JP2001223979A - Image photographing device and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device and an image processor by which a CCD-RAW data can be recorded and reproduced. SOLUTION: This image photographing device for photographing the image of a subject and recording image data is provided with an image pickup part 32 for picking up the image of the subject, a recording part 14 for recording an image pickup output signal outputted by the part 32 as the image data and identifying the signal form of the image pickup output signal separately from the image data, a signal processing part 34 for converting the image pickup output signal to be recorded by the part 14 to a reproduction signal for reproducing and displaying, and a display part 18 for displaying the image based on the reproduction signal converted by the part 34.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image photographing apparatus and an image processing apparatus. In particular, the invention captures images,
The present invention relates to an image capturing apparatus that records on a recording medium and an image processing apparatus that reproduces, displays, prints, and outputs image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image capturing apparatus such as an electronic camera and an electronic video camera for recording and reproducing a still image and a moving image using a memory card having a solid-state memory element as a recording medium has been sold. According to these electronic cameras, an image of a subject is displayed continuously before shooting, and after the image to be shot is confirmed, the release button is pressed to record the image.
It is possible to play back and display the recorded image for confirmation. In particular, the function of reproducing a shot image immediately after shooting is highly convenient.

In such a conventional image photographing apparatus such as an electronic camera, in order to easily reproduce and display a photographed image immediately afterward, photographed image data is converted into an image signal form suitable for image reproduction on an image display unit. After that, it was written to the recording medium.

For this reason, regardless of the pixel configuration of the image pickup means having a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD, for example, a luminance Y signal, a color difference RY signal, a color difference BY signal corresponding to a signal input to the image display means. , Or a combination of RGB signals is used as the image signal format, and even if the electronic camera uses an image pickup unit having a pixel configuration with a characteristic color with excellent image quality, a function of immediately reproducing and displaying the taken image. However, recording in an image signal form utilizing the image quality has not been performed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-261933 (published on Sep. 24, 1999) discloses that an output signal of a photographed image is recorded in the form of an image signal reproduced and displayed, or an output signal of the photographed image is recorded. An electronic camera that can select whether to record as it is is disclosed.

[0006]

Even if the electronic camera can output and record RAW data, which is a direct output signal of the image pickup means, the RAW data created does not correspond to the light receiving element of the image pickup means of the electronic camera. The pixel array pattern, analog signal processing of an image signal, the number of bits for A / D conversion, and the like are different for each electronic camera. Therefore, in order to convert RAW data into an image signal that can be reproduced for general purposes, different image processing must be performed depending on the model of the electronic camera. Therefore, in order to reproduce and display or print image data recorded as RAW data, it is necessary to identify the model of the electronic camera that has captured the image data and perform different image processing for each model. Is required separately.

However, when photographing model information is included in the image data and recorded, the model cannot be specified until the image data is read. Therefore, it is not possible to print the image data separately for each photographing model. Particularly, in a laboratory system, there is a problem that batch processing cannot be performed for each photographing model and productivity is reduced. In the case of a shooting model that is not compatible with the lab system, image data may not be able to be reproduced. When the photographing model information is recorded as being included in the image data, it is not known whether or not the image data can be reproduced until the image data is read.

Further, in the case of RAW data, the image quality does not deteriorate even if the user performs image correction such as gradation correction desired by the user.
Although high-quality images can be reproduced, conventional print designation information for designating printing of image data includes RA
Since a correction parameter required for image correction of W data is not provided, there is a problem that image correction utilizing characteristics of RAW data cannot be performed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus and an image processing apparatus which can solve the above-mentioned problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image photographing apparatus for photographing an image of a subject and recording image data, the apparatus comprising: An imaging unit that captures an image, a recording unit that records an imaging output signal output by the imaging unit as image data, and records imaging signal format identification information for identifying a signal format of the imaging output signal separately from the image data, and a recording unit. It is characterized by comprising a signal processing unit for converting an image pickup output signal to be recorded into a reproduction signal for reproduction and display, and a display unit for displaying an image based on the reproduction signal converted by the signal processing unit.

The number of bits per pixel of the imaging output signal may be larger than the number of bits per pixel of the reproduction signal.

[0012] The image pickup signal format identification information may be model identification information for specifying the model of the imaging section. The imaging signal format identification information may be at least one model-dependent information on the number of pixels, the pixel array, and the number of bits per pixel of the image data depending on the model of the imaging unit.

[0013] The recording section may record reproduction information for reproducing the imaging output signal attached to the image data. The reproduction information may be image adjustment information for correcting at least one of brightness, saturation, color balance, and gradation of the image.

The recording section records user image adjustment information for correcting at least one of brightness, saturation, color balance, hue, and gradation set by a user of the image photographing apparatus separately from the image data. Is also good.

The signal processing section may convert the image pickup output signal output by the image pickup section into a reproduction signal for reproduction display, display the same on the display section, compress the reproduction signal, and record the image data in the recording section. . The signal processing unit may convert the shooting output signal into a reproduction signal by correcting at least one of brightness, saturation, color balance, and gradation.

The recording unit defines, for each job for printing image data, a file name of the image data, a print type, the number of prints, an image file type, model identification information or model dependent information, and user image adjustment information. The print job information may be recorded separately from the image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for inputting image data and performing image processing, wherein signal format identification information for identifying a signal format of the image data is input separately from the image data. When the input unit and the signal format identification information indicate that the image data is RAW data, the image data is input and converted based on the signal format identification information. In the case of indicating that the data is data, the image processing apparatus further includes an image processing unit that inputs and expands the image data, and an output unit that outputs the image data processed by the image processing unit.

When the image data is RAW data, the image processing section may convert the RAW data into image data having a smaller number of bits per pixel of the RAW data.

The signal format identification information includes model identification information for specifying the model of the image pickup apparatus that has captured the image data. When the image data is RAW data, the image processing unit determines the RAW data based on the model identification information. May be converted.
The signal format identification information includes the number of pixels, the pixel array, and 1 of the image data depending on the model of the imaging device that has captured the image data.
The image processing unit may include at least one model-dependent information on the number of bits per pixel, and when the image data is RAW data, convert the RAW data based on the model-dependent information.

[0020] The input unit may input reproduction information for reproducing the image data attached to the image data, and the image processing unit may convert the image data based on the reproduction information.
The reproduction information is image adjustment information for correcting at least one of brightness, saturation, color balance, and gradation of the image, and the signal processing unit may convert the image data based on the image adjustment information.

The input unit inputs user image adjustment information for correcting at least one of brightness, saturation, color balance, hue, and gradation set by a user of the image photographing apparatus. The data may be converted based on the user image adjustment information.

