JP2002247507A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time from the start of the operation for generating an image signal corresponding to a still image to the completion of the writing of the signal by starting the writing without completing a multi-format image file or without waiting for a low-resolution image signal or a normal image signal after either of them gets ready for writing. SOLUTION: At least part of the image signal from an image signal input means 100 is saved in an image buffer 400, a signal processing means 201 generates the low-resolution image signal, and the image signal and low- resolution signal are compressed by a compressing means, and a writing means 202 begins to write the low-resolution image signal having been compressed to a storage medium 600 before the compression of the image signal is completed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing an image signal of a still image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a still image taken by a digital still camera or the like is stored, a resolution image (thumbnail image) lower than the resolution of the still image is created, and the low-resolution image and the still image are combined. Is stored on a storage medium as a single file.

[0003] The image file stored in the storage medium is read out according to an appropriate reproducing operation or the like, and an image is reproduced on a display means such as a liquid crystal monitor based on the read signal. By reproducing a low-resolution image with a small amount of data without reproducing a still image with a large amount of data, the image can be used for index display of a still image.

[0004] As a device for creating such a low-resolution image, a configuration as shown in FIG. 4 is known.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a digital still camera.

The image signal input means 1 is configured to generate a still image signal corresponding to a still image (in this case, a subject).
Lens drive means 12 for adjusting the focus by driving the lens, exposure control means 13 such as a shutter and an aperture, exposure control drive means 14 for driving the exposure control means 13, and converting the light imaged by the taking lens 11 into an electric signal. And an A / D converter 16 for converting an output signal from the imager 15.

Then, the photographer releases the camera.
When the SW 3 is operated, the control unit 2 drives each component of the image signal input unit 1 to generate an image signal corresponding to a still image, and temporarily stores the image signal in the image buffer 4. At this time, the still image has a predetermined resolution or an arbitrary resolution.

Subsequently, the signal processing means 21 generates a low-resolution image signal corresponding to a low-resolution image having a lower resolution than the photographed still image, based on the image signal stored in the image buffer 4.

Thereafter, the file generating means 22 generates an image file composed of an image signal corresponding to a still image and a low-resolution image signal corresponding to a low-resolution image, that is, two image signals constituting two images having different resolutions. To generate a multi-format image file having
To save.

Then, the multi-format image file is written to the storage medium 6 by the writing means 23.

An image signal or a low-resolution image signal is read from the storage medium 6 by the control means 2 and displayed on the display means 7 by operating an operation switch (not shown).

[0012]

However, the above configuration has the following problems.

That is, after the file generating means 22 generates a multi-format image file including an image signal and a low-resolution image signal, the writing means 23 writes the file in the storage medium 6 together with the file. , Both the still image and the low-resolution image become writable, and the multi-format image file must be completed before
Writing to the recording medium 6 cannot be started. For this reason, for example, in photographing with a digital still camera, there is a problem that it takes time from the photographing operation to the completion of signal writing.

According to the present invention, without completing a multi-format image file, after one of the low-resolution image signal and the image signal is in a writable state, the other is in a writable state. By starting the writing without waiting, the time required from the start of the operation for generating the image signal corresponding to the still image to the completion of the signal writing is reduced.

[0015]

The above object is achieved by an image signal input means for generating an image signal corresponding to a still image, an image buffer for storing at least a part of the image signal,
A signal processing unit configured to generate a low-resolution image signal corresponding to a low-resolution image having a lower resolution than the resolution of the still image based on the image signal stored in the image buffer; and compressing the low-resolution image signal. A first compression unit, a second compression unit for compressing the image signal, and the low-pressure signal compressed by the first compression unit before the compression of the image signal by the second compression unit is completed. A first writing unit that starts writing the resolution image signal to the storage medium; and after the writing of the compressed low-resolution image signal to the storage medium by the first writing unit is completed, And a second writing unit that starts writing the image signal compressed by the second compression unit to the storage medium in association with the low-resolution image signal. It is achieved by an image forming apparatus according to.

Further, the above object is achieved by an image signal input means for generating an image signal corresponding to a still image, an image buffer for storing at least a part of the image signal, and an image buffer based on the image signal stored in the image buffer. Signal processing means for generating a low-resolution image signal corresponding to a low-resolution image having a resolution lower than the resolution of the still image; first compression means for compressing the low-resolution image signal; and compression of the image signal. A second compression unit that performs the compression, among the compressed low-resolution image signal and the compressed image signal,
A processing buffer for storing at least one of them, and before the compression of the image signal by the second compression unit is completed, the compressed low-resolution image signal stored in the processing buffer is transferred to a storage medium. A first writing unit for starting writing by the first writing unit, and after the writing of the compressed low-resolution image signal to the storage medium by the first writing unit is completed, the first low-resolution image signal is associated with the compressed low-resolution image signal. And a second writing unit that starts writing the compressed image signal stored in the processing buffer to the storage medium.

