JP2010239664A - Image file generation and output - Google Patents

Abstract

To automatically adjust image quality appropriately corresponding to individual image data.
When a memory card MC is inserted into a slot 34, a control circuit 30 of the color printer 20 acquires and analyzes image processing control information GC from the memory card MC. The CPU 31 corrects the reference value for each image quality parameter indicating the characteristics of the image data, reflecting the image processing control information GC. The CPU 31 corrects each image quality parameter value so as to approach the corrected reference value, and adjusts the image quality of the image data by reflecting each corrected image quality parameter value.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image adjustment technique for adjusting the image quality of an image file.

  In addition to the automatic shooting mode, input devices such as a digital still camera (DSC) and a digital video camera (DVC) have a scene setting function for adding effects according to specific shooting conditions when generating image data to shooting data. It has been. For example, when shooting a sunset scene, only the shooting result in which redness is reduced by correction in the automatic shooting mode can be obtained, whereas in the sunset mode, a shooting result in which redness is maintained can be obtained.

  However, the scene setting function in an input device such as a conventional digital still camera is effective only in a digital still camera that has taken a picture, and whether or not a scene setting has been made for an output device such as a printer. Information was not passed. Even if the presence / absence of the scene setting is passed to the printer, the scene information cannot be interpreted by the printer. Therefore, even if the scene setting function is used at the time of shooting, there is a problem that the effect maintained at the time of shooting is reduced by the image retouching application and the image quality automatic adjustment function provided by the printer driver. Such a problem is not limited to DSC, but is common to other image file generation apparatuses such as DVC.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to reflect generation conditions at the time of image data generation in image processing in an image processing apparatus. It is another object of the present invention to execute image processing based on generation conditions at the time of generating image data.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first aspect of the present invention provides an image file generation device that generates an image file including image data and an image processing control parameter that specifies an image processing condition for the image data. An image file generation apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image data generation unit that generates the image data, a generation condition specification unit that specifies a generation condition when generating the image data, the generation condition, and a plurality of generation conditions Storage means for storing a plurality of combinations of the image processing control parameters, image processing control parameter acquisition means for acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to the specified generation conditions from the storage means, and the generation And image file generation means for generating an image file including the acquired image data and the plurality of acquired image processing control parameters.

  According to the image file generation device of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to generate an image file that includes image data and a plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to the specified generation conditions. The generation conditions at the time can be reflected in the image processing in the image processing apparatus.

  The image file generation device according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include parameter value changing means for changing a value of an arbitrary image processing control parameter from the plurality of acquired image processing control parameters. In such a case, the value of an arbitrary image processing control parameter among a plurality of image processing control parameters acquired based on the generation conditions can be changed according to the preference. Furthermore, not only the value of an arbitrary image processing control parameter among a plurality of image processing control parameters may be changed, but an image processing control parameter that was not included may be added. In such a case, in image processing, it is possible to obtain the effect of any image processing control parameter that cannot be obtained only based on the generation conditions.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image file generation device that generates an image file including image data and an image processing control parameter group including a plurality of the image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data. To do. An image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is based on an image data generating unit that generates the image data, a generation condition specifying unit that specifies a generation condition at the time of generating the image data, and the generation condition. Image processing control parameter generation means for generating the image processing control parameter group; and image file generation means for generating an image file including the generated image data and the generated image processing control parameter group. Features.

  According to the image file generation device of the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to generate an image file including image data and an image processing control parameter group generated based on a specified generation condition. Generation conditions at the time of data generation can be reflected in image processing in the image processing apparatus.

  A third aspect of the present invention provides an image file generation device that generates an image file including image data and image processing control information that specifies image processing conditions for the image data. An image processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention includes: an image data generating unit that generates the image data; a generation condition specifying unit that specifies a generation condition at the time of generating the image data; Storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of information for specifying an image processing control parameter group to be used when executing image processing on image data as the image processing control information, and the image processing control information corresponding to the designated generation condition The image processing control information acquisition means acquired from the storage means, and the image file generation means for generating an image file including the generated image data and the acquired image processing control information.

