JP2001358983A - Image input device, image recording method, and computer-readable recording medium for storing program to perform the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image input device that can record characters in colors with high image quality. SOLUTION: A binary coding processing section of a companding section 7 of a digital camera shown in Figure 1 discriminates background pixel data and valid pixel data in picked-up image data when a character photographing mode is selected and applies binary coding processing to the valid pixel data by each discriminated color after discriminating each color of the valid pixel data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image input device,
The present invention relates to an image recording method and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method, and more particularly, to an image input apparatus having a character photographing mode for photographing characters, an image recording method, and The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, digital cameras have become widespread.
In such a digital camera, the image passing through the lens is CC
It is captured by the D element and written to the memory through a circuit inside the camera. The image data recorded in the memory is transferred to a personal computer or the like. In addition, digital cameras equipped with a liquid crystal display have become widespread, and this liquid crystal display functions as a finder at the time of shooting, and functions as a reproduction display of an image recorded in a memory after shooting. Further, digital cameras equipped with a character photographing mode have become widespread. In such a character photographing mode, a document or the like is photographed, and binarization processing of characters in the document is performed.

[0003]

However, in a conventional digital camera, when a whiteboard is filled in with a ballpoint pen of three colors Bk, R, and B at a meeting or the like, the whiteboard is photographed in a natural image mode. In this case, while the resolution of the character is reduced, when the image is captured in the character binarization mode, the luminance signal or the like is recorded as “black” when the luminance signal or the like is equal to or more than the threshold, and as “white” when the luminance signal or the like is less than the threshold. However, there is a problem that characters of a plurality of colors cannot be recorded with high image quality for each color.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a digital camera capable of recording characters of a plurality of colors with high image quality, an image recording method, and a program for executing the method. It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-readable recording medium.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The above-mentioned problems are solved,
In order to achieve the object, an invention according to claim 1 is a digital camera provided with a character photographing mode for photographing characters, wherein an image pickup means for photographing a subject and outputting image data; Determining means for determining background pixel data and valid pixel data; color type determining means for determining a color type of the valid pixel data determined by the determining means; and binary coding processing of the valid pixel data of the determined color And a data compression means.

According to the invention, the image pickup means picks up an image of a subject and outputs image data, the discriminating means discriminates background pixel data and effective pixel data from the picked-up image data, and the color type discriminating means discriminates. The color type of the effective pixel data thus determined is determined, and the data compression unit performs a binary encoding process on the effective pixel data of the determined color.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is based on claim 1.
And recording control means for recording, on a recording medium, image data which has been subjected to the binary encoding processing for each color. According to the invention, the image data subjected to the binary encoding processing is recorded on a recording medium for each color.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is based on claim 1.
Alternatively, in the invention according to claim 2, further comprising: decoding means for decoding the image data which has been subjected to the binary encoding processing by the data compression means; and a display means for displaying an image corresponding to the decoded image data. Display means; area designating means for designating at least a partial area of an image displayed on the display means; color designating means for designating a color of an image in the area designated by the area designating means; Replacement means for replacing the image in the area designated by the designation means with data of the color designated by the color designation means.

According to the invention, the decoding means decodes the image data binary-coded by the data compression means,
The display means displays an image corresponding to the decoded image data, the area designating means designates at least a part of the image displayed by the display means, and the color designating means designates the area designated by the area designating means. The replacement means replaces the image in the area designated by the area designation means with data of the color designated by the color designation means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of imaging a subject and outputting image data, a step of determining background pixel data and valid pixel data in the captured image data, The method includes a step of determining a color type of data and a step of performing a binary encoding process on valid pixel data for each determined color.

According to the above invention, the subject is imaged, image data is output, the background pixel data and the effective pixel data of the imaged image data are determined, and the color type of the determined effective pixel data is determined. The effective pixel data is subjected to a binary encoding process for each discriminated color.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of imaging a subject and outputting image data, a step of determining background pixel data and valid pixel data in the captured image data, Determining a color type of the data; performing a binary encoding process on the valid pixel data of the determined color; and recording the valid pixel data subjected to the binary encoding process on a recording medium for each color. It is a thing.

