JP2005129994A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of automatically applying a prescribed processing to image data, obtained by photographing and recording the processed data. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera is provided with an operation means 3 for selecting whether a predetermined image processing (face segmentation processing and a document / blackboard processing or the like) is to be applied to the image data obtained by photographing, and selecting whether the image data subjected to image processing are to be stored so that the image processing and the storage processing are automatically applied to the photographed image data. Further, the digital camera is provided with a recording control means 9, that carries out control of storage of original image data and image data after the processing in cross-reference with each other such as provision of a file name associated with a file name of the image data, on which the image processing is based or the same name to the image data, after the image processing and storage of the file name to a folder associated with, in advance when storing the image data so as to enhance the convenience, when the stored image data are read. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a technique for improving the operability of a digital camera.

In recent years, an increasing number of users take pictures with a digital camera. In a digital camera, since a photograph taken is recorded as image data, various image processing can be performed on the image data after photographing. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-290814 provides a digital camera with an image quality improvement mode for improving image quality by performing image quality deterioration removal processing on image data, and an image obtained by photographing is subjected to image deterioration removal processing. A digital camera is disclosed in which it is determined whether or not the image quality is improved by applying the image, and when the image quality is improved, an image deterioration removal process is performed on the image data.
JP 2002-290814 (page 3-6, Fig. 4)

  There are various types of image processing performed by a digital camera. For example, image processing for adjusting the color tone of an image may be performed. In the image processing described above, it is necessary to set processing conditions while comparing the images before and after the processing and confirming the images after the processing. Therefore, it is necessary to display the image data on the monitor.

  When it is necessary to check the result of image processing in this way, it is necessary to display the image data on the monitor one by one. However, when it is not necessary to check the result of image processing, a series of image data is continuously displayed. There is no problem even if the image processing is performed, and the operation becomes complicated if the operation for instructing the image processing must be performed on each image data.

  For example, if you use a photo taken with a digital camera as a photo to be pasted on a passport, ID photo, or noun, or if you want to improve the appearance of a person's face (so-called skin-beautification), It is necessary to extract the face from the inside. In that case, a process for cutting out an area near the face of the image data (hereinafter referred to as a face cut-out process) may be performed. However, such a process is not particularly required to check the processed image, and a photograph taken It is desirable that processing is automatically executed for

  In addition, digital cameras are easy to carry and can be played back on the spot, so the digital camera can be used as a photocopier to copy documents with text recorded, copies, blackboards with text written, etc. You can also shoot and read text from photos. In the above application, a process for adjusting the contrast of the photographed photograph (hereinafter referred to as a document / blackboard process) is performed so that the characters can be clearly identified. In such a process, the processed image is also processed. There is no particular need to confirm, and it is preferable that processing is automatically performed on the photographed photograph.

  Further, when the above image processing is performed, it is necessary to instruct whether or not to record the image data after the image processing in a storage unit or a medium in the digital camera by operating the operation unit. It is troublesome to give such an instruction, and if the processed image data and the image data that is the basis of the processing are recorded independently, the image data is discriminated when the image data is subsequently read out. There is also a problem that it is difficult to do.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is a digital camera capable of automatically performing a predetermined process on image data obtained by photographing and recording the image data. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the digital camera of the present invention is a digital camera having at least a function of acquiring image data by performing signal processing on an image of a subject imaged by an imaging unit and recording the image data in a recording unit. After obtaining the image data, there is provided means for selecting whether or not to perform predetermined image processing on the image data.

  Further, the digital camera of the present invention acquires the image data in a digital camera having at least a function of acquiring image data by performing signal processing on the image of the subject imaged by the imaging unit and recording the image data in the recording unit. Then, means for selecting whether or not to perform predetermined image processing on the image data and means for selecting whether or not to store the image data after the image processing are provided.

  In the present invention, when the subject is a person, the image processing is a process of extracting a region near the face from the image based on the image data and converting a facial expression or color, or the subject is a character. In the case of a recorded article, it may be configured to include one of processes for increasing the contrast of an image based on the image data and facilitating discrimination of the character.

  Further, in the present invention, when saving of the image data after the image processing is selected, the image data after the image processing and the image data that is the basis of the image processing are stored in the recording unit in association with each other. The recording control means may be configured to include a file name of the image data after the image processing in association with a file name of the image data that is the basis of the image processing, Alternatively, the file name of the image data after the image processing is set to the same file name as the file name of the image data that is the basis of the image processing, and each of the image data is stored in a folder associated with each other. be able to.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, the digital camera is provided with means for selecting whether or not to perform predetermined image processing on the image data obtained by photographing, and the image processing. And a means for selecting whether or not to save the image data. The user operates these means, for example, sets the image data to be processed and the processed image data is saved. If this is done, the image data obtained by shooting is automatically subjected to predetermined processing and stored, eliminating the need for the user to process the image data one by one, greatly reducing labor. be able to.

  The digital camera of the present invention has the following effects.

  The first effect of the present invention is that predetermined image processing can be automatically performed on image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera.

