JP2009267947A - Device and method for recording image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for recording an image, which mutually refer to a processed image and an original image easily. <P>SOLUTION: An operation analyzing section 52 receives inputs of an instruction for processing image data and an instruction for storing the processed image from an operating section 50. An image processing section 54 processes the image according to the instruction for processing the image data input from the operating section 50. A temporary storage section 56 temporarily stores the image data contained in a unprocessed image file when the instruction for processing the image data is input from the operating section 50. A storage control section 58 stores the unprocessed image data temporarily stored in the temporary storage section 56 and the processed image data in the same image file (a multi-picture file) F10 when the instruction for storing the processed image data is input from the operating section 50, and the multi-picture file F10 is stored in an image recording section 60. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method capable of processing an image.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image management system that stores link information to an original image as attribute data of an edited image.
JP 2005-78162 A

  After processing the image, if you save the processed image in a separate image file from the original image, it is difficult to find the corresponding image file if you want to refer to the processed image and the original image mutually. there were.

  Patent Document 1 makes it possible to call an original image from an edited image by storing link information to the original image in the edited image. However, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that if the storage location of the original image is changed after the edited image is stored, the original image cannot be called.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image recording apparatus and an image recording method that make it easy to refer to a processed image and an original image.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a recording unit that records an image file, a processing instruction receiving unit that receives a processing instruction for image data included in the image file, When the processing instruction is received, temporary storage means for temporarily storing the image data included in the image file, processing means for processing the image data based on the processing instruction, and storage of the processed image data A storage instruction reception unit that receives an instruction; and, when the storage instruction is received, the temporarily stored image data and the processed image data are stored in the same image file, and the image file is stored in the recording unit And a recording control means for recording.

  According to the first aspect, since the image data included in the image file before processing is stored in one image file (multi-picture file), the image data before and after processing are read and referred to each other. It becomes easy. In addition, according to this aspect, image data before and after processing can be moved and deleted at the same time, so that management of image data becomes easy.

  The image recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the temporary storage unit is processed in accordance with the processing instruction every time the processing instruction is input. When data is temporarily stored and the recording control unit accepts an instruction to save the processed image data, the image data at each stage is stored together with the temporarily stored image data and the processed image data. It is configured to be stored in a file.

  According to the second aspect, together with the processed image data and the image data included in the unprocessed image file, the image data at each stage during the processing of the image is stored in one image file (multi-picture file). As a result, image data before and after processing and during processing can be easily read out and referred to each other.

  An image recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the recording control means stores the processed image data at the head of the image file. It is.

  In the third aspect, the processed image data can be, for example, a list display image (thumbnail image).

  An image recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the recording control means stores the image data in the processed order from the top of the image file. It is composed.

  The fourth aspect is suitable for confirming the transition when the image data is processed in chronological order.

  The image recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the recording control means starts from the head of the image file in a reverse order to the order in which the image data is processed. It is configured to store.

  The fifth aspect is suitable for searching image data retroactively from the latest processing result.

  An image recording apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention further includes order designation accepting means for accepting designation of an order when the image data is recorded in the image file in the first to fifth aspects.

  According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to specify the storage order of image data.

  An image recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is configured such that, in the first to sixth aspects, the recording control unit records the recording order of the image data as additional information of the image file. Is.

  According to the seventh aspect, by reading the additional information, the image file can be used using the processing order of the image data.

  When the image recording method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention receives a processing instruction for image data included in an image file, the image recording method temporarily stores the image data included in the image file, and the image data is based on the processing instruction. Are processed, and upon receiving an instruction to save the processed image data, the temporarily stored image data and the processed image data are stored in the same image file.

  The image recording method according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the image recording method according to the eighth aspect, wherein each time the processing instruction is input, the image data at each stage processed according to the processing instruction is temporarily stored. When an instruction to save the processed image data is received, the image data at each stage is stored in the same image file together with the temporarily stored image data and the processed image data.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth or ninth aspect, the processed image data is stored at the head of the image file.

