JP2006262496A - Image recording/reproducing device, camera device, image recording/reproducing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image cutout method for displaying a desired image portion that has been reproduced for display, while magnifying it, cutting out an image data area corresponding to that image portion, and newly recording it on a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: A reproduced image is indicated on a liquid crystal display (S1) and if the image is an object to be cut out, processing is shifted to S3 but if not, the next image is indicated (S2). A cutout portion designation frame is indicated (S3) and if a desired image portion is included within the cutout portion designation frame, processing is shifted to S5 but if not, the designation frame is moved to include the desired portion therein (S4). If the desired image portion is included within the designation frame, that portion is magnified and indicated on a screen of the liquid crystal display (S5). A message is then indicated to call inputting to a user for whether the magnified and indicated partial image is to be cut out (S6). When cutting-out is instructed, image data corresponding to that partial image are recorded on the recording medium and necessary information indicative of a relation with original image data is registered on a reference list (S7). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera device such as a digital camera, and relates to a technique for processing an image displayed on the camera device.

A subject image picked up by a digital camera is recorded in a storage medium as image data through photoelectric conversion, signal conversion, signal processing, and the like by a CCD. Many digital cameras include a display device such as a liquid crystal display. In such digital cameras, a user can use the display device instead of a finder when taking an image, and a recording medium after taking an image. It is also possible to display a reproduced image read out from.
Some digital cameras have a zoom-up function for enlarging and displaying a part of an image displayed on a liquid crystal display.

When taking a picture without using the zoom function with a conventional digital camera, even if there is actually only a limited part of the image for one frame, only the necessary part is cut out and saved. I couldn't.
Therefore, in order to see the enlarged image of the necessary part, the image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal display is enlarged or displayed, or the image data is taken into a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) and image processing software is used. It was necessary to cut out the necessary part and transfer the cut image data to the digital camera side.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. The desired image portion reproduced and displayed by the camera device is enlarged and displayed, and the image data area corresponding to the image portion is cut out and recorded. An object of the present invention is to provide an image cutting method and a camera device with an image cutting function that are newly recorded on a medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image cropping apparatus of the present invention comprises a means for reproducing and displaying image data recorded on a recording medium, a means for selecting an image to be clipped, and a desired image of the clip to be clipped. It has means for designating a part as a part to be cut out and means for recording partial image data corresponding to the designated part to be cut out on a recording medium. In addition, you may comprise so that the said cutting object part may be expanded and displayed.

  Further, the camera device of the present invention includes a cut portion specifying means for specifying a desired portion of an image reproduced / displayed on the display unit as a cut target portion, a cut portion expanding means for expanding and displaying the cut target portion, It has a cut part recording means for recording partial image data corresponding to a specified cut target part on a recording medium.

  Further, in the camera device, the cut-out partial recording unit registers image-related information relating the original image to be cut out with the partial image cut out from the original image in the image information reference unit provided on the recording medium. In this case, the reproduction / display means for reproducing the image data recorded on the recording medium and displaying it on the display unit can reproduce the image data from the recording medium based on the image related information registered in the image information reference means. / The partial image to be displayed can be configured to be displayed next to the original image of the partial image.

  As described above, according to the present invention, only a necessary part of an image can be cut out and stored in a recording medium without using image processing software in the camera device. In addition, there is no need to enlarge and display a necessary portion of the image each time playback is displayed. Furthermore, since only necessary partial images can be output when outputting (transmitting) image data to an external device, output time can be shortened and processing related to unnecessary images on the external device side can be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view (back view) of an embodiment of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied.
On the upper surface of the digital camera 100, a processing mode switching switch (slide switch) 31 for switching processing modes, function selection buttons 32 to 36, a main switch 101 for starting the digital camera 100, a shutter button 102, and an output button 103 Is provided.
On the back, a recording / reproducing mode switching switch 104 for switching between a recording mode and a reproducing mode, an optical viewfinder 105, a liquid crystal display 43 for displaying an image, and a cursor moving cross key 37 are provided.
In addition, an imaging lens unit and a finder unit are provided on the front surface (front surface) (not shown).