An input unit inputs print job information relating to a job for printing image data. The print job information includes, for each job, a file name of image data, a print type, the number of prints, an image file type, and model identification information. Alternatively, model-dependent information and user image adjustment information may be defined.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer program for inputting a photographed image and recording image data, wherein the program is for inputting a photographed image. A module and a recording module for recording an image signal input by the input module as image data, and recording signal format identification information for identifying a signal format of the image signal separately from the image data,
A signal processing module for converting an image signal recorded by the recording module into a reproduction signal for reproducing and displaying; and a display module for displaying an image based on the reproduction signal converted by the signal processing module. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a computer program for inputting image data and performing image processing, the program comprising a signal format identification for identifying a signal format of the image data. An input module for inputting information separately from the image data, and, when the signal format identification information indicates that the image data is RAW data, inputting the image data and converting the image data based on the signal format identification information, When the identification information indicates that the image data is compression-encoded data, an image processing module for inputting and expanding the image data and an output module for outputting the image data processed by the image processing unit are provided. It is characterized by.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for inputting image data and performing image processing, wherein signal format identification information for identifying a signal format of the image data is input separately from the image data. If the signal format identification information indicates that the image data is RAW data, the image data is input and converted based on the signal format identification information, and the signal format identification information is that of the image data is compression-encoded data. In this case, the image data is input, the image data is expanded, and the converted or expanded image data is output.

The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all necessary features of the present invention, and a sub-combination of these features can also be an invention.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention and have the features described in the embodiments. Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external view of a camera 10 according to the present embodiment. When the power switch 11 is turned on, an image of a subject that has entered the imaging lens (not shown) is captured by an imaging device (not shown), and is converted into an electric signal by operating the release button 12. The converted image signal is subjected to image processing and coding processing, and the processed coded data and the like are recorded on a memory card 16 that is removably mounted in a card slot 14. Memory card 16
Is a storage medium on which a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash ROM or an EEPROM element is mounted, and the storage information may be held in a battery-backed SRAM. Further, an information storage medium in which information is written and held by magnetism or light, such as a floppy disk or an optical disk, may be used instead of the memory card.

The image information recorded on the memory card 16 is read out by the camera 10, decoded, and displayed on the display panel 18. The display panel 18 may further display various information related to the reproduced image. Camera 10
A shooting / recording mode for displaying a captured image of a subject and recording the captured image on the memory card 16 when the release button 12 is pressed; a reproduction mode for displaying the image recorded on the memory card 16; There are a setting mode for designating and selecting conditions and functions, and a communication mode for transferring information by connecting the camera 10 to a personal computer or the like. The mode selection dial 20 is turned to select each mode. In particular, in the reproduction mode, print information for designating that the image selected and displayed by using the setting button 22, the forward button 24, and the backward button 26 is to be printed later is created.
This can be written to the memory card 16 as a print file, and the print file can be updated by correcting the print information. It is preferable that the print file describing the print information is recorded separately from the photographed image data in the recording area of the memory card 16 so that only the print information can be read separately without reading the photographed image data. The print file may be recorded in either text format or binary format.

When the menu button 13 is pressed, a menu screen for setting various parameters is displayed on the display panel 18. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen displayed on the display panel 18 of the camera 10. Using the setting button 22, the forward button 24, and the reverse button 26, the recording mode, the presence or absence of the display of the captured image on the LCD, the brightness at the time of printing, the presence or absence of the date printing at the time of printing, and the like can be set. The recording mode is JPEG high quality, J
Either PEG normal image quality or CCD-RAW can be selected. In addition, the brightness at the time of printing the photographed image can be finely adjusted in five steps according to the user's preference. In addition to print brightness, saturation, sharpness,
The user may further set desired adjustment parameters for hue and the like. The above setting parameters can be set for each captured image. The recording mode is set before shooting, but adjustment parameters for printing such as print brightness may be set before shooting, or may be set after a shot image is reproduced and displayed. If the captured image is CCD-RAW data, the CCD-R
After reproducing and displaying the AW data, it is also possible to record it as JPEG data. Adjustment parameters at the time of printing, such as print brightness, can be set for each print order. Therefore, a plurality of print orders can be made for the same photographed image, and the parameters set for each print order can be made different.

FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the camera 10.
The camera 10 includes a control unit (CPU) 30 and an imaging unit 32
, A signal processing unit 34, a buffer memory 35, a frame memory 36, a compression / decompression processing unit 38, an operation unit 40
, A character generator 42, and a D / A converter 44
, Display panel (LCD) 18 and card slot 14
And The control unit 30 includes the imaging unit 32 and the signal processing unit 3
4. It controls the frame memory 36, the compression / decompression processing unit 38, and the card slot 14 to capture, record, and reproduce an image of the subject. In addition, the operation unit 40 can transmit the operation and setting contents of the user to the control unit 30 and instruct the operation of the control unit 30. In addition, the control unit 30 controls the character generator 42 and the D / A conversion unit 44,
The reproduced image is displayed on a display panel 18 composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and information such as various characters and icons is displayed on the display screen.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display panel 18 displays a “Saisei mode” indicating that the current mode is the reproduction mode and the file name of the image file being reproduced and displayed by the processing of the control unit 30. “IMG00003.JPG” or “Mode: Fi” indicating the image quality mode or the degree of image compression ratio
Ne ”and the like are superimposed on the reproduced image and displayed at the top of the display screen. Further, at the lower portion of the display screen, for example, “Jumon: 2 My” is displayed as print information indicating the order status for the reproduced image by the processing of the control unit 30. This indicates a print designation when ordering two display images, for example, a print service of a laboratory system, or printing with a corresponding printer owned by the user. This display screen is displayed when the number of prints for this image is changed or the print designation is deleted in the reproduction mode. On the right side of the lower part of the display screen, the displayed image file is stored in the memory card 16 under the control of the control unit 30.
Is displayed according to the display setting, or the current date and time by the clock function of the calendar clock included in the control unit 30.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the image pickup section 32.
The imaging unit 32 includes an optical lens 50, a CCD 52, an analog signal processing unit 54, and an A / D conversion unit 56.
The image of the subject formed by the optical lens 50 is a CCD 52
Is received and imaged. The imaging signal output from the CCD 52 is subjected to gain adjustment,
After analog signal processing such as white balance, A
The signal is converted into a digital signal by the
Output as D-RAW data. The CCD-RAW data is supplied to the signal processing unit 34 and subjected to image processing.

