JP2005039323A - Selection of frame image to be synthesized - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for reducing the burden on a user in selecting a frame image. <P>SOLUTION: In this technique, image data are subjected to image processing, according to an image file including the image data and image processing control information used for processing of the image data. This image processing apparatus is provided with a frame image selector for selecting some frame data from among a plurality of items of frame data previously prepared to be synthesized with the image data according to the image processing control information, a user interface for displaying the frame image data selected by the frame image selector and permitting a user to select at least any one of the displayed frame image data, and a frame image synthesizer for synthesizing at least one item of the frame image data selected by the user with the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image composition technique for combining frame image data with image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Since image data generated by a digital still camera (DSC), a scanner, or other image input device is digital data, it can be easily combined with another image on a personal computer or digital still camera. For example, a frame image such as an image representing a frame or an image representing an entrance or other event and an image acquired by photographing are synthesized. Such a frame image to be synthesized can usually be selected by the user from various frame images according to the image to be synthesized.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-149146 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when selecting a compositing target from a plurality of frame images, the burden of selection by the user tends to increase as the number of options increases. On the other hand, the probability that each frame image is selected varies greatly depending on the shooting location and time. For example, when a picture is taken at a specific sightseeing spot, there is a high probability that selection of a frame image related to the sightseeing spot is desired.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for reducing the burden on the user when selecting a frame image.
[0006]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention applies image data to image data according to an image file including image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data. An image processing apparatus that performs image processing on the image processing apparatus,
A frame image selection unit that selects a part of the frame image data among a plurality of frame image data prepared in advance for combining with the image data in accordance with the image processing control information;
A user interface unit that displays the selected frame image data in the frame image selection unit and allows a user to select at least one of the displayed frame image data;
And a frame image synthesis unit that synthesizes the image data with at least one of the frame image data selected by the user.
[0007]
According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, a frame image is obtained using a user interface in which a part of frame image data is selected from among a plurality of frame image data according to image processing control information included in the image file. Since it can be selected, the burden on the user when selecting the frame image data can be reduced.
[0008]
It is preferable that the image processing apparatus further includes a frame image storage unit that stores the plurality of frame image data.
[0009]
This has the advantage that the selection process and the synthesis process can be performed quickly.
[0010]
In the image processing apparatus, the frame image storage unit can store priority information indicating a priority of selection of the plurality of frame image data for at least some of the images of the plurality of frame image data. It is preferable that the frame image selection unit further performs the selection according to the priority order information.
[0011]
In this way, it is possible to finely select a frame image that is more likely to be selected by the user.
[0012]
In the image processing device, the frame image storage unit includes a database file in which attribute information of the plurality of frame image data is databased, and the frame image selection unit searches the database file to search for the database file. It is preferable to make a selection.
[0013]
In this way, the time required for the selection process of the frame image data can be further shortened.
[0014]
In the image processing apparatus, the image processing control information includes geographic information indicating a geographical position at the time of shooting, and the frame image selection unit may perform the selection according to at least the geographic information. Good and
The image processing control information may include time information indicating time at the time of shooting, and the frame image selection unit may perform the selection according to at least the time information.
[0015]
An image file writing apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for writing information to an image file including image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data. And an image file writing unit that writes information for specifying the frame image data to the image file as the image processing control information.
[0016]
According to the image file writing device of the present invention, the combined image data can be used without excessively increasing the use area of the image data in the recording area while leaving the pre-combination image data. Can do.
[0017]
A frame image providing apparatus of the present invention is a frame image providing apparatus that provides frame image data to be combined with image data, the image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data. An image processing control information receiving unit for receiving image processing control information read from the image file included, and a part of the plurality of frame image data prepared in advance according to the received image processing control information A frame image selection unit for selecting the frame image data, and the frame image data selected by the frame image selection unit are displayed, and the user is allowed to select at least one of the displayed frame image data. At least one of an allowed user interface unit and frame image data selected by the user; Characterized in that it comprises a frame image transmitting unit to Shin.