According to the above invention, the subject is imaged, image data is output, the background pixel data and the effective pixel data are determined from the captured image data, and the color type of the determined effective pixel data is determined. The valid pixel data of the determined color is subjected to binary coding processing, and the valid pixel data subjected to the binary coding processing is recorded on a recording medium for each color.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of imaging a subject and outputting image data, a step of determining background pixel data and valid pixel data in the captured image data, Determining a color type of the data, performing a binary encoding process on the effective pixel data of the determined color, recording the binary-coded image data on a recording medium for each color, Decoding the binary encoded image data recorded in the
A step of displaying an image corresponding to the decoded image data on the display means, a step of specifying at least a partial area of the image displayed by the display means, and a step of specifying the color of the image in the specified area Replacing the image in the designated area with the designated color.

According to the above invention, an image of a subject is picked up, image data is output, background pixel data and valid pixel data are discriminated from the picked-up image data, and the color type of the discriminated valid pixel data is discriminated. The effective pixel data of the discriminated color is subjected to a binary encoding process, and the image data subjected to the binary encoding process is recorded on a recording medium for each color.
Decodes the value-encoded image data, displays an image corresponding to the decoded image data on a display unit, specifies at least a partial area of the image displayed on the display unit, Specifies the color of the image and replaces the image in the specified area with the specified color.

The invention according to claim 7 is based on claim 4.
A program for executing each step of the invention according to any one of claims to 6 by a computer is recorded. According to the above invention, each step of the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 6 is realized by executing a program stored in a recording medium by a computer.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a digital camera to which an image input device and an image recording method according to the present invention are applied will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a digital camera according to the present invention. The digital camera shown in FIG. 1 includes a lens 1, a mechanical mechanism 2 including an autofocus, a CCD 3, a CDS circuit 4, an A / D converter 5, a digital signal processing unit 6, a compression / expansion unit 7, a DRAM 8, a memory card 9, LCD 10, driver 11, SG12,
CPU 13, key operation unit 14A, touch panel operation unit 1
4B, strobe 15, microphone 16, AMP / FILTE
R17, D / A converter 18, audio data compression / expansion unit 1
9, an A / D converter 20, an AMP / FILTER 21, an OSD 22, and the like.

The lens unit includes a lens 1, a mechanical mechanism 2 including an autofocus (AF), an aperture, and a filter unit.
The mechanical shutter of the mechanical structure 2 performs simultaneous exposure of two fields. CCD (charge coupled device)
Reference numeral 3 converts the subject image input via the lens unit into an electric signal (analog image data). The CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 4 is a circuit for reducing noise in the CCD type image pickup device. A / D converter 5
Converts analog image data input from the CCD 3 through the CDS circuit 4 into digital image data. That is, the output signal of the CCD 3 is transmitted through the CDS circuit 4 to A
The optimal sampling frequency (for example, N
It is converted into a digital signal at an integer multiple of the subcarrier frequency of the TSC signal).

The digital signal processing section 6 interpolates the image data input from the A / D converter 5 and divides the interpolated image data into color difference data and luminance data (RGB → RGB).
YUV conversion), various processes, correction, and data processing for image compression / decompression.

The image compression / expansion unit 7 includes a binary encoding processing unit and a multi-tone processing unit, and performs compression processing of input image data and expansion processing of input compressed image data. The binary encoding processing unit includes an LUT (Look Up Table), performs binary encoding on input image data, and decodes compressed data that has been subjected to binary encoding. . The multi-gradation processing unit performs orthogonal transform and inverse orthogonal transform as one process of JPEG-compliant image compression / decompression, and Huffman encoding and Huffman decoding as one process of JPEG-compliant image compression and decompression. And so on.

The microphone 16 converts an electric signal into audio data. The AMP / FILTER 17 amplifies the audio data and cuts off the required band. The A / D converter 18 converts the input audio data into digital audio data at a sampling frequency twice or more the predetermined band. The audio data compression / expansion unit 19 performs compression / encoding / decoding of digital audio data. D / A converter 2
0 converts digital audio data into analog audio data. The AMP / FILTER 21 amplifies the audio data and cuts off the required band.

The DRAM 8 temporarily stores image data. The memory card 9 records compressed image data and compressed audio data. The LCD 10 displays an image corresponding to the image data recorded on the memory card 9. The LCD 10 displays a set digital camera state, for example, a set mode display or an error display. In addition, LCD
Reference numeral 10 denotes keys for performing mode selection, function selection, shooting instructions, and other various settings.