The CCD 52 is an example of a solid-state image sensor. A solid-state imaging device is a semiconductorized and integrated imaging device, and is a two-dimensionally arranged pixel group having a function of photoelectric conversion and charge accumulation on a semiconductor substrate in terms of structure.
The solid-state imaging device receives the light imaged by the optical lens 50 and accumulates charges by a photoelectric conversion action. The stored charge images are scanned in a certain order and read out as electric signals. In addition to the CCD image sensor, any of a MOS image sensor, a CdS-Se contact image sensor, an a-Si (amorphous silicon) contact image sensor, or a bipolar contact image sensor may be used as the solid-state image sensor.

Returning to FIG. 3, in the photographing preparation state, the imaging section 32 continuously outputs image signals under the control of the control section 32, and the output image signals are subjected to image processing in the signal processing section 34. The data is stored in the frame memory 36, converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 44, and reproduced and displayed as a moving image on the display panel 18 which is a liquid crystal display. Further, when detecting the pressed state of the release button 12, the imaging unit 32 outputs an image signal representing an image of one frame under the control of the control unit 32, and enters an image recording mode in which an image of one frame is recorded. In the image recording mode, the image signal processed by the signal processing unit 34 and stored in the frame memory 36 is supplied to the compression / decompression processing unit 38.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the signal processing unit 34. The signal processing unit 34 includes an OB correction unit 58 and a WB correction unit 6
0, an interpolation processing unit 62, and a gradation correction unit 64.
The signal processing unit 34 receives the image signal and outputs the brightness of the image,
Image adjustment processing such as saturation, gradation, and color balance, and image interpolation processing are performed by digital arithmetic processing. Imaging unit 1
2 is output and supplied to the signal processing unit 34.
The W data is, for example, a signal of 12 bits per pixel, and the signal processing unit 34 converts the signal into a signal of a smaller number of bits, for example, 8 bits, and outputs the signal in accordance with the signal form displayed on the display panel 18. I do.

The OB correction unit 58 subtracts the value of Optical Black for each of RGB from the output signal of the CCD. CCD5
No. 2 generally has a characteristic that the output level does not become zero even when the input light is zero.
The ack offset is subtracted from the output signal to correct the signal level. The offset for Optical Black is CC
It can be detected by the output level of the output signal of the light-shielded pixel provided in D52. The WB correction unit 60 adjusts the gain of the CCD output signal for each of RGB in order to adjust the white balance. The image signal input to the WB correction unit 60 is, for example, 12 bits, and the image signal processed and output by the WB correction unit 60 is 10 bits. The interpolation processing unit 62 performs pixel interpolation and outputs RGB
Create dot-sequential image data. The gradation correction unit 64
The gradation of the D output signal is corrected. LUT data is used for gradation correction. 10 input to the tone correction unit 64
The bit image signal is converted into, for example, an 8-bit image signal. The adjustment level of the print brightness set by the user may be reflected in the LUT used by the tone correction unit 64 for the tone correction.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a graph of a gradation correction LUT. The input signal before gradation correction is data of 1024 gradations represented by 10 bits per pixel.
The output signal after the gradation correction is data of 256 gradations expressed by 8 bits per pixel. The value of the image signal is converted from a 10-bit signal to an 8-bit signal in accordance with the LUT defined by the graph of FIG.

Returning to FIG. 3, the compression / expansion processing section 38 compression-encodes the image data of one frame stored in the frame memory 36 at a compression rate according to the image quality mode designated by the control section 30. In addition, the compressed and encoded data read from the memory card 16 is expanded and decoded, and supplied to the frame memory 36. In compression encoding, for example, JP that divides image data into 8 × 8 blocks, orthogonally transforms each block, quantizes the transform coefficient, and performs Huffman encoding is performed.
Using the EG method, for example, one frame of image data is compression-encoded by adaptively selecting a quantization characteristic and controlling the data amount after encoding to be equal to or less than a predetermined length. The compression-encoded data is sent to the card slot 14, and the memory card 1 is detachably connected to the card slot 14.
6 is written as an image file in a predetermined storage area. The image file may store the image data that has been subjected to the compression decoding, with image additional information such as information attached at the time of shooting.

The JPEG data compression-encoded by the compression / decompression processing unit 38 is data that has been signal-converted by the signal processing unit 34 in accordance with the reproduction display form so that the display panel 18 can easily reproduce and display the JPEG data. The information amount of the image signal is lower than that of the CCD-RAW data directly output by the imaging unit 32. Therefore, JPEG
Even if image adjustment is performed on image data recorded as data, it is difficult to create high-quality image data. Therefore, the camera 10 has not only JPEG data but also C
A mode is provided for recording CD-RAW data on the memory card 16 as it is.

The switches SW1 and SW2 are connected to the control unit 30.
Controls the two modes of image recording and playback
Switching between two image data types, EG data and CCD-RAW data. FIG. 7 shows the switches SW1 and S
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating recording and reproduction modes of an image determined by the state of W2. SW1 is connected (ON) and SW2
Is connected to the position b, a mode is set in which image data is recorded as JPEG data, and in FIG.
0, the 12-bit C output from the imaging unit 32
The image data of the CD-RAW is converted into 8-bit image data by the signal processing unit 34, and the frame memory 36
After that, the data is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 44 and displayed on the display panel 18.
The data is compression-encoded into JPEG data by the compression / decompression processing unit 38 and recorded on the memory card 16 inserted in the card slot 14.

When SW1 is connected (ON) and SW2 is a
, The mode becomes a mode of recording image data as CCD-RAW data, and the 12-bit CCD-RAW output from the imaging unit 32 is controlled by the control unit 30.
Is stored in the buffer memory 35,
The data is recorded on the memory card 16 inserted in the card slot 14.

Regardless of ON / OFF of SW1, SW
When 2 is connected to the position b, the mode becomes a mode for reproducing JPEG image data. Under the control of the control unit 30, the image data read from the memory card 16 inserted in the card slot 14 is expanded by the compression / expansion processing unit 38. After being stored in the frame memory 36, it is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 44,
Will be displayed.

When the switch SW1 is OFF and the switch SW2 is connected to the position a, a mode for reproducing the CCD-RAW image data is set, and the image data read from the memory card 16 inserted into the card slot 14 is transmitted to the control unit. Under the control of 30, after being stored in the buffer memory 35, it is supplied to the signal processing unit 34, subjected to image processing, converted into 8-bit image data, and stored in the frame memory 36.
The signal is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 44 and displayed on the display panel 18.

The control section 30 performs an image pickup process in the image pickup section 32 and a signal in the signal processing section 34 in accordance with the operation states of the mode setting dial 20 and the push buttons 22, 24, 26 and 28 included in the operation section 40. It controls processing and reading and writing of information in the frame memory 36 and the like. The control unit 30 is preferably configured by a microcomputer system, and preferably includes a ROM for storing firmware defining a control processing procedure of the microprocessor, and various interfaces for connecting peripheral circuits. Control unit 3
Reference numeral 0 also includes a semiconductor memory such as a register or a RAM for temporarily storing various set values and variables, and uses these as a working memory to store print information of a print file recorded on the memory card 16, for example. In this case, the processing may be speeded up by temporarily performing the correction change on the working memory. When these correction changes are completed and, for example, the mode setting dial 12 is operated to shift to another mode, the control unit 30
The modified information is written back to the memory card 16 and updated.

