JP2006303676A - Imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus and method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for realizing an applied configuration of an image data file format usable in common by signal processing programs adopting various parameter sets. <P>SOLUTION: The file format of image data files for storing RAW data is configured to be capable of storing a plurality of parameter sets. Through the configuration above, it is possible that a signal processing program employing various different parameter sets selects the RAW data stored in compliance with the file format and parameters corresponding to the signal processing program and implements the signal processing. Even when parameters not used in an old signal processing program take place, the program can be utilized again by writing new parameter sets to an exclusive parameter storage area in the image file format. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, a method, and a computer program. More specifically, for example, an imaging device, an image processing device, a method, and a computer program that are captured by an imaging device such as a digital camera and store RAW data that has not been subjected to signal processing using parameters and process the RAW data About.

  In recent years, along with the spread of digital cameras and information processing devices capable of image processing such as PCs, images taken by digital cameras are input to devices such as PCs, and images taken by digital cameras using an image processing program installed on the PC. Data can be edited, processed, displayed on a display on a PC as an image that suits the user's preference, and output through a printer for easy processing.

  As a processing mode when inputting a captured image of a digital camera to a device such as a PC, image processing is performed based on predetermined parameters set in the digital camera, for example, parameters such as brightness, color tone, white balance, contrast, and sharpness. Processed result data such as JPEG format or TIFF format data is input to a device such as a PC, and an image sensor such as a CCD of a digital camera without performing image processing using these parameters There is a method in which RAW data that is not subjected to signal processing based on various parameters is taken into a device such as a PC and the image processing is performed on the PC.

  When applying the RAW data, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 stores the RAW data in a memory card 20 such as a flash memory attached to the digital camera 10 and corresponds to the stored RAW data. The application parameter is stored in association with the RAW data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 has an image data file having a file format composed of a CCD output RAW data area 21 and a camera signal parameter area 22 as a storage area for a parameter set corresponding to the RAW data. Is stored in the memory card 20. An image processing apparatus 30 that executes image processing, such as a PC, reads RAW data and parameters from the memory card 20 and executes image processing.

  However, the file format for storing the RAW data and the parameter set does not have a unified standard, and various file formats are currently used depending on the camera manufacturer and model. The types and number of parameters recorded in association with the RAW data are also different depending on the model and manufacturer, and are not uniform.

  For this reason, for example, when the number of parameters applied to processing and the purpose of use change due to improvements or changes in the camera signal processing program, a file format in which only the old camera signal processing parameters are stored is read and the latest signal processing is performed. When processing is performed by applying a program, a problem arises in that there is a mismatch between the camera signal processing and the parameter group, making it impossible to perform correct signal processing.

  A file that stores only the parameter group corresponding to the latest improved camera signal processing program is set separately from the image file, and when executing the process by the latest signal processing program, the parameter is read from the parameter only storage file. In this case, it is necessary to store the image file and the parameter file as separate files, and management of correspondence between RAW data and parameters is also necessary. Therefore, file management becomes complicated and unusable.

  As an advantage of storing RAW data that has not been subjected to signal processing by parameters, when an improved camera signal processing technology is developed in the future, processing for RAW data can be performed using the latest processing, and the latest processing is always performed. It is possible to view images based on technology. However, as described with reference to FIG. 1, at present, the file format is configured by setting only one parameter set corresponding to the RAW data. Therefore, one parameter set can be applied to the RAW data. However, the signal processing to which other parameter sets are applied cannot be easily performed, and the configuration is inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and applied different parameter sets by improving the file format for recording RAW data and parameters as image data captured by a digital camera as an imaging device. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, a method, and a computer program that realize a configuration capable of supporting various signal processing programs.

The first aspect of the present invention is:
An imaging device,
A format processing unit that executes generation processing of an image data file that stores RAW data corresponding to a subject image acquired via an image sensor and parameters applied to signal processing on the RAW data;
The format processor
The imaging apparatus is configured to execute generation processing of an image data file having a file format having a plurality of parameter storage areas capable of storing a plurality of different parameter sets corresponding to RAW data.

  Furthermore, in an embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the format processing unit stores a storage parameter or identification information corresponding to a signal processing program to which the storage parameter is applied, in a parameter storage area of the image data file. The image data file generation process is executed.

