JP2003244626A - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, image processing method, and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus for properly performing gamma correction in response to the characteristics of an imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus includes: a receiving unit for receiving an image photographed by the imaging apparatus and imaging gamma information representing a gamma correction amount on the basis of imaging characteristics of the imaging apparatus with respect to the image from the imaging apparatus, an output gamma table indicating a correction value correcting the image; a table update section for updating the output gamma table on the basis of the imaging gamma information; and a correction section for correcting the image on the basis of the correction value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing system, an image processing method, and an image pickup device. In particular, the present invention relates to an image processing device that performs image processing on an image captured by an imaging device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image processing system, a digital camera stores RAW data showing a captured image,
Image data is generated by gamma correction based on the imaging characteristics of a digital camera. Further, the printer analyzes the image data, further gamma-corrects the image data based on the analysis result and the printer output characteristic, and prints the corrected image.

[0003]

Digital cameras have different image pickup characteristics for each model and generate image data based on different gamma corrections. However, in the conventional image processing system, it is difficult for the printer to correct the image data according to the image pickup characteristics of the digital camera.

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

[0005]

That is, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for performing image processing on an image picked up by an image pickup apparatus, the image pickup apparatus for the image and the image. A receiving unit that receives image pickup gamma information indicating the gamma correction amount based on the image pickup characteristic from the image pickup apparatus, an output gamma table that indicates a correction value that corrects the image, and a table that updates the output gamma table based on the image pickup gamma information. An update unit and a correction unit that corrects the image based on the correction value are provided. The reception unit may receive the imaging gamma information based on the intensity of light from the subject that the imaging unit receives at the time of imaging, and the brightness of the image generated by the imaging device according to the intensity of the light.

An image processing apparatus for performing image processing on an image picked up by an image pickup apparatus, wherein the image and image pickup apparatus information for identifying the image pickup apparatus are received from the image pickup apparatus, and the image is corrected. For storing a plurality of output gamma tables, a table selection section for selecting one output gamma table based on the imaging device information, and a correction for correcting an image based on the one output gamma table. May be provided. Each of the plurality of output gamma tables corresponds to an image pickup device having a different image pickup characteristic, and the table selection unit
An output gamma table may be selected that corresponds to the imaging device that delivers the image to the reception unit. Each of the plurality of output gamma tables may have a value based on the imaging characteristics of the corresponding imaging device.

Further, the reception unit may receive RAW data generated by the image pickup device as an image. Further, a table storage unit for storing an output gamma table for correcting the image and an output unit for outputting an output image based on the image corrected by the correction unit are further provided, and the table storage unit has the output characteristics of the output unit. An output gamma table based on may be stored. The table storage unit may store an output gamma table based on the brightness of the image received as an input by the output unit and the brightness of the image output by the output unit based on the brightness of the image received as the input.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing system comprising an image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject and an image processing device for performing image processing on the image, wherein the image pickup device is an image of the subject. The image processing apparatus includes: an image capturing unit that captures the image; and a supply unit that supplies the image processing apparatus with image capturing gamma information indicating a gamma correction amount based on the image capturing characteristics of the image capturing unit for the image. A reception unit that receives the image and the imaging gamma information from the imaging device, an output gamma table that indicates a correction value that corrects the image, a table updating unit that updates the output gamma table based on the imaging gamma information, and the correction value. And a correction unit that corrects the image based on.

An image processing system comprising an image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject, and an image processing device for performing image processing on the image, wherein the image pickup device includes an image pickup section for picking up an image of the subject. The image processing apparatus includes a supply unit that supplies an image and image capturing apparatus information that identifies the image capturing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. A table storage unit that stores a plurality of output gamma tables for correction, a table selection unit that selects one output gamma table based on imaging device information, and an image is corrected based on the one output gamma table. A correction unit may be included.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, an image pickup step for picking up an image of a subject and an image processing step for performing image processing on the image based on an output gamma table showing a correction value for correcting the image. An image processing method comprising: an image capturing step of capturing an image of a subject; and image capturing gamma information indicating a gamma correction amount based on the image capturing characteristic of the image capturing step in the image capturing step. The image processing step includes a receiving step of receiving the image and the imaging gamma information from the imaging step, a table updating step of updating the output gamma table based on the imaging gamma information, And a correction step of correcting the image based on the correction value.

Further, the image processing method comprises an image pickup step for picking up an image of a subject and an image processing step for performing image processing on the image, wherein the image pickup step includes an acquisition step for picking up an image of the subject and An image and an image capturing stage information for identifying the image capturing stage are provided to the image processing stage, and the image processing stage receives the image and the image capturing stage information from the image capturing stage and the image receiving stage. A table storing step for storing a plurality of output gamma tables for correction, a table selecting step for selecting one output gamma table based on the imaging step information, and an image correction based on the one output gamma table And a correction stage.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject, wherein the gamma is based on the output characteristics of the image pickup unit for picking up the image of the subject and the image processing apparatus to which the image is to be delivered. Output gamma information showing the correction amount,
A receiving unit that receives from the image processing device, an imaging gamma table that indicates a correction value that corrects the image, a table updating unit that updates the imaging gamma table based on the output gamma information, and an image is corrected based on the correction value. And a correction unit.