The control section 30 also has a function of storing and managing image files recorded on the memory card 16 in accordance with the operation state of the operation section 40. Specifically, when the mode setting dial 12 is set to the position of the single-frame playback mode, the image file corresponding to the operation of the forward button 24 and the reverse button 26 is accessed, and desired image data is read. After decompressing and decoding image data from the image file read from the memory card 16, the image data is expanded in the frame memory 36, D / A converted, and output to the display unit 18. At the same time, the control unit 30 reads out the image attached information from the image file, stores the image attached information, and sends the character code indicating the information included in the image attached information to the character generator 42 together with the character code indicating the current operation mode. The character generator 42 readablely stores a character set corresponding to the input character code, and outputs character image data corresponding to the character code at a timing corresponding to a desired position on the display panel of the display unit 18. This output is output to the frame memory 36.
And a character image is displayed on the reproduced image or on the periphery thereof. These character information may be displayed in an area on the monitor other than the image display portion. Further, not only characters but also codes representing graphic data such as pictograms and images represented by bitmap data may be combined and displayed on the display screen.

The control unit 30 detects the operation state of the forward button 24 and the reverse button 26 during one frame reproduction of an image, selects a display image in accordance with the frame forward / reverse operation, and selects the display image. When the reverse feed button 26 is pressed in conjunction with the setting button 22, the print set number value in the stored print information is increased or decreased. The control unit 30 updates the print file by writing back the changed print information to the memory card 16 when shifting to another mode, for example.

Further, when the mode setting dial 12 is set to the one-frame erase mode, the control section 30 reproduces and displays a desired image file according to the operation of the forward button 24 and the reverse button 26 and When the operation on the delete button 28 is detected, the image file in the memory card 16 storing the display image is deleted. In this case, in particular, it is checked whether or not there is information to be printed in the currently displayed image file. If there is no information to be printed, the image file is deleted as it is. Only when there is print information in the image file, delete the job content specified by the job ID indicated by the print information,
Thereafter, the display image file is deleted. In this case, it is preferable to display on the display panel 18 that the image file is designated to be printed, and to delete the image file and the related job after detecting a confirmation operation such as further pressing the delete button 28. When the all-frame deletion mode is set by the mode setting dial 12, the control unit 30 deletes all image data and, if there is a print file, deletes the print file itself.

The operation of the camera 10 in the single-frame playback mode will be described. The camera 10 can perform automatic print designation for creating one standard print from one image.
This is performed during the frame playback mode. In the single-frame playback mode, an image desired to be printed is selected and played by the forward button 24 and the reverse button 26, and then the number of prints is designated by pressing the forward button 24 or the reverse button 26 while pressing the setting button 22. And the number of prints is set. When the number of prints is to be set to zero, the delete button 28 is pressed while the setting button 22 is pressed. When the forward button 24 is pressed while the setting button 22 is pressed, the designated number of prints for the displayed image is incremented. In this case, first, it is checked whether print information is set for the image, and if there is print target information indicated by the job ID, the job indicated by the job ID is extracted from the print file. Read the number (QUANTITY) set in and increment the value by one. If there is no information to be printed, the displayed image file has not been set for printing, so a new job with the number of copies set to zero is generated in the print file, and the job ID of the job is displayed. It is also copied to the storage location of the information to be printed in the current image file. Then, the set value of the number of prints is increased by 1 as in the case where there is information to be printed. If the print file itself does not exist, a similar process is performed after the print file is generated.

The memory card 16 stores image data and image attachment information such as image reproduction parameters and shooting information to be attached to the image data as image files, and print information for each image data as a print file. You. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of data recorded on the memory card 16. An image file 400 including image data and image attachment information, and a print file 3 including print information are stored in directories hierarchically classified.
00 is stored. An image directory for classifying image data under the root directory (Root)
01Vacation, 02Birthday, etc. are created, and image data is stored in each image directory. The file name of the image data is “IMGnnnnn.JPG” or “IMGnnnnn.RAW”, and “nnnnn” in the file name is an integer value, for example, a continuous number assigned in the shooting order, that is, a frame number of the image. The file name extension "JPG" is JPEG.
The image data is compression-encoded image data, and the extension “RAW” indicates CCD-RAW image data.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the data format of an image file 400 in which CCD-RAW image data is stored. The image file 400 includes image data 410
At the same time, model information 402, image playback parameters 404, shooting-time attached information 406, and print information 408 are stored as image attached information. Image attached information is Exi
It can be recorded in the f format standard tag (TAG) format.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data of the model information 402. "Model name DS-1000" is camera 1
0 is stored as information for identifying the model. In addition to the model name, information indicating the characteristics of the imaging unit 32 of the camera 10, for example, information such as the number of pixels, a pixel array, an analog signal processing method, and the number of A / D conversion bits may be stored as the model information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data structure stored in the image reproduction parameter 404. CC for each RGB
OB correction data that stores the value of Optical Black to be subtracted from the D output signal, WB gain data that stores the gain to be applied to the CCD output signal for each RGB for color balance, and is applied to the CCD output signal LUT data storing a conversion table for gradation correction is stored. These image reproduction parameters are image correction parameters used in the OB correction unit 58, the WB correction unit 60, and the gradation correction unit 64 of the signal processing unit 34. These image correction parameters are required to reproduce, display, or print CCD-RAW image data. The image reproduction parameter 404 may further store a conversion parameter between RGB data and Y / C data.

FIG. 12 is a view showing the data structure of the photographing attached information 406. Information indicating shooting conditions such as a shooting date, a shutter speed, an aperture value, and an exposure mode is stored. The exposure mode includes standard, shutter priority, aperture priority, and the like.