  Furthermore, in one embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the format processing unit is composed of a minimum data area corresponding to a specified number of parameters and a data length for a parameter storage area corresponding to an existing signal processing program, For other parameter storage areas, the generation processing of image data files having a file format with a configuration in which the number of parameters that can be stored and the parameter length are set to be greater than or equal to the maximum value of the parameter storage area corresponding to the existing signal processing program is performed. It is the structure to perform.

Furthermore, the second aspect of the present invention provides
An image processing device,
An image processing unit that executes RAW data acquired by the imaging apparatus and a signal processing that applies a parameter corresponding to the RAW data by inputting a parameter corresponding to the RAW data;
The image processing unit
From the plurality of parameter storage areas set in the image data file, the parameters of the parameter storage area set with the identification information corresponding to the identification information of the signal processing program executed in the image processing apparatus are acquired, and the signal processing using the acquired parameters is performed. An image processing apparatus is characterized by being configured to execute.

Furthermore, the third aspect of the present invention provides
An image data file generation method,
A format processing step for executing generation processing of an image data file storing RAW data corresponding to a subject image acquired via an image sensor and a parameter applied to signal processing for the RAW data;
The format processing step includes:
An image data file generation method comprising a step of executing generation processing of an image data file having a file format having a plurality of parameter storage areas capable of storing a plurality of different parameter sets corresponding to RAW data.

  Furthermore, in one embodiment of the image data file generation method of the present invention, the format processing step includes a storage parameter or an identification corresponding to a signal processing program that applies the storage parameter to the parameter storage area of the image data file. A generation process of an image data file storing information is executed.

  Furthermore, in an embodiment of the image data file generation method of the present invention, the format processing step includes a minimum data area corresponding to a prescribed number of parameters and a data length for a parameter storage area corresponding to an existing signal processing program. For other parameter storage areas, the number of parameters that can be stored and the parameter length of an image data file having a file format with a configuration that is set to be greater than or equal to the maximum value of the parameter storage area corresponding to the existing signal processing program A generation process is executed.

Furthermore, the fourth aspect of the present invention provides
An image processing method,
An image processing step of performing signal processing by inputting RAW data acquired by the imaging apparatus and a parameter corresponding to the RAW data and applying the parameter to the RAW data;
The image processing step includes
Obtaining parameters of a parameter storage area set with identification information corresponding to identification information of a signal processing program executed in the image processing device from a plurality of parameter storage areas set in the image data file;
Performing signal processing with acquisition parameters;
An image processing method characterized by comprising:

Furthermore, the fifth aspect of the present invention provides
A computer program that executes image data file generation processing in an imaging device,
A format processing step for executing generation processing of an image data file storing RAW data corresponding to a subject image acquired via an image sensor and a parameter applied to signal processing for the RAW data;
The format processing step includes:
The present invention resides in a computer program characterized by including a step of executing processing for generating an image data file having a file format having a plurality of parameter storage areas capable of storing a plurality of different parameter sets corresponding to RAW data.

Furthermore, the sixth aspect of the present invention provides
A computer program for executing image processing on a computer;
An image processing step of performing signal processing by inputting RAW data acquired by the imaging apparatus and a parameter corresponding to the RAW data and applying the parameter to the RAW data;
The image processing step includes
Obtaining parameters of a parameter storage area set with identification information corresponding to identification information of a signal processing program executed in the image processing device from a plurality of parameter storage areas set in the image data file;
Performing signal processing with acquisition parameters;
There is a computer program characterized by comprising:

  The computer program of the present invention is, for example, a storage medium or communication medium provided in a computer-readable format to a general-purpose computer system capable of executing various program codes, such as a CD, FD, MO, etc. Or a computer program that can be provided by a communication medium such as a network. By providing such a program in a computer-readable format, processing corresponding to the program is realized on the computer system.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a more detailed description based on embodiments of the present invention described later and the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the system is a logical set configuration of a plurality of devices, and is not limited to one in which the devices of each configuration are in the same casing.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the file format of the image data file that stores the RAW data corresponding to the subject image acquired via the image sensor is configured to be able to store a plurality of parameter sets. The signal processing program to which the set is applied can perform signal processing by selecting RAW data stored in accordance with this file format and parameters corresponding to the signal processing program. For example, even when camera signal processing is improved and parameters that are not used in the old signal processing program occur, the new parameter set is written and used in the dedicated parameter storage area in the image file format. And the correspondence between various camera signal processing programs and parameter sets can be maintained.

