JP2007194917A - Setting of effect processing suitable for photographing scene of image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set to an image an effect processing which is suitable for a photographing scene of the image. <P>SOLUTION: An image processing system judges the photographing scene of an object image. The image processing system selectably presents to a user the effect processing which is the effect processing set in advance for generating a prescribed effect on the object image by changing at least a part of value in a plurality of pixels constituting the object image and which is associated with the photographing scene of the object image, and sets the effect processing selected by the user as the effect processing to be executed for the object image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for setting an effect process suitable for an image shooting scene for an image.

  In recent years, digital still cameras (hereinafter also referred to as “DSC”) that generate image data as digital data by imaging a subject using an image sensor have become widespread. At the time of shooting using such a DSC, a shooting scene of an image (for example, a scene for shooting a person or a scene for shooting a night view) is determined, and image correction suitable for the shooting scene (for example, correction of white balance or sharpness). There is known a technique that is automatically executed on the generated image data (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-218494 A JP2003-18453 JP 2005-62370 A JP-A-2005-31878

  On the other hand, an effect process for an image is known as one of the image processes. Here, the effect process means a process for producing a predetermined effect on an image by changing at least some values of a plurality of pixels constituting the image. Specific examples of the effect processing include soft focus, sepia, and cross screen. By executing the effect processing on the image, more various image representations are possible.

  In the above prior art, means for setting effect processing suitable for an image shooting scene has not been provided. For this reason, it is difficult for general users who lack knowledge of the effect processing itself and knowledge of the effect processing suitable for each shooting scene to obtain a richer expression image by adopting the effect processing suitable for the shooting scene of the image. It was.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of easily setting an effect process suitable for an image shooting scene for an image. And

In order to solve at least a part of the above problems, an image processing system of the present invention includes:
A scene discriminating unit for discriminating a shooting scene of the target image;
A preset effect process for producing a predetermined effect on the target image by changing a value of at least a part of a plurality of pixels constituting the target image. An effect setting unit that presents the associated effect process in a selectable manner to the user, and sets the effect process selected by the user as an effect process to be executed on the target image.

  In this image processing system, a shooting scene of the target image is determined, and an effect process associated with the shooting scene of the target image is presented to the user in a selectable manner. Further, the effect process selected by the user is set as the effect process to be executed on the target image. Therefore, in this image processing system, it is possible to easily set an effect process suitable for an image shooting scene for an image.

In the above image processing system,
It is good also as providing the effect process part which performs the effect process set by the said effect setting part with respect to the said target image.

  In this way, since the effect process set for the target image is executed, it is possible to easily realize the effect process suitable for the shooting scene of the image.

In the above image processing system,
It is good also as providing the output part which outputs the said target image after the effect process execution by the said effect process part.

  In this way, since the target image after the execution of the effect process set for the target image is output, the output of the target image after the execution of the effect process suitable for the shooting scene of the image can be easily realized. Can do.

In the above image processing system,
A correction setting unit that sets an image correction associated with a shooting scene of the target image as an image correction to be performed on the target image;
A correction processing unit that executes image correction set by the correction setting unit on the target image,
The effect process executed by the effect processor may be a process executed on the target image superimposed on the image correction executed by the correction processor.

  In this way, the image correction associated with the shooting scene of the target image is set as the image correction to be performed on the target image, and the set image correction is executed. Therefore, in this image processing system, image correction and effect processing suitable for an image shooting scene can be easily set for an image.

In the image processing system,
The effect setting unit presents all of the effect processes associated with each of the plurality of shooting scenes when the scene determination unit determines that a plurality of shooting scenes correspond to the shooting scenes of the target image. It is good.