The print target information 408 includes the image data 41
0 is stored in the print file 3
If print is designated in 00, the job ID of the print job is stored. Image file 4
If a plurality of print jobs are specified for 00, the job IDs of the plurality of print jobs are stored. If the image file 400 has not been designated for printing, the information to be printed 408 stores information indicating that there is no designated printing, for example, zero.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the data structure of the image data 410. In the case of CCD-RAW image data,
The number of pixels of the CCD while the output signal of the imaging unit 32 is not compressed,
The image data is sequentially stored according to the pixel array and the RGB components.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining print information stored in the print file 300. To perform automatic printing, a job ID (JO
B_ID) The path name (FILE) that specifies the directory where the image file is stored, the image file type (FILE_TYPE),
Model name (CREATOR), print type (TYPE), number of prints (QUANTITY), brightness (BR
IGHTNESS), print information on print conditions such as the presence or absence of date printing (DATE) is recorded. The image file type indicates whether the image data is JPEG data or a CCD-R
Indicates whether the data is AW data. The model name is the model of the camera 10 that captured the image data, in particular, the imaging unit 32 of the camera 10.
And the image file type is CCD-R.
Provided if it is AW. The print type is data that determines a print size such as a standard size, an enlarged size, and a reduced size, or data that indicates a print type such as a sticker print. The print quality is an image adjustment level set by the user, and specifies a desired value or level regarding brightness, saturation, sharpness, hue, and the like.

A print job can be individually defined for image data to be printed. A plurality of jobs may be defined for the same image data, and different print conditions may be specified. A plurality of jobs are described in the print file. The job is given a job ID,
Information specifying each job is described in parentheses (｛｝). The job designation information is created by a text code, and is recorded in the root directory of the memory card 16 as a file name “PRT_INFO.TXT” in the form of text data separately from the image file. The print file may be recorded in a binary format.

In FIG. 14, the job with the job ID 01 is a print job of a JPEG image, and the image file IMG000 stored in the image directory 01VACATION.
For 01.JPG, the print type is standard (STANDARD), the number of prints is 3, the image file type is JPEG data, the brightness level set by the user is 0, and date printing is specified. For a job with a job ID of 02, an image file stored in the image directory 01VACATION
For IMG00002.RAW, the print type is standard (STANDAR
D), the number of prints is 1 and the image file type is CCD
−RAW data, model name is DS-1000, brightness level set by the user is plus 1, and date printing is specified.

The print file 300 contains, for each job,
If the image file and the image file type are specified and the image file type is CCD-RAW, a model name for identifying the model that captured the image file is given. At the time of printing, the user can know the image file type of the image file 400 and the shooting model. Therefore, when an image recorded on the memory card 16 is subjected to image processing by a lab system or a computer and printed, it is determined whether the image data is JPEG data or CCD-RAW data by the print file 300. Jobs can be classified in advance and, in the case of CCD-RAW data, classified according to the photographing model, and the jobs can be batch processed. Image processing greatly differs depending on the type of image file. In particular, in the case of CCD-RAW data, processing takes time. Therefore, by classifying jobs in advance, print processing can be performed smoothly. Lab applications and computer applications are C
If the CD-RAW data cannot be handled by the model that has captured the image, the processing according to the shooting model can be appropriately performed, such as performing error processing or performing processing approximately corresponding to another model.

In the above description, the image file type is determined based on the information of the image file type stored in the print file 300.
The determination may be made based on an extension added to the image file name such as G or RAW.

As described above, according to the image photographing apparatus of this embodiment, the CCD-RAW image data and the JPEG
In the case of CCD-RAW data, information indicating that the image file type is CCD-RAW and information on the model of the camera that generated the CCD-RAW data are stored in the image data. Can be recorded in a file specifying the print. Therefore,
When playing back image data recorded by a lab system or computer, JPEG
Whether the data is data or CCD-RAW data is identified, and if the data is CCD-RAW data, the model of the camera that captured the image can be identified, and appropriate playback processing can be smoothly performed according to the model. be able to. Correction depending on the model can be properly performed by recording the correction parameter for image reproduction depending on each model by attaching it to the CCD-RAW data.

The JPEG data is data obtained by compression-encoding an image signal converted into an image signal form suitable for image reproduction so that the JPEG data can be easily displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display. Even if it is adjusted, a high-quality image cannot be obtained. On the other hand, CCD-R
The AW data is raw output data of a photographing unit of the camera, and has high image quality with multiple bits. Therefore, it is possible to freely adjust an image and reproduce a high-quality image. Therefore, the CCD-RA recorded by the image capturing apparatus of the present embodiment
For the W data, the user can specify the desired print brightness, saturation, hue, and sharpness, adjust the image appropriately, and obtain a high-quality image.

(Embodiment 2) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a lab system 200 that develops and edits a photographic image as an example of an image processing apparatus. The lab system 200 of the present embodiment includes an input unit 210, a processing unit 220, a recording unit 240, and an output unit 2
50.

The input unit 210 inputs an image file containing image data and image attached information, and a print file containing print information. When inputting an image file and a print file captured by a digital camera or the like, a reading device for reading image data from a removable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory card is used as the input unit 210. In addition, floppy disk, MO, CD-
When an image file and a print file are read from a ROM or the like, a floppy drive, an MO drive, a CD drive, or the like may be used as the input unit 210, respectively.

The image file stores the image attached information together with the image data, and the print file stores the information on the print such as the image data type and the number of prints for each job.

The processing section 220 stores the image file and the print file input by the input section 210, and based on the print job information described in the print file,
Image processing such as adjustment and correction of image data stored in the image file is performed. The processing unit 220 outputs the processed image data to the recording unit 240 and the output unit 250.

The recording section 240 records the image data output by the processing section 220 on a removable recording medium. As a recording medium, a writable optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO, and a magnetic recording medium such as a floppy disk are used. As the recording unit 240, a CD-R drive, a DVD drive, an MO drive, a floppy drive, or the like is used. The recording unit 240 may record the image data in a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory and a memory card.

The output unit 250 displays or prints the image data output by the processing unit 220. When displaying an image on a screen, a monitor that displays the image is used as the output unit 250. When printing an image, a printer such as a digital printer or a laser printer is used as the output unit 250.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of the processing section 220. The processing unit 220 includes a job information reading unit 502, an image type determining unit 504, a shooting model determining unit 506, an image information reading unit 508, and an image correcting unit 510.

The job information reading unit 502 includes an input unit 210
Print job information is sequentially read from the print file 300 input by the user. The image type determination unit 504 determines the image type of the image data to be printed in the print job based on the image type (FILE_TYPE) described in the print job. The photographing model determination unit 506 determines the model of the camera that has captured the image data to be printed by the print job, based on the model (CREATOR) described in the print job. The image information reading unit 508 reads image data and image accompanying information from the image file input by the input unit 210. When the image data is CCD-RAW data, an image reproduction parameter is read as image attached information.

