output from the electronic camera is stored. A file storage information inputting step of inputting information relating to a storage device to be executed, a folder name, a file name, and a storage format; A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 8. A storage medium storing the information processing program according to claim 7, wherein a series of image data output from said electronic camera is processed under a predetermined processing condition prior to said storing procedure. A storage medium further storing a processing procedure. 9. A storage medium storing the information processing program according to claim 8, wherein the processing condition setting information is input before the series of image data is output from the electronic camera. A storage medium further storing an information input procedure.