JP2004120398A - Method and device for image output, and method, device, and program for image processing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To apply an image processing appropriate to an outputted party to picture data obtained by a digital camera or the like. <P>SOLUTION: In the digital camera 1, picture data S0 is acquired, an input of the outputted party is accepted, and application information Y0 showing the outputted party is generated, which is attached to the picture data S0 and is recorded in a memory card 12. In an image processing device 2, the picture data S0 is read from the memory card 12, an image processing parameter P0 for applying the image processing to the picture data S0 is calculated, and the image processing parameter P0 is corrected on the basis of the application information Y0 attached to the image data S0 so that the image processing appropriate to the outputted party is enabled, and a corrected parameter P1 is obtained. Then, the image processing is applied to the picture data S0 on the basis of the corrected parameter P1, processed picture data S1 are obtained, and are outputted to the outputted party shown by the application information Y0. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording image data on a recording medium such as a memory card, an image processing apparatus, an image output method and apparatus for outputting image data to an external apparatus such as an image reproducing apparatus, and image processing for the image data. And an image output method and a program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A system for reproducing image data acquired by an imaging device such as a digital camera or image data obtained by reading an image recorded on a photographic film with a scanner using an output device such as a printer or a monitor is known. It has been. Here, when reproducing the image data, the image data is subjected to various image processing such as density conversion processing, white balance adjustment processing, gradation conversion processing, saturation enhancement processing, sharpness processing, etc. The image quality can be improved.
[0003]
On the other hand, although there is a remarkable spread of mobile phones, in recent years, mobile phones with a camera having a photographing means for acquiring image data by photographing (for example, JP-A-6-233020, 9-322114). No. 10-150523, JP-A 2000-253290, etc.). By using such a camera-equipped mobile phone, the user's favorite image data acquired by photographing can be set on the standby screen of the mobile phone. In addition, since it is possible to attach the image data acquired by shooting to an e-mail and send it to a friend, when it becomes necessary to cancel the appointment or when it is likely to be late at the meeting time, It is convenient for communication with friends because it is possible to inform a friend of his / her current situation, such as taking a picture of his / her disappointing expression and sending it to a friend.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, with the widespread use of mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones and PDAs as described above, image data acquired by an imaging device such as a digital camera or read from a photographic film may be transmitted to the mobile terminal device for display. It is getting more. However, the liquid crystal monitor used in the mobile terminal device is not so high in luminance and screen size as compared with a personal computer monitor. Furthermore, the vividness of the image is lower than that of a personal computer monitor. Therefore, when the image data acquired by the imaging device or the scanner is reproduced on the portable terminal device, the reproduced image is not very sharp.
[0005]
For this reason, it is conceivable to perform image processing for raising the gradation or improving the saturation of the image data so that the image can be clearly seen on the mobile terminal device. However, when the processed image data obtained by performing image processing that makes an image suitable for display on a mobile terminal device is displayed on a personal computer monitor or printed out, the reproduced image is The gradation is too hard or the image is too bright.
[0006]
Further, it is known from the applicant's experience that when image data that has been subjected to image processing assuming printing is displayed on a personal computer monitor, the sharpness is too strong.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to perform image processing suitable for an output destination of image data.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image output method according to the present invention is an image output method for outputting image data to an external device.
Receiving an input of an output destination of the image data;
Application information representing the output destination is assigned to the image data, and the image data to which the application information is assigned is output.
[0009]
The “external device” includes an image processing device that performs image processing on image data, an image server that stores image data, and a recording device that records image data on a recording medium such as a memory card.
[0010]
Examples of the “output destination” include a personal computer monitor, a printer that performs print output, and a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone or a PDA. There may be a plurality of output destinations.
[0011]
“Grant usage information to image data” means that usage information is described in tag information of image data, a file in which usage information is described is integrated with a file of image data, etc. An inseparable relationship.
[0012]
The first image processing method according to the present invention obtains the usage information given to the image data output by the image output method according to the present invention,
The image data is subjected to image processing according to the output destination of the image data based on the use information to obtain processed image data.