  The details of the imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus and method, and computer program of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, a general data processing configuration in the imaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. There are two processing modes shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B as processing modes when inputting a photographed image of a digital camera to an image processing apparatus such as a PC.

  The first processing example has the processing configuration shown in FIG. 2A, in which the subject image captured by the imaging device (CCD) 111 of the digital camera 110 that is an imaging device is photoelectrically converted by the imaging device 111. The generated analog electrical signal is input to the A / D converter 112 and converted into a digital signal. This RAW data 115 as digital data is input to the image processing unit 113. The image processing unit 113 executes image processing using parameters 114 set according to the shooting conditions or parameters 114 such as user setting parameters, and is a signal processed image composed of an image format such as JPEG data or TIFF data. The data 118 is stored in a recording medium 117 constituted by a flash memory or the like. The parameter 114 is a parameter composed of parameters for adjusting brightness, color tone, white balance, contrast, sharpness, and the like.

  An image processing device 119 that executes image processing such as a PC reads out the signal processed image data 118 stored in the recording medium 117 and executes processing such as display output and print output.

  The second processing example has the processing configuration shown in FIG. 2B, in which the subject image captured by the imaging device (CCD) 121 of the digital camera 120 as an imaging device is photoelectrically converted by the imaging device 121. The generated analog electric signal is input to the A / D converter 122 and converted into a digital signal. The RAW data 125 as digital data is input to the format processing unit 123. The format processing unit 123 inputs the RAW data 125 and also inputs a parameter 124 such as a parameter set according to the shooting conditions or a user setting parameter, and a file storing the RAW data 125 and the parameter 124 is stored in a predetermined file. It is generated according to the file format, and is stored in a recording medium 127 constituted by a flash memory or the like as an image data file 128 including RAW data and parameters. The parameter 124 is a parameter composed of parameters for adjusting brightness, color tone, white balance, contrast, sharpness, and the like.

  An image processing device 129 that executes image processing, such as a PC, reads an image data file 128 including RAW data and parameters stored in the recording medium 127, and the image data file according to a signal processing program installed in the image processing device. The parameters acquired from the above are applied to the RAW data read from the same data file, signal processing is executed, and processing such as display output and print output is executed.

  As described above, the file format of the image data file generated when the RAW data and the parameter set are written to the recording medium 127 does not have a unified standard, and differs depending on the manufacturer and model. Therefore, the image processing device 129 that reads the image data file 128 including the RAW data and parameters stored in the recording medium 127 and executes signal processing performs signal processing corresponding to the specific digital camera that generated the image data file 128. The signal processing can be performed only by a program.

  Therefore, when the parameter set applied by the camera signal processing program installed in the image processing apparatus 129 is different from the parameter set stored in the image data file 128 generated by the digital camera, correct signal processing is not executed. There is. In order to solve such a problem, the present invention adopts a configuration different from the conventional file format of the image data file for storing RAW data and parameters.

  FIG. 3 shows a file format configuration of an image data file that stores RAW data and parameters generated by the imaging apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the file format 200 of the image data file for storing RAW data and parameters generated by the imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a RAW data storage area 201 for storing RAW data as captured image data. Have a plurality of parameter storage areas 202, 203,. In the example shown in the figure, two parameter storage areas A202 and parameter storage area A203 are shown.

The parameter storage area A202 is
Parameter 1,
Parameter 2,
Parameter 3,
Is configured to store
The parameter storage area B203 is
Parameter 1,
Parameter 3,
Parameter 4,
Parameter 5,
Is stored.
These parameters 1 to 5 are parameters for adjusting brightness, color tone, white balance, contrast, sharpness, and the like, for example.

  For example, when there are a digital camera A and a digital camera B of different models, the digital camera A generates a parameter 1, a parameter 2, and a parameter 3 in the RAW data storage process, and the RAW of the file format 200 shown in FIG. The RAW data is written in the data storage area 201, and a file in which the parameter 1, parameter 2, and parameter 3 are written in the parameter storage area A202 is generated and written in a recording medium such as a flash memory. In this case, no parameter is written in the parameter storage area B203.