An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject, and an image pickup section for picking up an image of the subject and image processing apparatus information for identifying the image processing apparatus to which the image is to be delivered are received from the image processing apparatus. A reception unit, a table storage unit that stores a plurality of imaging gamma tables for correcting the image, a table selection unit that selects one imaging gamma table based on image processing device information, and the one imaging gamma table. A correction unit that corrects the image based on the table may be provided.

It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and the features described in the embodiments Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image processing system 18 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system 18 includes a digital camera 10, a printer 12, and a personal computer 14. Digital camera 1
0, printer 12, and personal computer 14
Transmit and receive data to and from each other via a data transmission path. The data transmission path is, for example, IEEE1394, US
It is a wired communication medium such as B and a wireless communication medium such as IrDA, Bluetooth, and wireless LAN. The data transmission path may be a network network using a plurality of wired communication media and wireless communication media, for example, the Internet network. Further, a recording medium such as a removable medium may be used to transfer data between the digital camera 10, the printer 12, and the personal computer 14.

The digital camera 10 picks up an image of a subject and sends the picked-up image data to the printer 12 or the personal computer 14. In this embodiment,
The digital camera 10 transmits a captured image, which is captured image data, to the printer 12 or the personal computer 14. The digital camera 10 is a digital camera 10.
The image pickup gamma information indicating the gamma correction amount based on the image pickup characteristic of the printer 12 or the personal computer 14 is further added.
Send to. The digital camera 10 is the digital camera 1.
The imaging device information identifying 0 may be transmitted to the printer 12 or the personal computer 14. The printer 12 or the personal computer 14 performs predetermined image processing on the received image data and outputs it. In the present embodiment, the printer 12 or the personal computer 14 is
Gamma correction is performed on the captured image, and the corrected captured image is output. That is, the printer 12 prints and outputs the corrected captured image, and the personal computer 14 outputs the corrected captured image to the monitor. Further, the personal computer 14 transmits the setting information to the digital camera 10 or the printer 12 and changes the setting information of the digital camera 10 or the printer 12.

The digital camera 10 is an example of an image pickup device, and the printer 12 and the personal computer 14 are examples of an image processing device. Further, the imaging device may be a digital still camera that captures a still image or a digital video camera that captures a moving image. Further, the image processing apparatus may be a laboratory printing apparatus that automatically adjusts the image quality of an image captured by a digital camera and prints the image.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the digital camera 10 and the printer 12 according to this embodiment. The digital camera 10 is an example of an imaging device that captures a captured image that is an image of a subject. The digital camera 10 includes the imaging unit 2
0 and a supply unit 302. The image capturing section 20 captures a captured image. The supply unit 302 supplies the captured image and the captured gamma information indicating the amount of gamma correction based on the image capturing characteristics of the digital camera 10 to the printer 12.

The supply unit 302 outputs the RAW data generated by the image pickup unit 20 as a picked-up image. In another embodiment, the supply unit 302 uses the image capturing unit 20 as the captured image.
An image in which the RAW data generated by is corrected may be output. For example, the supply unit 302 may generate a captured image by gamma correction, YC conversion, and data compression on the RAW data and supply the captured image to the printer 12. Supply unit 3
02 may output a JPEG format image as a captured image.

The supply unit 302 uses, as imaging gamma information,
Information indicating the gamma correction amount based on the image pickup characteristics of the image pickup section 20 may be output. The supply unit 302 is the digital camera 10.
It is preferable to supply the imaging gamma information based on the intensity of the light from the subject that is received at the time of capturing and the brightness of the captured image generated by the digital camera 10 according to the intensity of the light.

In the present embodiment, the supply unit 302 supplies, as the imaging gamma information, an imaging gamma coefficient indicating a gamma curve corresponding to a gamma correction amount based on the imaging characteristics of the imaging unit 20. In another embodiment, the supply unit 302 may supply the value of the element of the gamma table indicating the gamma curve as the imaging gamma information. The supply unit 302 may supply information for identifying the digital camera 10 as the imaging gamma information.

The printer 12 is an example of an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on a captured image captured by the digital camera 10. The printer 12 includes a reception unit 312,
It has a table storage unit 304, a table update unit 308, a correction unit 306, and an output unit 310. The reception unit 312 is
The captured image and the captured gamma information are received from the digital camera 10. In the present embodiment, the reception unit 312 receives RAW data generated by the digital camera 10 as a captured image. The reception unit 312 is the digital camera 10.
May further receive an imaging condition when the captured image was captured. The accepting unit 312 may receive, as the imaging condition, information indicating the imaging mode or the brightness of the subject at the time of imaging, for example. Further, the reception unit 312 may further receive information for identifying the digital camera 10 as the imaging gamma information.

