JP2007142551A - Program and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means capable of applying development processing to many numbers of RAW image data in a shorter time. <P>SOLUTION: A program disclosed herein is associated with a computer provided with a control section, a first recording means for recording a plurality of the RAW image data, and a communication means for making communication with an image processing apparatus, the control section detects at least one image processing apparatus, and the program is characterized by allowing the control section to execute the steps of: recognizing by the control section each detected image processing apparatus as each terminal; respectively acquiring performance data associated with the performance of each terminal by the control section; generating a performance table; generating by the control section a schedule table for specifying distribution of the development processing executed by each terminal on the basis of the performance table; and transmitting by the control section the RAW image data and instruction data of the development processing to each terminal respectively on the basis of the schedule table. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer that causes an image processing apparatus to execute development processing of RAW image data.

For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a digital camera system that stores RAW image data in a computer recording apparatus and causes the computer to execute development processing of the RAW image data is conventionally known. Here, in the RAW image data, digital data for each pixel of the image sensor is recorded without performing any image processing. The development processing of RAW image data includes signal level correction, white balance adjustment, gamma correction, color interpolation, color difference conversion, compression processing, and the like.
JP 2003-87618 A

  By the way, when performing development processing by software on a general-purpose CPU of a computer, the required time becomes longer compared to development processing by an image processing engine (a processor dedicated to image processing). In particular, in recent electronic cameras, since the advancement of image processing and the increase in the number of pixels have further progressed, the above-mentioned tendency becomes more remarkable. Therefore, there is a demand for means capable of developing a large number of raw image data stored in a computer recording apparatus in a shorter time.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a program and an information processing apparatus capable of developing a large number of RAW image data in a shorter time.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program related to a computer including a control unit, a first recording unit that records a plurality of raw image data, and a communication unit that communicates with an image processing apparatus that performs development processing on the raw image data. is there. This program causes the control unit to execute a recognition step, a performance table generation step, a schedule table generation step, and a transmission step.

  In the recognition step, the control unit detects at least one image processing device that can communicate via the communication means, and recognizes each detected image processing device as a terminal device. In the performance table generation step, the control unit acquires performance data related to the performance of the terminal device, and generates a performance table indicating a correspondence relationship between the terminal device and the performance data. In the schedule table generation step, based on the performance table, the control unit generates a schedule table that defines the distribution of development processing executed by each terminal device. In the transmission step, the control unit transmits the RAW image data and the development processing command data to each terminal device based on the schedule table.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, in the recognition step, the control unit recognizes, as a terminal device, an electronic camera capable of executing development processing on RAW image data.
In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the performance data includes processing time data defined by the development processing speed of the terminal device and the communication speed with the terminal device. In the schedule table generating step, the control unit defines the distribution amount of the development processing according to the length of processing time of each terminal device.

In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the performance data includes function data indicating a function of the terminal device. In the schedule table generation step, the control unit distributes development processing requiring processing dependent on a specific function to terminal devices having a corresponding function based on the function data.
In a fifth aspect based on the third aspect, the computer has a first table indicating a correspondence relationship between the terminal device type and the development processing speed, and a second table indicating a correspondence relationship between the communication means type and the communication speed. And a second recording means for recording. The recognition step includes a type data acquisition step in which the control unit acquires data of the type of terminal device and the type of communication means. The performance table generation step includes a speed estimation data acquisition step in which the control unit acquires estimated data of the development processing speed and communication speed based on the first table and the second table, and a control unit determines the processing time based on the estimated data. And an estimated processing time calculating step for calculating.

In a sixth aspect based on the third aspect, the performance table generation step is a process in which the control unit transmits test data to the terminal device, and obtains processing time data based on a return result from the terminal device with respect to the test data. A time acquisition step is included.
In a seventh aspect based on the third aspect, the performance table generating step is an actual measurement in which the control unit receives image data after development processing from at least one terminal device, and acquires an actual value of processing time based on the reception result. A value acquisition step, and a performance table update step in which the control unit updates the performance table based on the actual measurement value. The schedule table generation step is characterized in that the control unit generates the schedule table based on the updated performance table.