  On the other hand, the digital camera B generates parameter 1, parameter 2, parameter 4, and parameter 5 in the RAW data storage process, writes the RAW data to the RAW data storage area 201 of the file format 200 shown in FIG. A file in which parameter 1, parameter 3, parameter 4, and parameter 5 are written in storage area B 203 is generated and written to a recording medium such as a flash memory. In this case, no parameter is written in the parameter storage area A202.

  Processing in an image processing apparatus that executes image processing such as a PC will be described with reference to FIG. For example, the signal processing program A corresponding to the digital camera A is installed, and the image processing apparatus 251 capable of executing processing by the signal processing program A is configured to receive the RAW data in the RAW data storage area 201 from the data file stored in the recording medium. The parameter 1, the parameter 2, and the parameter 3 stored in the parameter storage area A202 are read, the signal processing to which the parameter 1, the parameter 2, and the parameter 3 are applied is executed, and the display output of the image data generated by the signal processing is performed. , Print out, etc.

  On the other hand, the signal processing program B corresponding to the digital camera B is installed, and the image processing apparatus 252 capable of executing processing by the signal processing program B is configured to transmit the RAW data in the RAW data storage area 201 from the data file stored in the recording medium. And read the parameter 1, parameter 3, parameter 4, and parameter 5 stored in the parameter storage area B203, execute signal processing to which the parameter 1, parameter 3, parameter 4, and parameter 5 are applied, and generate by signal processing. Display output and print output of the processed image data.

  For example, the image processing apparatus in which both the signal processing program A corresponding to the digital camera A and the signal processing program B corresponding to the digital camera B are installed can perform any processing. In this case, in accordance with a processing program executed in the image processing apparatus, processing is performed by reading either parameter set in the parameter storage area A202 or the parameter storage area B203.

  In the file format 200 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the parameter storage areas 202, 203... Corresponds to an area corresponding to an already defined parameter storage format and an undefined parameter storage format. A structure having a region is preferable.

  Since the number of parameters used by camera signal processing and the data word length differ depending on each signal processing program, the area for storing the camera signal processing parameter group is allowed to have a different format, and can be used for existing camera signal processing. The area for storing the corresponding parameter set is known as the data word length and number of the parameters, so it is secured as the minimum area corresponding to the data word length and number of these parameters.

  This configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The parameter storage area A202 and the parameter storage area B203 shown in FIG. 5 are areas for storing parameter sets corresponding to existing camera signal processing, and since the data word length and number of parameters are known, It is secured as the minimum area corresponding to the data word length and number.

  On the other hand, an area for storing a parameter set that can be used in the future that is not a parameter set corresponding to the existing camera signal processing, for example, a parameter storage area P301 shown in FIG. 5, has a LONG (4-byte word length) word length for each parameter. To secure all the areas and secure a large area. With this setting, it becomes possible to store parameters corresponding to various future signal processing programs. The setting for storing each parameter storage area as 4 bytes is merely an example, and other byte numbers may be set.

  Further, another embodiment of the file format configuration of the image data file storing the RAW data and parameters generated by the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The file format 400 shown in FIG. 6 has a plurality of parameter storage areas 402, 403,... For a RAW data storage area 401 that stores RAW data as captured image data. This configuration is the same as the configuration described above with reference to FIG.

  In the file format 400 shown in FIG. 6, parameter data and ID data as identification information corresponding to the signal processing program are stored in the parameter storage areas 402 and 403 together with the parameters.

In the parameter storage area A402,
ID data: A
Parameter 1,
Parameter 2,
Parameter 3,
Is stored,
The parameter storage area B403 is
ID data: B
Parameter 1,
Parameter 3,
Parameter 4,
Parameter 5,
Is stored.

  Identification information (ID) is also given to a signal processing program executed in an image processing apparatus that executes image processing such as a PC. When the signal processing program is executed in the image processing apparatus, the ID of each parameter storage area is read. The parameter is acquired from the parameter area in which the ID corresponding to the signal processing program is set, and the signal processing based on the acquired parameter is executed.

  Next, referring to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, RAW data and parameter set storage processing executed in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, and image processing device that reads RAW data and parameter sets and executes signal processing Each processing sequence will be described.

  First, a processing sequence of RAW data and parameter set storage processing executed in the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S101, the imaging apparatus executes an imaging process. RAW data as a digital signal is generated based on the subject image captured by the image sensor (CCD).