[0018]
An image output apparatus according to the present invention is an image output apparatus that outputs an image in accordance with an image file including image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data. And a frame image selection unit that selects a part of the plurality of frame image data prepared in advance for synthesis with the image data, and at least one of the selected frame image data. And a frame image synthesis unit that synthesizes the image data and an image output unit that outputs the image in a visually recognizable manner based on the synthesized image data. Examples of image output forms include output forms such as printing, display on a CRT, and projection by a projector.
[0019]
The present invention can be realized in various modes. For example, an image file generation device, an image output device, an image processing method, a computer program for realizing the functions of these methods or devices, and the computer The present invention can be realized in the form of a recording medium recording the program, a data signal including the computer program and embodied in a carrier wave, and the like.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Image processing system configuration:
B. Image file structure:
C. First embodiment:
D. Second embodiment:
E. Variation:
[0021]
A. Image processing system configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processing system 10 as an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system 10 includes a digital still camera 12 as an input device that generates original image data, a personal computer PC as an image processing device that performs image processing on the original image data generated by the digital still camera 12, and And a color printer 20 as an output device for outputting the processed image.
[0022]
The digital still camera 12, the personal computer PC, and the color printer 20 can be connected to each other with a cable CV. When connected by the cable CV, the digital still camera 12 or the like can transmit and receive an image file via the cable CV. Even when not connected by the cable CV, the digital still camera 12 and the like can exchange image files using the memory card MC.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the digital still camera 12 as an input device for generating image data. The digital still camera 12 is a camera that electrically records a still image by forming an image on a charge coupled device (CCD) through an optical lens.
[0024]
The digital still camera 12 includes a circuit group for generating image data, a circuit group for positioning, and a control circuit 124 for controlling them. The circuit group for generating image data includes circuits such as the optical circuit 121, the image acquisition circuit 122, and the image processing circuit 123. The circuit group for positioning includes a GPS circuit 128, a GPS antenna 129, and a mobile phone interface circuit 125. The digital still camera 12 further includes a selection / determination button 126 as a user interface, and a liquid crystal display 127 used as a preview of a captured image and a user interface.
[0025]
Each circuit for generating image data has the following functions. The optical circuit 121 converts an optical signal into an electrical signal using a CCD. The image acquisition circuit 122 controls the optical circuit 121 to acquire an image and generate image data. The image processing circuit 123 performs processing on the image data generated in this way.
[0026]
Each circuit for positioning has the following functions. A GPS (GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) antenna 129 receives radio waves from GPS satellites. The GPS circuit 128 analyzes the radio wave to acquire position information representing the geographical position of the digital still camera 12. In recent years, since the capability of the GPS positioning system has improved, position information can be acquired with an accuracy of several meters even in a central room away from the window of an office building, for example.
[0027]
The cellular phone interface circuit 125 inputs position information acquired by the cellular phone to the GPS circuit. Since location information is acquired by using a mobile phone by using a mobile phone, the location information can be acquired even in places where it is extremely difficult to receive GPS radio waves, such as an underground shopping street. As such a positioning method, for example, there is a method called gpsone (trademark) manufactured by Qualcomm.
[0028]
The shooting process (image data acquisition process) by the digital still camera 12 includes (1) update of GPS data, (2) setting of a shooting mode by the user, (3) imaging (input of image data), and (4) image processing. (5) The image files are recorded in this order.
[0029]
The GPS data is updated using a user interface such as the liquid crystal display 127 or the selection / determination button 126. When an update instruction is given by the user, the GPS circuit 128 is activated, and position information is generated according to radio waves from GPS satellites. When the position information is generated, this information is stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) included in the image acquisition circuit 122 and “GPS_OK” is displayed on the liquid crystal display 127.
[0030]
As described above, the position information is updated in accordance with an instruction from the user, so that the power consumed to acquire the position information is saved and the power consumption of the battery included in the digital still camera 12 is reduced. Because. However, it is more preferable to provide a mode in which position information is constantly updated. This is because such operation is also expected.
[0031]
When the mobile phone PP is connected to the digital still camera 12, position information is also generated using information from the mobile phone PP. However, when radio waves from GPS satellites are not received, position information is generated using only information from the mobile phone PP.