  An image recording method according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is configured to store the image data in the processed order from the top of the image file in the eighth or ninth aspect.

  An image recording method according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is configured to store the image data in the reverse order of the processed order from the top of the image file in the eighth or ninth aspect. Is.

  An image recording method according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is configured such that in the eighth to twelfth aspects, designation of an order for recording the image data in the image file is received.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth to thirteenth aspects, the recording order of the image data is recorded as additional information of the image file.

  According to the present invention, the processed image data and the image data included in the unprocessed image file are stored in one image file (multi-picture file). It becomes easy to refer to each other. Further, according to the present invention, image data before and after processing can be moved and deleted at the same time, so that image data can be easily managed.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an image recording apparatus and an image recording method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of an image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is configured by a personal computer (PC), for example, for reading a recording image file from the photographing apparatus or the memory card 24, saving the recording image file, editing, and the like. It is a device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a central processing unit (CPU) 12 is connected to each block in the image recording apparatus 10 via a bus 14 and controls the operation of each block.

  The main memory 16 includes a storage area for storing the control program and a work area for executing the program.

  The hard disk device 18 stores an operating system (OS) of the image recording device 10, various application software, and an image file read from the camera 100 or the memory card 24.

  The CD-ROM device 20 reads data from a CD-ROM (not shown).

  The card interface unit (card I / F) 22 reads image data from the memory card 24.

  The display memory 26 temporarily stores display data. The monitor 28 is composed of, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor or a liquid crystal monitor, and displays images, characters, and the like based on image data, character data, and the like output from the display memory 26.

  The image recording apparatus 10 includes a keyboard 30 and a mouse 32 as an operation unit that receives an operation input from a user. The keyboard 30 and the mouse 32 input a signal corresponding to an operation input from the user to the CPU 12. The mouse controller 34 detects the state of the mouse 32 and outputs signals such as the position of the mouse pointer on the monitor 28 and the state of the mouse 32 to the CPU 12. In addition to the mouse 32, a touch panel, a touch pad, or the like can be used as the pointing device.

  A microphone 38 and a speaker 40 are connected to the audio input / output circuit 36, and various audio signals are input, and various operation sounds are reproduced and output in response to operation inputs from the keyboard 30 and the like.

  The communication interface unit (communication I / F) 42 performs predetermined signal conversion and signal transfer when performing communication via the network NW.

  The camera connection interface unit (camera connection I / F) 44 performs predetermined signal conversion and signal transfer when data is transmitted to and received from the camera 100.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing image processing performed by the image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The functions of the following blocks are realized by the CPU 12, for example.

  The operation analysis unit 52 receives input of a processing instruction for image data and a storage instruction for a processed image from the operation unit 50.

  The image processing unit 54 processes an image in accordance with a processing instruction for image data input from the operation unit 50.

  The temporary storage unit 56 temporarily stores image data included in the image file before processing when an image data processing instruction is input from the operation unit 50.

  When an instruction to save processed image data is input from the operation unit 50, the storage control unit 58 uses the same image as the pre-processing image data and the processed image data temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 56. It is stored in a file (multi-picture file) F10, and the multi-picture file F10 is recorded in the image recording unit 60 (for example, the hard disk device 18 or the memory card 24).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of the processed image file, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of the header information.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the processed image file F10 is an image file including a plurality of image data, and includes a main image area A10 and an extended data area A12. In the main image area A10, processed image data P (n) is stored as main image data (representative image data). In the extended data area A12, image data P (n−1),..., P (0) included in the image file before processing is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main image area A10 of the image file F10 includes additional information (APPx Header). The IFD0 area of the additional information (APPx Header) stores (unique) ID information unique to the image file and multi-picture file management information D10. The multi-picture file management information D10 includes information indicating that the image file F10 is a multi-picture file, that is, information indicating that the extended data area A12 is included after the main image area A10 and information indicating the recording order of the image data. include. When the image recording device 10 acquires the multi-picture file management information D10, the image recording device 10 determines that the image file F10 is a multi-picture file, and each image data P (n), P (n-1),. 0) is read and displayed.