  In step S102, a parameter set corresponding to the photographed RAW data is generated. This parameter is, for example, a parameter for adjusting brightness, color tone, white balance, contrast, sharpness, and the like, and is generated according to shooting conditions and user setting information.

  In step S103, the RAW data storage area of the image data storage file having the file format described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, that is, the RAW data storage area and the file format having a plurality of different parameter set storage areas. The RAW data is stored, and a data file storing the parameter set generated in the parameter storage area corresponding to the camera is generated. At this time, a process for storing an ID as identification information corresponding to a parameter set or a signal processing program may be performed in the parameter storage area.

  In step S104, the RAW data and the data file in which the parameter set is written are stored in a recording medium such as a flash memory.

  Next, referring to FIG. 8, the processing sequence in an image processing apparatus such as a PC that reads RAW data and parameters stored in a recording medium and executes signal processing based on the read data is shown in the flowchart of FIG. The description will be given with reference.

  First, in step S201, a signal processing program installed in an image processing apparatus such as a PC is activated. In step S202, a file storing image data to be processed is selected from a recording medium, and RAW data is read.

  In step S203, it is determined whether or not different parameter sets are stored in a plurality of parameter areas in the file storing the RAW data to be processed. If only one parameter set is stored, step S204 is performed. Go to and get the parameter set.

  If a plurality of parameter sets are stored in the plurality of parameter storage areas, the process proceeds to step S206, and identification information (ID) of the signal processing program being executed in the image processing apparatus is acquired. In step S207, the information is recorded from the recording medium. Then, the parameter storage area recorded with the ID corresponding to the acquired identification method (ID) is selected, and the parameter set stored in the selected parameter storage area is acquired.

  When the parameter set acquisition process is completed in step S204 or step S207, the process proceeds to step S208, and the acquired parameter set is applied to perform signal processing on the read RAW data.

  As described above, in the configuration of the present invention, a file format that can store a plurality of different parameter sets in correspondence with one RAW data is applied. Therefore, a signal processing program that applies various different parameter sets is provided with this configuration. It is possible to perform signal processing by selecting parameters from the parameter storage area in which RAW data stored in the file format and parameters corresponding to the signal processing program are stored.

  Thus, for example, even when camera signal processing is improved and parameters that are not used in the old signal processing program occur, the new parameter set can be written to the dedicated parameter storage area in the image file format. Thus, it is possible to always maintain the coincidence between the camera signal processing and the parameter group. Also, with this configuration, processing by various signal processing programs is possible, and user convenience can be increased.

  Next, a hardware configuration example of the imaging apparatus and the image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a hardware configuration example of an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the imaging apparatus includes a lens 451, a solid-state imaging device (CCD) 452, an analog signal processing unit 453, an A / D conversion unit 454, a digital signal processing unit 455, a codec 456, a memory 457, and a D / A. A conversion unit 458, an encoder 459, a monitor 460, a CPU 471, an input unit 472, and a storage unit 473 are included.

  The input unit 472 includes operation buttons such as a shutter in the camera body. The digital signal processing unit 455 is a block having a signal processing processor and an image RAM, and the signal processing processor performs preprogrammed image processing on the image data stored in the image RAM.

  Incident light that has passed through the optical system and reached the solid-state imaging device (CCD) 452 first reaches each light receiving device on the imaging surface, and is converted into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion at the light receiving device, and an analog signal processing unit 453. The digital signal processing is performed by the digital signal processing unit (DSP) 455 after the processing such as noise removal is performed by the digital signal processing by the A / D conversion unit 454. A format processing unit that executes generation processing of an image data file that stores RAW data in accordance with the above-described file format and parameters applied to signal processing for the RAW data corresponds to a partial configuration of the digital signal processing unit 455. . The digital signal processing unit 455 generates an image data file that stores parameters calculated based on shooting conditions or user setting conditions, and RAW data, and executes compression encoding processing in the codec 456, for example, The data is recorded in a memory 457 that is a storage medium such as a memory card.

  Note that the image data generated in the digital signal processing unit is also input to the D / A conversion unit 458 to convert the image data into an analog signal, which is converted into a video signal by the encoder 459, and the video signal is monitored 460. Can be monitored. The video monitor 460 is used as a camera monitor screen. The overall data processing control is executed by the CPU 471 functioning as a control unit in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 473.