The key operation section 14A has buttons for externally performing mode selection, function selection, shooting instructions, and other various settings. Touch panel operation unit 14B
Indicates LC on a touch panel provided on the LCD 10.
Mode selection, function selection, shooting instruction displayed on D10,
Then, a key for performing various other settings is selected, and an operation instruction corresponding to the selected key content is given to the CPU 13.

The CPU 13 responds to an instruction from the key operation unit 14B and the touch panel operation unit 14B or an external operation instruction such as a remote control (not shown) in response to an RO (not shown).
The operation of each part of the digital camera is controlled according to the control program stored in M. For example, the CPU 13 controls the recording operation of the image data and the audio data on the memory card 9 and controls the reproduction operation of the image data file and the audio data file recorded on the memory card 9.

The above-mentioned CPU 13 is a natural image photographing mode for photographing an image of a subject and recording a multi-tone image on the memory card 9, and a character photographing mode for photographing an image of the subject and recording a binary image on the memory card 9. A photographing mode, a sound photographing mode for recording sound on the memory card 9, an image reproducing mode for reproducing an image recorded on the memory card 9 on the LCD 10, and a sound reproducing mode for reproducing sound data recorded on the memory card 9. Etc. are provided.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the pixel arrangement of the CCD 3. As shown in FIG. This figure shows a case where the pixel array is a Bayer array. As described above, the digital signal processing unit 6
The interpolation of each pixel R, G, B is performed. Here, an interpolation method for each pixel will be described. For G pixels, interpolation of missing G pixels is performed using the data of G pixels at the top, bottom, left and right. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining pixel interpolation. In the figure,
If the pixel Gi + 1, j is missing, Gi + 1, j = (G
The data of the pixel Gi + 1, j is calculated from (i + 1, j-1 + Gi, j + Gi + 2, j + Gi + 1, j + 1) / 4.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the interpolation of the R pixel. For the R pixel, interpolation of the missing R pixel is performed using the data of the upper and lower R pixels. In the figure, for example, when the pixel Ri + 1, j is missing, Ri + 1, j =
(Ri + 1, j-1 + Ri + 1, j + 1) / 2, the pixel Ri + 1, j
Is calculated.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining interpolation of B pixels. For B pixels, interpolation of missing B pixels is performed using the data of the left and right B pixels. In the figure, for example, when a pixel Bi + 1, j is missing, Bi, j =
The data of the pixel Bi, j is calculated by (Bi, j-1 + Bi, j + 1) / 2.

Next, the recording operation of the image data of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the recording operation in the natural image shooting mode will be described. When the natural image shooting mode is selected by the key operation unit 14A and the release key is pressed, the subject image via the lens 1 is converted into an electric signal (analog image data) by the CCD 3 and then passed through the CDS 4 , A /
The analog image data input to the D converter 5 is converted into digital image data. The converted digital image data is subjected to signal processing (interpolation, Y-UV
Conversion, etc.) and stored in the DRAM 8 via the CPU bus. The digital image data stored in the DRAM 8 is input to the multi-gradation compression processing section of the compression / expansion section 7 via the CPU bus, subjected to multi-gradation compression processing, and re-input the DRA.
It is stored in M8. When the compression process is completed, the CPU 13
Records the compressed image data stored in the DRAM 8 as an image data file in a predetermined format on the memory card 9 via the CPU bus.

Next, the recording operation in the character photographing mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the recording operation in the character photographing mode, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the binary encoding process of the flowchart of FIG. 6 in detail.

When the character photographing mode is selected on the operation unit 14A (step S1) and the release key is pressed (step S2), image data of the subject is captured (step S3). Specifically, the subject image via the lens 1 is converted into an electric signal (analog image data) by the CCD 3.
After that, the analog image data is input to the A / D converter 5 via the CDS 4 and converted into digital image data. In the converted digital image data, interpolation of missing pixels is performed by the digital signal processing unit 6 (step S).
4), the interpolated digital image data is for each color (R, G,
B) Full plane development is performed on the DRAM 8 for each B). Subsequently, the digital signal processing unit 6 determines that the Y
Data is calculated (step S5). Specifically, the Y data is Yi, j = 0.3 × Ri, j + 0.6 × Gi, j + 0.
It is calculated by 1 × Bi, j. Subsequently, the compression / expansion unit 7
Is performed by the binary processing unit (step S)
6).