  According to the image file generation device of the third aspect of the present invention, an image file including image data and image processing control information for specifying an image processing control parameter group to be used when executing image processing on the image data is generated. Therefore, the generation conditions at the time of generating the image data can be reflected in the image processing in the image processing apparatus.

  In the image file generation device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the image processing condition may be a condition corresponding to an output device to which the image data is output. In such a case, the image processing control parameter can be set based on the combination of the output device and the image file generation device that generates the image file.

  In the image file generation device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the image processing control parameters include at least a color space, a gamma correction value, contrast, brightness, color balance, saturation, sharpness, and storage. Parameters relating to color and noise removal may be included. By including at least these parameters, image processing of the image data can be appropriately executed.

  In the image file generation device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the image file generation device may be an imaging device, and the generation condition may be an imaging mode in the imaging device. The image file includes image processing control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus that executes image processing using an image file including image data and a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data. An image processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes an image data acquisition unit that acquires the data from the image file, and an image processing control parameter acquisition unit that acquires the plurality of image processing control parameters from the image file. And image processing means for performing image processing on the image data based on the plurality of acquired image processing control parameters.

  According to the image processing device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, image processing can be performed on image data based on a plurality of image processing control parameters included in the image file. Image processing can be executed based on the conditions.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image using an image file that includes image data and image processing control information that specifies an image processing parameter group including a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data. An image processing apparatus for executing processing is provided. An image processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes an image data acquisition unit that acquires the data from the image file, an image processing control information acquisition unit that acquires the image processing control information from the image file, Storage means for associating and storing image processing control information and the image processing parameter group, and image processing control parameter group acquiring means for acquiring the image processing parameter group from the storage means based on the acquired image processing control information And image processing means for performing image processing on the image data based on the acquired image processing control parameter group.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, image processing can be performed on the image data based on the image processing control parameter group acquired based on the image processing control information of the image file. Image processing can be executed based on generation conditions at the time of image data generation.

  The image processing apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention may further comprise output means for outputting the image data subjected to the image processing, and the image processing condition is determined by the image processing apparatus. It may be a condition corresponding to.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that generates an image file including image data and an image processing control parameter that specifies an image processing condition for the image data. A program according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes a function of generating the image data, a function of specifying a generation condition at the time of generating the image data, and a combination of the generation condition and the plurality of image processing control parameters. A plurality of storage functions; a function of acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to the specified generation condition from the storage; the generated image data; and the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters; And a function of generating an image file including a computer.

  According to the program concerning the 6th mode of the present invention, the same operation effect as the image file generating device concerning the 1st mode of the present invention can be obtained. Further, the program according to the sixth aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects in the same manner as the image file generation device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a program for generating an image file that includes image data and image processing control information that specifies image processing conditions for the image data. A program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is used when performing image processing on the image data under the generation condition, a function for generating the image data, a function for specifying a generation condition at the time of generating the image data, and the generation condition. A function of storing a plurality of pieces of information specifying an image processing control parameter group to be performed as the image processing control information, a function of acquiring the image processing control information corresponding to the designated generation condition from the storage unit, A function of generating an image file including the generated image data and the acquired image processing control information is realized by a computer.

  According to the program concerning the 7th mode of the present invention, the same operation effect as the image file generation device concerning the 3rd mode of the present invention can be obtained. Further, the program according to the seventh aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects in the same manner as the image file generating apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for executing image processing using an image file including image data and a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data. A program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a function for acquiring the data from the image file, a function for acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters from the image file, and the plurality of acquired image processing control parameters. Based on the above, a function of performing image processing on the image data is realized by a computer.