[0032]
Imaging is performed by the user pressing the shutter after obtaining the position information and setting the shooting mode. When the shutter is pressed, the image acquisition circuit 122 generates an original image by controlling the optical circuit 121 and converting the input light into an electrical signal. When the original image data is generated, image processing for storage is performed on the image data.
[0033]
This image processing is preprocessing for saving in the memory card MC. Generally, original image data is converted into a JPEG format suitable for storing a photographic image. After conversion to the JPEG format, shooting information PI is added to the converted image data to generate an image file.
[0034]
The shooting information PI is information indicating shooting conditions, and includes position information indicating a shooting position. This position information is information stored in the nonvolatile memory included in the image acquisition circuit 122 as described above. The photographing process in the digital still camera 12 is completed by recording the image file on the memory card MC. The configuration of the image file will be described later.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the computer PC and the color printer 20 as output devices for outputting image data. The computer PC includes a slot 22 from which an image file can be read from the memory card MC, a print data generation circuit 23 for generating print data for causing the color printer 20 to perform printing, and a display 14. Yes.
[0036]
The print data generation circuit 23 includes an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) 231 that executes arithmetic processing for generating print data, a hard disk 232 that stores programs executed in the CPU 231, arithmetic processing results in the CPU 231, and other data. And a random access memory (RAM) 233 for temporarily storing the programs and data. The print data generation circuit 23 also has a function of performing image processing that is performed prior to generation of print data. This image processing includes processing for combining frame image data with image data.
[0037]
On the hard disk 232 of the computer PC, a plurality of frame image data to be combined with image data, a database file in which data representing attributes of each frame image data are databased, image data and selected frame image data are stored. The image processing software that can be combined is stored.
[0038]
The color printer 20 is a printer that can output a color image. The color printer 20 forms, for example, a dot pattern by ejecting four colors of ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) onto a print medium. An ink jet printer to be formed. In this embodiment, the display 14 and the color printer 20 function as an “image output unit” in the claims.
[0039]
B. Image file structure:
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the structure of the image file GF in the embodiment of the present invention. The image file GF has a file structure in accordance with the digital still camera image file format standard (Exif). This standard is established by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA). This standard stipulates that a JPEG-Exif file that stores compression-type JPEG data as image data is included in an Exif file (Exif standard file).
[0040]
The image file GF includes an SOI marker segment 101 indicating the head of the compressed data, an APP1 marker segment 102 that stores Exif attached information, an APP2 marker segment 103 that stores Exif extension data, and a DQT marker that defines a quantization table. A segment 104, a DHT marker segment 105 that defines a Huffman table, a DRI marker segment 106 that defines the insertion interval of restart markers, an SOF marker segment 107 that indicates various parameters related to a frame, and an SOS marker that indicates various parameters related to a scan A segment 108, an EOI marker segment 109 indicating the end of the compressed data, and an image data storage area 110 are included.
[0041]
The APP1 marker segment 102 stores an APP1 marker 1021, an Exif identification code 1022, a TIFF header and other attached information 1023, and a thumbnail image 1024. This attached information 1023 has a TIFF structure including a file header (TIFF header). In Exif-JPEG, it is unique to Exif including 0th IFD for storing attached information related to compressed image data and shooting information PI. It includes an Exif IFD that stores auxiliary information, a GPS Info IFD that stores GPS measurement information, and a 1st IFD that stores auxiliary information related to thumbnail images. The GPS Info IFD is pointed by an offset from the TIFF header stored in the 0th IFD. In GPS Info IFD, a tag is used to specify each piece of information, and each piece of information may be called by a tag name.
[0042]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of attached information stored in the GPS Info IFD of the image file GF. The attached information includes position information (tag numbers: 1 to 4) indicating a geographical position such as latitude and longitude at the time of shooting, as well as speed, shooting direction, and time (Coordinated Universal Time) at the time of shooting. Can also be included. The recording of the shooting information PI including the attached information is performed at the time of shooting in the digital still camera 12 as described above.