2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the digital camera 100 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2A, the digital camera 100 includes an image data input system 10, a control unit 20, an operation unit 30, a display unit 40, A recording unit 50 and an interface 81 are provided.
The image data input system 10 includes an optical system 11, a signal conversion unit 12, a signal processing unit 13, and a DRAM (dynamic memory) 14.
The optical system 11 includes an optical system mechanism 11 such as an imaging lens and a diaphragm, and forms an image of light from the subject on the CCD of the signal conversion unit 12 at the subsequent stage.
The signal conversion unit 12 includes a CCD, an A / D conversion unit, and a CCD drive signal generation circuit. The signal conversion unit 12 converts an image formed on the CCD through the optical system 11 in the previous stage into an electrical signal and digital data (hereinafter, image data). ) And temporarily stored in the DRAM 14.
The signal processing unit 13 compresses the image data by a compression method such as a JPEG method, and performs decompression processing on the compressed image data. The signal processing unit 13 performs an expansion process on the image data from the DRAM 14 or the image data read from the flash memory 51, and then develops the image on a VRAM (video RAM) 51.

The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, and a ROM 23 as shown in FIG.
The CPU 21 is connected to the above-described circuits and a power supply changeover switch (not shown) via a bus line, controls the entire image processing apparatus 100 by a control program stored in the ROM 23, and status signals from the operation unit 40. In response to the above, execution control of each function of the digital camera, for example, control of image cutting mode processing by execution of the image cutting means 150 (FIG. 4) stored in the ROM 23 is performed.

The RAM 22 is used for temporary storage of data or processing results and an intermediate work area.
The ROM 23 is a recording medium for recording the above-described control program and a program for executing the image cutting unit 110 and other functions of the image processing apparatus. PROM, FROM (flash ROM), or the like is used. These programs may be stored in a removable recording medium other than the ROM 23 (for example, the flash memory 51).

  The operation unit 30 includes a processing mode switch 31, function selection buttons 32 to 36, a cursor movement cross key 37, a main switch 101, a shutter button 102, an output button 103, and a recording / playback mode switch 104 shown in FIG. When these keys or buttons are operated, a status signal is sent to the CPU 21.

The display unit 40 includes a VRAM 41, a VRAM 42, and a liquid crystal display 43. Note that the VRAM 41 and the VRAM 42 are image display memories for developing an image display image (image image) as a bitmap. If the power of the liquid crystal display (LCD) 43 is on, the VRAM 41 and the VRAM 42 The image data is displayed on the liquid crystal display 43 as an image.
In addition to image data, menu data and message data may be developed in the VRAM 42 via the control unit 20 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 43 in some cases. Further, the image image on the VRAM 41 and the image on the VRAM 42 can be combined (superimposed) on the liquid crystal display 43 and displayed.

The recording unit 50 accommodates a recording medium (flash memory in FIG. 2), records image data from the image data input system 10 on the flash memory 51 under the control of the CPU 21, and sets a pointer for associating the image with the clipped image. The reference list (FIGS. 6 and 7) is recorded, and the image data and the reference list are read from the flash memory 51 and transferred to the RAM 22 (or DRAM 14). It is desirable that the data transfer by the recording unit 50 be performed by DMA (direct memory access method). The reference list is preferably stored at the head of the flash memory 51.
The flash memory 51 records compressed image data as a recording medium for image data and a reference list for recording necessary reference items (FIGS. 6 and 7).

  The interface 81 exchanges data between the digital camera 100 and an external device such as a printer, personal computer, other image processing apparatus, or CD-ROM. Transmission (output) of the image data recorded in the flash memory 51 to an external device is performed based on output means (program) (not shown) when the output button 103 is depressed.

<Processing mode>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a processing mode of the digital camera 100. The processing mode of the digital camera 100 includes a normal processing mode including imaging, reproduction, recording, and output (transmission) mode to an external device, and date change. And a special processing mode for executing special functions such as. The reproduction mode includes an image selection mode and an image cut mode.

<Image cutting means>
(A) Configuration and Function of Image Cutting Unit As shown in FIG. 4, the image cutting unit 110 cuts out a desired portion of a desired image from images displayed on the liquid crystal display 43 in the reproduction mode (Example) Then, the data is recorded in the flash memory 51). In this case, the cut image can be enlarged and displayed on the liquid crystal display 43.

The image cutout unit 110 includes a cutout part specifying unit 111, a cutout part enlarged display unit 112, and a cutout part recording unit 113.
The cut portion designation means 111 is a means for designating a portion (rectangular portion in the embodiment) required by the user among the images reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal display 43, and is a broken line frame as shown in FIG. Alternatively, a solid line frame or a key shape that clearly indicates the four corners is displayed, and the frame moving means such as the cross key 37 is used to enclose and specify the necessary portions in those frames. In this case, the cut portion designation unit 111 may include a designated frame enlargement / reduction unit (not shown) so that the size of the frame can be enlarged or reduced.