  According to the program concerning the 8th mode of the present invention, the same operation effect as the image processing device concerning the 4th mode of the present invention can be acquired. The program according to the eighth aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects in the same manner as the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention provides an image using an image file that includes image data and image processing control information that specifies an image processing parameter group that includes a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data. A program for executing processing is provided. A program according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes a function for acquiring the data from the image file, a function for acquiring the image processing control information from the image file, the image processing control information, and the image processing parameter group. And a function for acquiring the image processing parameter group from the storage unit based on the acquired image processing control information, and the image data based on the acquired image processing control parameter group. A function of performing image processing on a computer is realized by a computer.

  According to the program concerning the 9th mode of the present invention, the same operation effect as the image processing device concerning the 5th mode of the present invention can be obtained. Further, the program according to the ninth aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects in the same manner as the image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the image data processing system which can apply the image processing apparatus which concerns on a 1st Example. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital still camera capable of generating an image file (image data) to be processed by an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the internal structure of the image file which can be used in a 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic internal structure of the image file stored in the Exif file format. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of the attached information storage area 112 of the image file GF which can be used for a 1st Example. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a color printer 20 according to a first embodiment. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a control circuit 30 of the color printer 20. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for generating an image file GF in the digital still camera 12. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary display mode of the liquid crystal display 127. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary display mode of the liquid crystal display 127. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary display mode of the liquid crystal display 127. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of image processing in the color printer 20 in the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of image processing executed in the color printer 20 in the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the combination of the reference number which designates imaging | photography mode, an image quality parameter, and imaging | photography mode. It is a flowchart which shows the process routine of the image process in another Example.

Hereinafter, image adjustment of an image file according to the present invention will be described based on several embodiments with reference to the drawings in the following order.
A. Image processing system configuration:
B. Image file structure:
C. Image output device configuration:
D. Image processing in digital still cameras:
E. Image processing in the printer:
F. Other examples:

A. Image processing system configuration:
The configuration of an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment can be applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment can be applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital still camera capable of generating an image file (image data) output from the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  An image processing system 10 includes a digital still camera 12 as an input device that generates an image file, a color printer as an output device that executes image processing based on the image file generated by the digital still camera 12 and outputs an image. 20 is provided. As the output device, in addition to the printer 20, a monitor 14 such as a CRT display or LCD display, a projector, or the like can be used. In the following description, the color printer 20 is used as the output device.

  The digital still camera 12 is a camera that acquires an image by imaging light information on a digital device (CCD or photomultiplier tube), and includes a CCD or the like for collecting optical information as shown in FIG. An optical circuit 121, an image acquisition circuit 122 for acquiring an image by controlling the optical circuit 121, an image processing circuit 123 for processing the acquired digital image, and a control circuit 124 including a memory and controlling each circuit I have. The digital still camera 12 stores the acquired image as digital data in a memory card MC as a storage device. As a storage format of image data in the digital still camera 12, a JPEG format is generally used, but other storage formats such as a TIFF format, a GIF format, a BMP format, and a RAW format can be used.

  The digital still camera 12 also has individual image processing control parameters such as brightness, contrast, exposure correction amount (exposure correction value), white balance, and a plurality of image processing control parameter values set in advance in accordance with shooting conditions. A selection / determination button 126 for setting a shooting mode, and a liquid crystal display 127 for previewing a shot image and setting a shooting mode and the like using the selection / determination button 126. The shooting mode and image quality parameter setting procedures using the selection / determination button 126 and the liquid crystal display 127 will be described later.

  The digital still camera 12 used in the image processing system 10 stores image processing control information GC of image data in the memory card MC as an image file GF in addition to the image data GD. That is, the image processing control information GC is automatically stored in the memory card MC as an image file GF together with the image data GD at the time of shooting. When the user selects a shooting mode (shooting scene) suitable for shooting conditions such as a person, night view, and sunset scene, the parameter values or parameter levels of a plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to the selected shooting mode are set. An image file GF included as image processing control information GC is stored in the memory card MC. Needless to say, the image processing control parameters can be set individually for the exposure correction amount, the white balance, and the like.