More specifically, in FIG. 7, the binary encoding processing section of the compression / decompression section 7 calculates the average value of the Y data of all the pixels ×
With 0.3 as a threshold, it is determined whether the Y data of each pixel of the image data is equal to or greater than the threshold (step S11).
Then, a pixel whose Y data is equal to or larger than the threshold value is set as background pixel data (white data) (Step S12), and Step S12 is performed.
Move to 15. On the other hand, a pixel whose Y data is smaller than the threshold value is set as effective pixel data (step S13),
8 based on the RGB data of the full plane developed in step 8, the color of the effective pixel is determined (step S 14).
Move to step S15. Here, as the color judgment,
It is determined which of BK (black), R (red) and B (blue). Normally, characters are BK (black), R (red), B (blue)
Because it is often written in. Specifically, R,
When the G data and the B data are each 8 bits (0 to 255 values), the R data is “12” using the table shown in FIG.
If the G data is not less than “40 values” and the B data is not more than “40 values”, the judgment is “R (red)”,
When the R data is equal to or less than “40 value”, the G data is equal to or less than “40 value”, and the B data is equal to or more than “80 value”,
(Blue) ", and in cases other than the above," Bk
(Black). "

In step S15, the compression / decompression unit 7-2
According to the LUT (look-up table) shown in FIG. 9, the value encoding processing unit converts the pixel data into a background (white) of “0”,
Black is replaced by “1”, red is replaced by “2”, and blue is replaced by “3”, and color binarization processing is performed. The above process is repeatedly executed until all pixels are completed (steps S11 to S16).

In step S17, the image data subjected to the color binarization processing is subjected to run-length encoding processing for the presence or absence of each color by the compression / decompression unit 7, and again to the DRAM 8
Is stored in When the compression process ends, the CPU 13
The compressed image data stored in the DRAM 8 is recorded as an image data file in a predetermined format on the memory card 9 via the CPU bus. FIG. 10 shows an example of the format of an image data file recorded in the character shooting mode. As shown in the figure, each color (Bk,
The compressed data binary-coded for each of R, B) is stored for each color. The image data file shown in FIG. 3 includes a header, a data size of each compressed data, color information of each compressed data, and each compressed data. As described above, white “0” and other output colors “1”, “2”, and “3” are converted according to the LUT of FIG. Run-length processing may be performed.

An image reproducing operation of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the reproduction operation of an image data file photographed in the natural image photographing mode will be described. When the image playback mode is selected by operating the key operation unit 14A and the image data file recorded in the natural image shooting mode of the memory card 9 to be played back is designated, the CPU 13 compresses the designated image data file. The read image data is read and stored in the DRAM 8. This DRAM 8
The image data stored in the CPU is compressed /
The data is input to the multi-gradation processing unit of the expansion unit 7 and expanded,
It is stored in the DRAM 8 again. The decompressed image data stored in the DRAM 8 is input to the digital signal processing unit 6 via the CPU bus, converted into display data, and displayed on the LCD 10.

Next, the operation of reproducing an image file photographed in the character photographing mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a reproducing operation of an image file photographed in the character photographing mode. In FIG. 11, first, the image playback mode is selected by operating the key operation unit 14A, and an image data file recorded in the character shooting mode of the memory card 9 to be played back is designated (step S21). The compressed image data of the specified image data file is read out and stored in the DRAM 8. This DRA
The image data stored in M8 is input to the two-gradation processing unit of the compression / decompression unit 7 via the CPU bus, decompressed (decoded) (step S22), and returned to the DRAM again.
8 is stored. The decompressed image data stored in the DRAM 8 is input to the digital signal processing unit 6 via the CPU bus, and is converted into display data (YUV) according to the LUT shown in FIG. 12 (step S23).
In the LUT shown in FIG. 2, the data of “0 (white)” is Y “2”.
55 ”, U“ 128 ”, V“ 128 ”and“ 1 ”
(Black) ”are Y“ 0 ”, U“ 128 ”, and V“ 1 ”.
28, and the data of “2 (red)” is Y “17”.
2 ”, U“ 57 ”, V“ 255 ”and“ 3 ”
(Blue) ”are Y“ 172 ”, U“ 255 ”, V
Converted to "102". Thereafter, the display data (YU
V) is displayed on the LCD 10 (step S24).