According to an eighth invention, in the first invention, when the communication unit detects a terminal device in a communication disabled state and the control unit detects a terminal device in a communication disabled state, the control unit And a schedule table resetting step of resetting the schedule table by excluding terminal devices in an incommunicable state.
In a ninth aspect based on any one of the first to eighth aspects, the control unit can execute development processing on the RAW image data. In the recognition step, the control unit connects the computer to the terminal device. In the performance table generation step, the control unit incorporates the computer performance data into the performance table, and in the schedule table generation step, the development processing distributed to the computer by the control unit is incorporated into the schedule table.

  The configuration related to the invention is expressed by converting it into an information processing device that executes the program, a recording medium that stores the program, an information processing method or an information processing system that includes the information processing device and the image processing device, and the like. Are also effective as specific embodiments of the present invention.

  According to the program and the information processing apparatus of the present invention, a large number of RAW image data can be developed in a shorter time.

Hereinafter, an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Configuration of information processing system of this embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system of the present embodiment. The information processing system includes an information processing device 11 and a terminal device 21. In this information processing system, a plurality of terminal devices 21 can be connected to one information processing device 11. The information processing apparatus 11 and each terminal apparatus 22 can communicate with each other by a known communication unit. Each terminal device 21 is composed of an image processing device that executes development processing of RAW image data. The image processing apparatus serving as the terminal device 21 corresponds to an electronic camera having an image processing engine, a terminal computer that executes software having a development processing function, and the like.

  Next, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The information processing apparatus 11 includes a communication I / F 12, an input unit 13 and a monitor 14, a recording unit 15, and a CPU 16. The information processing apparatus 11 recognizes the terminal device 21 that configures the information processing system, and distributes development processing of RAW image data to each terminal device 21. The information processing apparatus 11 also functions as an image processing apparatus that executes development processing.

The communication I / F 12 performs data transmission / reception with the terminal device 21 by a known wired or wireless communication means. For example, the communication I / F 12 controls communication using a serial communication standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or IEEE1394, communication using a wired LAN, or communication using a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11a / b / g.
The communication I / F 12 has a connection terminal (not shown) such as the serial communication standard. When the information processing device 11 and the terminal device 21 perform wired communication, the information processing device 11 is connected to the terminal device 21 through a connection terminal.

  The input unit 13 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like. The user can instruct the CPU 16 for detailed setting of development processing of RAW image data via the input unit 13. The monitor 14 displays an image instructed to be output by the CPU 16. Examples of the display image on the monitor 14 include display of the detection state of the terminal device 21 by the CPU 16 and display of the progress of development processing by the information processing system (illustration of the display image is omitted).

  The recording unit 15 is composed of, for example, a hard disk. A large number of RAW image data can be recorded in the recording unit 15. Each RAW image data is composed of a header file and a RAW format image data body. In the header file, data such as shooting conditions are recorded in a predetermined format. The recording unit 15 records data of a performance table, a schedule table, a first table, and a second table.

In the performance table, the correspondence between the terminal device and the performance data is recorded. This performance table is generated by the CPU 16 during development processing.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the performance table. Performance data for each terminal device 21 is recorded in the performance table. Note that the performance data of the information processing apparatus 11 as the terminal device 21 is also recorded in the performance table.

The performance data of the performance table includes data of “development processing capability of the terminal device”, “communication speed”, “memory capacity”, and “total processing time”. The “development processing capability of the terminal device” includes data of “standard processing time”, “noise reduction information”, “color interpolation information”, and “aberration correction information”.
In the item “standard processing time”, the processing time per unit data amount when the terminal device 21 performs standard development processing on the RAW image data is recorded. In the example of FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, the unit data amount is 1 million pixels of RAW image data.