  In the digital still camera 12, when the shooting mode is set, the exposure time, white balance, aperture, shutter speed, lens focal length, etc. at the time of shooting are uniquely set according to the set shooting mode. Is done. Further, depending on the shooting mode, parameter values or parameter levels of a plurality of corresponding image processing control parameter groups are handled as image processing control information GC, and are stored in the memory card MC as an image file GF together with the generated image data GD. The Note that parameters and parameter values applied to each shooting mode are stored in a memory in the control circuit 124 of the digital still camera 12 in association with the shooting mode.

  The image file GF generated in the digital still camera 12 is sent to the color printer 20 via, for example, the cable CV, the computer PC, or via the cable CV. Alternatively, the memory card MC in which the image file GF is stored by the digital still camera 12 is connected to the printer 20 via the computer PC mounted in the memory card slot or directly to the printer 20. As a result, the image file is sent to the color printer 20. In the following description, the case where the memory card MC is directly connected to the color printer 20 will be described.

B. Image file structure:
A schematic configuration of an image file that can be used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an example of the internal configuration of an image file that can be used in this embodiment. The image file GF includes an image data storage area 101 for storing image data GD, and an image processing control information storage area 102 for storing image processing control information GC that is referred to and applied during image processing of the image data in the image processing apparatus. ing. For example, the image data GD is stored in the JPEG format, and the image processing control information GC is stored in the TIFF format. Note that terms such as file structure, data structure, and storage area in this embodiment mean an image of a file or data in a state where the file or data is stored in the storage device.

  The image processing control information GC is information for specifying the image processing conditions of the image data generated in the image data generating device such as the digital still camera 12, and is automatically set according to the setting of the shooting mode as described above. Image processing control parameters to be set, or exposure time, ISO sensitivity, aperture, shutter speed, focal length parameters that can be arbitrarily set by the user, and exposure correction amount, white balance, and shooting mode that are arbitrarily set by the user Image processing control parameters such as a target color space.

  The image file GF according to the present embodiment can be generated not only by the digital still camera 12 but also by an input device (image file generation device) such as a digital video camera or a scanner. When generated by a digital video camera, for example, an image file storing still image data and output control information, or a moving image file including moving image data such as MPEG format and output control information is generated. The When this moving image file is used, output control according to the output control information is performed on all or some of the frames of the moving image.

  The image file GF according to the present embodiment only needs to include the image data area 101 and the image processing control information storage area 102 described above, and has a file structure in accordance with an already standardized file format. be able to. The case where the image file GF according to the present embodiment is adapted to a standardized file format will be specifically described below.

  The image file GF according to the present embodiment can have a file structure in accordance with, for example, a digital still camera image file format standard (Exif). Exif file specifications are defined by the Japan Electronics and Information Industry Association (JEITA). A schematic internal structure of the file when the image file GF according to the present embodiment has a file format conforming to the Exif file format will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic internal structure of the image file GF according to this embodiment stored in the Exif file format.

  The image file GFE as an Exif file includes a JPEG image data storage area 111 that stores image data in JPEG format, and an attached information storage area 112 that stores various types of information related to the stored JPEG image data. The JPEG data storage area 111 corresponds to the image data storage area 101, and the attached information storage area 112 corresponds to the image processing control information storage area 102. That is, in the attached information storage area 112, image processing control information GC (image quality adjustment processing condition) that is referred to when outputting a JPEG image such as shooting date / time, exposure, shutter speed, white balance, exposure correction amount, target color space, and the like. ) Is stored. Further, in the attached information storage area 112, in addition to the image processing control information GC, thumbnail image data of JPEG images stored in the JPEG image data storage area 111 is stored in the TIFF format. As is well known to those skilled in the art, in an Exif format file, tags are used to identify each data, and each data may be called by a tag name.