[0043]
C. First embodiment:
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of image processing in the computer PC. In step S110, the user activates the image processing software. When the image processing software is activated, an image processing software activation window W1 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. In this window W1, thumbnail images of each image data stored in the memory card MC inserted into the slot 22 are displayed. The thumbnail image is displayed based on the thumbnail image data 1024 (FIG. 4) read from the image file GF.
[0044]
In step S120, the user selects an image to be processed on the window W1. This selection is performed by clicking one of the displayed thumbnail images. When one of the thumbnail images is clicked, image data GD (FIG. 4) and shooting information PI are read from the image file GF of the image (step S130). When this reading is completed, a window W2 (FIG. 8) for displaying an image based on the image data GD appears. When the user selects “frame image composition” from the edit menu on the window W2, the frame image database is searched according to the read shooting information PI (step S140).
[0045]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the frame image database file and the contents of the shooting information PI. FIG. 9A shows the contents of the frame image database file stored in the hard disk 232 of the personal computer PC. FIG. 9B shows the content of the GPS attribute information included in the shooting information PI read from the selected image file. This database file has image contents, image storage position, latitude, and longitude as database items.
[0046]
In the image content item, text information that simply represents the content of each image is stored for each image. In the storage location item, the directory and image file name of each image are stored in the latitude item. Stores the minimum and maximum values of latitude, and the minimum and maximum values of longitude are stored for each frame image in the item of longitude.
[0047]
The search of the frame image database is performed as follows according to the GPS attribute information based on this database file. The GPS attribute information is information stored in the GPS Info IFD (FIG. 5). The GPS attribute information is stored in GPS Latitude Ref (tag number: 1), GPS Latitude (tag number: 2), GPS Longitude Ref (tag number: 3), and GPS Longitude (tag number: 4) in the GPS Info IFD. .
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 9 (b), in this example, in the read data, GPSLatitudeRef and GPSLatitude are “N” and “12 degrees 50 minutes 21 seconds”, respectively, and GPSLongitudeRef and GPSLongitude are “ E "and" 144 degrees 30 minutes 48 seconds ". The CPU 231 searches the database file for records in which these data are between the minimum and maximum latitude values and between the minimum and maximum longitude values. As a result of this search, records with record numbers 1 to 8 are extracted, and the content of “storage position item” is output for each record.
[0049]
The CPU 231 reads the frame image data having the smallest record number and the second smallest number using the output storage location information and displays it on the window W3 (FIG. 10). Two frame images FRM1 and FRM2 are displayed on the window W3. On the window W3, for example, by clicking the tab TAB indicated as “candidate 2”, a frame image having the third and fourth smallest record numbers can be displayed. When a tab labeled “Other” is clicked, a user interface screen (not shown) appears and other frame images that have not been searched can be selected.
[0050]
When the user selects, for example, the frame image FRM2 on the window W3 that functions as a user interface screen, the image acquired by shooting and the frame image FRM2 are combined by the CPU 231 and the combined image is displayed on the window W4 (FIG. 11). Is displayed. If the user decides to select a frame image in response to this display, “Save” is selected from the file menu. In response to this, the synthesized image is stored in a predetermined location in the hard disk 232.
[0051]
Thus, in the first embodiment, a frame image is selected from a plurality of frame images stored in the computer PC according to GPS attribute information included in each image file. The burden on the user can be reduced.
[0052]
The CPU 231 functions as a “frame image selection unit, frame image composition unit, and user interface unit” in the claims. The photographing information PI is information included in the “image processing control information” in the claims. The GPS attribute information corresponds to “position information” in the claims in this embodiment.
[0053]
D. Second embodiment:
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the frame image database file and the contents of the shooting information PI in the second embodiment. This database file is different from the database file in the second embodiment in that a priority item is added. The priority value stored in the priority item represents the priority in selecting a frame image. FIG. 9B shows the contents of the GPS attribute information included in the shooting information PI.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 12 (b), in this example, in the read data, GPSLatitudeRef and GPSLatitude are “N” and “13 degrees 42 minutes and 35 seconds”, respectively, and GPSLongitudeRef and GPSLongitude are “ E "and" 144 degrees 26 minutes 12 seconds ". In accordance with the GPS attribute information, the CPU 231 searches for records having record numbers 1 to 6 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and displays information indicating the storage position and priority of each searched record. Output.
