JP2001112021A - Image pickup system, its control method, storage medium, image pickup section and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup system by which a user can easily adjust the white balance. SOLUTION: The image pickup system 190 is provided with an image pickup section 100 having an optical system 101 and an image pickup element 102 and with an information processing unit 150 that has a display device 154 and a function of processing image pickup data and displaying the processed data. The image pickup system 190 adjusts the white balance of the image pickup data on the basis of image data at a point or an area designated by the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup section having an optical system and an image pickup element for picking up an image, an information processing apparatus having a display, receiving image pickup data from the image pickup section, performing processing, and displaying the data. The present invention relates to an imaging system having the same, a control method thereof, and a storage medium. Further, the present invention relates to an imaging unit and an information processing device used in the imaging system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image pickup device used in a digital camera or the like, its output signal has characteristics corresponding to the color of the received light. In order to output an appropriate image, the white balance is adjusted by a coefficient for each color. There is a need to. This characteristic also changes depending on the type of light source. At present, in a digital camera, an automatic white balance in which a type of a light source is estimated from an obtained image and a white balance is automatically adjusted is mainstream.

[0003]

However, depending on the shooting environment, automatic adjustment may not be successful due to a complex light source or the like. In this case, an image obtained in this case has an unnatural color with an unbalanced white balance. In such a case, it is necessary for the user to manually adjust the white balance, but the setting is rather complicated and sometimes the user does not have a function to manually set the white balance in the first place. Manual adjustment was difficult.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system, a control method thereof, and a storage medium which enable a user to easily adjust white balance. That is.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image pickup section and an information processing apparatus used in the above-mentioned image pickup system.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above-mentioned problems,
In order to achieve the object, an imaging system according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that includes an optical system and an imaging element and performs imaging, and an information processing apparatus that includes a display and has a function of processing and displaying imaging data and displaying the data. An imaging system,
It is characterized in that the white balance of the imaged data is adjusted based on the image data of a point or area specified by the user on the image displayed on the display.

In the image pickup system according to the present invention, the image pickup section has a function of continuously taking an image, and the information processing apparatus has a function of continuously displaying an image picked up by the image pickup section. If the user specifies a point or area on the display screen during continuous display of captured images, the white balance of the output data of the imaging unit is adjusted based on the image data of the point or area and reflected on the display image. It is characterized by having

Further, in the imaging system according to the present invention, when a user designates a point or area on a display screen while continuously photographing by the imaging section and continuously displaying the image on the display, the point is displayed. Alternatively, the white balance of a still image obtained when a release is performed is adjusted based on image data of an area.

In the imaging system according to the present invention, when a point or an area is specified on the display during the continuous shooting and the continuous display, white balance adjustment and still image shooting are performed. I have.

[0010] In the imaging system according to the present invention, the display is provided with a touch sensor function of inputting coordinate information by touching the display.

Further, in the image pickup system according to the present invention, the image pickup section has a connection terminal to an external device, and is connected to the information processing apparatus by the terminal.

Further, an image pickup section according to the present invention has an image pickup section having an optical system and an image pickup element for picking up an image, a display and an input section, a function of processing and displaying image pickup data, and a function of the user. And an information processing apparatus having a function of accepting an input of an image.The image capturing unit configures an image capturing apparatus based on image data of a point or an area specified by a user on an image displayed on the display. It is characterized in that an imaging system for adjusting the white balance of data can be configured.

[0013] In the imaging section according to the present invention,
The image capturing unit has a function of continuously capturing images, and the information processing apparatus has a function of continuously displaying images captured by the image capturing unit, and during continuous display of captured images, When a user designates a point or a region, an imaging system having a function of adjusting the white balance of output data of the imaging unit and reflecting it on a display image based on the image data of the point or the region can be configured. .

Further, in the image pickup section according to the present invention,
When the user continuously designates a point or a region on the display screen while continuously photographing by the imaging unit and continuously displaying the image on the display, a release is performed based on image data of the point or the region. An imaging system that adjusts the white balance of a still image obtained in such a case can be configured.