  A detailed data structure of the attached information storage area 112 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the attached information storage area 112 of the image file GF that can be used in this embodiment.

  In the attached information storage area 112, as shown in the figure, parameter values for image processing control information GC such as exposure time, lens F value, exposure control mode, ISO sensitivity, exposure correction amount, white balance, flash, focal length, shooting mode, etc. Are stored according to the default address or offset value. On the output device side, the image processing control information GC can be acquired by designating an address or an offset value corresponding to desired information (parameter). The image processing control information GC is an undefined area in the attached information storage area 112 and is stored in a user-defined area that is released to the user.

C. Image output device configuration:
The schematic configuration of the image output apparatus according to this embodiment, that is, the color printer 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the color printer 20 according to the present embodiment.

  The color printer 20 is a printer that can output a color image. For example, four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are ejected onto a print medium. This is an ink jet printer that forms an image by forming a dot pattern. Alternatively, it is an electrophotographic printer that forms an image by transferring and fixing color toner onto a printing medium. In addition to the above four colors, light cyan (light cyan, LC), light magenta (light magenta, LM), and dark yellow (dark yellow, DY) may be used as the color ink.

  As shown in the figure, the color printer 20 drives a print head 211 mounted on a carriage 21 to eject ink and form dots, and the carriage 21 is reciprocated in the axial direction of a platen 23 by a carriage motor 22. A mechanism for conveying the printing paper P by the paper feed motor 24, and a control circuit 30. The mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 21 in the axial direction of the platen 23 is an endless drive between the carriage motor 22 and the slide shaft 25 that slidably holds the carriage 21 laid in parallel with the axis of the platen 23. A pulley 27 that stretches the belt 26, a position detection sensor 28 that detects the origin position of the carriage 21, and the like. The mechanism for transporting the printing paper P includes a platen 23, a paper feed motor 24 that rotates the platen 23, a paper feed auxiliary roller (not shown), and a gear train that transmits the rotation of the paper feed motor 24 to the platen 23 and the paper feed auxiliary roller. (Not shown).

  The control circuit 30 appropriately controls the movement of the paper feed motor 24, the carriage motor 22, and the print head 211 while exchanging signals with the operation panel 29 of the printer. The printing paper P supplied to the color printer 20 is set so as to be sandwiched between the platen 23 and the paper feed auxiliary roller, and is fed by a predetermined amount according to the rotation angle of the platen 23.

  An ink cartridge 212 and an ink cartridge 213 are mounted on the carriage 21. The ink cartridge 212 contains black (K) ink, and the ink cartridge 213 contains light cyan (LC) in addition to other inks, that is, three color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). ), Light magenta (LM), and dark yellow (DY).

  Next, the internal configuration of the control circuit 30 of the color printer 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the control circuit 30 of the color printer 20. As shown in the figure, the control circuit 30 includes a CPU 31, a PROM 32, a RAM 33, a PCMCIA slot 34 for acquiring data from the memory card MC, a peripheral device input / output for exchanging data with the paper feed motor 24, the carriage motor 22, and the like. A unit (PIO) 35, a timer 36, a drive buffer 37, and the like are provided. The drive buffer 37 is used as a buffer for supplying dot on / off signals to the ink ejection heads 214 to 220. These are connected to each other via a bus 38 and can exchange data with each other. The control circuit 30 is also provided with an oscillator 39 that outputs a drive waveform at a predetermined frequency, and a distribution output device 40 that distributes the output from the oscillator 39 to the ink ejection heads 214 to 220 at a predetermined timing.

  The control circuit 30 reads the image file GF from the memory card MC, analyzes the image processing control information GC, and executes image processing based on the analyzed image processing control information GC. The control circuit 30 outputs dot data to the drive buffer 37 at a predetermined timing while synchronizing with the movements of the paper feed motor 24 and the carriage motor 22. A detailed flow of image processing executed by the control circuit 30 will be described later.