[0017] The above object is also achieved by an image signal input means for generating an image signal corresponding to a still image, an image buffer for storing at least a part of the image signal, and an image buffer based on the image signal stored in the image buffer. Signal processing means for generating a low-resolution image signal corresponding to a low-resolution image having a resolution lower than the resolution of the still image; first compression means for compressing the low-resolution image signal; and compression of the image signal. Before the compression of the low resolution image signal by the first compression unit is completed,
Converting the image signal compressed by the second compression unit into
A first writing unit that starts writing to the storage medium, and after the writing of the compressed image signal to the storage medium by the first writing unit is completed, the first writing unit associates the compressed image signal with the compressed image signal. And a second writing unit that starts writing the low-resolution image signal compressed by the first compression unit to the storage medium.

[0018] The above object is also achieved by an image signal input means for generating an image signal corresponding to a still image, an image buffer for storing at least a part of the image signal, and an image buffer based on the image signal stored in the image buffer. Signal processing means for generating a low-resolution image signal corresponding to a low-resolution image having a resolution lower than the resolution of the still image; first compression means for compressing the low-resolution image signal; and compression of the image signal. A second compression unit that performs compression, among the compressed low-resolution image signal and the compressed image signal,
A processing buffer for storing at least one of them, and before the compression of the low-resolution image signal by the first compression unit is completed, the compressed image signal stored in the processing buffer is transferred to a storage medium. First writing means for starting writing in the storage medium, and after the writing of the compressed image signal to the storage medium by the first writing means is completed, the processing buffer is associated with the compressed image signal. And a second writing unit that starts writing the low-resolution compressed image signal stored in the storage medium into the storage medium.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital still camera.

The image signal input means 100 is configured to generate a still image signal corresponding to a still image (in this case, a subject), and in this example, a photographing lens 10 for forming a subject image.
1.Lens driving means 102 for adjusting the focus by driving the photographic lens 101, exposure control means 103 such as a shutter and an aperture, exposure control driving means 104 for driving the exposure control means 103, and light formed by the photographic lens 101. And an A / D conversion unit 106 for converting an output signal from the imaging unit 105 into an electric signal.

When the photographer operates the operation switch 300 including the release switch, the control means 200
By driving and controlling the components of the image signal input means 100 described above, an image signal corresponding to a still image (subject) is generated.

The image signals generated here are sequentially stored in the image buffer 400. At this time, this still image
It has a predetermined resolution or an arbitrary resolution.

Then, based on the image signal stored in the image buffer 400, the signal processing means 201 generates a low-resolution image signal (for example, a thumbnail image) corresponding to a low-resolution image (thumbnail image) having a lower resolution than the generated still image. (160 pixels × 120 pixels), and the low-resolution image signal is compressed by the signal processing unit 201 and then stored in the processing buffer 500.

In generating the low-resolution image signal, a known method such as averaging or sub-sampling can be applied.

Subsequently, the signal processing means 201 starts a compression process based on the image signal stored in the image buffer 400.

Then, before the compression processing of the image signal is completed, the compressed low-resolution image signal stored in the processing buffer 500 is written to the storage medium 600 by the writing means 202.

On the other hand, the image signal is temporarily stored in the processing buffer 500 after the completion of the compression processing, and thereafter, the compressed low-resolution image signal which has already been written to the storage medium 600 by the writing means 202. In association with this, writing of the compressed image signal is started.

When the writing of the compressed image signal is completed, a file as shown in FIG.

By operating the operation switch 300, the written image signal and the low-resolution image signal are read out from the storage medium 600 together or separately by the control means 200 and displayed on the display means 700 comprising a liquid crystal screen or the like.

Here, a method of writing different signals in association with each other will be described.

In order to write the compressed image signal in association with the compressed low-resolution image signal which has been written before, the writing unit 202 generates association information.

The association information includes, for example, a file identification number and file attribute information.

The file attribute information includes new file information indicating a newly created file or additional file information indicating addition to an existing file.

When writing the compressed low-resolution image, the writing means 202 adds the file identification number and new file information as file attribute information, and then writes the new file information to the storage medium 600.