  The cut-out portion enlargement display means 112 enlarges and displays the portion designated by the designated frame on the screen of the liquid crystal display 43. In the case where the enlarged partial image is slightly different from the image portion that the user really wants, the original image is displayed again and the portion designated by the cut-out portion designation means 111 is enlarged and displayed. Alternatively, the magnified partial image can be moved minutely back and forth and left and right so that a magnified image of the truly desired partial image can be displayed.

  The cut-off partial recording means 113 cuts out the partial image data enlarged on the liquid crystal display 43 from the original image data when the user gives a recording instruction from the operation unit 30 (pressing the shutter button 102 in the embodiment). The case is recorded in the flash memory 51 (FIGS. 5 and 10). When recording, necessary information is registered in a reference list indicating the relationship with the original image data (FIG. 6).

  Further, as will be described later, the partial image data may be physically recorded in the flash memory 51. However, by registering necessary information on the reference list, the partial image data is effectively not recorded in the flash memory 51, but the partial image data is effectively recorded. The cut portion recording means 113 can also be configured so as to give the same effect as that recorded (FIG. 7).

  In the above description, the image cutout unit 110 is designated by a frame on the screen. However, the image cutout unit 110 is not limited to the designation by the designated frame. For example, when the cursor is brought close to the center of the necessary part and the display key is pressed, Control is transferred to the enlarged display means 112, and a rectangular portion centered on the point is displayed on the entire screen of the liquid crystal display 43, and the display portion is moved back and forth and left and right by moving the cursor to confirm the partial image, and then flash. You may comprise so that it may record on the memory 51. FIG.

(B) Relationship between Original Image and Partial Image on Recording Medium FIG. 5 shows original image (image obtained by imaging) data and partial image recorded on the recording medium by image cut-out partial recording means 113 (cut image). FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship with data, and a reference list 511 (FIG. 6 or FIG. 7) for registering storage position information of recorded image data in the flash memory 51 and an original image obtained in an imaging mode. Data 512-1, 512-2, 512-3,..., 512-n, and partial image data 513-1, 513-2, 513-3,. .., 513-m is recorded. In the embodiment, the reference list 511 is stored at the head position of the flash memory 51, and the partial image data is physically recorded after the original image data. It is related by the reference list so as to be located next to the original image data. That is, when the image data recorded in the flash memory 51 in which the partial image data is recorded is reproduced / displayed, the partial image is displayed next to the original image.

A plurality of partial images can be created (FIGS. 6 and 7), and for example, a partial image centered on each individual image can be extracted from an image such as a graduation photo. it can.
Further, the number of pixels of the recorded partial image is smaller than the number of pixels of the original image, and is proportional to the area ratio between the original image and the partial image (FIG. 10).
In addition, the image size of the original image is set to SVGA (image size standard (1024 × 768 pixels)), and the image size of the partial image cut by the image cutting unit 110 is fixed to VGA (image size standard (640 × 480 pixels)). In this case, the size (number of pixels) of the clipped partial image is 1 / 2.56, which is about 40%, and the capacity efficiency with respect to the recording medium is good.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a reference list. The reference list 511 includes a physical number 5111 indicating the physical order of images (original image and partial image) recorded in the flash memory 51, and the order of displayed images. Logical number 5112, image size 5113 (in FIG. 6, standard: XGA = 4, SVGA = 3, VGA = 2, QVGA = 1 are coded), image storage address 5114 (start address: in FIG. 6) For the purpose of explanation, the original image is shown in increments of 100 and the partial image is shown in increments of 50), the original image / partial image section 5115 (original image = A; partial image = B), and the physics of the next displayed image It consists of a record for each image consisting of a next image number 5116 (physical number on the reference list 511) which is a number and a previous image number 5117 used when displaying the previous image. , Which are registered by the cutout recording unit 113 when recording the image.

  Note that the logical number 1112 is registered in increments of 10 for the original image, and for the partial image, a one-digit number is registered for each corresponding original image in the order of creation, but this clearly indicates the relationship between the original image and the partial image at the time of display. This makes it easy to add branch numbers to the partial images.