FIG. 13 shows a color 2 photographed in the character photographing mode.
3 shows a display example of a value image on the LCD 10. An image photographed in the character photographing mode is called a color binary image. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a color binary image is displayed on the LCD 10, and keys for editing the color binary image are displayed. Specifically, a range specification key 30 for selecting a range specification, a selection key 31 for selecting a color (a “white” selection key 31W for selecting white, and a “black” key for selecting black) A selection key 31Bk, a “red” selection key 31R for selecting red, and a “blue” selection key 31B for selecting blue are displayed below the LCD 10.

Then, when the user presses L with a touch pen,
The range designation key 30 on the CD 10 is selected, and furthermore, an image area (rectangular area) is designated (step S2).
5). In the example shown in FIG. 13B, points A and B are specified, and a rectangular area RE surrounding the black image is specified.

Subsequently, a color is selected by the user using the touch pen with the color selection SW 31 on the LCD 10 (step S26). In the example shown in FIG. 13B, the “red” selection key 30R is selected. The data signal processing unit 6
On the DRAM 8, the effective image data in the designated area is replaced with the data of the color selected by the color selection key 31 according to the LUT shown in FIG. 12, and the replaced data is converted into display data and displayed on the LCD 10. (Step S
27). In the example shown in FIG. 13B, the LU shown in FIG.
In accordance with T, the image (effective pixel data (black “1” data)) in the designated area on the DRAM 8 is replaced with red “2” data, and the replaced red data is used as display data (YUV). And the black image in the designated area RE is changed to a red image as shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the character photographing mode, the binary encoding processing unit determines the background pixel data and the valid pixel data in the captured image data, and After the color type is determined, the effective pixel data is subjected to the binary encoding process for each of the determined colors, so that characters of a plurality of colors can be recorded with high image quality. Further, in the character photographing mode, the image data subjected to the binary encoding processing is stored in the memory card 9 for each color, so that a specific color can be easily changed or deleted.

Further, when reproducing an image photographed in the character photographing mode, the binary encoding processing section decodes the value-encoded image data, and outputs the decoded image data to the LCD 10 according to the decoded image data. Displaying the image, and at least a part of the area of the image displayed on the touch panel is designated,
Furthermore, when the color of the image in the specified area is specified,
Since the data signal processing unit 4 replaces the image in the designated area with the data of the designated color, the color of the character can be edited, and the convenience of the operator is improved.

In the image recording method of the digital camera according to the above-described embodiment, the program facilitated in advance may be executed by a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program includes hard disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk, CD-R
It is executed by being read from a computer-readable recording medium such as OM, MO, and DVD. Also,
This program can be distributed via the recording medium and as a transmission medium via a network such as the Internet.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the colors for binarization in the character shooting mode are black, red, and blue, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0045]

As described above, according to the image input apparatus of the first aspect, the image pickup means picks up the object and outputs image data, and the discriminating means outputs the background pixel data of the picked-up image data. And the valid pixel data, the color type determining means determines the color type of the determined valid pixel data, and the data compressing means determines the valid pixel data of the determined color as 2
Since the value encoding process is performed, characters of a plurality of colors can be recorded with high image quality.

According to the image input apparatus of the present invention, in the image input apparatus of the first aspect, the recording control means records the image data subjected to the binary encoding processing on a recording medium for each color. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, it becomes easy to change or delete a specific color of an image.

According to the image input device of the third aspect, in the image input device of the first or second aspect, the decoding means decodes the image data which has been subjected to the binary encoding processing by the data compression means. The display means displays an image corresponding to the decoded image data, the area specifying means specifies at least a part of the image displayed by the display means, and the color specifying means is specified by the area specifying means. The color of the image in the specified area is specified, and the replacing means replaces the image in the area specified by the area specifying means with data of the color specified by the color specifying means. In addition to the effects of the invention according to the second aspect, the color of the character can be edited, and the usability of the operator is improved.

According to the image recording method of the present invention, an image of a subject is picked up and image data is output, and of the picked-up image data, the background pixel data and the effective pixel data are discriminated, and the discriminated effective pixel is discriminated. Since the color type of the data is determined and the effective pixel data of the determined color is subjected to the binary encoding process, characters of a plurality of colors can be recorded with high image quality.