[0013]
A second image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method for performing image processing on image data.
Receiving an input of an output destination of the image data;
The image data corresponding to the output destination is subjected to the image data to obtain processed image data.
[0014]
An image output device according to the present invention is an image output device that outputs image data to an external device.
Input means for receiving an input of an output destination of the image data;
The image processing apparatus includes output means for assigning application information indicating the output destination to the image data and outputting the image data to which the application information is added.
[0015]
A first image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes application information acquisition means for acquiring the application information attached to the image data output by the image output method according to the present invention;
And processing means for obtaining processed image data by performing image processing corresponding to the output destination of the image data on the image data based on the use information.
[0016]
A second image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on image data.
Input means for receiving an input of an output destination of the image data;
And processing means for obtaining processed image data by performing image processing corresponding to the output destination on the image data.
[0017]
The image output method and the first and second image processing methods according to the present invention may be provided as programs for causing a computer to execute the image output method.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
According to the image output method and apparatus of the present invention, input of an output destination of image data is accepted, application information indicating the input output destination is added to the image data, and image data to which the application information is added is output. The Therefore, the output destination of the image data can be easily recognized by referring to the usage information given to the image data.
[0019]
According to the first image processing method and apparatus of the present invention, the usage information given to the image data output by the image output method of the present invention is acquired, and the image data is output based on the usage information. The processed image data is obtained by applying the image processing to the image data. Therefore, processed image data capable of reproducing an image having an optimum image quality according to the output destination can be obtained.
[0020]
According to the second image processing method and apparatus of the present invention, input of an output destination of image data is accepted, image processing corresponding to the input output destination is performed on the image data, and processed image data is obtained. can get. Therefore, processed image data capable of reproducing an image having an optimum image quality according to the output destination can be obtained.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system to which an image output apparatus and an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention are applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system according to the present embodiment includes a digital camera 1 having an image output apparatus according to the present invention, and an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on image data S0 acquired by the digital camera 1. 2 is provided.
[0022]
The digital camera 1 includes an image pickup unit 11 including a photographing lens, a shutter, a CCD, and the like, a recording unit 13 that records image data S0 acquired by the image pickup on the memory card 12, an output destination of the image data S0, and various information. Input means 14 for inputting, application information generating means 15 for generating application information Y0 representing the output destination of the image data S0 input by the input means 14, and a controller 16 for controlling the operation of the digital camera 1 are provided.
[0023]
The input means 14 has three output destination buttons 14A to 14C for designating the output destination of the image data S0. The output destination button 14A is for designating the output destination of the image data S0 to the printer that performs print output, and the output destination button 14B is for designating the output destination of the image data S0 on the monitor of the personal computer. The output destination button 14C is for designating the output destination of the image data S0 to a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone or a PDA.
[0024]
The usage information generating unit 15 generates usage information Y0 representing the output destination designated by the output destination buttons 14A to 14C.
[0025]
The controller 15 adds the usage information Y0 to the image data S0 by describing the usage information Y0 generated by the usage information generation means 15 in the tag information of the image data S0. Instead of describing the usage information Y0 in the tag information, a file describing the usage information Y0 is created and attached to the file of the image data S0, thereby adding the usage information Y0 to the image data S0. May be.
[0026]
Instead of the input from the output destination buttons 14A to 14C, the usage information Y0 may be generated according to the number of recording pixels to the memory card 12 or the compression rate of the image data S0. For example, if the number of recording pixels is equal to or less than VGA, the output destination is assumed to be a portable terminal device. As the number of recording pixels increases, the monitor or printer is used as the output destination of the image data S0 to generate usage information Y0. Also good.
[0027]
Furthermore, when the compression mode representing the compression ratio can be switched between low, medium and high, the printer is selected when “low” is selected, the monitor is selected when “medium” is selected, and “high” is selected. In such a case, the portable terminal device may be the output destination of the image data S0.