  In this way, it is possible to present to the user an effect process suitable for the shooting scene of the target image without a shortage, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  Note that the present invention can be realized in various modes, for example, an image processing method and system or apparatus, an image generation method and system or apparatus, an image output method and system or apparatus, an image correction method and system or Implementation in the form of a device, a computer program for realizing the functions of these methods, systems or devices, a recording medium storing the computer program, a data signal including the computer program and embodied in a carrier wave, etc. Can do.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
B. Second embodiment:
C. Third embodiment:
D. Variation:

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image processing system 10 as a first embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system 10 of the first embodiment has a configuration in which a digital still camera (hereinafter also referred to as “DSC”) 100 and a printer 200 are connected to each other.

  The DSC 100 is an apparatus that generates image data representing an image by imaging a subject using an imaging element. The DSC 100 includes a lens 102, a lens driving unit 104 that drives the lens 102 to adjust the focal length, a lens driving control unit 106 that controls the lens driving unit 104, and light input to the light receiving surface via the lens 102. An image sensor 108 that converts the signal into an electrical signal, an A / D converter 110 that performs A / D conversion on the electrical signal output from the image sensor 108, a display unit 112 that displays images and various setting information, buttons, An operation unit 114 such as a touch panel, a CPU 116 that controls each unit of the DSC 100, an interface unit (I / F unit) 118 for exchanging information with an external device (for example, the printer 200), an internal memory 130, It has. Each component of the DSC 100 is connected to each other via a bus 120.

  In this embodiment, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used as the image sensor 108. In this embodiment, a liquid crystal monitor is used as the display unit 112. At the time of photographing by the DSC 100, an image of the subject is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor as the display unit 112. In this specification, “subject” means an imaging target such as a person, an object, or a landscape that is captured over the entire image.

  The internal memory 130 stores an image processing unit 140 and a scene correspondence table CT. The image processing unit 140 is a computer program for performing various image processing for image generation such as A / D conversion and white balance processing under a predetermined operating system. The CPU 116 reads out and executes the image processing unit 140 from the internal memory 130, thereby realizing image generation and the like.

  The image processing unit 140 also includes a scene determination unit 142, a correction setting unit 144, a correction processing unit 145, an effect setting unit 146, and an effect processing unit 147 as program modules. The functions of these units will be described in detail in the description of image generation / output processing described later.

  The scene correspondence table CT is a table for defining image correction parameters and effect processing associated with an image shooting scene. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the scene correspondence table CT. In the DSC 100 of the present embodiment, a plurality of shooting scenes such as “macro”, “portrait”, and “night view” are preset as shooting scenes. The scene correspondence table CT defines information for specifying image correction for each set shooting scene. Here, the image correction means changing at least a part of values of a plurality of pixels constituting the image so that the target image becomes a preferable image. The image correction items include contrast correction, brightness correction, color balance correction, saturation correction, sharpness, memory color correction, noise removal, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, in the scene correspondence table CT, parameter values used for executing image correction for each item are determined for each photographing scene.

  Furthermore, effect processing suitable for each shooting scene is defined in the scene correspondence table CT. Here, the effect process means a process for producing a predetermined effect on an image by changing at least some values of a plurality of pixels constituting the image. The effect processing is also called special effect processing, additional effect processing, additional effect processing, arbitrary effect processing, effect, or the like. The effect processing items include soft focus, cross screen filter (cross focus), sepia, texture enhancement filter, primary color enhancement filter, painting tone filter, spotlight, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, soft focus and sepia are set as effect processing suitable for the shooting scene “macro”. In addition, a cross screen filter is set as an effect process suitable for the shooting scene “night view”. In the example of FIG. 2, soft focus and sepia are set as effect processing suitable for the photographic scene “Portrait”, as in the case of the photographic scene “Macro”. The sepia effect process is merely an effect process for “portrait”, and may be a process different from the soft focus and sepia effect process for “macro”.

  The printer 200 (FIG. 1) is a printing apparatus that prints an image based on image data. The printer 200 includes a printer engine 210, a display unit 212 that displays images and various setting information, an operation unit 214 such as buttons and a touch panel, a CPU 216 that controls each unit of the printer 200, and an external device (for example, DSC 100). An interface unit (I / F unit) 218 and an internal memory 230 for exchanging information between them are provided. The printer engine 210 is a printing mechanism that performs printing based on print data. In this embodiment, a liquid crystal monitor is used as the display unit 212.