  Additional information (Header) is individually added to the image data P (n−1),..., P (0) in the extension data area A12.

  Note that SOI (Start of Image) and EOI (End of Image) in the figure are markers indicating the read start position and end position of each image data, respectively.

  When the image file before processing is a multi-picture file F10, the image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has image data P (n), P (n−1),..., P (0) included in the image file. It is possible to process an image by designating a desired one of them.

  When the main image data P (n) in the multi-picture file F10 is processed and saved, the image data P (n + 1) obtained by processing is stored in the main image area A10, and the image data P (n before processing) ,..., P (0) is generated as a multi-picture file F10 ′ in which the extended data area A12 is stored. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a multi-picture file is generated in which image data to which a processing instruction and a storage instruction are input from the original image data P (n−1) is sequentially recorded.

  Next, the case where the image data P (i) (0 ≦ i <n) in the multi-picture file F10 is processed and saved will be described.

  FIGS. 5 to 7 schematically illustrate an example of the data structure of a multi-picture file that is newly generated when image data P (i) (0 ≦ i <n) in the multi-picture file F10 is processed and stored. FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, when the image data P (i) (0 ≦ i <n) in the multi-picture file F10 is processed and stored, the image data obtained by processing the image data P (i) A multi-picture file F10 ′ is generated that stores P ′ (i + 1) in the main image area A10 and stores the unprocessed image data P (i) in the extension data area A12.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, when the image data P (i) (0 ≦ i <n) in the multi-picture file F10 is processed and stored, the image data obtained by processing the image data P (i) A multi-picture file F10 ′ is generated that stores P ′ (i + 1) in the main image area A10 and stores the unprocessed image data P (0),..., P (i) in the extension data area A12.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, when the image data P (i) (0 ≦ i <n) in the multi-picture file F10 is processed and saved, the image data obtained by processing the image data P (i) A multi-picture file F10 ′ is generated that stores P ′ (i + 1) in the main image area A10 and stores the unprocessed image data P (0),..., P (n) in the extension data area A12. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the multi-picture file management information D10 stores information indicating that the image data P ′ (i + 1) is obtained by processing P (i).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of image processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when an instruction to process an image is input from the operation unit 50 (Yes in step S10), the image data included in the image file before processing is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 56 (step S12). Then, the image data is processed in accordance with the image processing instruction (step S14).

  Next, when an instruction to save the processed image data is input (Yes in step S16), if the image file before processing is not a multi-picture file (No in step S18), it is stored in the temporary storage unit 56. The processed image data and the processed image data are stored in the same multi-picture file (step S20). On the other hand, when the image file before processing is a multi-picture file (Yes in step S18), all the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 56 and the processed image data are in the same multi-picture file. (Step S22).

  On the other hand, after the image data is processed (step S14), when an instruction to not save the processed image is input (No in step S16), the processed image is discarded (Yes in step S24). S26). Then, the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 56 is read (step S28), and the image processing is resumed (step S10). If an instruction not to save the processed image is input (No in step S16) and an instruction to end the image processing is input (No in step S24), the image file is changed. Ends without being added.

  According to this embodiment, the processed image data and the image data included in the unprocessed image file are stored in one image file (multi-picture file). Making it easy to refer to each other. Further, according to the present embodiment, image data before and after processing can be moved and deleted at the same time, so that management of image data becomes easy.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of image processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when an instruction to process an image is input from the operation unit 50 (Yes in step S30), the image data included in the image file before processing is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 56 (step S32). Then, the image data is processed in accordance with the image processing instruction (step S34). In steps S30 to S34, if the image file before processing is a multi-picture file, it is possible to specify the desired image data included in the image file and process the image.

  Next, when a further processing (editing) instruction is input to the processed image (Yes in step S36, Yes in S30), the intermediate stage image before processing is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 56. After (step S34), the image is processed (step S36).