In the item “noise reduction information”, a processing time per unit data amount when the terminal device 21 performs the noise reduction processing during the development processing is recorded. Note that a terminal device having no noise reduction processing function does not have processing time data of the “noise reduction information”.
In the item “color interpolation information”, the type of color interpolation algorithm (algorithm version information) of each terminal device 21 is recorded. In the example of FIG. 3, the algorithm version is indicated by a number. This number will increase as the algorithm version is updated.

In the item of “aberration correction information”, the processing time per unit data amount when the terminal device 21 performs lens aberration correction processing (for example, correction of axial chromatic aberration or lateral chromatic aberration) during the development processing is recorded. . Note that a terminal device that does not have a lens aberration correction processing function does not have processing time data of the “aberration correction information”.
In the item “communication speed”, the communication speed (MB / sec) between the information processing apparatus 11 and the terminal apparatus 21 is recorded. Note that the information processing apparatus 11 as the terminal device 21 does not have data for this item because there is no RAW image data transfer time. In the item “memory capacity”, the capacity of the buffer memory of the terminal device 21 (electronic camera) is recorded.

In the item of “total processing time”, the time (total processing time) until transmission of the RAW image data of the unit data amount to the terminal device 21 and the end of reception of the image data after the development processing is recorded. Is done. This total processing time is normally calculated by the CPU 16 based on the processing time in the “standard processing time” and the “communication speed”.
Here, if the “noise reduction information” and the “aberration correction information” also have processing time data, the CPU 16 calculates the total processing time for the processing times corresponding to the above items. The CPU 16 also records the total processing time when the noise reduction process and the lens aberration correction process are performed in the performance table.

In the schedule table, data of distribution of development processing executed in each terminal device 21 is recorded. This schedule table is generated by the CPU 16 during development processing.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the schedule table. In the schedule table, the identification number of the RAW image data to be developed and each terminal device 21 are associated with each other. In the schedule table, the distribution of development processing to the information processing apparatus 11 as the terminal device 21 is also recorded.

In the first table, the correspondence between the types of electronic cameras that can be the terminal device 21 and the performance data of each electronic camera is recorded. This first table is recorded in advance in the recording unit 15 by means such as an input to the information processing apparatus 11 by a user or data reading from the outside.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the first table. In the first table, performance data is associated with each type of electronic camera (identification code such as a model number). The performance data of the first table includes data of “development processing capacity”, “buffer memory capacity”, and “interface type”. Here, the “development processing capability” data in the first table corresponds to “development processing capability of the terminal device” in the performance table. The data of “buffer memory capacity” in the first table corresponds to “memory capacity” in the performance table. In “Interface type”, the type of communication means supported by the electronic camera is recorded.

The correspondence relationship between the type of communication standard and the communication speed is recorded in the second table. This second table is recorded in advance in the recording unit 15 by means such as an input to the information processing apparatus 11 by the user or data reading from the outside.
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the second table. In the second table, data of communication speeds for the respective standards of “USB1.1”, “USB2.0”, “IEEE1394”, “IEEE802.11a”, “IEEE802.11b”, and “IEEE802.11g” are shown. Are associated with each other.

CPU16 controls operation | movement of each part of the information processing apparatus 11 according to a sequence program. For example, the CPU 16 executes “terminal device recognition”, “performance table generation and update”, “schedule table generation, update and reset”, “transmission of RAW image data to the terminal device”, and the like.
Further, the CPU 16 detects a communication disabled state of the terminal device 21 via the connection terminal based on a signal output from the communication I / F 12. As an example of this incommunicable state, connection release due to disconnection of the cable at the USB terminal can be cited. Furthermore, the CPU 16 has a built-in clock function. Then, the CPU 16 executes time-out determination during communication, count of processing time, and the like by a clock function.