The table storage unit 304 stores an output gamma table for correcting a captured image. In the present embodiment, the table storage unit 304 stores an output gamma table showing correction values for correcting a captured image. The table storage unit 304 preferably stores an output gamma table based on the output characteristics of the output unit 310. The table storage unit 304 may store an output gamma table based on the brightness of the image received by the output unit 310 as an input and the brightness of the image output by the output unit 310 based on the brightness of the image received as the input.

In the present embodiment, the table storage unit 30
4 stores an output gamma table based on the print output characteristics of the output unit 310. It is preferable that the table storage unit 304 stores an output gamma table for reproducing the brightness of the captured image in the print output of the output unit 310. In another embodiment, the table storage unit 304 may store an output gamma table based on the monitor output characteristic of the output unit 310.

The table storage section 304 stores, as an output gamma table, an output gamma coefficient indicating a gamma curve corresponding to a gamma correction amount based on the output characteristic of the output section 310. In another embodiment, the table storage 304 is
You may store the value of the element of an output gamma table.

The table updating unit 308 updates the output gamma table based on the imaging gamma information. In the present embodiment, the table updating unit 308 updates the output gamma table based on the output gamma coefficient and the imaging gamma coefficient. The table updating unit 308 updates the output gamma table to a gamma table in which the product of the output gamma coefficient and the imaging gamma coefficient is the gamma coefficient. Table updating section 3
08 may analyze the captured image and update the output gamma table further based on the analysis result. For example, the table updating unit 308 may perform a histogram analysis of the brightness of the captured image and update the output gamma table based on the analysis result, the imaging gamma information, and the stored gamma table.

The table updating unit 308 may further analyze the captured image based on the information indicating the model of the digital camera 10. In this case, the printer 12 receives information indicating the model of the digital camera 10 from the digital camera 10. The printer 12 may receive the information as imaging gamma information. The table updating unit 308 displays, for example, the analysis result of the brightness histogram of the captured image,
Based on the information, it may be divided into elements depending on the model characteristics of the digital camera 10 and elements depending on the setting of the exposure amount and white balance at the time of image pickup. Table updating unit 308
May update the output gamma table based on the respective divided elements.

The correction unit 306 corrects the captured image based on the correction value indicated by the output gamma table. In the present embodiment, the correction unit 306 performs gamma correction on the RAW data generated by the digital camera 10. Correction unit 306
Is corrected by the correction unit 306 as RAW data indicating a captured image.
It is preferable to receive data having more tones than the gamma-corrected data generated by the. For example, the correction unit 30
6 may generate 8-bit gradation data by gamma correction based on 12-bit gradation RAW data. Also,
The output unit 310 outputs an output image based on the captured image corrected by the correction unit 306. In the present embodiment, the output unit 310 prints out the output image.

In the present embodiment, the printer 12 receives the imaging gamma information based on the imaging characteristics of the digital camera 10 from the digital camera 10. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the printer 12 can print out the captured image that has been appropriately gamma-corrected according to the characteristics of the digital camera 10.

Further, in the present embodiment, the printer 1
2 indicates the image pickup characteristics of the digital camera 10 and the printer 12 with respect to the RAW data generated by the digital camera 10.
The gamma correction is performed once based on the output characteristics of, and the corrected image is printed out. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the quantization error due to the gamma correction, as compared to the case where the digital camera 10 and the printer 12 respectively perform the gamma correction.

In another embodiment, the digital camera 10
However, it may further include a reception unit 312, a table storage unit 304, a table update unit 308, and a correction unit 306. In this case, the reception unit 312 receives from the printer 12 output gamma information indicating the gamma correction amount based on the output characteristics of the printer 12 to which the captured image should be delivered. The table storage unit 304 stores an imaging gamma table indicating a correction value for correcting a captured image. The table storage unit 304 preferably stores an imaging gamma table showing a gamma curve corresponding to a gamma correction amount based on the imaging characteristics of the imaging unit 20.

The table updating unit 308 updates the imaging gamma table based on the output gamma information. Correction unit 30
Reference numeral 6 corrects the captured image based on the correction value indicated by the imaging gamma table. Further, in this example, the printer 12
Has an output unit 310 that prints out the captured image gamma-corrected by the correction unit 306. Also in this example, the printer 12 can print out the captured image that has been appropriately gamma-corrected according to the characteristics of the digital camera 10.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an image processing method by the image processing system 18 according to this embodiment. The image processing method includes an image capturing step of capturing a captured image that is an image of a subject, and an image processing step of performing image processing on the captured image based on an output gamma table indicating a correction value for correcting the captured image. The imaging stage is
It has an acquisition step S102 and a supply step S104. The image processing stage includes a receiving stage S106 and a table storing stage S1.
08, table updating step S110, correction step S112,
And an output step S114.

In this embodiment, the image processing system 1
8 first captures a captured image in the acquisition step S102.
The acquisition step S102 is performed by the imaging unit 2 described with reference to FIG.
0 may be used. Next, in a supply step S104, the captured image and imaging gamma information indicating the gamma correction amount based on the imaging characteristic in the acquisition step S102 for the captured image are supplied to the image processing step. The supply step S104 may be performed using the supply unit 302 described with reference to FIG.