  Next, when an instruction to save the processed image is input (Yes in step S38), if the image file before processing is not a multi-picture file (No in step S40), it is stored in the temporary storage unit 56. The stored image data and the processed image data are stored in the same multi-picture file (step S42). On the other hand, when the image file before processing is a multi-picture file (Yes in step S40), all the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 56 and the processed image data are in the same multi-picture file. (Step S44). Information about the storage order of image data is stored in the multi-picture file management information.

  On the other hand, after the image data has been processed, when an instruction to not save the processed image is input (No in step S38), the processed image is discarded (Yes in step S46, S48). Then, the pre-processing image data stored in the temporary storage unit 56 is read (step S50), and the image processing is resumed (step S30). If an instruction not to save the processed image is input (No in step S38) and an instruction to end the processing of the image is input (No in step S46), the image file is changed. Ends without being added.

  According to the present embodiment, the processed image data and the image data included in the unprocessed image file are stored in one image file (multi-picture file) together with the image data at each stage during the processing of the image. Therefore, it becomes easy to read out image data before and after processing and during processing and refer to each other. Further, according to the present embodiment, image data before and after processing can be moved and deleted at the same time, so that management of image data becomes easy.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing image processing by the image recording apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a storage order control unit 62. The save order control unit 62 designates the save order of the image data in accordance with the save order designation input from the operation unit 50.

  The save control unit 58 receives the pre-processed image data temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 56 and the post-process according to the specification of the save order when an instruction to save the processed image data is input from the operation unit 50. Are stored in the multi-picture file F10.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, original image data (image data before processing) P (0) is stored in the top main image area A10 of the multi-picture file F10, and each stage of processing is stored in the extended data area A12. Image data P (1),..., P (n) are stored in chronological order. The example shown in FIG. 11 is suitable for confirming the transition when image data is processed in chronological order.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, image data P (n) reflecting the latest processing result is stored in the main image area A10 at the head of the multi-picture file F10, and each stage of processing is stored in the extended data area A12. The image data P (n−1),..., P (0) are stored in the reverse order to the processed order. The processing of image data tends to increase fine adjustments in later steps. For example, rotation, trimming, and tone correction are performed in this order. For this reason, when the image processing is restarted from the middle, it is possible to search more efficiently by tracing back from the latest image. The example shown in FIG. 12 is suitable for searching image data retroactively from the latest processing result.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of image processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when an instruction to process an image is input from the operation unit 50 (Yes in step S60), the image data included in the image file before processing is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 56 (step S62). Then, the image data is processed according to the image processing instruction (step S64). In steps S60 to S64, when the pre-processed image file is a multi-picture file, it is possible to process the image by designating a desired image data included in the image file.

  Next, when an instruction to further process (edit) the processed image is input (Yes in Step S66, Yes in S60), the intermediate stage image before processing is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 56. (Step S64), the image is processed (Step S66).

  Next, when an instruction to save the processed image is input (Yes in step S68), the storage order of the image data in the extended data area A12 is specified in accordance with the storage order specification input from the operation unit 50 (step S68). S70). The designation of the saving order may be performed every time a saving instruction is given, or the designation of the saving order may be stored in advance.

  Next, when the image file before processing is not a multi-picture file (No in step S72), the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 56 and the processed image data are in the same multi-picture file. Stored (step S74). On the other hand, when the image file before processing is a multi-picture file (Yes in step S72), all the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 56 and the processed image data are in the same multi-picture file. (Step S76). In steps S74 and S76, the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 56 is stored in the extended data area A12 of the multi-picture file in the storage order specified in step S70.

  On the other hand, after the image data has been processed, if an instruction to not save the processed image is input (No in step S68), the processed image is discarded (Yes in step S78, S80). Then, the unprocessed image data stored in the temporary storage unit 56 is read (step S82), and the image processing is resumed (step S60). If an instruction not to save the processed image is input (No in step S68) and an instruction to end the image processing is input (No in step S78), the image file is changed. Ends without being added.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to specify the storage order of image data.