Further, in the imaging section according to the present invention,
When a point or an area is specified on the display during the continuous shooting and the continuous display, an imaging system having a function of adjusting a white balance and shooting a still image can be configured.

In the imaging section according to the present invention,
The display has a touch sensor function of inputting coordinate information by touching the display.

In the imaging section according to the present invention,
It has a connection terminal to an external device, and is connected to the information processing device by the terminal.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus having a display and having a function of processing and displaying image data and constituting an imaging system together with an imaging section having an optical system and an image sensor and performing imaging. An information processing apparatus capable of configuring an imaging system having a function of adjusting a white balance of imaging data based on image data of a point or an area specified by a user on an image displayed on the display. And

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the imaging section has a function of continuously capturing images, and the information processing apparatus has a function of continuously displaying images captured by the imaging section. When the user designates a point or area on the display screen during continuous display of captured images, the white balance of the output data of the imaging unit is adjusted based on the image data of the point or area to adjust the display image. It is characterized in that an imaging system having a function of reflecting the image can be configured.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when a user designates a point or an area on the display screen while continuously photographing by the imaging unit and continuously displaying the image on the display, An imaging system having a function of adjusting a white balance of a still image obtained when a release is performed based on image data of a point or an area can be configured.

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when a point or an area is designated on the display during the continuous shooting and the continuous display, an image pickup function having a function of adjusting a white balance and shooting a still image. It is characterized in that a system can be configured.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the display is provided with a touch sensor function for inputting coordinate information by touching the display.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the imaging section has a connection terminal with an external device, and an imaging system connected by the information processing apparatus and the terminal can be configured.

Further, a control method of an image pickup system according to the present invention includes an image pickup section having an optical system and an image pickup element for picking up an image, an information processing apparatus having a display and having a function of processing and displaying image pickup data. A method of controlling an imaging system for controlling an imaging system, comprising: adjusting a white balance of imaging data based on image data of a point or an area specified by a user on an image displayed on the display. It is characterized by.

Further, in the control method of the image pickup system according to the present invention, the image pickup section has a function of continuously picking up an image, and the information processing apparatus continuously displays an image picked up by the image pickup section. If the user specifies a point or area on the display screen during continuous display of captured images, the function adjusts and displays the white balance of the output data of the imaging unit based on the image data of that point or area. It is characterized by being reflected on an image.

Further, in the control method of the image pickup system according to the present invention, when a user designates a point or an area on the display screen while continuously taking images by the image pickup section and continuously displaying on the display. The white balance of a still image obtained when a release is performed is adjusted based on the image data of the point or the area.

Further, in the control method of the imaging system according to the present invention, when a point or an area is designated on the display during the continuous shooting and the continuous display, the white balance is adjusted and the still image is shot. Features.

Further, a storage medium according to the present invention has an image pickup section having an optical system and an image pickup device for picking up an image, and an information processing apparatus having a display and having a function of processing and displaying image pickup data. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling a system, wherein the control program is configured to control a white point of imaging data based on image data of a point or an area specified by a user on an image displayed on the display. It is characterized by having a code for a step of adjusting the balance.

In the storage medium according to the present invention, the imaging section has a function of continuously capturing images, and the information processing apparatus has a function of continuously displaying images captured by the imaging section. When the user designates a point or a region on the display screen during continuous display of captured images, the control program adjusts the white balance of the output data of the imaging unit based on the image data of the point or the region. It is characterized by having a code of a process for reflecting the image on a display image.

Further, in the storage medium according to the present invention, the control program continuously captures images by the image capturing section and continuously displays the images on the display.
When a user designates a point or an area on the display screen, the method has a code of a step of adjusting a white balance of a still image obtained when a release is performed based on image data of the point or the area. I have.

In the storage medium according to the present invention, when the control program designates a point or an area on the display during the continuous shooting and the continuous display, the control program adjusts white balance and shoots a still image. Is characterized by having the following code:

[0032]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of an imaging system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the imaging system shown in FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 190 denotes an imaging system, 100 denotes an imaging unit, and 150 denotes an information processing device.