[0028]
The image processing apparatus 2 includes a reading unit 21 that reads the image data S0 from the memory card 12 in which the image data S0 is recorded, a usage information acquisition unit 22 that acquires the usage information Y0 described in the tag information of the image data S0, Based on the usage information Y0 acquired by the usage information acquisition means 22 and the parameter calculation means 23 for calculating the image processing parameters P0 for the image processing applied to the image data S0 based on the image data S0, the image processing parameters P0 are set. The parameter correcting means 24 for correcting to obtain the correction parameter P1, the image processing means 25 for performing image processing on the image data S0 based on the correction parameter P1 to obtain the processed image data S1, and the processed image data S1. An output means 26 for outputting to the reproduction apparatus and a controller 27 for controlling the operation of the image processing apparatus 2 Equipped with a.
[0029]
The usage information acquisition unit 22 acquires the usage information Y0 described in the tag information by reading the tag information of the image data S0.
[0030]
The parameter calculation means 23 is an image processing parameter for image processing applied to the image data S0 based on the image data S0, such as density correction processing, white balance adjustment processing, gradation conversion processing, color correction processing, and sharpness processing. P0 is calculated.
[0031]
The parameter correction unit 24 corrects the image processing parameter P0 according to the output destination of the image data S0 represented by the usage information Y0 to obtain the correction parameter P1. For example, when the output destination of the image data S0 is a printer, the correction parameter P1 is obtained with almost no correction to the image processing parameter P0. Further, when the image data S0 is displayed on a personal computer, sharpness is felt strongly. Therefore, when the output destination of the image data S0 is a personal computer monitor, the image processing parameter P0 is corrected so as to slightly weaken the sharpness processing. Thus, the correction parameter P1 is obtained. Moreover, the monitor of portable terminal devices, such as a mobile phone and PDA, is not so high in brightness, and the screen size is not so large. Furthermore, the vividness of the image is lower than that of a personal computer monitor. Therefore, when the output destination of the image data S0 is a portable terminal device, the correction parameter P1 is obtained by correcting the image processing parameter P0 so as to raise the gradation and increase the saturation.
[0032]
The image processing means 25 performs image processing such as density correction processing, white balance adjustment processing, gradation conversion processing, color correction processing, and sharpness processing on the image data S0 based on the correction parameter P1, and has processed image data. Get S1.
[0033]
The output means 26 outputs the processed image data S1 to the output destination of the image data S0 represented by the usage information Y0. That is, when the output destination of the image data S0 is a printer, the processed image data S1 is output to the printer 3A, and when the output destination of the image data S0 is a personal computer, it can be accessed from the personal computer via the network. The processed image data S1 is output to the correct image server 3B. Further, when the output destination of the image data S0 is the mobile terminal device, the processed image data S1 is output to the image server 3C accessible from the mobile terminal device via the mobile phone communication network.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the digital camera. First, imaging is performed by the imaging unit 11 and image data S0 is acquired (step S1). On the other hand, the input unit 14 accepts the input of the output destination of the image data S0 by the user of the digital camera 1 (step S2), and the usage information generation unit 15 generates usage information Y0 representing the input output destination ( Step S3). The generated usage information Y0 is given to the image data S0 by being described in the tag information of the image data S0 (step S4). The image data S0 to which the usage information Y0 is assigned is recorded on the memory card 12 by the recording means 13 (step S5), and the process is terminated.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the image processing apparatus 2. First, the image data S0 is read from the memory card 12 by the reading means 21 (step S11). Subsequently, the usage information Y0 given to the image data S0 is acquired by the usage information acquisition means 22 (step S12). On the other hand, the parameter calculation means 23 calculates an image processing parameter P0 for image processing applied to the image data S0 based on the image data S0 (step S13). In addition, the process of step S12 and step S13 may be performed reversely, and may be performed in parallel.