[0055]
The output priority order is used as shown below. In the first embodiment, since the frame images are selected in ascending order of the record numbers, the frame images having the smallest record number and the second smallest number are displayed on the reading window W3 (FIG. 10). However, in the second embodiment, since the CPU 231 further selects frame images using information indicating the priority order, the frame images with the record numbers 5 and 6 are first displayed on the window W3 (FIG. 10). Will be displayed. As a result, for a photograph taken in the vicinity of “Lover Point”, which is a sightseeing point in Guam, a frame image related to Lover Point is selected with priority over the frame image of general Guam.
[0056]
As described above, in the second embodiment, since the frame image is selected also using the information indicating the priority order that each frame image has as an attribute, the frame image that is more likely to be selected by the user is finely selected. There is an advantage that it becomes possible.
[0057]
It should be noted that the priority order in selecting frame images may be determined using not only the items described in the priority order item but also other items. For example, a usage frequency item for counting the past usage frequency by the user may be added to the database item, and the priority order of frame images having a high usage frequency stored in the usage frequency item may be increased. In this case, the information stored in the priority item and the use count item corresponds to “priority information” in the claims.
[0058]
In addition, it is preferable that the information stored in the usage count item is uploaded to a server that performs user support, and the information stored in the usage count item accumulated from this server is made downloadable. In this way, there is an advantage that a popular frame image can be preferentially selected.
[0059]
Furthermore, it is preferable that the digital still camera 12, the personal computer PC, and the printer 20 are configured so that the home position can be registered. For example, if you live near a sightseeing spot, for an image taken around your home, a frame related to a child that is more likely to be shot around your home than a frame image related to that sightseeing spot This is because there is a high possibility that an image is desired.
[0060]
For example, when the home position can be registered in the digital still camera 12 and the image is taken within a predetermined range from the registered geographical position, information indicating that the shooting location is “home” is used as the shooting information PI. You may comprise so that it may store in an image file. Further, for example, the digital still camera 12 may be configured not to store geographic information when the image is taken within a predetermined range.
[0061]
On the other hand, the home position can be registered in the personal computer PC or the printer 20, and when the photograph is taken within a predetermined range from the registered geographical position, it is determined that the photographing place is “home”. You may do it.
[0062]
E. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.
[0063]
E-1. In each of the above embodiments, the geographic information (location information) representing the geographic location used for the selection of the frame image uses radio waves from GPS satellites operated by the United States and radio waves from mobile phone base stations. Although it is generated, for example, it may be generated using a GPS system (Galileo) planned to be developed by Europe. In general, the geographic information used for selecting a frame image in the present invention may be any information that represents an absolute position on the earth at the time of shooting.
[0064]
E-2. In each of the above embodiments, the frame image is selected according to the geographical position of the digital still camera itself at the time of shooting. For example, the frame image is selected based on the position of the subject to which the digital still camera is directed. May be. The position of the subject can be calculated from, for example, information indicating the position of the digital still camera and information indicating the direction of the digital still camera.
[0065]
Information indicating the direction of the digital still camera is stored in GPSImgDirectionRef (tag number: 16) and GPSImgDirection (tag number: 17) in the GPS Info IFD (FIG. 5). The “geographical position at the time of photographing” in the claims is a broad concept including not only the position of the digital still camera but also the position of the subject.
[0066]
E-3. In each of the above embodiments, the frame image is selected according to the geographic information. However, for example, the frame image may be selected according to the time information indicating the time at the time of shooting. Specifically, a frame image related to Christmas or New Year may be selected at the end of the year regardless of geographic information, or a combination of geographic information and time information at the time of shooting may be selected. May be. In general, the selection of a frame image performed in the present invention may be performed according to at least one of geographic information and time information.
[0067]
Here, “selecting a part of the plurality of frame images” is a concept including preventing a part of the plurality of frame images from being selected. For example, a frame image related to Christmas or New Year may not be selected except for a certain period at the end of the year.