Reference numeral 101 denotes an optical system including a photographing lens and the like;
An image sensor 02 converts an optical image into an electric signal, and an A / D converter 103 converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 102 into a digital signal.

An image processing circuit 106 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 103.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a memory for temporarily recording data, 105 denotes a memory control circuit for controlling the memory 104, and 107 denotes a system control circuit for controlling the entire image pickup unit 100.

Reference numeral 108 denotes an interface for connecting to an information processing device such as a personal computer or a portable terminal. 109 and 158 are connectors for making connections.

The interface and the connector may have a single or a plurality of systems. As the interface and connector, P
A card conforming to a standard such as a CMCIA card or a CF (compact flash) card may be used.
Alternatively, a configuration in which the image pickup unit cannot be separated from the information processing device without a connector may be used.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a release switch, 111 denotes a dial, and 120 denotes an information processing device processing speed detecting circuit for detecting the processing speed of the information processing device 150.

An information processing device 150 is, for example, a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, a personal computer, or the like. Reference numeral 151 denotes a system control unit for controlling the information processing device 150.

Reference numeral 152 denotes an image generation processing unit that performs an image generation process on data from the imaging unit. The image generation processing unit may be an electronic circuit or software.

Reference numeral 154 denotes a display for displaying data such as images. A display data processing unit 153 processes data to be displayed on the display 154.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of continuous photographing in this embodiment.

First, the imaging unit is initialized in the continuous shooting mode (step S11). Next, the image sensor 102
Is performed (step S12).

Next, the signal output from the image sensor 102 is
The data is digitized through the A / D converter 103 and recorded in the memory 104 through the memory control unit 105 (step S13).

When the recording on the memory 104 is completed, white balance adjustment is performed on the data on the memory 104 (step S14).

The white balance coefficient at this time is determined by automatic white balance adjustment programmed in advance.

After the white balance adjustment, the data is transferred to the information processing device 150 (step S15).

In the information processing device 150, the transmitted data is transmitted to the display 154 through the display data processing unit 153.
Is displayed (step S16).

Further, the information processing device 150 checks whether or not an input from the user has been made in the input section 159 (step S17). If there is an input, a white balance coefficient is calculated and changed from the color information at the coordinates on the image specified by the input (step S1).
8).

The input by the user is as shown in FIG.
Using the pen 160, a point that can be regarded as white on the image displayed on the display 154 is clicked. The display 154 includes an input unit 159 such as a touch sensor, and displays coordinate information of a clicked location on the information processing device 15.
You can enter 0.

Thereafter, if the photographing is to be stopped (Step S19 Yes), the operation is terminated.

When the photographing is continued (step S
19), exposure is performed again (step S12). Then, for the output signal obtained therefrom, step S1
The white balance is adjusted using the white balance coefficient changed in step 8 (step S13).

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
Since the user can manually specify the position on the screen and calculate the white balance coefficient based on the image information of the specified position, the user can easily adjust the white balance. Become.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, the configuration of the imaging system is as follows.
It is the same as FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment already described,
Only the operation is different.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the operation in the second embodiment.

First, the imaging unit is initialized in the continuous shooting mode (step S201).

Next, the image sensor 102 is exposed (step S202).

Next, the signal output from the image sensor 102 is
The data is digitized through the A / D converter 103 and recorded in the memory 104 through the memory control unit 105 (step S203).

When the recording on the memory 104 is completed, white balance adjustment is performed on the data on the memory 104 (step S204).

The white balance coefficient at this time is determined by automatic white balance adjustment programmed in advance.

After the white balance adjustment, the data is transferred to the information processing device 150 (step S205).

In the information processing device 150, the transmitted data is transmitted to the display 154 through the display data processing unit 153.
Is displayed (step S206).