Thereafter, when writing the compressed image signal, the writing means 202 adds the same file identification number as the compressed low-resolution image and additional file information as file attribute information. Then, writing is performed on the storage medium 600. At this time, the two image signals are associated with each other by searching for a file having the same file identification number and confirming a combination of new and additional file attribute information.

In this way, the storage medium 600 is
Separate signals, that is, a low-resolution image signal written to the file and an image signal to be written later, are subjected to additional writing to an existing file, and the storage medium 600
Above, it can be generated as a single file.

It is to be noted that the association information may be deleted from the storage medium 600 when the additional writing is completed.

Regardless of the above example, when writing a compressed image signal to the storage medium 600, a different file identification number from the previously written compressed low-resolution image signal is added, Signals as separate files,
It is also possible to save on the storage medium 600. In this case, by storing the association information in each file header or the like, it is possible to link the information when reproducing and displaying an image or when transferring a file.

The generated file is as shown in FIG.

Here, the compressed low-resolution image signal and
A storage medium in which the compressed image signal is related
In order to store the compressed low-resolution image signal in the storage medium 600, the writing to the storage medium 600 needs to be completed. Therefore, as long as the writing of the compressed low-resolution image signal to the storage medium 600 is completed, even if the compression of all the image signals is not completed, a method of sequentially storing the signals may be used.

As described above, according to the example of this embodiment,
Before the compression processing of the image signal is completed, the processing of writing the low-resolution image signal to the storage medium is started, so there is no need to wait for both to be in a writable state,
The time required for storing the image signal can be reduced.

Further, in the prior art, after the multi-format image file is generated, the file is written in the storage medium together with the file. Therefore, the low-resolution image signal and the image signal constituting the multi-format image file are used as the processing buffer. Although the storage capacity is required, the writing of the low-resolution image signal is started without waiting for the completion of the processing of the image signal, so that the capacity of the processing buffer does not need to be increased.

Further, the process of writing the low-resolution image signal to the storage medium is terminated first, and then the additional writing of the image signal is performed. Therefore, the image signal is written to the storage medium due to an accident such as a drop in the power supply voltage. Even if the writing of data has not been completed, it is possible to at least leave a signal of which writing has been completed previously in the storage medium.
This is, like the digital still camera of this example,
This is useful in a portable image processing apparatus that is used after incorporating a limited amount of power.

In the above example, the signal processing means 201
However, it is assumed that the low-resolution image signal is created and compressed, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in the above example, the signal processing means 201 serves as the low-resolution image signal of the present invention and also serves as the first and second compression means, but the first and second compression means are separate from the signal processing means 201. May be provided. Further, the first and second compression means may be shared by one compression means.

In the above example, the writing means 202
Although the configuration is such that the compressed low-resolution image signal and the compressed image signal are written to the storage medium 600, the writing may be performed by separate writing means.

Further, in the above example, the example in which the writing of the image signal to the storage medium is started after the writing of the low-resolution image signal to the storage medium is completed, but the order of writing to the storage medium may be reversed. . That is, before the compression of the low-resolution image signal is completed, writing of the compressed image signal to the storage medium is started, and after the writing of the compressed image signal to the storage medium is completed, the compressed low-resolution image signal is written. The signal may be written on a storage medium in association with the compressed low-resolution image signal.

In the present invention, the means for performing the writing control started first is called the first writing means, and the one started later is called the second writing means.

Further, in the above example, the storage medium 60
After the signal for writing to 0 is temporarily stored in the processing buffer 500,
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the signal compressed by the signal processing unit 201 may be directly written to the storage medium 600.

In the above example, the low-resolution image signal is compressed before writing to the storage medium.
When a sufficiently large capacity of 0 is used, writing may be selected without performing compression processing.

Similarly, although the image signal is compressed before writing to the storage medium, when a storage medium 600 having a large capacity is used, writing can be selected without performing compression processing. It does not matter.

When a sufficient capacity of the storage medium can always be used, the image signal or the low-resolution image signal may be written to the storage medium without being always compressed. In this case, since the writing of the image signal to the storage medium can be started before the low-resolution image signal, while the signal processing unit 201 generates the low-resolution image signal, the image signal is written to the storage medium. It is preferable to start writing.

Further, the capacity of the image buffer 400 is such that the signal processing means 201 sequentially generates a low-resolution image signal as soon as image signals necessary for generating the low-resolution image signal are accumulated. In such a case, there is no need to have a capacity to accumulate all the image signals constituting one still image.

In the above description, an example of a digital still camera has been described.
May be any device that can generate an image signal corresponding to a still image, and as another embodiment, may be configured by document reading means such as a scanner that reads a document and outputs a corresponding image signal. It is possible.