In FIG. 6, the image data is recorded in the order of physical numbers 111 on the flash memory 51, but can be displayed in the order of logical numbers when displayed.
For example, when the original image (logical number = “10”) having the physical number “1” is displayed in the reproduction mode and then the display button (+) is further pressed, the next image number (= physical number) becomes “ An n + 1 ′ partial image (logical number = “11”) is displayed. When the display button (+) is pressed again, the original image with the next image number “2” (logical number = “20”) is displayed as the next image. Furthermore, when the display button (+) is pressed, a partial image (logical number = '30 ') having the next image number (= physical number) of “3” can be displayed as the next image, and the display button (+) is continuously pressed. The next image number (= physical number) is a partial image (logical number = '31 '), the next image number (= physical number) is a partial image (logical number = '32'), -Can be displayed. Here, the image having the physical number “3” has two partial images (logical numbers “31” and “32”).

  As a next example, when the display button (−) is pressed when the partial image with the physical number “31” is currently displayed, the partial image with the previous image number (= physical number) “3” (logical number = '30') can be displayed, and the display can be restored to the original image. That is, if the reference list 511 is configured as shown in FIG. 6, logically preceding and following images (for example, the original image and the partial image) can be displayed regardless of the physical recording order. In addition, when outputting image data to an external device, a partial image can be output following the original image, and the original image can be prevented from being output.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the reference list. A reference list used when the partial image data is not recorded physically in the flash memory 51 and the effect is substantially the same as when the partial image is recorded. It is a structural example.

  The reference list 511 ′ includes a physical number 5111 indicating the physical order of the images (original images) recorded in the flash memory 51, an image size 5113 (XGA = 4, SVGA = 3, VGA = 2, QVGA = 1 in FIG. 7). The image storage address 5114, the number of partial images 5117, the size of partial images 5118-1 to 5, and the coordinates 5119-1 to 3 of partial images. It is registered by the cut-out portion recording means 113 when the image is recorded.

  In FIG. 7, the maximum number of partial images is three. However, the number of partial images is not limited to this, and each record may have a variable length and the number of partial images may be n. The coordinates (x, y) indicate the center coordinates of the partial image. The partial image is determined from the coordinates (x, y) and the size. The coordinates (x, y) may be coordinates ((xi, yj), (xk, yj), (xi, yl), (xk, yl)) of the four corners of the rectangle (partial image) instead of the center coordinates. .

  In FIG. 7, the image data is recorded on the flash memory 51 in the order of the physical number 111, but at the time of display, the partial image can be displayed following the original image. In addition, when outputting image data to an external device, a partial image can be output following the original image, and the original image can be prevented from being output.

  For example, when the display button (+) is pressed after displaying the original image with the physical number “1” in the playback mode, a partial image of size “2” and center coordinates (x1, y1) is displayed as the next image. When the display button (+) is further pressed, the original image with the image number 2 is displayed as the next image, and when the display button (+) is subsequently pressed, the size “2”, the partial image of the center coordinates (x2, y2), the size “2”, a partial image of center coordinates (x3, y3),... Are displayed.

<Example>
(A) Mode Switching In FIG. 1, the processing mode switching switch 31 is configured to be slidable in three positions: “NOP”, “normal processing mode”, and “special processing mode”. When the switch 41 is positioned at “NOP”, the mode processing operation is not shifted even if the main switch 101 is turned on (that is, a no-operation state). The switch 31 automatically returns to the “NOP” position when the main switch 101 is turned off.

After the main switch 101 is turned on, when the switch 31 is slid to the “normal processing” side, the digital camera 100 enters the normal processing mode (FIG. 4), and a series of operations such as subject imaging, playback display, and recording are performed. Can be performed.
The recording / reproducing switch 104 is configured to be slidable at three positions of “NOP”, “recording”, and “reproducing”. When the switch 104 is in “NOP”, the image cut-off mode is not entered even if the main switch 101 and the switch 31 are on. The switch 104 automatically returns to the “NOP” position when the main switch 101 is turned off or the switch 31 is set to “NOP”.

  When the switch 31 is slid to the “normal processing” side and the recording / reproduction switch 104 is slid to the reproduction side, the reproduction / display mode is set. When the function selection button (display button (+)) 32 is pressed in the reproduction display mode, the image data for one frame recorded in the flash memory 51 is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal display 43. At the time of reproduction / display, reproduction / display means (not shown) reproduces an image with reference to the reference list 511 (or 511 ') as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. Next, when the function selection button (cutting execution button) 34 is pressed, the image cutting mode is set, and the control unit 20 shifts the control to the execution of the image cutting unit 110. If the display button (+) 32 is further pressed, the next image is displayed, and if the display button (−) 33 is pressed, the previous image is displayed.