According to the image recording method of the present invention, an image of a subject is taken and image data is output, and of the taken image data, background pixel data and valid pixel data are discriminated, and the discriminated effective pixel is determined. Since the color type of the data is determined, the effective pixel data of the determined color is subjected to binary coding, and the effective pixel data subjected to the binary coding is recorded on a recording medium for each color. Characters can be recorded with high image quality, and a specific color of an image can be easily changed or deleted.

Further, according to the image recording method of the present invention, an image of a subject is picked up, image data is output, and background pixel data and effective pixel data are discriminated from the picked-up image data. The color type of the data is determined, the effective pixel data of the determined color is subjected to a binary encoding process, and the image data subjected to the binary encoding process is recorded on a recording medium for each color;
Decoding the binary encoded image data recorded on the recording medium, displaying an image corresponding to the decoded image data on a display unit, and designating at least a partial area of the image displayed on the display unit However, since the color of the image in the specified area is specified and the image in the specified area is replaced with the specified color, characters of a plurality of colors can be recorded with high image quality. This makes it easy to change / delete / edit a specific color of an image.

According to the recording medium of the present invention, by executing the program stored in the recording medium by a computer, it becomes possible to record a plurality of color characters with high image quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pixel array of the CCD in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining interpolation of G pixels.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining interpolation of R pixels.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining interpolation of a B pixel.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation in a character photographing mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the binary encoding process of the flowchart of FIG. 6 in detail;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table for performing color determination in a binary encoding processing unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an LUT of a binary encoding processing unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of an image file recorded in a character photographing mode.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of reproducing an image file photographed in the character photographing mode.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an LUT of a data signal processing unit.

FIG. 13 shows L of a color binary image photographed in the character photographing mode.
It is a figure showing the example of a display of CD.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 lens 2 mechanical mechanism 3 CCD 4 CDS circuit 5 A / D converter 6 digital signal processing unit 7 compression / expansion unit 8 DRAM 9 memory card 10 LCD 11 driver 12 SG 13 CPU 14A key operation unit 14B touch panel operation unit 15 strobe 16 Microphone 17 AMP / FILTER 18 D / A converter 19 Audio data compression / expansion unit 20 A / D converter 21 AMP / FILTER 22 OSD

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A digital camera provided with a character photographing mode for photographing characters, an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and outputting image data, and, among the imaged image data, background pixel data and effective pixel data. Determining means for determining, a color type determining means for determining a color type of the effective pixel data determined by the determining means, and a data compression means for performing a binary encoding process on the valid pixel data of the determined color. An image input device, characterized in that: 2. The image input device according to claim 1, further comprising a recording control unit that records the binary-coded image data on a recording medium for each color. 3. A decoding means for decoding the image data which has been subjected to the binary coding by the data compression means, a display means for displaying an image corresponding to the decoded image data, Area specifying means for specifying at least a partial area of the image displayed by the display means; color specifying means for specifying the color of the image in the area specified by the area specifying means; and specifying by the area specifying means The image input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a replacement unit configured to replace an image in the designated area with data of a color designated by the color designation unit. 4. A step of capturing an object and outputting image data, a step of determining background pixel data and valid pixel data in the captured image data, and a step of determining a color type of the determined valid pixel data And a step of performing a binary encoding process on the effective pixel data of the determined color. 5. A step of capturing a subject and outputting image data; a step of determining background pixel data and valid pixel data in the captured image data; and a step of determining a color type of the determined valid pixel data. An image recording process comprising: binary coding the effective pixel data of the determined color; and recording the effective pixel data subjected to the binary coding on a recording medium for each color. Method. 6. A step of capturing an object and outputting image data, a step of determining background pixel data and valid pixel data in the captured image data, and a step of determining a color type of the determined valid pixel data A step of performing a binary encoding process on the effective pixel data of the determined color; a step of recording the binary encoded image data on a recording medium for each color; and a binary code recorded on the recording medium. Decoding the decoded image data; displaying an image corresponding to the decoded image data on a display unit; specifying at least a partial area of the image displayed on the display unit; An image recording method, comprising: specifying a color of an image in a specified area; and replacing an image in the specified area with the specified color. 7. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a program for executing the steps of the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 6 on a computer.