Next, In the reception step S106, the captured image and the imaging gamma information are received from the imaging step. Reception stage S
106 may be performed using the reception unit 312 described with reference to FIG. Next, in a table storing step S108, an output gamma table indicating a correction value for correcting the captured image is stored. The table storage step S108 may be performed using the table storage unit 304 described with reference to FIG. In another embodiment, the table storing step S108 may be performed prior to the receiving step S106.

Next, in the table updating step S110, the output gamma table is updated based on the imaging gamma information.
The table updating step S110 may be performed using the table updating unit 308 described with reference to FIG. Next, in a correction step S112, the captured image is corrected based on the correction value indicated by the output gamma table. The correction step S112 is shown in FIG.
It may be performed using the correction unit 306 described in relation to.
Next, in the output step S114, the captured image corrected in the correction step S112 is printed out, and the image processing system 18 ends the operation. The output step S114 may be performed using the output unit 310 described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the configuration of the printer 12 according to this embodiment. In this example, the printer 12
It has a reception unit 312, a table storage unit 304, a table selection unit 314, a correction unit 306, and an output unit 310. In this example, the digital camera 1 described with reference to FIG.
0 supplies the captured image and the image capturing apparatus information for identifying the digital camera 10 to the printer 12. The digital camera 10 transfers the captured image and the image capturing device information to the printer 1.
It may have a supply part which supplies to 2.

The accepting unit 312 receives the picked-up image and the pick-up device information from the digital camera 10. In this example, the reception unit 312 receives information indicating the model of the digital camera 10 as the imaging device information. Reception section 312
May further receive, as the imaging device information, an imaging condition when the digital camera 10 captures a captured image.
Further, the reception unit 312 may receive, as the imaging condition, information indicating the imaging mode or the brightness of the subject at the time of imaging, for example.

The table selection unit 314 stores a plurality of output gamma tables for correcting the captured image. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of output gamma tables has a different digital camera 1 having different imaging characteristics.
Corresponds to 0. Each of the plurality of output gamma tables has a value based on the imaging characteristics of the corresponding digital camera 10.

The table selecting section 314 selects one output gamma table based on the image pickup device information. In the present embodiment, the table selection unit 314 is the reception unit 312.
The output gamma table corresponding to the digital camera 10 that delivers the captured image to is selected. The correction unit 306 corrects the captured image based on the one output gamma table selected by the table selection unit 314. The output unit 310 outputs an output image based on the captured image corrected by the correction unit 306.

In this example, the printer 12 selects an output gamma table according to the model of the digital camera 10 and gamma-corrects the picked-up image with the output gamma table. Also in this example, the printer 12 can appropriately correct the captured image according to the characteristics of the digital camera 10.

In another embodiment, the digital camera 10 described with reference to FIG. 2 has a reception unit 312, a table storage unit 304, a table selection unit 314, and a correction unit 306.
May be further included. In this case, the reception unit 312 receives from the printer 12 image processing device information that identifies the printer 12 to which the captured image should be delivered. Table storage 3
04 stores a plurality of predetermined imaging gamma tables. The table storage unit 304 preferably stores an imaging gamma table showing a gamma curve corresponding to a gamma correction amount based on the imaging characteristics of the imaging unit 20.

The table selection unit 314 selects one imaging gamma table based on the image processing device information. The correction unit 306 corrects the captured image based on the one imaging gamma table selected by the table selection unit 314. The printer 12 also includes an output unit 310 that prints out the captured image that has been gamma-corrected by the correction unit 306. Also in this example, the printer 12 can print out the captured image that has been appropriately gamma-corrected according to the characteristics of the digital camera 10.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the image processing method by the image processing system 18 according to this embodiment. The image processing method includes an image capturing step of capturing a captured image that is an image of a subject, and an image processing step of performing image processing on the captured image. The imaging stage includes an acquisition stage S116 and a supply stage S118. The image processing stage includes a reception stage S120, a table storage stage S122, a table selection stage S124, a correction stage S126, and an output stage S128.

In this example, the image processing system 18 is
First, in the acquisition step S116, a captured image is captured. The acquisition step S116 may be performed using the imaging unit 20 described with reference to FIG. Next, in a supplying step S118, the captured image and the imaging stage information for identifying the imaging stage are supplied to the image processing stage. The supplying step S118 may be performed using the supplying unit 302 described with reference to FIG.

Next, in a receiving step S120, the picked-up image and the pick-up stage information are received from the pick-up stage. Reception stage S1
20 may be performed using the reception unit 312 described with reference to FIG. Next, in a table storing step S122, a plurality of output gamma tables for correcting the captured image are stored. The table storage step S122 may be performed using the table storage unit 304 described with reference to FIG.