The image correcting section 510 includes the image type determining section 50
If the image data is JPEG data as a result of the determination of the image type 4, the JPEG data is expanded, and the image data is corrected based on the image adjustment parameters specified in the print file 300. The image correction unit 510
As a result of the image type determination by the image type determination unit 504, if the image data is CCD-RAW data, the image additional information read by the image information reading unit 508 is read based on the model determined by the shooting model determination unit 506. Model-dependent image correction is performed using CCD-RAW using image playback parameters.
Perform on data.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the image correction processing performed by the processing section 220. The job information reading unit 502 reads print job information from the print file 300 (S100). The image type determination unit 504 determines whether the type of the image file is JPEG data or CCD-RAW data from the image type data described in the print job (S102). In the case of JPEG data, the image correction unit 510 expands the JPEG data, creates raster data (RGB data) for reproduction and printing (S104), and selects an LUT based on the brightness correction parameters set by the user. To correct the brightness (S
106). If date printing is set in the print job, the image correction unit 510 creates image data in which the corrected image data is combined with the shooting date (S10).
8). The output unit 250 prints the image data according to the number of prints specified in the print job (S1).
10).

If the type of the image file is CCD-RAW, the image information reading unit 508 reads an image reproduction parameter as image attached information into the image file (S1).
20). The photographing model determination unit 506 determines the model of the camera that created the CCD-RAW data based on the model information described in the print job (S122). When the camera model is DS-1000, DS-700, or DS-500, different image correction processes S124, S126,
Perform S128. If the camera model is other, C
Since the image correction method for the model of the CD-RAW data is not defined, it is displayed that the image reproduction of the CCD-RAW data cannot be performed. Camera model is DS-1
OB processing S14 as the processing S124 in the case of 000
0, WB processing S142, interpolation processing S144, and gradation correction processing S146. In each image correction process, the image reproduction parameters read from the image file by the image information reading unit 508 are used. OB processing S140, WB processing S1
42, the interpolation processing S144, and the gradation correction processing S146 basically perform the same processing as the image correction processing with the same name in the camera 10 of the first embodiment. A desired adjustment level such as saturation, hue, and sharpness can be reflected. For example, for a print job,
If BRIGHTNESS = + 1 is specified, tone correction processing may be performed on the LUT given as an image reproduction parameter so that the brightness is adjusted to be higher than usual.

In the case of JPEG data, gradation continuity is deteriorated by gradation correction, but in the case of CCD-RAW data, gradation continuity is not lost even if gradation correction is performed. Therefore, when the brightness adjustment specified by the user is performed, the image quality is deteriorated due to the gradation skip in the JPEG data.
With AW data, high-quality images can be obtained because gradation skipping is unlikely to occur.

A simple example of gradation skipping due to gradation correction will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining gradation correction from 3 bits to 3 bits. When an input value of 3 bits, that is, 8 gradations is converted into an output value of the same number of bits by the LUT defined by the graph of this diagram, the converted output value is substantially reduced in the number of gradations. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an output value with respect to an input value by gradation correction. For integer input values from 0 to 7, the output values are discontinuous, 0, 3, 4, 5,
It has values of 6, 7 and no values of 2, 3. As described above, when gradation correction is performed between signals having the same number of bits, discontinuity occurs, and the number of gradations substantially decreases.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining gradation correction from 4 bits to 3 bits. When an input value of 4 bits, that is, 16 gradations is converted into an output value of 3 bits, that is, 8 gradations by the LUT defined by the graph of FIG.
The converted output value does not produce a discontinuous value. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an output value with respect to an input value by gradation correction.
For integer input values from 0 to 15, output values are from 0 to 7
, And there is no jump in the value. As described above, when gradation correction is performed from a signal having a large number of bits to a signal having a small number of bits, discontinuity is less likely to occur in a signal value.

In the case of JPEG data, in order to convert CCD-RAW data into a signal form suitable for image reproduction and display,
The number of bits is reduced during the image correction process. For example, CCD
-RAW data is 12 bits, while JPEG data is 8 bits. FIG. 22 is a view for explaining gradation correction of JPEG data. Since the gradation is corrected from 8 bits to 8 bits, discontinuity occurs. Even when the user sets the print brightness level to +1 in a print job, a high-quality corrected image cannot be obtained due to discontinuity due to gradation correction.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining gradation correction of CCD-RAW data. This is gradation correction from 10 bits to 8 bits, and discontinuity hardly occurs in the signal value after gradation correction. When the user sets the print brightness level to +1, the user adjusts the adjustment level of the LUT given as an image reproduction parameter from the image attached information, creates a new LUT, and performs tone correction. Can be
A high-quality image desired by the user can be created.

The LUT for correcting the gradation of the CCD-RAW data is obtained from the image reproduction parameter of the image attached information stored in the image file of the CCD-RAW data.
The UT is read and the LUT in the lab system is synthesized and created. Further, the synthesized LUT for each model may be prepared in the lab system in advance. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the gradation correction in the laboratory system. In the lab system, gradation correction from 10 bits to 10 bits is performed. The gradation correction characteristic is the same as the JPEG gradation correction characteristic of FIG.
It has been changed to 0 bits.

The CCD-RA specified for the print job
If the W data is created by a camera model that is not compatible with the lab system, the image cannot be reproduced, so that a warning is issued that processing cannot be performed, and the process proceeds to the next print job. In this case, before reading the CCD-RAW data, it is possible to determine whether or not the processing can be performed using the model information described in the print job, so that the productivity of the print processing of the laboratory system is not reduced.

According to the image processing apparatus of this embodiment, an image file and a print file are input, and depending on the image file type described in the print job of the print file, whether the image file is JPEG data,
-RAW data can be identified, and if the data is CCD-RAW data, the CCD-RAW data can be identified.
The model information of the camera that created the data can be read from the print job. Therefore, before reading the image file specified in the print job, the image type of the image file is identified, and if the image file is CCD-RAW data, the model information is identified, and different image correction processes for each model are batch-processed. The processing can be performed, and the productivity of the printing processing can be improved.

The CCD-RAW data is a JPEG
Unlike data, since it is excellent in image quality with multiple bits, it is possible to freely adjust the image and reproduce a high-quality image. Therefore, the user can specify the desired print brightness, saturation, hue, and sharpness, appropriately adjust the image, and obtain a high-quality image.

(Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment. The basic configuration and operation of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the processing unit 120 of the image processing apparatus
The second embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that an electronic computer such as a personal computer or a workstation is used.

The hardware configuration of the processing unit 220 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. CPU 230
Operate based on programs stored in the ROM 232 and the RAM 234. Data is input by a user via an input device 231 such as a keyboard and a mouse. The hard disk 233 stores data such as images and the CPU 2
30 is stored. CD-ROM
The drive 235 reads data or a program from the CD-ROM 290,
33 and the CPU 230.

The functional configuration of the software executed by the CPU 230 is similar to that of the processing unit 22 of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.
0, and has a job information reading module, an image type determining module, a photographing model determining module, an image information reading module, and an image correcting module.