  Next, a hardware configuration example of an image processing apparatus that executes image processing in which raw data and parameters are input will be described with reference to FIG. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501 performs processing corresponding to an OS (Operating System), signal processing using parameters for the RAW data described in the above-described embodiments, and parameter selection from an image data file stored in a recording medium It functions as an image processing unit that executes processing and the like. These processes are executed according to a computer program stored in a data storage unit such as a ROM or a hard disk of the image processing apparatus.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 502 stores programs used by the CPU 501, calculation parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 503 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 501, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 504 including a CPU bus.

  The host bus 504 is connected to an external bus 506 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 505.

  A keyboard 508 and a pointing device 509 are input devices operated by the user. The display 510 includes a liquid crystal display device, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like, and displays various types of information as text and images.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 511 includes a hard disk, drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 501 and information. The hard disk is used as, for example, a storage area for image data files, and stores various computer programs such as a data processing program.

  The drive 512 reads data or a program recorded in a removable recording medium 521 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and the data or program is read out from the interface 507 and the external bus 506. , And supplied to the RAM 503 connected via the bridge 505 and the host bus 504. The removable recording medium 521 is also used as a recording medium that stores the image data file including the above-described RAW data and parameters.

  The connection port 514 is a port for connecting the external connection device 522 and has a connection unit such as USB or IEEE1394. The connection port 514 is connected to the CPU 501 and the like via the interface 507, the external bus 506, the bridge 505, the host bus 504, and the like. The communication unit 515 is connected to a network and executes communication with other information processing apparatuses.

  Note that the hardware configuration examples of the imaging device and the image processing device illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 are examples of the device, and the imaging device and the image processing device are not limited to the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Any configuration capable of executing the processing described in the above-described embodiments may be used.

  The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make modifications and substitutions of the embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention. In other words, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of exemplification, and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims should be taken into consideration.

  The series of processing described in the specification can be executed by hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both. When executing processing by software, the program recording the processing sequence is installed in a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware and executed, or the program is executed on a general-purpose computer capable of executing various processing. It can be installed and run.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program is temporarily or permanently stored on a removable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto optical) disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory. It can be stored (recorded). Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software.

  The program is installed on the computer from the removable recording medium as described above, or is wirelessly transferred from the download site to the computer, or is wired to the computer via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The computer can receive the program transferred in this manner and install it on a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk.

  Note that the various processes described in the specification are not only executed in time series according to the description, but may be executed in parallel or individually according to the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processes or as necessary. Further, in this specification, the system is a logical set configuration of a plurality of devices, and the devices of each configuration are not limited to being in the same casing.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, the file format of the image data file storing the RAW data corresponding to the subject image acquired via the image sensor can be configured to store a plurality of parameter sets. Therefore, a signal processing program that applies various different parameter sets can perform signal processing by selecting RAW data stored in accordance with this file format and parameters corresponding to the signal processing program. For example, even when camera signal processing is improved and parameters that are not used in the old signal processing program occur, the new parameter set is written and used in the dedicated parameter storage area in the image file format. And the correspondence between various camera signal processing programs and parameter sets can be maintained.

It is a figure explaining the image file format which stores the RAW data in the conventional imaging device. It is a figure explaining the two aspects of the image file produced | generated in an imaging device, and the image processing use process in an image processing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the image file format which stores the RAW data in the imaging device which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the usage example in the image processing apparatus of the image file format which stores the RAW data based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the image file format which stores the RAW data based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the image file format which stores the RAW data based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining the process sequence of the imaging device which performs the process which produces | generates and stores an image file. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining the processing sequence of the image processing apparatus which reads data from an image file, and performs signal processing. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the image processing apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital camera 20 Memory card 21 CCD output raw data area 22 Camera signal parameter area 30 Image processing apparatus 110 Digital camera 111 Image sensor (CCD)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 A / D conversion part 113 Image processing part 114 Parameter 115 Raw data 117 Recording medium 118 Signal processed image data 119 Image processing apparatus 120 Digital camera 121 Image sensor (CCD)
122 A / D conversion unit 123 Format processing unit 124 Parameter 125 RAW data 127 Recording medium 128 Image data file 129 Image processing device 200 File format 201 RAW data storage area 202 Parameter storage area A
203 Parameter storage area B
251,252 Image processing apparatus 301 Parameter storage area P
400 File format 401 RAW data storage area 402 Parameter storage area A
403 Parameter storage area B
451 Lens 452 Solid-state imaging device 453 Analog signal processing unit 454 A / D conversion unit 455 Digital signal processing unit 456 Codec (CODEC)
457 Memory 458 D / A converter 459 Video encoder 460 Video monitor 471 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
472 Input unit 473 Storage unit 501 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
502 ROM (Read-Only-Memory)
503 RAM (Random Access Memory)
504 Host bus 505 Bridge 506 External bus 507 Interface 508 Keyboard 509 Pointing device 510 Display 511 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
512 drive 514 connection port 515 communication unit 521 removable recording medium 522 external connection device