[0068]
The time information may be GPS satellites or other information provided from the outside of the digital still camera, or may be a time measured by a clock built in the digital still camera. However, it is preferable to use the local time at the time of photographing considering the time difference as the time used for selecting the frame image. This local time can be obtained from a coordinated universal time (UTC) acquired from a GPS satellite and a time difference, for example. Moreover, it is preferable that the timepiece built in the digital still camera is configured to be corrected according to the local time.
[0069]
E-4. In each of the above embodiments, the frame image is selected according to the geographic information. However, the frame image may be selected using speed information and altitude information. For example, during a flight to the northern part of the United States or Canada, a frame image including the phrase “flying over Alaska” may be selected for an image taken from above Alaska. Further, a frame image including a phrase such as “Alaska dusk” may be preferentially selected by combining time information.
[0070]
The speed information and altitude information can be acquired by reading from GPSSpeedRef (tag number: 12) and GPSSpeed (tag number: 13) in the GPS Info IFD (FIG. 5) of the image file GF.
[0071]
Further, the frame image may be selected not only according to the data stored in the GPS Info IFD but also according to information representing the photographing mode such as the portrait mode. In general, the frame image selection unit used in the present invention is configured to select a part of a plurality of frame images according to image processing control information used for processing image data. It is good if it is.
[0072]
E-5. In each of the above embodiments, a frame image is selected using a database file that represents the attribute of each frame image. For example, attribute data is stored in each frame image file, and the attribute data is used directly. You may make it select. However, the method using the database file has an advantage that the time required for the selection process can be shortened.
[0073]
E-6. In each of the embodiments described above, the image data obtained by combining the image data and the frame image data is stored after the user selects the frame image. For example, the image data is selected by the user as the image processing control information. Information for specifying the frame image may be stored in the image file. In this way, it is possible to make the combined image data available immediately without excessively increasing the use area of the image data in the recording area while leaving the pre-combination image data. Note that the “frame image composition unit” in the claims may be anything that synthesizes image data and frame image data on a memory in order to confirm the synthesized image.
[0074]
E-7. In each of the above-described embodiments, the computer PC includes a frame image storage unit that stores a plurality of frame image data. For example, the computer PC does not include a frame image storage unit, and an external computer ( Frame image data may be acquired from (not shown) (for example, via the Internet). However, if the computer PC is provided with a frame image storage unit, there is an advantage that selection processing and composition processing can be performed quickly.
[0075]
The frame image may be selected by an external computer. This can be realized by the following processing.
(1) An image processing control information transmitting unit (not shown) included in the computer PC transmits image processing control information read from the image file to an external computer.
(2) The external computer selects some frame image data from among a plurality of frame image data prepared in advance according to this information.
(3) The external computer transmits at least one of the selected frame image data to the computer PC.
[0076]
In this case, in the image processing device, the image processing control information transmission unit functions as a “frame image selection unit” in the claims, and in the frame image providing device, the frame image selection unit is patented. This corresponds to the “frame image selection unit” in the claims.
[0077]
E-8. In each of the above embodiments, one frame image is synthesized with each image. However, for example, two or more frame images may be synthesized in a superimposed manner. In general, the frame image composition unit used in the present invention only needs to be configured to compose image data with at least one of selected frame image data.
[0078]
E-9. In each of the embodiments described above, the personal computer functions as the image processing apparatus. However, for example, a color printer may have the function of the image processing apparatus. The present invention can be applied not only to color printing but also to monochrome printing.
[0079]
E-10. In each of the above embodiments, the display 14 and the color printer 20 function as the “image output unit” in the claims, but may be projected by a projector, for example. In general, the image output unit used in the present invention may be configured to output an image so as to be visible based on the combined image data.