The processing performed by the job information reading module, the image type determining module, the photographing model determining module, the image information reading module, and the image correcting module by the CPU 230 is the processing unit 220 of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Are basically the same as the functions and operations of the corresponding components, and the detailed description is omitted. However, in the present embodiment, the point is that the user of the computer can instruct the image processing in detail. different.

In a personal computer, image data taken by a digital camera, in particular, a CCD-R
When reading AW data and performing image processing, the user of the personal computer can finely adjust the image quality. For example, fine correction such as gradation correction, brightness correction, saturation correction, color balance and hue correction is possible. For gradation correction, a file storing LUT data may be created, and the file may be specified in a print job.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a print job including detailed image adjustment parameters set by the user. Adjustment levels for print brightness (BRIGHTNESS), hue (HUE), saturation (SATURATION), and sharpness (SHARPNESS) can be specified. In this example, the LUT is specified including the path of the directory in which the file is stored. As a result, L not prepared by the printer
It is possible to perform gradation correction using the UT. The description of the print job may be performed by a digital camera, or may be described by a user using an application such as a text editor of a computer.

The processing section 220 corrects the image data using the image adjustment information described in the print job. When the image data is CCD-RAW data, the image correction is performed on the 12-bit image data, then converted into 8 bits, and displayed or printed. Therefore, the image correction is performed on the 8-bit JPEG data. This makes it possible to perform image correction with higher precision than in the case of performing the above, and to create a high-quality image.

When a personal computer is used, presentation using image data and automatic reproduction display can be performed. For example, instead of describing a print job in a print file, a scenario including the order of image data to be reproduced, timing of reproduction, text information to be displayed at the same time, etc. is described, and the image data is automatically reproduced on a personal computer monitor according to the scenario. And give presentations.

The software executed by the CPU 230 is:
It is stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM 290 and provided to the user. The software is installed on the hard disk 233 from the recording medium, read into the RAM 234, and executed by the CPU 230. The CD-ROM 290 as an example of the recording medium can store some or all of the functions of the operation of the image processing apparatus described in the present application. These programs are stored in RAM directly from the storage medium.
234 may be executed.

[0093] As a recording medium, in addition to the CD-ROM 290, an optical recording medium such as a DVD or a PD, a magnetic recording medium such as a floppy disk or a mini disk (MD), or an MO.
And the like, a magneto-optical recording medium, a tape-shaped recording medium, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory card, and the like can be used. The recording medium storing the above-mentioned program is used only for manufacturing the image processing apparatus of the present application, and the manufacture and sale of such a recording medium as a business under the patent right based on the present application. It is clear that they constitute infringement.

As described above, according to the image photographing apparatus of the present invention, the CCD-RAW image data is recorded in the image file together with the reproduction parameters, and the image file is stored in the print file designating the print. Image type information indicating that the
Information about the model that created the data can be recorded. Therefore, when reproducing image data recorded by a lab system or a computer, it is necessary to identify that the data is CCD-RAW data before reading the image data. A model can be identified and appropriate reproduction processing can be smoothly performed according to the model. Correction parameters for image reproduction that depend on each model are recorded so as to be attached to the CCD-RAW data, so that model-dependent adjustment can be appropriately performed.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, an image file and a print file are input, and depending on the image file type described in the print job of the print file, whether the image file is JPEG data or CCD-
Whether the data is RAW data can be identified.
If the data is CD-RAW data, the model information of the camera that created the CCD-RAW data can be read from the print job. Therefore, before reading the image file specified in the print job, the image type of the image file is identified, and if the image file is CCD-RAW data, the model information is identified, and different image correction processes for each model are batch-processed. The processing can be performed, and the productivity of the printing processing can be improved.

Further, the CCD-recorded by the image photographing device is used.
Since the RAW data is multi-bit and excellent in image quality, it is possible to freely adjust the image and reproduce a high-quality image.
Therefore, when reproducing the CCD-RAW data by the image processing apparatus, the user can specify the desired print brightness, saturation, hue, and sharpness, appropriately adjust the image, and obtain a high-quality image. .

Although the present invention has been described using the embodiment, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It should be noted that such modified or improved embodiments may be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
It is clear from the description of the claims.

As such a modification, in the image processing apparatus of the third embodiment, image data recorded on a memory card or the like is input, but an image captured by a digital camera or digital video camera is directly input. May be. Such an image processing device is a portable electronic terminal device such as a notebook computer with a built-in CCD camera,
Portable electronic device with built-in CMOS image sensor, CMOS
It may be a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone having a built-in image sensor.

In the above description, the digital image photographed by the image photographing apparatus is recorded together with the print information on a recording medium such as a memory card.
Photo System) A film, such as a camera, provided with a magnetic recording part capable of recording magnetic information on a part of a silver halide film is used as a recording medium. Information may be recorded. In this case, the image processing apparatus reads an image captured on the silver halide film by a film scanner, creates digital image data, reads print information from a magnetic recording unit of the silver halide film using magnetic reading means, and prints the print information. The image data is corrected and adjusted based on the image data.

In the above description, the image data and print information captured by the image capturing device are stored in a recording medium,
Although the image processing apparatus reads the image data and the print information from the recording medium, the image photographing apparatus and the image processing apparatus may communicate with each other to transmit and receive the image data and the print information. In order for the image capturing device to communicate with the image processing device, for example, USB, RS-232C, Ethernet, Bluetooth
Communication specifications such as oth, IrDA, and IEEE1394 are used.

In the above description, the JPEG data is C
Since the number of bits is smaller than that of the CD-RAW data, it is 8-bit data. Therefore, discontinuous gradation jumps occur due to gradation correction.
For example, gradation skipping may be prevented by using 12-bit JPEG data. In this case, the 12-bit JPEG data recorded at the time of reproduction is expanded, converted to 8-bit JPEG data by gradation correction, and displayed or printed.

[0102]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to record image data as RAW data, perform appropriate image correction, and reproduce a high-quality image desired by the user. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a camera 10 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed on a display panel 18 of the camera 10.

FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the camera 10.

FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of an imaging unit 32.

FIG. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of a signal processing unit 34;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a graph of an LUT for gradation correction.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing recording and reproducing modes of an image determined by the states of switches SW1 and SW2.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of data recorded on a memory card 16;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a data format of an image file 400 in which CCD-RAW image data is stored.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data of model information 402.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data structure stored in an image reproduction parameter 404.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a data structure of shooting-time attached information 406.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a data structure of image data 410.

14 is a diagram illustrating print information stored in a print file 300. FIG.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a lab system 200 that develops and edits a photographic image as an example of an image processing apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a functional configuration diagram of a processing unit 220.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an image correction process performed by a processing unit 220.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating gradation correction from 3 bits to 3 bits.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an output value with respect to an input value by gradation correction.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating gradation correction from 4 bits to 3 bits.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an output value with respect to an input value by gradation correction.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating gradation correction of JPEG data.