Claims (10)

An imaging device,
A format processing unit that executes generation processing of an image data file that stores RAW data corresponding to a subject image acquired via an image sensor and parameters applied to signal processing on the RAW data;
The format processor
An imaging apparatus comprising: a generation process of an image data file having a file format having a plurality of parameter storage areas capable of storing a plurality of different parameter sets corresponding to RAW data. The format processor
The image data file generation processing storing identification information corresponding to a storage parameter or a signal processing program to which the storage parameter is applied is executed for a parameter storage area of the image data file. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1. The format processor
The parameter storage area corresponding to the existing signal processing program consists of the minimum number of data areas corresponding to the specified number of parameters and data length. For the other parameter storage areas, the number of parameters that can be stored and the parameter length are set to the existing ones. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured to execute generation processing of an image data file having a file format having a configuration set to be equal to or greater than a maximum value of a parameter storage area corresponding to the signal processing program. An image processing device,
An image processing unit that executes RAW data acquired by the imaging apparatus and a signal processing that applies a parameter corresponding to the RAW data by inputting a parameter corresponding to the RAW data;
The image processing unit
From the plurality of parameter storage areas set in the image data file, the parameters of the parameter storage area set with the identification information corresponding to the identification information of the signal processing program executed in the image processing apparatus are acquired, and the signal processing using the acquired parameters is performed. An image processing apparatus characterized by being configured to execute. An image data file generation method,
A format processing step for executing generation processing of an image data file storing RAW data corresponding to a subject image acquired via an image sensor and a parameter applied to signal processing for the RAW data;
The format processing step includes:
A method for generating an image data file, comprising: generating an image data file having a file format having a plurality of parameter storage areas capable of storing a plurality of different parameter sets corresponding to RAW data. The format processing step includes:
6. The process for generating an image data file storing identification information corresponding to a storage parameter or a signal processing program to which the storage parameter is applied is executed for a parameter storage area of the image data file. The image data file generation method described. The format processing step includes:
The parameter storage area corresponding to the existing signal processing program consists of the minimum number of data areas corresponding to the specified number of parameters and data length. For the other parameter storage areas, the number of parameters that can be stored and the parameter length are set to the existing ones. 6. The image data file generation method according to claim 5, wherein a generation process of an image data file having a file format having a configuration set to be equal to or greater than a maximum value of a parameter storage area corresponding to the signal processing program is executed. An image processing method,
An image processing step of performing signal processing by inputting RAW data acquired by the imaging apparatus and a parameter corresponding to the RAW data and applying the parameter to the RAW data;
The image processing step includes
Obtaining parameters of a parameter storage area set with identification information corresponding to identification information of a signal processing program executed in the image processing device from a plurality of parameter storage areas set in the image data file;
Performing signal processing with acquisition parameters;
An image processing method comprising: A computer program that executes image data file generation processing in an imaging device,
A format processing step for executing generation processing of an image data file storing RAW data corresponding to a subject image acquired via an image sensor and a parameter applied to signal processing for the RAW data;
The format processing step includes:
A computer program comprising a step of executing generation processing of an image data file having a file format having a plurality of parameter storage areas capable of storing a plurality of different parameter sets corresponding to RAW data. A computer program for executing image processing on a computer;
An image processing step of performing signal processing by inputting RAW data acquired by the imaging apparatus and a parameter corresponding to the RAW data and applying the parameter to the RAW data;
The image processing step includes
Obtaining parameters of a parameter storage area set with identification information corresponding to identification information of a signal processing program executed in the image processing device from a plurality of parameter storage areas set in the image data file;
Performing signal processing with acquisition parameters;
A computer program characterized by comprising:

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