Next, in the table selection step S124, one output gamma table is selected based on the imaging step information. The table selection step S124 may be performed using the table selection unit 314 described with reference to FIG. next,
In the correction step S126, the captured image is corrected based on the one output gamma table. The correction step S128 is shown in FIG.
It may be performed using the correction unit 306 described in relation to.
Next, in the output step S128, the captured image corrected in the correction step S126 is printed out, and the image processing system 18 ends the operation. The output step S128 may be performed using the output unit 310 described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a detailed configuration of the digital camera 10 according to this embodiment. Digital camera 10
Is an imaging unit 20, an imaging control unit 40, a system control unit 6
0, a display unit 100, an operation unit 110, a storage unit 120, an external connection unit 130, and an image processing unit 140. The imaging unit 20 has the same or similar function as the imaging unit 20 described with reference to FIG. The external connection unit 130 has the same or similar function as the supply unit 302 described with reference to FIG. Also, the external connection unit 130 may have the same or similar function as the reception unit 312 described with reference to FIG. 2.
The image processing unit 140 includes the table storage unit 304, the table updating unit 308, and the correction unit 30 described with reference to FIG.
6 may have the same or similar function.

The image pickup section 20 includes a photographing lens section 22 and a diaphragm 2.
4, a shutter 26, an optical LPF 28, a CCD 30, an image pickup signal processing unit 32, a finder 34, and a strobe 36.

The taking lens unit 22 takes in a subject image and processes it. The taking lens unit 22 includes a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like, and forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 30. The stop 24 stops the light that has passed through the taking lens unit 22, and the optical LPF 28 allows a wavelength component longer than a predetermined wavelength included in the light that has passed through the stop 24 to pass. Each sensor element of the CCD 30 accumulates electric charge according to the amount of light of the formed subject image (hereinafter, the electric charge is referred to as “accumulated electric charge”).

The shutter 26 is a mechanical shutter,
It controls whether or not the light passing through the taking lens unit 22 is exposed to the CCD 30. Further, the digital camera 10 may have an electronic shutter function instead of the shutter 26. In order to realize the electronic shutter function, the sensor element of the CCD 30 has a shutter gate and a shutter drain. By driving the shutter gate, the accumulated charge is swept out to the shutter drain. By controlling the shutter gate, the time for accumulating charges in each sensor element, that is, the shutter speed can be controlled. In the CCD 30, the accumulated charges are read out to the shift register by the read gate pulse and sequentially read out as a voltage signal by the register transfer pulse.

The image pickup signal processing section 32 color-separates a voltage signal indicating an object image output from the CCD 30, that is, an analog signal, into R, G and B components. Then, the imaging signal processing unit 32 adjusts the white balance of the subject image by adjusting the R, G, and B components. Imaging signal processing unit 32
Performs gamma correction on the subject image. Then, the imaging signal processing unit 32 A / D-converts the analog signal decomposed into R, G, and B components, and obtains the resulting digital image data of the subject image (hereinafter referred to as “digital image data”). Output to the system control unit 60.

The finder 34 may have a display means and may display various information from the main CPU 62 or the like which will be described later in the finder 34. The strobe 36 has a discharge tube 37 that discharges the energy stored in the capacitor, and the discharge tube 37 is supplied when the energy is supplied to the discharge tube 37.
Works by emitting light. In the present embodiment, the image capturing unit 20 acquires a captured image that is an image of a subject and outputs RAW data indicating the captured image. The imaging unit 20 is C
The voltage signal indicating the subject image output from the CD 30 is A /
The D-converted signal may be output as the RAW data.

The image pickup control section 40 has a zoom drive section 42, a focus drive section 44, an aperture drive section 46, a shutter drive section 48, an image pickup system CPU 50 for controlling them, a distance measuring sensor 52, and a photometric sensor 54. Zoom drive unit 4
2, the focus driving unit 44, the diaphragm driving unit 46, and the shutter driving unit 48 each have a driving unit such as a stepping motor, and drive a mechanical member included in the imaging unit 20. When the release switch 114, which will be described later, is pressed, the distance measuring sensor 52 measures the distance to the subject, and the photometric sensor 5
4 measures the subject brightness. Then, the distance measuring sensor 52 and the photometric sensor 54 respectively collect data of the measured distance to the subject (hereinafter simply referred to as “distance measuring data”) and subject brightness data (hereinafter simply referred to as “photometric data”). It is supplied to the CPU 50.

The image pickup system CPU 50 uses the zoom drive section 42 based on the photographing information such as the zoom magnification designated by the user.
And the focus drive unit 44 to control the photographing lens unit 22.
Adjust the zoom magnification and focus of. In addition, the imaging system CP
U50 is a zoom drive unit 42 and a focus drive unit 44 based on the distance measurement data received from the distance measurement sensor 52.
May be controlled to adjust the zoom magnification and focus.

The image pickup system CPU 50 determines the aperture value and the shutter speed based on the photometric data received from the photometric sensor 54. According to the determined value, the diaphragm driving unit 46 and the shutter driving unit 48 respectively control the diaphragm amount of the diaphragm 24 and the opening / closing of the shutter 26.