  A print processing unit 240 is stored in the internal memory 230 (FIG. 1) of the printer 200. The print processing unit 240 is a computer program (printer driver) for controlling the printer engine 210 to print an image under a predetermined operating system. The CPU 216 implements image printing by reading and executing the print processing unit 240 from the internal memory 230.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of image generation output processing by the image processing system 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of image generation / output processing by the image processing system 10 of the first embodiment. Image generation output processing by the image processing system 10 (FIG. 1) is processing for generating an image using the DSC 100 and printing the generated image using the printer 200.

  In step S110 (FIG. 3), the DSC 100 (FIG. 1) performs imaging in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 114, and image data representing an image (hereinafter also referred to as “target image”) (hereinafter “target image data”). (Also called). FIG. 4A shows the state of imaging by the DSC 100. In this embodiment, the operation unit 114 (FIG. 1) of the DSC 100 includes a scene setting unit (not shown) (see FIG. 4A) for allowing the user to select a shooting scene. The user can set a shooting scene by operating the scene setting unit during imaging. In the example of FIG. 4A, “macro” is set as the shooting scene.

  In step S120 (FIG. 3), the scene determination unit 142 (FIG. 1) of the image processing unit 140 determines the shooting scene of the target image. Specifically, the scene determination unit 142 determines a shooting scene based on the setting status of a scene setting unit (see FIG. 4A) included in the operation unit 114. In the example of FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 4B, it is determined that the shooting scene is “macro”.

  Note that the scene determination unit 142 (FIG. 1) does not necessarily have to determine the shooting scene based on the setting status of the scene setting unit, and may be performed by another method. For example, the scene determination unit 142 can determine a shooting scene by analyzing an image generated by imaging and estimating a subject. For example, when the subject is estimated to be a human face as a result of image analysis, the scene determination unit 142 may determine that the shooting scene is “portrait”.

  Further, as a result of the determination of the shooting scene by the scene determination unit 142, it may be determined that a plurality of shooting scenes correspond to the shooting scene of the target image. In such a case, for example, the image of the face of a person against the background of the night view may be determined as the “portrait” and “night view” of the shooting scene of the target image.

  In step S130 (FIG. 3), the effect setting unit 146 (FIG. 1) of the image processing unit 140 presents options for effect processing associated with the shooting scene determined in step S120. Specifically, the effect setting unit 146 refers to the scene correspondence table CT (FIG. 2) and displays the effect process associated with the determined shooting scene on the display unit 112 (FIG. 1). FIG. 4B shows a state where “soft focus” and “sepia” are displayed on the display unit 112 as options for effect processing associated with the shooting scene “macro”. In the example of FIG. 4B, an image (target image) generated by imaging is also displayed on the display unit 112. As shown in FIG. 4B, the effect processing options are displayed on the display unit 112 so that the user can select them via the operation unit 114. When no effect process associated with the determined shooting scene is registered in the scene correspondence table CT, the effect setting unit 146 does not present the effect process options. When it is determined that a plurality of shooting scenes correspond to the shooting scenes of the target image, all effect processes associated with the plurality of shooting scenes are displayed as options. In this way, it is possible to present the effect process suitable for the shooting scene of the target image to the user without shortage.

  In step S140 (FIG. 3), the effect setting unit 146 (FIG. 1) sets effect processing to be performed on the target image in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 114. For example, when the user selects the “soft focus” effect process on the display unit 112 shown in FIG. 4B and then selects the “set” button, the effect setting unit 146 displays the target image. On the other hand, “soft focus” effect processing is set.