Further, the information processing device 150 checks whether or not an input from the user has been made on the input unit 159 (step S207). If there is no input (Step 2
07), the white balance coefficient is not changed, and steps S202 to S210 are repeated until it is determined in step S210 that the continuous shooting has been completed. If there is an input (step S207 Yes), the white balance coefficient is calculated from the color information at the coordinates on the image specified by the input and changed (step S20).
8). Thereafter, a still image is captured (step S20).
9).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail the still image photographing operation in step S209 of FIG.

In photographing a still image, first, the imaging unit is initialized (step S301). Then, exposure (step S
302), recording in the memory 104 (step S30)
3) The white balance is adjusted using the changed coefficient (step S304), and transferred to the information processing device 150 (step S305).

In the information processing apparatus 150, the image data is stored in a storage 156 such as a hard disk or a flash memory (step S306).
4 is displayed (step S307).

As described above, also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the user manually specifies a position on the screen, and based on the image information of the specified position. Since the white balance coefficient can be calculated, the user can easily adjust the white balance.

The present invention can be applied to a modification or modification of the above embodiment without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the coordinates are specified by the user using a touch sensor, but may be specified using a mouse or the like.

In the imaging systems according to the first and second embodiments, the imaging unit and the information processing apparatus each have a connector and are described as being connected by this connector. However, the imaging unit does not have a connector. Alternatively, the present invention can be implemented in a form in which the imaging unit and the information processing device cannot be separated.

[0074]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The user can easily adjust the white balance setting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a still image capturing operation of the operation of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 imaging unit 101 optical system 102 CCD 103 A / D converter 104 memory 105 memory control circuit 106 image processing circuit 107 system control circuit 108 interface 109 connector 110 release switch 111 dial 120 information processing device processing speed detection circuit 150 information processing device 151 system Control unit 152 Image generation processing unit 153 Display data processing unit 154 Display 155 Memory 156 Storage 157 Interface 158 Connector 159 Input unit 160 Pen 190 Imaging system