(B) Operation under Image Cutting Mode FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 100 under the image cutting mode, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display image under the image cutting mode.
First, the playback / display mode is switched, and the playback image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 43 (S1). If this image is to be clipped, the process proceeds to S3, otherwise the desired image is displayed. Until the display button (+) 32 is pressed and the desired image is displayed, the display button (+) 32 is released and the desired image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 43 (S2). The desired image can be selected by fast-forward means (not shown) for fast-forwarding and selecting the image.

  When the cut execution button 34 is pressed, the image cut mode is entered, and control is transferred to the execution of the image cut means 110. The cut portion designation means 111 displays a cut portion designation frame 91 on the screen 90 as shown in FIG. It is displayed (S3).

  If the desired image portion is included in the cut portion designation frame 91, the process proceeds to S5. Otherwise, the cross key 37 is operated to move the cut portion designation frame 91 forward, backward, left, and right. The desired portion 93 is included in the designated frame (S4). In this embodiment, the size of the original image 92 is SVGA (1024 × 768 pixels), the size of the partial image is VGA (640 × 480 pixels), and the size of the designated frame 91 corresponds to the size of the partial image. However, as described above, the size of the designated frame 91 may be configured to be enlarged or reduced around a certain point.

If the desired image portion is included in the cut portion designation frame 91 in S4, control is transferred to the cut portion enlarged display means 112, and the shutter release button 102 is pressed after the function selection button (zoom button) 35 is pressed. When pressed, the partial image 93 surrounded by the designation frame 91 is enlarged and displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 43 as shown in FIG. 9B (S5).
Next, when the execution button 34 is pressed, a message prompting the user to input whether or not to cut out the enlarged partial image 93 as shown in FIG. 9C is displayed (S6).

  If it is determined that the image is to be cut out in S6, when the shutter button 102 is pressed, control is transferred to the cut-off portion recording unit 112, and image data corresponding to the partial image 93 (FIG. 9D) is recorded in the flash memory 51. At the same time, necessary information indicating the relationship with the original image data is registered in the reference list 511, and the process returns to S1 (S7). In this case, as described above, necessary information indicating the relationship between the original image data and the partial image data is registered in the reference list 511 ′ without recording the image data corresponding to the partial image 93 in the flash memory 51. The partial image may be displayed during playback / display. If the cut is not made in S6, the execution button 33 is pressed to return to S1 (S8).

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the size of the original image data and the cut partial image data. The number of pixels of the cut partial image data 96 with respect to the original image data 95 is the original image 95 and the partial image 96. Is proportional to the area ratio. For example, when a partial image 93 having a size of VGA (640 × 480 pixels) is cut from an original image 92 having a size of SVGA (1024 × 768 pixels), the size of the recorded partial image 96 is 1024 × 768. The number of pixels to be recorded is small. Thereby, when recording a partial image on a recording medium, the recording capacity of the partial image can be reduced.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

1 is a perspective view (back view) of an embodiment of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of the digital camera of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the processing mode of a digital camera. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an image cutting means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the original image data and the partial image (cut image) data recorded on the recording medium. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a reference list. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a reference list. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera under image cropping mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display image under image cutting mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the size of the original image data and the cut partial image data.

Explanation of symbols

51 Flash memory (recording medium)
92 Original image (image to be cut)
93 Partial image (part to be cut out)
100 Digital camera (camera device)
111 Cutout portion designation means 112 Cutout portion enlargement means 113 Cutout portion recording means 511, 511 ′ Reference list (image information reference means)

Claims (5)

In a camera device that records image data on a recording medium, reproduces the image data recorded on the recording medium, and displays an image.
Means for reproducing and displaying image data recorded on a recording medium; means for selecting an image to be cut; means for designating a desired portion of the image to be cut as a cut target portion; An image cutting device comprising means for recording partial image data corresponding to a cut target portion on a recording medium.   2. The image cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising means for enlarging and displaying the portion to be cut. In a camera device that records image data on a recording medium, reproduces the image data recorded on the recording medium, and displays an image.
Corresponding to a cut-out portion specifying means for specifying a desired portion of an image reproduced / displayed on the display section as a cut-out target portion, a cut-out portion enlargement means for enlarging and displaying the cut-out target portion, and the specified cut-out target portion A cut-out partial recording means for recording partial image data to be recorded on a recording medium.   The cut partial recording means further registers image related information relating the original image to be cut and the partial image cut from the original image in the image information reference means provided on the recording medium. The camera device according to claim 3.   Further, the reproduction / display means for reproducing the image data recorded on the recording medium and displaying it on the display unit is reproduced / displayed from the recording medium based on the image related information registered in the image information reference means 5. The camera apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image is displayed next to the original image of the partial image.

Images