Further, the image pickup system CPU 50 has the photometric sensor 5
Based on the photometric data received from
The emission of light is controlled and at the same time, the diaphragm amount of the diaphragm 24 is adjusted.
When the user gives an instruction to capture an image, the CCD 30 starts charge storage, and outputs the stored charge to the imaging signal processing unit 32 after the shutter time calculated from the photometric data has elapsed.

The system control unit 60 includes the main CPU 6
2, a character generator 84, a timer 86, and a clock generator 88. The main CPU 62 controls the entire digital camera 10, particularly the system control unit 60. The main CPU 62 uses an image pickup system CP by serial communication or the like.
Transfer necessary information to and from U50.

The clock generator 88 is the main CPU 62.
The operation clock of is generated and supplied to the main CPU 62. Further, the clock generator 88 generates an operation clock for the image pickup system CPU 50 and the display unit 100. The clock generator 88 may supply operation clocks of different frequencies to the main CPU 62, the imaging system CPU 50, and the display unit 100.

The character generation unit 84 generates character information and graphic information to be combined with the photographed image such as photographing date and time and title. The timer 86 is backed up by, for example, a battery, always counts time, and supplies the main CPU 62 with time information such as information regarding the shooting date and time of the shot image based on the count value. It is desirable that the timer 86 count the time by the power supplied from the storage battery even when the power source of the digital camera body is off. Also,
The character generation unit 84 and the timer 86 are the main CPU
It is preferable to be installed at 62.

The storage section 120 has a memory control section 64, a non-volatile memory 66, and a main memory 68. The memory control unit 64 includes a nonvolatile memory 66 and a main memory 6
8 and control. The non-volatile memory 66 is an EEPROM
(Electrically erasable and programmable ROM) and FLAS
The H memory or the like stores data that should be held even while the power of the digital camera 10 is off, such as user setting information and factory adjustment values. The non-volatile memory 66 may store a boot program for the main CPU 62, a system program, and the like.

The main memory 68 is preferably composed of a relatively inexpensive memory having a large capacity, such as a DRAM. The main memory 68 has a function as a frame memory for storing the data output from the imaging unit 20, a function as a system memory for loading various programs, and a function as a work area. The nonvolatile memory 66 and the main memory 68 exchange data with each unit inside and outside the system control unit 60 via the bus 82.
The non-volatile memory 66 may further store digital image data.

The image processing section 140 has a YC processing section 70, an encoder 72, and a compression / expansion processing section 78. Further, the external connection unit 130 includes an optional device control unit 74,
And a communication I / F unit 80.

The YC processing unit 70 performs YC conversion on the digital image data to generate a luminance signal Y and color difference (chroma) signals BY and RY. The main memory 68 is
The luminance signal and the color difference signal are stored under the control of the memory control unit 64.

The compression / expansion processing section 78 has a main memory 68.
The luminance signal and the color difference signal are sequentially read from and compressed. Then, the option device controller 74 writes the compressed digital image data (hereinafter simply referred to as “compressed data”) to a memory card, which is an example of the option device 76.
The memory card may store the captured image.

The encoder 72 converts the luminance signal and the color difference signal into a video signal (NTSC or PAL signal) and outputs it from the terminal 90. When a video signal is generated from the compressed data recorded in the option device 76, the compressed data is first given to the compression / expansion processor 78 via the option device controller 74. Subsequently, the data subjected to the necessary expansion processing by the compression / expansion processing unit 78 is converted into a video signal by the encoder 72.

The optional device control section 74 generates necessary signals between the bus 82 and the optional device 76, performs logical conversion, and / or voltage conversion according to the signal specifications permitted by the optional device 76 and the bus specifications of the bus 82. And so on. The digital camera 10 may support, for example, a standard PCMCIA-compliant standard I / O card as the optional device 76, in addition to the memory card described above. In that case, the optional device control unit 74 determines the PCMCIA bus control LS.
You may comprise by I etc.

The communication I / F unit 80 is used for the digital camera 10
Supported communication specifications, such as USB, RS-23
Controls such as protocol conversion according to specifications of 2C, Ethernet (registered trademark), and the like. The communication I / F unit 80 may output the compressed data or the digital image data to an external device including a network via the terminal 92. Communication I / F
The unit 80 includes a driver IC as needed, and communicates with an external device via a terminal 92. The communication I / F unit 80 may be configured to exchange data with an external device such as a printer, a karaoke machine, a game machine, or the like through a unique interface. In this embodiment, the communication I / F unit 8
0 has the same or similar function as the supply unit 302 described with reference to FIG. 2. The communication I / F unit 80 uses the captured image,
And the imaging gamma information to the printer 12 described with reference to FIG. The communication I / F unit 80 uses the RAW data received from the image capturing unit 20 as a captured image, to the printer 1.
2 may be supplied. Further, the communication I / F unit 80 may supply the image pickup device information to the printer 12.