[0036]
Then, the parameter correction unit 24 corrects the image processing parameter P0 according to the output destination represented by the usage information Y0, and acquires the correction parameter P1 (step S14). Next, the image processing means 25 performs image processing on the image data S0 based on the correction parameter P1 to obtain processed image data S1 (step S15). The processed image data S1 is output to the output destination represented by the usage information Y0 in the output means 26 (step S16), and the processing is terminated.
[0037]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the digital camera 1, the input of the output destination of the image data S0 is received, the usage information Y0 representing the input output destination is given to the image data S0, and the usage information Y0. The image processing apparatus 2 can easily recognize the output destination of the image data S0 by referring to the usage information Y0 added to the image data S0. it can.
[0038]
Further, the image processing apparatus 2 acquires the usage information Y0 given to the image data S0, corrects the image processing parameter P0 based on the usage information Y0 to obtain the correction parameter P1, and based on the correction parameter P1. Since the image processing is performed on the image data S0, the image processing corresponding to the output destination of the image data S0 can be performed on the image data S0. Therefore, it is possible to obtain processed image data S1 that can reproduce an image having an optimum image quality according to the output destination.
[0039]
In the first embodiment, the digital camera 1 may input a plurality of output destinations. In this case, the usage information Y0 represents a plurality of output destinations. On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 2, the image processing parameter P0 is corrected according to the output destination. For example, when there are two output destinations, two correction parameters P2 and P3 are acquired for each output destination. Then, image processing is performed on the image data S0 with the correction parameters P2 and P3 for each output destination, and two processed image data S2 and S3 are obtained. The processed image data S2 and S3 are output to the respective output destinations and reproduced.
[0040]
In the first embodiment, the image data S0 is acquired by the digital camera 1, but an input of an output destination is accepted in an image reading apparatus such as a scanner that obtains image data by reading an image from a photographic film. Thus, the usage information Y0 may be added to the image data S0. In this case, in the image processing apparatus 2, the image processing is performed on the image data S0 by the correction parameter P1 corresponding to the output destination in the same manner as the image data S0 acquired by the digital camera 1, and the processed image data S1. Is acquired.
[0041]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera provided with an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the digital camera 1 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, the digital camera 7 according to the second embodiment includes an image in addition to the imaging unit 11, the recording unit 13, the input unit 14, and the usage information generation unit 15 in the digital camera 1 of the first embodiment. Based on the use information Y0 acquired by the parameter calculation means 73 for calculating the image processing parameter P0 for the image processing applied to the image data S0 based on the data S0 and the use information generation means 15, the image processing parameter P0 is corrected. The first point is that there is provided a parameter correction means 74 for obtaining a correction parameter P1 and an image processing means 75 for performing image processing on the image data S0 based on the correction parameter P1 to obtain processed image data S1. Different from the embodiment.
[0042]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the second embodiment. First, imaging is performed by the imaging unit 11 and image data S0 is acquired (step S21). On the other hand, the input unit 14 accepts input of the output destination of the image data S0 by the user of the digital camera 1 (step S22), and the usage information generation unit 15 generates usage information Y0 representing the input output destination ( Step S23).
[0043]
On the other hand, the parameter calculation means 73 calculates an image processing parameter P0 for image processing to be applied to the image data S0 based on the image data S0 (step S24). In addition, the process of step S23 and step S24 may be performed reversely, and may be performed in parallel.
[0044]
Then, the parameter correction means 74 corrects the image processing parameter P0 according to the output destination represented by the usage information Y0, and acquires the correction parameter P1 (step S25). Next, the image processing means 75 performs image processing on the image data S0 based on the correction parameter P1 to obtain processed image data S1 (step S26). The processed image data S1 is recorded on the memory card 12 by the recording means 13 (step S27), and the process is terminated.
[0045]
When the processed image data S1 is recorded on the memory card 12, the usage information Y0 given to the processed image data S1 is referred to by describing the usage information Y0 in the tag information of the processed image data S1. By doing so, it is possible to easily recognize to which output destination the processed image data S1 has been subjected to image processing suitable.