[0080]
When some or all of the functions of the present invention are realized by software, the software (computer program) can be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium. In the present invention, the “computer-readable recording medium” is not limited to a portable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, but an internal storage device in a computer such as various RAMs and ROMs, a hard disk, and the like. An external storage device fixed to the computer is also included.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processing system as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a digital still camera as an input device that generates image data.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a computer PC and a color printer as output devices that output image data.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the structure of an image file GF in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of attached information stored in an Exif IFD of an image file GF.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of image processing in the computer PC.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W1 when image processing software is activated.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W2 of image processing software.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a frame image database file and the contents of shooting information PI.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W3 of image processing software.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W4 of image processing software.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a frame image database file in the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image processing system 14 ... Display 12 ... Digital still camera 20 ... Color printer 22 ... Slot 23 ... Print data generation circuit 110 ... Image data storage area 121 ... Optical circuit 122 ... Image acquisition circuit 123 ... Image processing circuit 124 ... Control circuit 125 ... Mobile phone interface circuit 126 ... Decision button 127 ... Liquid crystal display 128 ... GPS circuit 129 ... GPS antenna 231 ... CPU
232: Hard disk

Claims (12)

An image processing apparatus that performs image processing on the image data according to an image file including image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data,
A frame image selection unit that selects a part of the frame image data among a plurality of frame image data prepared in advance for combining with the image data in accordance with the image processing control information;
A user interface unit that displays the selected frame image data in the frame image selection unit and allows a user to select at least one of the displayed frame image data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a frame image synthesis unit that synthesizes at least one of the frame image data selected by the user and the image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
An image processing apparatus comprising a frame image storage unit for storing the plurality of frame image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The frame image storage unit has a database file in which attribute information of the plurality of frame image data is databased,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the frame image selection unit performs the selection by searching the database file. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
The frame image storage unit can store priority order information indicating a priority order of selection of the plurality of frame image data for at least some images of the plurality of frame image data;
The frame image selection unit further performs the selection according to the priority order information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image processing control information includes geographical information representing a geographical position at the time of shooting,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the frame image selection unit performs the selection according to at least the geographic information. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The image processing control information includes time information indicating time at the time of shooting,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the frame image selection unit performs the selection according to at least the time information. An image file writing device for writing information to an image file including image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data,
An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An image file writing apparatus, comprising: an image file writing unit that writes information for specifying the selected frame image data into the image file as the image processing control information. A frame image providing device for providing frame image data to be combined with image data,
An image processing control information receiving unit for receiving image processing control information read from an image file including the image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data;
A frame image selection unit that selects some of the plurality of frame image data prepared in advance according to the received image processing control information;
A user interface unit that displays the selected frame image data in the frame image selection unit and allows a user to select at least one of the displayed frame image data;
A frame image providing apparatus comprising: a frame image transmission unit configured to transmit at least one of the frame image data selected by the user. An image output device that outputs an image according to an image file including image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data,
A frame image selection unit that selects a part of the frame image data among a plurality of frame image data prepared in advance for combining with the image data in accordance with the image processing control information;
A frame image synthesizing unit that synthesizes at least one of the selected frame image data and the image data;
An image output device comprising: an image output unit that outputs the image in a visually recognizable manner based on the synthesized image data. An image processing method for performing image processing on the image data according to an image file including image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data,
(A) selecting a part of frame image data from among a plurality of frame image data prepared in advance for combining with the image data in accordance with the image processing control information;
(B) displaying the selected frame image data in the frame image selection unit and allowing the user to select at least one of the displayed frame image data;
(C) An image processing method comprising: synthesizing at least one of the frame image data selected by the user and the image data. An image output method for outputting an image according to an image file including image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data,
(A) selecting a part of frame image data from among a plurality of frame image data prepared in advance for combining with the image data in accordance with the image processing control information;
(B) combining at least one of the selected frame image data and the image data;
(C) An image output method comprising: outputting the image so as to be visible based on the synthesized image data. A computer program for causing a computer to perform image processing on the image data according to an image file including image data and image processing control information used for processing the image data,
A function of selecting some frame image data from among a plurality of frame image data prepared in advance for combining with the image data in accordance with the image processing control information;
A function of displaying the selected frame image data in the frame image selection unit and allowing a user to select at least one of the displayed frame image data;
A computer program comprising a program for causing the computer to realize at least one of frame image data selected by the user and a function of combining the image data.

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