The CPU 16 executes an image processing program. This image processing program has a RAW image data development processing function. Therefore, the CPU 16 can generate developed image data by performing image processing on the RAW image data.
Next, an image processing apparatus serving as the terminal device 21 will be described. FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an electronic camera that can constitute the terminal device 21.

The electronic camera includes a photographic lens 22, an image sensor 23, an A / D converter 24, a buffer memory 25, an image processor 26, a card I / F 27, a communication I / F 28, and a CPU 29. The buffer memory 25, the image processing unit 26, the card I / F 27, the communication I / F 28, and the CPU 29 are connected via a data bus.
The image sensor 23 photoelectrically converts the light beam that has passed through the photographing lens 22 to generate an analog image signal of the subject image. The A / D converter 24 converts the analog image signal of the image sensor 23 into a digital image signal.

The buffer memory 25 temporarily stores data in the pre-process and post-process of image processing in the image processing unit 26. In the development process in the information processing system, the RAW image data received from the information processing apparatus 11 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 25.
The image processing unit 26 is an ASIC designed exclusively for image processing. The image processing unit 26 performs image processing on the digital image signal from the A / D conversion unit 24. The image processing unit 26 has a RAW image data development processing function as one of the image processing functions. That is, the image processing unit 26 can generate developed image data by performing image processing on the RAW image data.

A connector for connecting the recording medium 30 is formed on the card I / F 27. The recording medium 30 is composed of a known semiconductor memory or the like. The card I / F 27 controls writing / reading of the developed image data with respect to the recording medium 30.
The communication I / F 28 transmits / receives data to / from the information processing apparatus 11 by a known wired or wireless communication unit. Note that the communication I / F 28 may have a connection terminal such as the serial communication standard described above. The CPU 29 controls the operation of each part of the electronic camera according to the sequence program.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a terminal computer that can constitute the terminal device 21. The terminal computer has a CPU 31, a buffer memory 32, and a communication I / F 33.
The CPU 31 controls each part of the terminal computer. Further, the CPU 31 executes an image processing program having a function for developing RAW image data. The buffer memory 32 temporarily records various data such as programs executed by the CPU 31 and RAW image data. The communication I / F 33 performs data transmission / reception with the information processing apparatus 11 by a known wired or wireless communication means. The communication I / F 33 may have a connection terminal such as the serial communication standard described above.

(Operation of the information processing system of this embodiment)
Hereinafter, the operation of the information processing apparatus 11 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7.
Step 101: The CPU 16 of the information processing apparatus 11 receives a start instruction from the user from the input unit 13. At this time, the user inputs “RAW image data designation input” and “detailed setting of development processing” to the CPU 16 from the input unit 13.

  Here, in the “RAW image data designation input”, the user designates the RAW image data to be processed this time from the RAW image data group of the recording unit 15. In “detailed setting of development processing”, the user adjusts the setting of development processing for each RAW image data. In this “detailed setting of development processing”, whether or not noise reduction processing is necessary, whether or not lens aberration correction processing is necessary, an algorithm specification for color interpolation processing, and the like are input to the CPU 16.

Step 102: The CPU 16 detects an image processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus 11. Then, the CPU 16 recognizes the detected image processing apparatus as the terminal device 21. At this stage, the CPU 16 registers each terminal device 21 in the performance table. In S <b> 102, the CPU 16 recognizes the information processing apparatus 11 itself as one of the terminal devices 21.
Step 103: The CPU 16 determines whether or not a terminal device 21 other than the information processing apparatus 11 exists. If there is a terminal device 21 other than the information processing device 11 (YES side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S104. In this case, the CPU 16 sets one of the terminal devices 21 as a determination target and acquires performance data in the following steps. On the other hand, when the terminal device 21 is only the information processing device 11, the CPU 16 proceeds to S123.