[0046]
Thus, according to the second embodiment, in the digital camera 7, the input of the output destination of the image data S0 is received, and the image processing parameter P0 is corrected based on the usage information Y0 representing the input output destination. Thus, the correction parameter P1 is obtained, and image processing is performed on the image data S0 based on the correction parameter P1. For this reason, image processing corresponding to the output destination of the image data S0 can be performed on the image data S0. As a result, the output destination of the processed image data S1 has an optimum image quality according to the output destination. The processed image data S1 can be reproduced.
[0047]
In the second embodiment, the digital camera 1 may input a plurality of output destinations. In this case, the usage information Y0 represents a plurality of output destinations. On the other hand, the parameter correction means 74 corrects the image processing parameter P0 according to the output destination. For example, when there are two output destinations, two correction parameters P2 and P3 are acquired for each output destination. Then, the image processing unit 75 performs image processing on the image data S0 using the correction parameters P2 and P3 for each output destination to obtain two processed image data S2 and S3. The processed image data S2 and S3 are output to the respective output destinations and reproduced.
[0048]
In the second embodiment, the digital camera 1 performs processing. However, an image reading apparatus such as a scanner that obtains image data by reading an image from a photographic film also receives an input of an output destination. Similar to the digital camera 7, image processing corresponding to the output destination can be performed on the read image data.
[0049]
In the first and second embodiments, the correction parameter P1 is obtained by correcting the image processing parameter P0 according to the usage information Y0. However, a plurality of types of correction parameters P1 corresponding to the usage are obtained in advance. It may be calculated and the correction parameter P1 may be selected according to the use information Y0 given to the image data S0.
[0050]
In the first and second embodiments, output destination input is accepted for each image data S0. However, output destination input may be accepted for a plurality of image data S0. In consideration of the case where there is no output destination, a default output destination may be set in advance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system to which an image output apparatus and an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention are applied. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing performed in a digital camera. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera provided with an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing processing performed in the image processing apparatus. Flow chart showing processing performed in the apparatus [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,7 Digital camera 2 Image processing apparatus 3A Printer 3B, 3C Image server 11 Imaging means 12 Memory card 13 Recording means 14 Input means 15 Usage information generation means 16, 27 Controller 21 Reading means 22 Usage information acquisition means 23, 73 Parameter calculation Means 24, 74 Parameter correction means 25, 75 Image processing means 26 Output means

Claims (9)

In an image output method for outputting image data to an external device,
Receiving an input of an output destination of the image data;
An image output method comprising: assigning application information representing the output destination to the image data, and outputting the image data to which the application information is added. The usage information given to the image data output by the image output method according to claim 1 is acquired,
An image processing method comprising: performing image processing on the image data according to an output destination of the image data based on the use information to obtain processed image data. In an image processing method for performing image processing on image data,
Receiving an input of an output destination of the image data;
An image processing method, wherein image processing is performed on the image data according to the output destination to obtain processed image data. In an image output device that outputs image data to an external device,
Input means for receiving an input of an output destination of the image data;
An image output apparatus comprising: output means for assigning application information representing the output destination to the image data, and outputting the image data to which the application information is attached. Application information acquisition means for acquiring the application information attached to the image data output by the image output method according to claim 1;
An image processing apparatus comprising: processing means for performing image processing according to an output destination of the image data on the image data based on the use information to obtain processed image data. In an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on image data,
Input means for receiving an input of an output destination of the image data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: processing means for performing image processing according to the output destination on the image data to obtain processed image data. In a program for causing a computer to execute an image output method for outputting image data to an external device,
A procedure for receiving an input of an output destination of the image data;
A program for providing application information indicating the output destination to the image data and outputting the image data to which the application information is added. A procedure for acquiring the usage information given to the image data output by the image output method according to claim 1;
A program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method including a procedure of performing image processing according to an output destination of the image data on the image data based on the use information to obtain processed image data. In a program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method for performing image processing on image data,
A procedure for receiving an input of an output destination of the image data;
A program for performing image processing according to the output destination on the image data to obtain processed image data.

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