  Note that the present invention can also be applied to an image recording apparatus (for example, an imaging apparatus) other than a PC. The present invention can also be provided as an application program applied to the image recording apparatus.

1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram showing image processing performed by an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Diagram showing the data structure of the processed image file The figure which shows the data structure of the header information of the image file after processing The figure which shows typically the 1st Example of the data structure of the multi picture file newly produced | generated when the image data P (i) (0 <= i <n) in the multi picture file F10 is processed and preserve | saved. The figure which shows typically the 2nd Example of the data structure of the multi picture file newly produced | generated when the image data P (i) (0 <= i <n) in the multi picture file F10 is processed and preserve | saved. The figure which shows typically the 3rd Example of the data structure of the multi picture file newly produced | generated when the image data P (i) (0 <= i <n) in the multi picture file F10 is processed and preserve | saved. The flowchart which shows the flow of the image process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of the image process which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Functional block diagram showing image processing by the image recording apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows one Example of the preservation | save order of an image The figure which shows another Example of the preservation | save order of an image The flowchart which shows the flow of the image process which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image recording device, 12 ... CPU, 14 ... Bus, 16 ... Main memory, 18 ... Hard disk device, 20 ... CD-ROM device, 22 ... Card interface part (card I / F), 24 ... Memory card, 26 ... Display memory, 28 ... monitor, 30 ... keyboard, 32 ... mouse, 34 ... mouse controller, 36 ... audio input / output circuit, 38 ... microphone, 40 ... speaker, 42 ... communication interface unit (communication I / F), 44 ... camera Connection interface unit (camera connection I / F), 100 ... camera, 50 ... operation unit, 52 ... operation analysis unit, 54 ... image processing unit, 56 ... temporary storage unit, 58 ... save control unit, 60 ... image recording unit, 62 ... Storage order control unit

Claims (14)

Recording means for recording image files;
A processing instruction receiving means for receiving a processing instruction for image data included in the image file;
Temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data included in the image file when the processing instruction is received;
Processing means for processing the image data based on the processing instructions;
A storage instruction receiving means for receiving a storage instruction for the processed image data;
A recording control means for storing the temporarily stored image data and the processed image data in the same image file when the save instruction is received, and recording the image file in the recording means;
An image recording apparatus comprising: The temporary storage means temporarily stores the image data of each stage processed according to the processing instruction every time the processing instruction is input,
When the recording control unit receives an instruction to save the processed image data, the recording control unit stores the image data of each stage in the same image file together with the temporarily stored image data and the processed image data. Item 2. The image recording apparatus according to Item 1.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording control unit stores the processed image data at a head of the image file.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording control unit stores the image data in the processed order from the top of the image file.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording control unit stores the image data in the reverse order of the processed order from the top of the image file.   6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising order designation receiving means for receiving designation of an order when recording the image data in the image file.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording control unit records the recording order of the image data as additional information of the image file. When receiving an instruction to process the image data included in the image file, the image data included in the image file is temporarily stored,
Process the image data based on the processing instruction,
An image recording method, wherein upon receiving an instruction to save the processed image data, the temporarily stored image data and the processed image data are stored in the same image file. Each time the processing instruction is input, the image data of each stage processed according to the processing instruction is temporarily stored,
9. The image recording according to claim 8, wherein upon receiving an instruction to save the processed image data, the image data at each stage is stored in the same image file together with the temporarily stored image data and the processed image data. Method.   The image recording method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the processed image data is stored at a head of the image file.   10. The image recording method according to claim 8, wherein the image data is stored in the processed order from the top of the image file.   The image recording method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the image data is stored in the reverse order of the processed order from the top of the image file.   The image recording method according to claim 8, wherein designation of an order in which the image data is recorded in the image file is received.   The image recording method according to claim 8, wherein the recording order of the image data is recorded as additional information of the image file.

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