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup system comprising: an image pickup unit having an optical system and an image pickup element for picking up an image; and an information processing apparatus having a display and having a function of processing and displaying image pickup data. An image pickup system comprising: adjusting a white balance of image pickup data based on image data of a point or a region designated by a user on an image obtained. 2. The image capturing section has a function of continuously capturing an image, and the information processing apparatus has a function of continuously displaying an image captured by the image capturing section. Wherein when a user designates a point or an area on the display screen, the white balance of output data of the imaging unit is adjusted based on the image data of the point or the area and reflected on the display image. 2. The imaging system according to 1. 3. When a user designates a point or a region on a display screen while continuously photographing by the image pickup unit and continuously displaying the image on the display, the image is based on the image data of the point or the region. 3. The imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the white balance of a still image obtained when the release is performed is adjusted. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when a point or an area is designated on the display during the continuous shooting and the continuous display, white balance adjustment and still image shooting are performed. system. 5. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the display has a touch sensor function of inputting coordinate information by touching the display. 6. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit has a connection terminal with an external device, and is connected to the information processing device by the terminal. 7. An image pickup unit having an optical system and an image pickup element for picking up an image, a display and an input unit, having a function of processing and displaying imaged data and a function of receiving an input from a user. An image pickup unit that constitutes an image pickup system including an information processing device, and adjusts a white balance of image pickup data based on image data of a point or an area specified by a user on an image displayed on the display. An imaging unit, which can constitute a system. 8. The image capturing section has a function of continuously capturing an image, and the information processing apparatus has a function of continuously displaying an image captured by the image capturing section. When a user designates a point or a region on the display screen, an imaging system having a function of adjusting the white balance of output data of the imaging unit and reflecting the adjustment on the display image based on the image data of the point or the region is configured. The imaging unit according to claim 7, wherein the imaging unit can perform the imaging. 9. When a user designates a point or a region on a display screen while continuously photographing by the image pickup unit and continuously displaying the image on the display, the image based on the image data of the point or the region is obtained. The imaging unit according to claim 8, wherein an imaging system that adjusts a white balance of a still image obtained when the release is performed can be configured. 10. An imaging system having a function of adjusting white balance and photographing a still image when a point or an area is designated on the display during the continuous photographing and continuous display. Item 10. The imaging unit according to Item 9. 11. The imaging unit according to claim 7, wherein the display has a touch sensor function of inputting coordinate information by touching the display. 12. The imaging unit according to claim 7, further comprising a connection terminal for connecting to an external device, wherein the imaging unit is connected to the information processing apparatus via the terminal. 13. An information processing apparatus having a display and having a function of processing and displaying image data, the image processing apparatus being capable of forming an image pickup system together with an image pickup section having an optical system and an image pickup device for picking up an image. An information processing apparatus capable of configuring an imaging system having a function of adjusting a white balance of imaging data based on image data of a point or an area specified by a user on an image displayed on a display. 14. The image capturing section has a function of continuously capturing an image, and the information processing apparatus has a function of continuously displaying an image captured by the image capturing section. When a user designates a point or an area on a display screen, an imaging system having a function of adjusting a white balance of output data of an imaging unit and reflecting the adjusted image on a display image based on image data of the point or the area is configured. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the information processing apparatus can perform the processing. 15. When a user designates a point or a region on a display screen while continuously photographing by the image pickup unit and continuously displaying the image on the display, the image based on the image data of the point or the region. 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein an imaging system having a function of adjusting a white balance of a still image obtained when a release is performed can be configured. 16. An imaging system having a function of adjusting a white balance and photographing a still image when a point or an area is designated on the display during the continuous photographing and continuous display. Item 16. The information processing device according to item 15. 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the display has a touch sensor function capable of inputting coordinate information by touching the display. 18. The imaging unit according to claim 13, wherein the imaging unit has a connection terminal with an external device, and can form an imaging system connected to the information processing apparatus and the terminal.
8. The information processing device according to any one of items 7 to 7. 19. An imaging system for controlling an imaging system including an imaging unit including an optical system and an imaging element for performing imaging, and an information processing apparatus including a display and having a function of processing and displaying imaging data. A control method of an imaging system, wherein a white balance of imaging data is adjusted based on image data of a point or an area specified by a user on an image displayed on the display. 20. The image capturing section has a function of continuously capturing an image, and the information processing apparatus has a function of continuously displaying an image captured by the image capturing section. Wherein when a user designates a point or an area on the display screen, the white balance of output data of the imaging unit is adjusted based on the image data of the point or the area and reflected on the display image. 20. The control method of the imaging system according to 19. 21. When a user designates a point or a region on a display screen while continuously photographing by the image pickup unit and continuously displaying the image on the display, the image based on the image data of the point or the region. 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the white balance of a still image obtained when the release is performed is adjusted. 22. The imaging system according to claim 21, wherein, when a point or an area is designated on said display during said continuous shooting and continuous display, white balance adjustment and still image shooting are performed. Control method. 23. A control program for controlling an imaging system having an imaging unit having an optical system and an imaging element for performing imaging, and an information processing apparatus having a display and having a function of processing and displaying imaging data. The control program, based on the image data of the point or region specified by the user on the image displayed on the display, the code of the step of adjusting the white balance of the imaging data A storage medium characterized by having. 24. The image capturing section has a function of continuously capturing images, the information processing apparatus has a function of continuously displaying images captured by the image capturing section, and the control program includes If the user specifies a point or an area on the display screen during continuous display of, the white balance of the output data of the imaging unit is adjusted based on the image data of the point or the area and reflected in the display image. The storage medium according to claim 23, comprising a code. 25. When the user designates a point or an area on a display screen while the control program continuously captures an image by the imaging unit and continuously displays the image on the display, the point or area is displayed. 26. The storage medium according to claim 24, further comprising a code for adjusting a white balance of a still image obtained when a release is performed based on image data. 26. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 26, wherein the control program has a code for a process of adjusting a white balance and photographing a still image when a point or an area is designated on the display during the continuous photographing and the continuous display. Claim 2
6. The storage medium according to 5.