Step 104: The CPU 16 determines whether or not performance data related to the terminal device 21 to be determined has been acquired. If the performance data to be determined has been acquired (YES side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S108. On the other hand, when the performance data to be determined has not been acquired (NO side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S105.
When the performance data is already acquired in S104, (1) when the determination target is the information processing apparatus 11, (2) when the terminal device 21 has been used under the same conditions before, (3 ) This corresponds to the case where the terminal device 21 has previously transmitted performance data or the like to the CPU 16 at the time of recognition in S102.

Step 105: The CPU 16 requests the terminal device 21 to be determined to transmit the type of electronic camera and the type of communication means. Then, the CPU 16 determines whether or not there is a return of the data from the terminal device 21. If there is a reply (YES side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S106. On the other hand, if there is no reply, the CPU 16 proceeds to S107.
Step 106: The CPU obtains the “development processing capacity” and “buffer memory capacity” data of the terminal device 21 from the first table based on the electronic camera type data. Further, the CPU 16 acquires data on the communication speed with the terminal device 21 from the second table based on the data of the type of communication means. Then, the CPU 16 calculates an estimated value of the total processing time from the above development processing capability and communication speed data. The CPU 16 treats this estimated value as performance data. Thereafter, the CPU 16 proceeds to S108.

Step 107: The CPU 16 transmits RAW image data (test data) for performance measurement to the terminal device 21 to be determined. And CPU16 acquires the measured value of total processing time based on the reply result from the terminal device 21 regarding test data. The CPU 16 handles this actually measured value as performance data.
In S <b> 107, the CPU 16 can acquire the detailed performance data of the terminal device 21 by transmitting the same test data twice to the terminal device 21. Specifically, in the first transmission, the CPU 16 instructs the terminal device 21 to develop test data. In the first reply result, the CPU 16 can acquire the development processing time and the time required for data transmission / reception. On the other hand, in the second transmission, the CPU 16 instructs the terminal device 21 to return the test data as it is. In the second reply result, the CPU 16 can acquire only the time required for data transmission / reception. Therefore, the CPU 16 can calculate the development processing time and the communication speed based on the transmission result for two times and the data amount of the test data.

Step 108: The CPU 16 records the performance data (S104, S106, S107) of the terminal device 21 to be determined in the performance table.
Step 109: The CPU 16 determines whether or not the performance data of all the terminal devices 21 is recorded in the performance table (whether generation of the performance table has been completed). When the generation of the performance table is completed (YES side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S110. On the other hand, when the generation of the performance table is not completed (NO side), the CPU 16 sets the terminal device 21 for which performance data has not been acquired as a determination target, and returns to S104 to repeat the above operation.

Step 110: The CPU 16 determines the distribution of the development processing of the RAW image data to each terminal device 21 based on the performance table. The CPU 16 records the development processing distribution in the schedule table.
In S110, the CPU 16 does not have to determine the distribution of development processing for all RAW image data at once. For example, the CPU 16 may divide the distribution of the development processing into a plurality of times, and the CPU 16 may determine the distribution of the development processing step by step each time.

Here, the CPU 16 determines the distribution of development processing for each terminal device 21 in the following manner.
(1) The CPU 16 extracts RAW image data requiring special processing from the RAW image data to be processed. Specifically, the RAW image data whose setting has been changed in “Detailed setting of development processing” in S101 is extracted by the CPU 16. Then, the CPU 16 distributes the development processing of the extracted RAW image data only to the terminal device 21 having the corresponding function.

  The contents of (1) will be specifically described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 9, the description will be made on the premise of the performance table of FIG. The development processing (numbers 3 and 6) that requires noise reduction processing is allocated to the terminal device 2 or the terminal device 5 (information processing device) by the CPU 16. Development processing (numbers 1 and 5) that requires lens aberration correction processing is distributed to the terminal device 1 or the terminal device 5 (information processing device) by the CPU 16. Further, the CPU 16 distributes the development processing (images 2 and 7) requiring color interpolation processing of version 3 or higher to the terminal device 3 or the terminal device 5 (information processing device). When a certain developing process can be distributed to a plurality of terminal devices 21, the CPU 16 determines the terminal device 21 that performs the developing process according to criteria (2) and (3) described later.