  In step S150 (FIG. 1), the image processing unit 140 (FIG. 1) executes a predetermined process such as a compression process, whereby an image file having a predetermined file format including target image data (hereinafter referred to as “target image file”). Also called). When generating the target image file, the correction setting unit 144 (FIG. 1) of the image processing unit 140 refers to the scene correspondence table CT (FIG. 2) and associates it with the shooting scene determined in step S120. The obtained image correction is set as an image correction to be performed on the target image. Further, the correction processing unit 145 (FIG. 1) of the image processing unit 140 executes image correction set for the target image. For example, when the shooting scene is determined to be “macro”, image correction using the values of the respective image correction parameters associated with the shooting scene “macro” in the scene correspondence table CT (FIG. 2) is an object. Performed on images.

  Further, when the target image file is generated, after the image correction is executed, the effect processing unit 147 (FIG. 1) of the image processing unit 140 executes the effect processing set in step S140 on the target image. To do. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the “soft focus” effect process is set, the effect processing unit 147 copies the target image data and the target image data by duplicating the image data. Are combined to execute “soft focus” effect processing on the target image data. FIG. 4C shows a state where the target image file is generated in the DSC 100.

  In step S160 (FIG. 3), the image processing unit 140 (FIG. 1) of the DSC 100 transmits the target image file to the printer 200 in accordance with an instruction from the user. In the printer 200 that has received the target image file, the print processing unit 240 (FIG. 1) outputs (prints) the image IMG based on the target image file. FIG. 4D shows a state where the image IMG is printed by the printer 200.

  As described above, in the image generation / output process by the image processing system 10 of the present embodiment, the target image file is generated by the DSC 100, and the image IMG is printed by the printer 200 based on the generated target image file. At this time, the DSC 100 discriminates the shooting scene of the target image and presents the effect processing candidates suitable for the determined shooting scene to the user (see FIG. 4B). Further, the effect process selected by the user is set as the effect process to be executed on the target image. Therefore, even a general user who lacks knowledge about the effect processing itself and knowledge about the effect processing suitable for each shooting scene can adopt an effect processing suitable for the shooting scene of the image to obtain a richer expression image. . That is, in the image processing system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily set effect processing suitable for the shooting scene of the target image for the target image.

  In the image generation / output process by the image processing system 10 of the present embodiment, the effect process set for the target image is executed. Therefore, in the image processing system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily execute effect processing suitable for the shooting scene of the target image. Further, in the image generation / output process by the image processing system 10 of the present embodiment, the image IMG is output (printed) based on the target image data after the effect process is executed. Therefore, in the image processing system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily execute output of an image after execution of effect processing suitable for the shooting scene of the target image.

  In the image generation / output process by the image processing system 10 of the present embodiment, the image correction associated with the shooting scene is set as the image correction to be performed on the target image, and the set image correction is executed. The Then, the set effect processing is further executed on the target image data after execution of the image correction. That is, in the present embodiment, the effect process executed by the effect processing unit 147 is a process executed on the target image superimposed on the image correction executed by the correction processing unit 145. However, the image correction and the effect processing are not necessarily performed independently, and the image correction and the effect processing may be executed by the correction processing unit 145 and the effect processing unit 147 in a single process.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment. Similar to the image processing system 10 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment, the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment has a configuration in which a DSC 100a and a printer 200a are connected to each other.

  The image processing system 10a (FIG. 5) in the second embodiment is that the image processing section 140 in the DSC 100a does not include the correction processing section 145 and the effect processing section 147 (FIG. 1) in the first embodiment. This is different from the image processing system 10 of the embodiment. Furthermore, the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment is different from the image processing system 10 of the first embodiment in that the print processing section 240 of the printer 200a includes a correction processing section 245 and an effect processing section 247. Is different. That is, in the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment, functions as a correction processing unit and an effect processing unit are included in the printer 200a, not in the DSC 100a.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of image generation / output processing by the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of image generation / output processing by the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment. The image generation / output process by the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment is different from the image generation / output process of the first embodiment in that image correction and effect processing are executed in the printer 200a (FIG. 5).