The display unit 100 includes an LCD monitor 102, L
It has a CD panel 104, a monitor driver 106, and a panel driver 108. The monitor driver 106 is L
Control the CD monitor 102. Also, the panel driver 1
08 controls the LCD panel 104. The LCD monitor 102 is provided on the back surface of the camera, for example, with a size of about 2 inches, and has a screen for current shooting and playback modes, zoom magnification for shooting and playback, battery level, date and time, mode setting,
Display the subject image, etc. The LCD panel 104 is, for example, a small black-and-white LCD provided on the upper surface of the camera, and has an image quality (FI
NE / NORMAL / BASIC, etc.), strobe emission /
Displays information such as flash off, standard number of possible shots, number of pixels, battery capacity / remaining amount.

The operation section 110 includes a power switch 112,
It has a release switch 114, a function setting unit 116, and a zoom switch 118. The power switch 112 is
The power of the digital camera 10 is turned on / off based on a user's instruction. The release switch 114 has a two-step pushing structure of half-push and full-push. As an example, when the release switch 114 is half pressed, the imaging control unit 40 performs automatic focus adjustment and automatic exposure adjustment, and when the release switch 114 is fully pressed, the imaging unit 20 captures a subject image.

The function setting section 116 is, for example, a rotary mode dial, a cross key, or the like, and has "file format", "special effect", "print", "decide / save",
Settings such as "display switching" are accepted. Zoom switch 1
18 receives the setting of the zoom magnification of the subject image acquired by the imaging unit 20.

The main operation of the above configuration is as follows. First, the power switch 112 is pressed to supply power to each unit of the digital camera 10. Main CPU
Reference numeral 62 reads the state of the function setting section 116 to determine whether the digital camera 10 is in the shooting mode or the reproduction mode.

When the digital camera 10 is in the photographing mode,
The main CPU 62 monitors the half-pressed state of the release switch 114. When the half-pressed state of the release switch 114 is detected, the imaging system CPU 50 causes the photometric sensor 5
4 and the distance measuring sensor 52 to obtain photometric data and distance measuring data, respectively. The imaging control unit 40 adjusts the focus, diaphragm, etc. of the imaging unit 20 based on the photometric data and the distance measurement data obtained by the imaging system CPU 50. When adjustment is completed, LCD
The monitor informs the user by displaying a character such as "standby".

Subsequently, the main CPU 62 monitors the fully pressed state of the release switch 114. When the fully pressed state of the release switch 114 is detected, the shutter 26 is closed after a predetermined shutter time, and the charge accumulated in the CCD 30 is swept out to the image pickup signal processing section 32. The digital image data generated as a result of the processing by the imaging signal processing unit 32 is output to the bus 82. The digital image data is once stored in the main memory 68, and thereafter the YC processing unit 7
0 is processed by the compression / expansion processing unit 78 and is recorded in the optional device 76 via the optional device control unit 74.
The captured image based on the recorded digital image data is displayed on the LCD monitor 102 for a while in a frozen state, and the user can confirm the captured image. This completes a series of shooting operations.

On the other hand, when the digital camera 10 is in the reproduction mode, the main CPU 62 reads the taken image from the main memory 68, the non-volatile memory 66, and / or the optional device 76, and the LCD of the display unit 100 reads it.
Display on the monitor 102.

In this state, when the user instructs "forward feed" and "reverse feed" in the function setting section 116, the main CPU 6
2 is a main memory 68, a non-volatile memory 66, and / or
Alternatively, another captured image stored in the option device 76 is read out and displayed on the LCD monitor 102 of the display unit 100.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is also possible to include such modifications or improvements in the technical scope of the present invention.
It is clear from the description of the claims.

[0079]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the captured image can be properly gamma-corrected according to the characteristics of the image pickup apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an image processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of 8.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of configurations of a digital camera 10 and a printer 12 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the image processing system 18 according to this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the printer 12 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the image processing system 18 according to this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of a digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 digital camera 12 Printer 14 personal computer 18 Image processing system 20 Imaging unit 22 Shooting lens section 24 aperture 26 shutters 28 Optical LPF 30 CCD 32 Imaging signal processing unit 34 Finder 36 Strobe 37 discharge tube 40 Imaging control unit 42 Zoom drive 44 Focus drive 46 Aperture drive 48 shutter drive 50 Imaging system CPU 52 Distance sensor 54 Photometric sensor 60 System control unit 62 Main CPU 64 memory controller 66 non-volatile memory 68 Main memory 70 YC processing unit 72 encoder 74 Optional device control unit 76 Optional equipment 78 Compression / decompression processing unit 80 Communication I / F section 82 bus 84 character generator 86 timer 88 clock generator 90 terminals 92 terminals 100 display 102 LCD monitor 104 LCD panel 106 monitor driver 108 panel driver 110 Operation part 112 power switch 114 Release switch 116 Function setting section 118 zoom switch 120 storage 130 External connection 140 Image processing unit 302 Supply unit 304 table storage 306 Corrector 308 table update unit 310 Output section 312 Reception Department 314 table selection section