  (2) The CPU 16 compares the amount of RAW image data with the “memory capacity” of the performance table. Then, the CPU 16 excludes a terminal device having a buffer memory capacity smaller than the data amount of the RAW image data from the distribution destination of the development processing of the RAW image data. This is because if the RAW image data does not fit in the buffer memory, the terminal device 21 cannot execute the development process.

  (3) After the processes (1) and (2), the CPU 16 determines the distribution of the development process for each terminal device 21. Specifically, the CPU 16 distributes the development processing to each terminal device 21 so that the development processing time in the entire information processing system becomes shorter while satisfying the constraint conditions (1) and (2). Optimize. That is, the CPU 16 assigns more development processing to the terminal device 21 having a shorter “total processing time” in the performance table. In the above-described distribution determination, the CPU 16 approximately calculates the optimal distribution of development processing by a known algorithm (neural network, genetic algorithm, dynamic programming, etc.) relating to combination optimization.

  Step 111: The CPU 16 determines whether the remaining development processing is processed by the information processing device 11 and the external terminal device 21 or only by the information processing device 11 based on the schedule table. When processing is performed by the information processing device 11 and the external terminal device 21 (YES side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S112. On the other hand, when the remaining development processing is processed only by the information processing apparatus 11 (NO side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S123.

  Step 112: The CPU 16 transmits the development processing command data for the terminal device 21 and the RAW image data to each terminal device 21 based on the schedule table. The command data includes “detailed setting of development processing” data in S101. Moreover, CPU16 starts time count for every terminal device 21 with transmission of said data. Details of the development processing on the terminal device 21 side will be described later.

Step 113: The CPU 16 determines whether or not the communication disabled state of the terminal device 21 is detected via the connection terminal. When the communication disabled state of any of the terminal devices 21 is detected via the connection terminal (YES side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S116. On the other hand, when the above-described communication disabled state is not detected (NO side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S114.
Step 114: The CPU 16 determines whether or not there is a terminal device 21 that has not responded (timed out) within the set time. If there is a terminal device 21 that has timed out (YES side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S116 because the terminal device 21 is in a communication disabled state. On the other hand, if there is no terminal device 21 that has timed out (NO side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S115.

  Step 115: The CPU 16 determines whether or not developed image data has been received from any of the terminal devices 21. When the developed image data is received, the CPU 16 proceeds to S118. At this time, the CPU 16 ends the time count for the terminal device 21 as the transmission destination. On the other hand, when the developed image data is not received, the CPU 16 returns to S113 and repeats the above operation.

Step 116: In this case, the CPU 16 excludes the terminal device 21 in the communication disabled state from the performance table.
Step 117: The CPU 16 resets the schedule table based on the performance table updated in S116. At this time, the CPU 16 treats the RAW image data transmitted to the terminal device in the communication disabled state as not being developed. Note that the description of the resetting of the schedule table in S117 is the same as that of S110, and a duplicate description is omitted.

Thereafter, the CPU 16 proceeds to S115. In the above case, when the developed image data is received in S115, the CPU 16 executes the subsequent processing based on the performance table in S116 and the schedule table in S117.
Step 118: The CPU 16 records the received developed image data in the recording unit 15.
Step 119: The CPU 16 determines whether or not the processing of the schedule table set in S110 or S117 has been completed. When all the processes are completed (YES side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S120. On the other hand, when the unprocessed portion remains (NO side), the CPU 16 returns to S113 and repeats the above-described processing.

Step 120: The CPU 16 determines whether or not all the development processing of the RAW image data to be processed has been completed. When all the processes are completed (YES side), the CPU 16 ends the process. On the other hand, if development processing still remains (NO side), the CPU 16 proceeds to S121.
Step 121: The CPU 16 acquires an actual measurement value of the total processing time of the terminal device 21 based on the time count from S112 to S115.