  The reason is that the digital camera of the present invention records means for selecting whether or not to perform predetermined image processing on image data obtained by photographing, and image data subjected to image processing. Therefore, if setting is made using these means, it is possible to automatically perform image processing on the captured image data and to store the image data. Because.

  The second effect of the present invention is that image data subjected to image processing can be stored in a form that can be easily identified later.

  The reason is that in the digital camera of the present invention, when image data after image processing is recorded on the recording means, the image data after image processing is associated with the file name of the image data that is the basis of the processing. Processing such as assigning a file name, assigning the same file name to the processed image data and the original image data, and storing each image data in a folder associated in advance is performed. It is.

  As shown in the prior art, since a photograph taken with a digital camera can be recorded as image data, various image processing can be performed on the image data after photographing. Normally, when image processing is performed in a digital camera, image data is displayed on a monitor, images before and after image processing are compared, and image processing conditions are set while checking the processed image. It is necessary to perform image processing on each image data. However, even in the case of uniform processing that does not require confirmation of an image after image processing, there is a problem that performing image processing by performing operations for each image data is complicated and inconvenient.

  Therefore, in the present invention, means for causing the digital camera to select whether or not to perform predetermined image processing on image data obtained by photographing, and whether or not to store the image data subjected to image processing. And selecting image processing and storage processing in advance using these means, so that image processing and storage processing are automatically performed on the captured image data. ing. Also, when saving image data, the image data after image processing is given a file name associated with the file name of the image data that is the basis of the image processing, or the same file name is given in advance and associated. By saving the original image data and the processed image data in association with each other, for example, by saving them in the respective folders, convenience in reading the saved image data is improved.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing main means of the digital camera. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure for using the digital camera of this embodiment, and FIGS. 4 to 6 are views showing display examples of the display means of the digital camera of this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a storage form of image data stored by the digital camera of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the digital camera 1 of this embodiment includes an imaging element such as a CCD and an optical member such as a lens, and uses an optical image of a subject formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD as an image signal. Imaging means 5 for conversion, signal processing means 6 for converting image data by performing color separation processing, gain adjustment, A / D conversion, contrast adjustment, white balance adjustment, gamma correction and the like on the image signal, and storing the image data Recording means 7 such as a built-in memory that is detachably attached to the main body, display means 2 such as a liquid crystal monitor, operation means 3 for performing various operations (for example, shutter button 3a, jog dial 3b, button group 3c), etc. In addition to means provided in a general digital camera, image processing means 8 (face cutout processing means 8a, image processing means for performing image processing on image data obtained by photographing. Book / blackboard processing means 8b, etc.), recording control means 9 for controlling the recording of the image data subjected to the image processing in association with the image data as the basis of the image processing, and the like. I have control.

  A procedure for performing predetermined processing on image data using the digital camera 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S101, the digital camera 1 is turned on, and then in step S102, image processing and storage processing to be performed on captured image data are set. For example, when the jog dial 3b is operated to set the still image shooting mode and the menu button is pressed, or the jog dial 3b is operated to set the setup mode, a setting screen for image processing and storage processing is displayed on the display means 2. The On this setting screen, whether to perform face segmentation processing, whether to perform document / blackboard processing, whether to save image data after image processing, and the like are set. The setting method of image processing and storage processing is arbitrary, and may be set on the setting screen such as the menu screen or the setup screen as described above. However, the face segmentation processing, document / blackboard processing is included in the button group 3c. In addition, buttons for setting the storage process can be provided independently, and the setting can be made by simply pressing these buttons. By providing such a dedicated button, the operability can be improved.

  When the image processing and storage processing settings are completed, the still image shooting mode is set by operating the jog dial 3b or the like, and a photograph is taken in step S103. Then, in step S104, the control means 4 checks whether or not it is set to perform predetermined image processing. If it is set, predetermined image processing is performed on the image data obtained by photographing according to the setting. Do.

  For example, when the face cut-out process is set, in step S105, the face cut-out processing unit 8a is used to extract an outline, pattern recognition, skin color, etc. 4 is extracted, and the area of the face 10a is extracted, and as shown in FIG. 4, the area of the face 10a is cut out so that the face 10a is arranged in a predetermined size in the frame. Perform conversions. At that time, the automatically analyzed area may be displayed and finely adjusted by manual operation. In addition, a template 12 showing parts areas such as the face outline, eyes, nose, mouth, etc., as shown in FIG. Alternatively, a desired region can be extracted more accurately by using such a method. If document / blackboard processing is set, the document (blackboard processing means 8b) is used to adjust the contrast (color and brightness as necessary) in step S106, as shown in FIG. In addition, characters and figures drawn on the document / blackboard 11 as the subject can be clearly identified. Note that here, face extraction processing and document / blackboard processing have been described as examples of image processing, but processing performed on image data obtained by shooting is processing that does not require confirmation of the processed image. Can be arbitrarily selected. Further, the face cut-out process and the document / blackboard process itself can be executed using a known image processing technique.