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/91 H (72) Inventor Koichi Sakamoto 3-1146 Izumisui, Asaka-shi, Saitama Fuji Shashin Film Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B057 BA02 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CE11 CH07 5C021 PA80 XA03 XA34 5C022 AA13 AB19 AC42 AC69 5C053 FA04 FA08 FA27 KA01 LA01 LA03 5C077 LL04 MP01 NN02 PP15 PQ08 PQ0805QQ02

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for performing image processing on an image picked up by an image pickup apparatus, wherein: the image and image pickup gamma information indicating a gamma correction amount based on an image pickup characteristic of the image pickup apparatus for the image; A receiving unit that receives the image from the imaging device, an output gamma table that indicates a correction value that corrects the image, a table updating unit that updates the output gamma table based on the imaging gamma information, and the image based on the correction value. An image processing apparatus comprising: a correction unit that corrects 2. The image capturing gamma information based on the intensity of light from the subject received by the image capturing unit at the time of image capturing, and the brightness of the image generated by the image capturing apparatus according to the intensity of the light. Receiving the
The image processing device according to item 1. 3. An image processing apparatus for performing image processing on an image captured by an image capturing apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit that receives the image and image capturing apparatus information identifying the image capturing apparatus from the image capturing apparatus; A table storage unit that stores a plurality of output gamma tables for correcting the above, a table selection unit that selects one of the output gamma tables based on the imaging device information, and the table based on the one output gamma table. An image processing apparatus comprising: a correction unit that corrects an image. 4. Each of the plurality of output gamma tables corresponds to the image pickup apparatus having different image pickup characteristics, and the table selection unit corresponds to the image pickup apparatus that transfers the image to the reception unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an output gamma table is selected. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of output gamma tables has a value based on an imaging characteristic of the corresponding imaging apparatus. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit receives, as the image, RAW data generated by the imaging apparatus. 7. The table storage unit further comprises a table storage unit that stores an output gamma table for correcting the image, and an output unit that outputs an output image based on the image corrected by the correction unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output gamma table based on output characteristics of the output unit is stored. 8. The table storage unit stores the output gamma table based on the brightness of an image received as an input by the output unit and the brightness of an image output by the output unit based on the brightness of an image received as the input. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image processing apparatus stores the image. 9. An image processing system, comprising: an image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject; and an image processing device for performing image processing on the image, wherein the image pickup device picks up an image of the subject. And a supply unit that supplies the image processing apparatus with image capturing gamma information indicating a gamma correction amount based on image capturing characteristics of the image capturing unit with respect to the image, the image processing apparatus, A reception unit that receives the imaging gamma information from the imaging apparatus, an output gamma table that indicates a correction value that corrects the image, a table updating unit that updates the output gamma table based on the imaging gamma information, and the correction An image processing system, comprising: a correction unit that corrects the image based on a value. 10. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject,
An image processing system comprising: an image processing device that performs image processing on the image, wherein the imaging device includes an imaging unit that captures an image of the subject, the image, and imaging device information that identifies the imaging device. A receiving unit that receives the image and the image pickup device information from the image pickup device, and a plurality of output gammas for correcting the image. A table storage unit that stores a table, a table selection unit that selects one of the output gamma tables based on the imaging device information, and a correction unit that corrects the image based on the one output gamma table. An image processing system characterized by the above. 11. An imaging step for capturing an image of a subject,
An image processing method comprising: an image processing step of performing image processing on the image based on an output gamma table showing a correction value for correcting the image, wherein the capturing step captures an image of the subject. And a supply step of supplying, to the image processing step, image capturing gamma information indicating a gamma correction amount based on the image capturing characteristic in the acquisition step for the image, and the image processing step, And a receiving step of receiving the imaging gamma information from the imaging step, a table updating step of updating the output gamma table based on the imaging gamma information, and a correction step of correcting the image based on the correction value. An image processing method comprising: 12. An imaging stage for capturing an image of a subject,
An image processing method comprising: an image processing step of performing image processing on the image, wherein the imaging step includes an acquisition step of capturing an image of the subject, the image, and imaging step information for identifying the imaging step. And a supply step of supplying the image and the image capturing step information from the image capturing step, and a plurality of output gammas for correcting the image. A table storage step of storing a table; a table selection step of selecting one of the output gamma tables based on the imaging step information; and a correction step of correcting the image based on the one output gamma table. An image processing method characterized by the above. 13. An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject, wherein the image pickup unit picks up an image of the subject, and output gamma information indicating a gamma correction amount based on output characteristics of an image processing apparatus to which the image is to be delivered. From the image processing device, an imaging gamma table indicating a correction value for correcting the image, a table updating unit that updates the imaging gamma table based on the output gamma information, and a correction value based on the correction value. And a correction unit that corrects the image. 14. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject, the image pickup device picking up an image of the subject, and image processing device information for identifying an image processing device to which the image is to be transferred. A receiving unit for receiving the image pickup gamma table for correcting the image, a table storage unit for storing a plurality of image pickup gamma tables for correcting the image, a table selection unit for selecting one of the image pickup gamma tables based on the image processing device information, An image pickup apparatus comprising: a correction unit that corrects the image based on one image pickup gamma table.