  The processing content from step S210 to S240 (FIG. 6) is the same as the processing content from step S110 to S140 (FIG. 3) in the image generation output processing of the first embodiment. That is, the target image data is generated by imaging (step S210 in FIG. 6, FIG. 7A), the shooting scene of the target image is determined (step S220 in FIG. 6, FIG. 7B), and the shooting scene. 6 is presented (step S230 in FIG. 6, FIG. 7B), and effect processing to be executed on the target image is set (step S240 in FIG. 6, FIG. 7 (FIG. 7)). b)).

  In step S250 (FIG. 6), the image processing unit 140 (FIG. 5) of the DSC 100a generates an image file (target image file) in a predetermined file format (for example, Exif file format) including the target image data. When generating the target image file, the correction setting unit 144 (FIG. 5) of the image processing unit 140 refers to the scene correspondence table CT (FIG. 2) and associates it with the shooting scene determined in step S220. The obtained image correction is set as an image correction to be performed on the target image. Then, the correction setting unit 144 adds information specifying the set image correction as correction parameters to the attached information included in the target image file (see FIG. 7C). As a correction parameter for specifying image correction, for example, a correction value for each correction item (see FIG. 2) itself may be used, or information for specifying a shooting scene may be used. When information for specifying a shooting scene is used as information for specifying image correction, information for specifying a shooting scene is converted into a correction value for each correction item in step S260 described later.

  Further, in step S250, the effect setting unit 146 (FIG. 5) of the image processing unit 140 adds information specifying the effect process set in step S240 to the attached information included in the target image file as an effect parameter ( (Refer FIG.7 (c)). As the effect parameter for specifying the effect process, information for specifying the effect process itself may be used as in the above-described correction parameter, or information for specifying the shooting scene may be used. When information for specifying a shooting scene is used as information for specifying an effect process, information for specifying a shooting scene is converted into information for specifying an effect process in step S260 described later.

  In step S260 (FIG. 6), the image processing unit 140 (FIG. 5) of the DSC 100a transmits the target image file to the printer 200a in accordance with an instruction from the user. In the printer 200a that has received the target image file, the correction processing unit 245 (FIG. 5) included in the print processing unit 240 performs the image correction specified by the correction parameter (FIG. 7C) added to the target image file. Execute for target image data. Further, the effect processing unit 247 (FIG. 5) of the print processing unit 240 executes effect processing specified by the effect parameter (FIG. 7C) added to the target image file. The correction processing unit 245 and the effect processing unit 247 each have information for defining the correspondence between the correction parameter and the effect parameter and the contents of the image correction and the effect processing, and the image correction is performed with reference to the information. And the content of the effect processing.

  Further, in step S260 (FIG. 6), the print processing unit 240 (FIG. 5) prints (outputs) the image IMG based on the target image data after the image correction and effect processing are executed. FIG. 7D shows a state where the image IMG is printed by the printer 200a.

  As described above, in the image generation / output process by the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment, the target image file is generated by the DSC 100a and the generated target image is generated, as in the image generation / output process of the first embodiment. An image IMG is printed by the printer 200a based on the file. At this time, the DSC 100a determines the shooting scene of the target image and presents the effect processing candidates suitable for the determined shooting scene to the user (see FIG. 7B). Further, the effect process selected by the user is set as the effect process to be executed on the generated target image. Therefore, even in the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment, it is possible to easily set effect processing suitable for the shooting scene of the target image for the target image.

  In the image generation / output process by the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment, the effect process set for the target image is executed. Therefore, even in the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment, it is possible to easily execute effect processing suitable for the shooting scene of the target image. Furthermore, also in the image generation output process by the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment, the image IMG is output based on the target image data after the effect process is executed. Therefore, even in the image processing system 10a of the second embodiment, it is possible to easily execute the output of the target image after executing the effect process suitable for the shooting scene of the target image.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the image processing system 10b of the third embodiment. Similar to the image processing system 10a (FIG. 5) of the second embodiment, the image processing system 10b of the third embodiment includes a printer 200a. The image processing system 10b according to the third embodiment includes a personal computer (hereinafter also referred to as “PC”) 300 instead of the DSC 100a in the image processing system 10a according to the second embodiment. It is different from the processing system 10a. The PC 300 and the printer 200a are connected to each other.