Step 122: The CPU 16 updates the total processing time of the performance table based on the actual value (S121) of the total processing time. Thereafter, the CPU 16 returns to S110. In the above case, in S110, the CPU 16 generates a schedule table based on the performance table updated in S122. And CPU16 repeats the process after S112.
Step 123: In this case, the CPU 21 of the information processing apparatus 11 executes all remaining development processing. This is the end of the description of the operation of the information processing apparatus.

Next, the operation of the terminal device in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, a case where the terminal device is an electronic camera will be described.
Step 201: The CPU 29 of the electronic camera records the RAW image data received from the information processing apparatus 11 in the buffer memory 25. Then, the CPU 29 instructs the image processing unit 26 to perform the RAW image data development process based on the development process command data.

Step 202: The image processing unit 26 performs development processing on the RAW image data to generate developed image data. At the time of development processing, the image processing unit 26 acquires shooting condition data from the header file.
Step 203: The CPU 29 returns developed image data to the information processing apparatus 11. Thereafter, the CPU 29 erases the developed RAW image data from the buffer memory 25. This is the end of the description of the operation of the terminal device.

Here, the development processing in the information processing apparatus 11 or the terminal computer is different from the above in that the CPU (16, 31) executes the development processing with the image processing program. Further, when the information processing apparatus 11 functions as the terminal device 21, RAW image data is exchanged between the CPU 16 and the recording unit 15 in the information processing apparatus 11.
(Effect of this embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a plurality of terminal devices 21 distributes development processing of RAW image data (S110, S112). Therefore, it is possible to develop a large number of RAW image data in a shorter time than when the information processing apparatus 11 executes the developing process alone. In particular, when the terminal device 21 is an electronic camera, the development processing is completed in a shorter time by the dedicated image processing engine (image processing unit 26). Therefore, in this case, the development processing time of the entire system is remarkably shortened. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 11 also executes the development process, so that the development process time of the entire system can be further shortened.

  In the present embodiment, based on the processing time and function of each terminal device 21, the information processing apparatus 11 determines the distribution of development processing in the schedule table (S110). Therefore, the development processing time of the entire system is remarkably shortened. The initial value of the processing time is calculated by the information processing apparatus 11 based on the type of electronic camera and communication means (S106). Alternatively, the information processing apparatus 11 acquires an actual measurement value of the processing time based on the return result for the test data (S107). Therefore, the information processing apparatus 11 can generate a relatively efficient schedule table even in the initial state.

The information processing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment acquires an actual value of processing time based on the reception result of the developed image data (S121). And the information processing apparatus 11 produces | generates a schedule table based on said measured value (S122, S110). Therefore, the information processing apparatus 11 can optimize the schedule table by feeding back the reception result.
The information processing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment detects the communication disabled state of the terminal device 21 (S113, S114). In this case, the information processing apparatus 11 resets the schedule table by excluding the terminal device 21 in the communication disabled state (S116, S117). Therefore, even when the terminal device 21 is carried or the terminal device 21 runs out of battery, the information processing apparatus 11 can minimize the influence.

(Supplementary items of the embodiment)
As mentioned above, although this invention has been demonstrated by said embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, when generating the performance table with the performance data of S104 or S106, the CPU 16 may cause the terminal device 21 to execute a small amount of image processing to check the performance data.

Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system of the present embodiment (A) Block diagram of an electronic camera that can constitute a terminal device, (b) Block diagram of a terminal computer that can constitute a terminal device Diagram showing the configuration of the performance table Diagram showing the structure of the schedule table The figure which shows the structure of a 1st table typically. The figure which shows the structure of a 2nd table typically. A flowchart showing the operation of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment A flowchart showing the operation of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment The figure for demonstrating distribution of the development processing according to the function of a terminal unit Flow chart showing the operation of the terminal device of this embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Information processing apparatus, 12 ... Communication I / F, 15 ... Recording part, 16 ... CPU, 21 ... Terminal device

Claims (10)

A computer program comprising: a control unit; a first recording unit that records a plurality of RAW image data; and a communication unit that communicates with an image processing apparatus that performs development processing on the RAW image data.
A recognition step in which the control unit detects at least one of the image processing devices that can communicate via the communication unit, and recognizes each detected image processing device as a terminal device;
A performance table generating step for generating performance data indicating a correspondence relationship between the terminal device and the performance data while the control unit acquires performance data related to the performance of the terminal device;
Based on the performance table, the control unit generates a schedule table that stipulates the distribution of the development processing executed by each of the terminal devices;
A transmission step in which the control unit transmits the RAW image data and the instruction data of the development processing to each terminal device based on the schedule table;
Is executed by the control unit. The program according to claim 1,
In the recognition step, the control unit recognizes, as the terminal device, an electronic camera capable of executing development processing on the RAW image data. The program according to claim 1,
The performance data includes processing time data defined by the development processing speed of the terminal device and the communication speed with the terminal device,
In the schedule table generation step, the control unit defines the distribution amount of the development processing according to the length of the processing time of each terminal device. The program according to claim 1,
The performance data includes function data indicating functions of the terminal device,
In the schedule table generation step, the control unit distributes the development processing requiring processing dependent on a specific function to terminal devices having a corresponding function based on the function data. In the program according to claim 3,
And a second recording unit configured to record a first table indicating a correspondence relationship between the type of the terminal device and the development processing speed, and a second table indicating a correspondence relationship between the type of the communication unit and the communication speed. In addition,
The recognition step includes a type data acquisition step in which the control unit acquires data of the type of the terminal device and the type of the communication means,
The performance table generation step includes a speed estimation data acquisition step in which the control unit acquires estimation data of the development processing speed and the communication speed based on the first table and the second table;
Based on the estimated data, an estimated processing time calculating step in which the control unit calculates the processing time;
The program characterized by including. In the program according to claim 3,
The performance table generation step includes a processing time acquisition step in which the control unit transmits test data to the terminal device, and acquires data of the processing time based on a return result from the terminal device with respect to the test data. A program characterized by In the program according to claim 3,
The performance table generation step includes:
An actual value acquisition step in which the control unit receives image data after development processing from at least one of the terminal devices, and acquires an actual value of the processing time based on the reception result;
A performance table update step in which the control unit updates the performance table based on the actual measurement value;
In the schedule table generation step, the control unit generates the schedule table based on the updated performance table. The program according to claim 1,
A communication disabled terminal detecting step for detecting a terminal device in which the control unit is in a communication disabled state;
When a terminal device in a communication disabled state is detected, a schedule table resetting step in which the control unit resets the schedule table excluding the terminal device in a communication disabled state;
A program characterized by further comprising: In the program according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The control unit can execute development processing on the RAW image data,
In the recognition step, the control unit recognizes the computer as one of the terminal devices,
In the performance table generation step, the control unit incorporates the performance data of the computer into the performance table,
In the schedule table generation step, the development process distributed to the computer by the control unit is incorporated in the schedule table. Recording means for recording a plurality of RAW image data;
Communication means for communicating with an image processing apparatus for performing development processing on the RAW image data;
Recognizing means for detecting at least one image processing apparatus capable of communicating via the communication means and recognizing each detected image processing apparatus as a terminal device;
Performance table generation means for acquiring performance data related to the performance of the terminal device, and generating a performance table indicating a correspondence relationship between the terminal device and the performance data;
Schedule table generating means for generating a schedule table that defines distribution of the development processing executed by each of the terminal devices based on the performance table;
Transmitting means for transmitting the raw image data and the instruction data of the development processing to each terminal device based on the schedule table;
An information processing apparatus comprising:

Images