  Next, in step S107, the control means 4 checks whether or not it is set to save the image data after image processing. If it is set to save it, in step S108, the image data after image processing is set. Image data is recorded in the recording means 7. Here, as a storage format of the digital camera, there is a DCF (Design Rule for Camera File system) defined by the Japan Electronics Industry Promotion Association. In general digital cameras, image data is recorded in accordance with the above-mentioned standard. However, if the image data after the image processing and the image data that is the basis of the image processing are recorded without any relevance, it is difficult to discriminate when using the image data later, which is inconvenient. Therefore, in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, image data is stored in the following form as necessary.

  First, the first method is a method of storing image data file names in association with each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the file name of the image data (original image data) obtained by shooting is set to “DSC00001.jpg” according to the rules determined by the digital camera 1, the recording control means 9 changes the file name of the image data after image processing (processed image data) by changing a part of the file name of the original image data so that the correspondence relationship with the original image data can be identified. Set as “jpg”. Then, both the original image data and the processed image data are recorded in a folder defined by a predetermined standard (for example, the “100KONIC” folder in the lower hierarchy of the “DCIM” folder).

  The second method is a method of recording the original image data and the processed image data in different folders. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the file name of the original image data is set to “DSC00001.jpg” in accordance with the rules determined by the digital camera 1, the recording control means 9 Set the same file name. Then, a folder (for example, “ORG” folder) for recording the original image data in a lower layer of a folder defined by a predetermined standard (for example, “100KONIC” folder in the lower layer of the “DCIM” folder) ") And a folder for recording processed image data (for example," PRCS "folder) are created in association with each other, and the original image data and the processed image data are recorded in each folder.

  Using such a method, the original image data and the processed image data are recorded in association with each other, so that the desired image data can be easily identified when the image data is read later. Note that the above method is merely an example, and any method that can associate the original image data and the processed image data may be used. In the first method, the file name naming method of the processed image data or the second method may be used. The name of the folder name, the tree structure of the folder, etc. are arbitrary. If there is no need to associate the original image data with the processed image data, the processed image data may be recorded according to the rules of the digital camera 1.

  If it is set not to perform image processing in step S104, or if it is set not to record post-processing image data in step S107, it is determined by the digital camera 1 in step S109. Only the original image data is recorded in the recording means 7 according to the rule. In step S110, when the next photograph is taken, the same processing (steps S103 to S109) is repeated.

  In the above flow, both image processing and storage processing are performed every time a photograph is taken. However, the present invention automatically performs predetermined image processing on image data obtained by photographing. Accordingly, the image data after image processing may be recorded. For example, after a plurality of photographs are taken, image processing and image data storage processing may be performed together, A configuration may be adopted in which only image processing is performed each time, and when all image processing is completed, the image data is collectively recorded in the recording unit 7. In the above flow, the original image data and the processed image data are recorded at the same time. However, the original image data is temporarily recorded in the recording means 7 after the photograph is taken, and the original image data is read from the recording means 7. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for performing predetermined image processing.

  As described above, in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, whether or not to perform predetermined image processing on the image data obtained by photographing is performed by operating the operation unit 3. By selecting whether or not to save image data, image processing and saving processing are automatically performed on the captured image data. Also, when saving image data, the image data after image processing is given a file name associated with the file name of the image data that is the basis of the image processing, or the same file name is given in advance and associated. By saving the original image data and the processed image data in association with each other, for example, by saving them in the respective folders, convenience in reading the saved image data is improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the digital camera 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and any device having a photography function, such as a mobile phone with a camera or a camera. The present invention can be similarly applied to an attached portable terminal, a digital movie camera, and the like.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main means of the digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation procedure of the digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the display screen of the digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the display screen of the digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the display screen of the digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the preservation | save form of the image data recorded with the digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the preservation | save form of the image data recorded with the digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Display means 3 Operation means 3a Shutter button 3b Jog dial 3c Button group 4 Control means 5 Imaging means 6 Signal processing means 7 Recording means 8 Image processing means 8a Face cut-out processing means 8b Document / blackboard processing means 9 Recording control means 10 Person 10a Face 11 Document / Blackboard 12 Template

Claims (6)

In a digital camera having at least a function of acquiring image data by performing signal processing on an image of a subject imaged by an imaging unit and recording the image data in a recording unit
A digital camera comprising means for selecting whether or not to perform predetermined image processing on the image data after obtaining the image data. In a digital camera having at least a function of acquiring image data by performing signal processing on an image of a subject imaged by an imaging unit and recording the image data in a recording unit
Means for selecting whether or not to perform predetermined image processing on the image data after obtaining the image data;
Means for selecting whether or not to store the image data after the image processing.   When the subject is a person, the image processing is a process of extracting a region near the face from the image based on the image data and converting a facial expression or color, or an article in which the subject has recorded characters. 3. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising a process for increasing the contrast of the image based on the image data to facilitate the discrimination of the character.   And a recording control unit that stores the image data after the image processing and the image data that is the source of the image processing in association with each other when the storage of the image data after the image processing is selected. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is a digital camera.   5. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the recording control unit sets a file name of the image data after the image processing in association with a file name of the image data that is the source of the image processing.   In the recording control means, the file name of the image data after the image processing is set to the same file name as the file name of the image data that is the source of the image processing, and the image data are associated with each other. 5. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the digital camera is stored in a folder.

Images