Further, as another embodiment, signal reading means for reading out an image signal stored in some storage medium and inputting it to the image buffer 400, and inputting the transmitted image signal to the image buffer 400 May be configured by an interface means for the purpose.

[0056]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, both the image signal corresponding to the still image and the low-resolution image signal corresponding to the image having a lower resolution than the still image can be written. Even if it is not, since the writing is started from the signal at which writing is enabled, the time required from the start of the operation for generating the image signal corresponding to the still image to the completion of the signal writing can be reduced. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration outline of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of an image file generated according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example of an image file generated according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 image signal input means 101 shooting lens 103 exposure control means 200 control means 201 signal processing means 202 writing means 400 image buffer 500 processing buffer 600 storage medium

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C052 AC08 DD04 5C053 FA08 FA14 GA11 GA20 GB21 HA29 JA21 KA01 KA24 LA01 LA06 5C076 AA22 BA03 BA06 CB01

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image signal input unit configured to generate an image signal corresponding to a still image; an image buffer configured to store at least a part of the image signal; and an image buffer configured to store the image signal based on the image signal stored in the image buffer. Signal processing means for generating a low-resolution image signal corresponding to a low-resolution image having a resolution lower than that of a still image; first compression means for compressing the low-resolution image signal; and second means for compressing the image signal Before the compression of the image signal by the second compression unit is completed, the first low-resolution image signal compressed by the first compression unit is written to a storage medium.
After the writing of the compressed low-resolution image signal to the storage medium by the first writing means is completed, the second low-resolution image signal is associated with the compressed low-resolution image signal, An image processing apparatus comprising: a second writing unit that starts writing the image signal compressed by the compression unit to the storage medium. 2. An image signal input unit for generating an image signal corresponding to a still image, an image buffer for storing at least a part of the image signal, and an image buffer based on the image signal stored in the image buffer. Signal processing means for generating a low-resolution image signal corresponding to a low-resolution image having a resolution lower than that of a still image; first compression means for compressing the low-resolution image signal; and second means for compressing the image signal Compression means, a processing buffer for storing at least one of the compressed low-resolution image signal and the compressed image signal, and before the compression of the image signal by the second compression means is completed. A first writing unit that starts writing the compressed low-resolution image signal stored in the processing buffer to a storage medium; After the writing of the compressed low-resolution image signal into the storage medium by the loading means is completed, the compressed image signal stored in the processing buffer is associated with the compressed low-resolution image signal, An image processing apparatus comprising: a second writing unit that starts writing to the storage medium. 3. An image signal input unit for generating an image signal corresponding to a still image, an image buffer for storing at least a part of the image signal, and an image buffer based on the image signal stored in the image buffer. Signal processing means for generating a low-resolution image signal corresponding to a low-resolution image having a resolution lower than that of a still image; first compression means for compressing the low-resolution image signal; and second means for compressing the image signal Before the compression of the low resolution image signal by the first compression unit is completed, the first compression unit starts writing the image signal compressed by the second compression unit to a storage medium.
After the writing of the compressed image signal by the first writing unit to the storage medium is completed, the writing unit compresses the compressed image signal by the first compression unit. And a second writing unit that starts writing the low-resolution image signal into the storage medium. 4. An image signal input unit for generating an image signal corresponding to a still image, an image buffer for storing at least a part of the image signal, and an image buffer for storing at least a part of the image signal. Signal processing means for generating a low-resolution image signal corresponding to a low-resolution image having a resolution lower than that of a still image; first compression means for compressing the low-resolution image signal; and second means for compressing the image signal Compression means, a processing buffer for storing at least one of the compressed low-resolution image signal and the compressed image signal, and completion of the compression of the low-resolution image signal by the first compression means. First writing means for starting writing the compressed image signal stored in the processing buffer to a storage medium, After the writing of the compressed image signal into the storage medium by the loading means is completed, the low-resolution compressed image signal stored in the processing buffer is stored in the processing buffer in association with the compressed image signal. An image processing apparatus comprising: a second writing unit that starts writing to a medium. 5. When writing to the storage medium, the first writing unit and the second writing unit are configured to associate the low-resolution image signal with the image signal.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein association information is added to each signal. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first compression means and said second compression means are common compression means.
5. The image processing apparatus according to any one of items 4 to 4. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first writing unit and the second writing unit are common writing units. 8. The compression unit and the signal processing unit,
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is a common processing unit. 9. The writing means and the signal processing means,
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is a common processing unit.