  The PC 300 includes a display unit 312 such as a liquid crystal monitor, an operation unit 314 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a CPU 316 that controls each unit of the PC 300, an interface unit (I / F unit) 318, and an internal memory 330 such as a ROM and a RAM. And. The PC 300 may further include an external storage device such as a hard disk drive. Each component of the PC 300 is connected to each other via a bus 320.

  The interface unit 318 of the PC 300 includes a plurality of input / output terminals, and exchanges information with external devices. For example, the interface unit 318 includes a card slot 319 and reads image data stored in the memory card MC inserted into the card slot 319.

  The internal memory 330 of the PC 300 stores an image processing unit 340 and a scene correspondence table CT. The scene correspondence table CT is the same as the scene correspondence table CT (FIG. 2) in the first embodiment. The image processing unit 340 is a computer program for performing image processing under a predetermined operating system. The CPU 316 implements image processing by reading out and executing the image processing unit 340 from the internal memory 330.

  The image processing unit 340 includes a scene determination unit 342, a correction setting unit 344, an effect setting unit 346, and an image acquisition unit 348 as program modules. The scene determination unit 342, the correction setting unit 344, and the effect setting unit 346 have the same functions as the scene determination unit 142, the correction setting unit 144, and the effect setting unit 146 included in the image processing unit 140 of the DSC 100a in the second embodiment. It is a module which has. The image acquisition unit 348 is a module for acquiring an image file.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of image change output processing by the image processing system 10b of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of image change output processing by the image processing system 10b of the third embodiment. The image change output process by the image processing system 10b is a process of acquiring an image file, printing the image after changing the image file acquired by image correction or effect processing.

  In step S310 (FIG. 9), the image acquisition unit 348 (FIG. 8) of the image processing unit 340 of the PC 300 acquires an image file to be processed as a target image file. Specifically, the image acquisition unit 348 acquires the image file stored in the memory card MC inserted into the card slot 319 via the interface unit 318. Note that the image acquisition unit 348 does not necessarily acquire an image file from the memory card MC, and may acquire an image file from a digital still camera or another device on the network. FIG. 10A shows a state where the PC 300 acquires the target image file.

  In step S320 (FIG. 9), the scene determination unit 342 (FIG. 8) of the image processing unit 340 of the PC 300 determines the shooting scene of the acquired target image file. Specifically, the scene determination unit 342 determines the shooting scene by analyzing the image data included in the target image file and estimating the subject. If the target image file includes information for specifying a shooting scene as attached information, the scene determination unit 342 may determine the shooting scene based on the information.

  In step S330 (FIG. 9), the effect setting unit 346 (FIG. 8) of the image processing unit 340 presents effect processing options associated with the shooting scene determined in step S320. The effect setting unit 346 refers to the scene correspondence table CT (FIGS. 8 and 2), selects the effect process associated with the determined shooting scene, and displays it on the display unit 312 (FIG. 8). . FIG. 10B shows a state in which the effect processing options associated with the shooting scene “macro” are displayed on the display unit 312. As shown in FIG. 10B, the effect processing options are displayed on the display unit 312 so that the user can select them via the operation unit 314.

  In step S340 (FIG. 9), the effect setting unit 346 (FIG. 8) of the image processing unit 340 performs effect processing to be performed on the image data included in the target image file in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 314. Set.

  In step S350 (FIG. 9), the image processing unit 340 (FIG. 8) changes the target image file. Specifically, the effect setting unit 346 (FIG. 8) of the image processing unit 340 adds information specifying the effect process set in step S340 as an effect parameter to the attached information included in the target image file ( (Refer FIG.10 (c)). If the information (correction parameter) for specifying the image correction associated with the shooting scene is not added to the target image file, the correction setting unit 344 of the image processing unit 340 sets the correction parameter in the target image file. It may be added (see FIG. 10C).