FIG. 23 is a view for explaining gradation correction of CCD-RAW data.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating gradation correction in a laboratory system.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job including detailed image adjustment parameters set by a user.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 camera 14 card slot 16 memory card 18 display panel 30 control unit 32 imaging unit 34 signal processing unit 35 buffer memory 36 frame memory 38 compression / decompression processing unit 40 operation unit 42 character generator 44 D / A conversion unit 50 optical lens 52 CCD 54 Analog signal processing unit 56 A / D conversion unit 58 OB correction unit 60 WB correction unit 62 Interpolation processing unit 64 Gradation correction unit 300 Print file 400 Image file 402 Model information 404 Image reproduction parameters 406 Image pickup auxiliary information 410 Image data 200 Lab system 502 Job information reading unit 504 Image type determination unit 506 Shooting model determination unit 508 Image information reading unit 510 Image correction unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/907 G06F 15/66 310 5C053 5/92 H04N 5/91 H 5C055 9/79 5/92 H 9A001 9/79 GF term (reference) 2C087 AA09 AA15 AA16 AB01 BA07 BA12 BD36 BD40 CB20 5B057 BA19 CA01 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB12 CB16 CE16 DA16 DB02 DB06 5C021 PA92 XA34 XA35 YC08 5C022 AA13 AC01 AC12 5A05 GB02 A GE06 GE08 5C053 FA04 FA08 FA24 GA11 GB22 GB26 GB36 JA16 KA03 KA24 LA01 LA03 LA11 5C055 AA06 BA06 BA07 BA08 EA02 EA04 EA05 GA08 GA44 HA31 9A001 BZ03 EE01 HH23 HH34 JJ35 KK42

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An image capturing apparatus for capturing an image of a subject and recording image data, comprising: an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the subject; and an image capturing output signal output by the image capturing unit recorded as image data; A recording unit that records imaging signal format identification information for identifying a signal format of the imaging output signal separately from the image data; and a signal processing that converts the imaging output signal recorded by the recording unit into a reproduction signal for reproducing and displaying. And a display unit for displaying an image based on the reproduced signal converted by the signal processing unit. 2. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of bits per pixel of the imaging output signal is larger than the number of bits per pixel of the reproduction signal. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging signal format identification information is model identification information for identifying a model of the imaging unit. 4. The imaging signal format identification information is at least one model-dependent information of a pixel number, a pixel array, and a bit number per pixel of image data depending on a model of the imaging unit. The image photographing apparatus according to claim 2. 5. The image photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording unit records reproduction information for reproducing the image pickup output signal, attached to the image data. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reproduction information is image adjustment information for correcting at least one of brightness, saturation, color balance, and gradation of an image. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is configured to store user image adjustment information for correcting at least one of brightness, saturation, color balance, hue, and gradation set by a user of the image capturing apparatus. The image photographing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image recording is separately performed. 8. The signal processing unit converts the image pickup output signal output by the image pickup unit into the reproduction signal for reproduction display, causes the display unit to display the reproduction signal, compresses the reproduction signal, and The image photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image photographing apparatus records the image data as image data. 9. The signal processing unit according to claim 2, wherein the photographing output signal is converted into the reproduction signal by correcting at least one of brightness, saturation, color balance, and gradation. Or the image photographing device according to 8. 10. The recording unit, for each job that prints the image data, a file name of the image data, a print type, the number of prints, an image file type, the model identification information or the model dependent information, and The image photographing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein print job information defining user image adjustment information is recorded separately from the image data. 11. An image processing apparatus for inputting image data and performing image processing, comprising: an input unit for inputting signal format identification information for identifying a signal format of the image data separately from the image data; When the identification information indicates that the image data is RAW data, input the image data,
An image processing unit that performs conversion based on the signal format identification information and inputs and expands the image data when the signal format identification information indicates that the image data is compression-encoded data. An output unit that outputs image data processed by the processing unit. 12. When the image data is RAW data, the image processing unit converts the RAW data into image data having a smaller number of bits per pixel of the RAW data. Claim 1
2. The image processing device according to 1. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal format identification information includes model identification information for identifying a model of the image capturing apparatus that has captured the image data, and the image processing unit determines the model when the image data is RAW data. Based on the identification information,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the AW data is converted. 14. The signal format identification information includes at least one type-dependent information on the number of pixels, the pixel array, and the number of bits per pixel of image data depending on the type of the imaging device that has captured the image data. , The image processing unit,
13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when the image data is RAW data, the RAW data is converted based on the model-dependent information. 15. The input unit inputs reproduction information for reproducing the image data attached to the image data, and the image processing unit converts the image data based on the reproduction information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: 16. The reproduction information includes brightness, saturation, and saturation of an image.
The image adjustment information for correcting at least one of a color balance and a gradation, wherein the signal processing unit converts the image data based on the image adjustment information. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 17. The input unit inputs user image adjustment information for correcting at least one of brightness, saturation, color balance, hue, and gradation set by a user of the image capturing apparatus, and The image processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processing unit converts the image data based on the user image adjustment information. 18. The input unit inputs print job information relating to a job for performing a print process on the image data,
The print job information specifies, for each job, a file name of the image data, a print type, the number of prints, an image file type, the model identification information or the model dependent information, and the user image adjustment information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein: 19. A recording medium storing a computer program for inputting a captured image and recording image data, the program comprising: an input module for inputting a captured image; A recording module for recording an input image signal as image data and recording signal format identification information for identifying a signal format of the image signal separately from the image data; and for reproducing and displaying the image signal recorded by the recording module. A recording medium, comprising: a signal processing module for converting the reproduction signal into a reproduction signal; and a display module for displaying an image based on the reproduction signal converted by the signal processing module. 20. A recording medium storing a computer program for inputting image data and performing image processing, wherein the program stores signal format identification information for identifying a signal format of image data as the image data. An input module to be separately input, and when the signal format identification information indicates that the image data is RAW data, inputting the image data,
An image processing module that converts the image data based on the signal format identification information and inputs and expands the image data when the signal format identification information indicates that the image data is compression-encoded data; An output module for outputting the image data processed by the processing unit. 21. An image processing method for inputting image data and performing image processing, comprising: inputting signal format identification information for identifying a signal format of the image data separately from the image data; When indicating that the image data is RAW data, input the image data,
Converting based on the signal format identification information, if the signal format identification information indicates that the image data is compression-encoded data, input the image data, expand the image data, convert or An image processing method, comprising outputting the decompressed image data.