  In step S360 (FIG. 9), the image processing unit 340 (FIG. 8) transmits the target image file to the printer 200a in accordance with an instruction from the user. In the printer 200a that has received the target image file, image correction and effect processing specified by the correction parameters and effect parameters added to the target image file are executed as in the second embodiment. Further, in the printer 200a, the image IMG is printed (output) based on the target image data after the image correction and the effect processing are executed (see FIG. 10D).

  As described above, in the image change output process by the image processing system 10b of the third embodiment, the target image file to be processed is acquired, and the image IMG is printed by the printer 200a based on the acquired target image file. The At this time, the PC 300 discriminates the photographic scene and presents the effect processing candidates suitable for the discriminated photographic scene to the user in a selectable manner (see FIG. 10B). Further, the effect process selected by the user is set as the effect process to be executed on the target image. Therefore, even in the image processing system 10b of the third embodiment, it is possible to easily set effect processing suitable for the shooting scene of the target image for the target image.

  In the image change output process by the image processing system 10b of the third embodiment, the effect process set for the target image is executed. Therefore, even in the image processing system 10b of the third embodiment, it is possible to easily execute effect processing suitable for the shooting scene of the target image. Further, in the image change output process by the image processing system 10b of the third embodiment, the image IMG is output based on the target image data after the effect process is executed. Therefore, in the image processing system 10b of the third embodiment, it is possible to easily execute output of an image after execution of effect processing suitable for the shooting scene of the target image.

D. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

D1. Modification 1:
In the first and second embodiments, the shooting scene is discriminated (step S120 in FIG. 3 and step S220 in FIG. 6), the effect processing options are presented (step S130 in FIG. 3, step S230 in FIG. 6) and the effect processing. 3 (step S140 in FIG. 3 and step S240 in FIG. 6) are performed after imaging (step S110 in FIG. 3 and step S210 in FIG. 6) in accordance with a user instruction. Processing need not be performed. The determination of the shooting scene, the presentation of effect processing options, and the setting of the effect processing may be performed before imaging according to a user instruction. In this case, the scene discriminating unit 142 (FIGS. 1 and 5) of the DSC 100 generates a scene discriminating image at a predetermined timing, analyzes the generated image and estimates the subject, thereby obtaining a shooting scene. Can be determined. Here, the predetermined timing may be a timing at every elapse of a predetermined time, or may be a timing at which a user gives a scene determination execution instruction by operating a scene determination button, for example. As described above, even when imaging (generation of a target image) is performed in accordance with a user instruction after the scene determination by the scene determination unit 142 is performed, the scene determination unit 142 determines the shooting scene of the target image. It is possible to think that

D2. Modification 2:
In the first embodiment, when the effect process is set (step S140 in FIG. 3, FIG. 4B), the target image after the effect process is performed may be previewed on the display unit 112 (FIG. 1). Specifically, when the user selects one effect process from the options during the presentation of the effect process options (step S130 in FIG. 3, FIG. 4B), the effect processing unit 147 displays the target image. The effect processing is executed to display a preview of the processed target image on the display unit 112. In this way, the user can grasp the outline of the target image after execution of the effect process, and can further improve the convenience of the user when setting the target image for the effect process suitable for the shooting scene. .

D3. Modification 3:
In each of the embodiments described above, after the effect processing options associated with a shooting scene are presented, the effect processing selected and set by the user may be registered as the default effect processing for the shooting scene. . In this case, in principle, the registered effect process is executed for images determined to be the same shooting scene. In this way, it is possible to facilitate the setting of the effect process that reflects the user's preferences, and the user's convenience can be further improved.

D4. Modification 4:
The configuration of the image processing system 10 (10a, 10b) in each of the above embodiments is merely an example, and the configuration of the image processing system 10 may be another configuration. For example, in the image processing system 10 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment, the DSC 100 does not necessarily have to include the correction setting unit 144 and the correction processing unit 145. Similarly, in the image processing system 10a (FIG. 5) of the second embodiment, the DSC 100a does not necessarily include the correction setting unit 144, and the printer 200a does not necessarily include the correction processing unit 245. Similarly, in the image processing system 10b (FIG. 8) according to the third embodiment, the PC 300 does not necessarily include the correction setting unit 344, and the printer 200a does not necessarily include the correction processing unit 245. Further, in the image processing system 10b (FIG. 8) of the third embodiment, the print processing unit 240 as a printer driver may be included in the PC 300 instead of the printer 200a.

  Further, the contents of the scene correspondence table CT (FIG. 2) in each of the above embodiments are merely examples, and the scene correspondence table CT may have other contents. For example, the scene correspondence table CT may include other scenes such as “landscape” and “machine” as shooting scenes. At this time, as an effect process associated with the shooting scene “landscape”, an effect process for adding haze, an effect process for applying white balance for increasing bluishness, or the like may be registered. Also, texture enhancement effect processing or the like may be registered as effect processing associated with the shooting scene “machine”. In addition, effect processing using a known filter or retouch may be registered in the scene correspondence table CT.

  In each of the above embodiments, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. Also good.

1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image processing system 10 as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of the correspondence table CT classified by scene. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the image generation output process by the image processing system 10 of 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the image generation output process by the image processing system 10 of 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the structure of the image processing system 10a of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the image generation output process by the image processing system 10a of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the image generation output process by the image processing system 10a of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the structure of the image processing system 10b of 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the image change output process by the image processing system 10b of 3rd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the image change output process by the image processing system 10b of 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

10. Image processing system 100 ... DSC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 ... Lens 104 ... Lens drive part 106 ... Lens drive control part 108 ... Image pick-up element 110 ... A / D converter 112 ... Display part 114 ... Operation part 116 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 ... Bus 130 ... Internal memory 140 ... Image processing part 142 ... Scene discrimination | determination part 144 ... Correction setting part 145 ... Correction processing part 146 ... Effect setting part 147 ... Effect processing part 200 ... Printer 210 ... Printer engine 212 ... Display part 214 ... Operation unit 216 CPU
230 ... Internal memory 240 ... Print processing unit 245 ... Correction processing unit 247 ... Effect processing unit 300 ... PC
312 ... Display unit 314 ... Operation unit 316 ... CPU
318: Interface unit 319 ... Card slot 320 ... Bus 330 ... Internal memory 340 ... Image processing unit 342 ... Scene discrimination unit 344 ... Correction setting unit 346 ... Effect setting unit 348 ... Image acquisition unit

Claims (6)

An image processing system,
A scene discriminating unit for discriminating a shooting scene of the target image;
A preset effect process for producing a predetermined effect on the target image by changing a value of at least a part of a plurality of pixels constituting the target image. And an effect setting unit that presents the associated effect process so as to be selectable to the user, and sets the effect process selected by the user as an effect process to be performed on the target image. system. The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:
An image processing system comprising an effect processing unit that executes an effect process set by the effect setting unit on the target image. The image processing system according to claim 2, further comprising:
An image processing system comprising: an output unit that outputs the target image after effect processing by the effect processing unit is executed. The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
A correction setting unit that sets an image correction associated with a shooting scene of the target image as an image correction to be performed on the target image;
A correction processing unit that executes image correction set by the correction setting unit on the target image,
The effect processing executed by the effect processing unit is an image processing system that is a process executed on the target image while being superimposed on the image correction executed by the correction processing unit. An image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The effect setting unit presents all of the effect processes associated with each of the plurality of shooting scenes when the scene determination unit determines that a plurality of shooting scenes correspond to the shooting scenes of the target image. , Image processing system. An image processing method comprising:
(A) determining a shooting scene of the target image;
(B) A preset effect process for producing a predetermined effect on the target image by changing at least some values of a plurality of pixels constituting the target image. An effect process associated with the shooting scene is presented to the user in a selectable manner, and the effect process selected by the user is set as an effect process to be executed on the target image. Processing method.

Images