D. Image processing in digital still cameras:
Hereinafter, image processing in the digital still camera 12 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for generating the image file GF in the digital still camera 12.

  The control circuit 124 of the digital still camera 12 determines whether or not a shooting mode (shooting scene) or image processing control information (image processing control parameters) such as white balance and exposure correction amount is set by the user prior to shooting. Is determined (step S100). The setting of the image processing control information is executed by the user selecting a preset shooting mode displayed on the liquid crystal display 127 by operating the selection / setting button 126. Alternatively, it is executed by operating the selection / setting button 126 in the same manner and setting the values of image processing control parameters such as brightness and contrast on the liquid crystal display 127 by the user.

  A procedure for setting an image processing control parameter on the liquid crystal display 127 using the selection / setting button 126 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 are explanatory diagrams illustrating exemplary display modes of the liquid crystal display 127. When the “image processing control” area A1 displayed on the liquid crystal display 127 is selected by operating the selection / setting button 126 (see FIG. 9), the “shooting mode” area A2 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 127 (see FIG. 9). (See FIG. 10). The shooting mode is indicated by reference numbers 1 and 2. . . Set by For example, when any of the shooting modes is set, the setting state of each image processing control parameter set in the set shooting mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display 127 as shown in FIG. In this example, the setting state of each image processing control parameter is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for the user, but a parameter value may be displayed.

  If the control circuit 124 determines that the image processing control information GC is set (step S100: Yes), the control circuit 124 defines the image processing control information according to the set image processing control information in response to a shooting request, for example, pressing the shutter button. Image data GD is generated using the parameter values to be processed (step S110). The control circuit 124 stores the generated image data GD and the image processing control information GC including the image processing control parameter group set according to the shooting mode as an image file GF in the memory card MC (step S120). This processing routine ends. The data generated by the digital still camera 12 is once represented by the RGB color space, and when stored in the memory card MC, it is represented by the YCbCr color space.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the image processing control information GC is not set (step S100: No), the control circuit 124 generates image data GD in response to the photographing request (step S130). The control circuit 124 stores the generated image data GD and the image processing control information GC including the correction condition automatically given at the time of generating the image data as an image file GF in the memory card MC (Step S140). End the routine. Note that the image processing control information GC is stored in a user-defined area in a file structure having a predetermined file format as described above.

  Through the above processing executed in the digital still camera 12, the image file GF stored in the memory card MC includes the image data GD and a plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode set when the image data is generated. Image processing control information GC is provided.

E. Image processing in the color printer 20:
Image processing in the color printer 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of image processing in the color printer 20 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of image processing in the color printer 20. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the concept of automatic image quality adjustment processing in the color printer 20. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for automatic image quality adjustment in the color printer 20. In the image processing in the color printer 20 according to the present embodiment, color space conversion processing is executed first, and automatic image quality adjustment is executed later.

  When the memory card MC is inserted into the slot 34, the control circuit 30 (CPU 31) of the color printer 20 reads the image file GF from the memory card MC, and temporarily stores the read image file GF in the RAM 33 (step S100). . The CPU 31 retrieves image processing control information GC indicating information at the time of image data generation from the attached information storage area 102 of the read image file GF (step S110). If the image processing control information can be retrieved and found (step S120: Yes), the CPU 31 acquires and analyzes the image processing control information GC at the time of image data generation (step S130). The CPU 31 executes image processing to be described in detail later based on the analyzed image processing control information GC (step S140), and prints out the processed image data (step S150).

  If the CPU 31 cannot retrieve / discover the image processing control information (step S120: No), it cannot reflect the image processing control information at the time of image data generation, so the color printer 20 holds it as a default value in advance. The acquired image processing control information, that is, various parameter values are acquired from the ROM 32, and normal image processing is executed (step S160). The CPU 31 prints out the processed image data (step S150) and ends this processing routine.

  Image processing executed in the color printer 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The CPU 31 of the color printer 20 extracts the image data GD from the read image file GF (step S200). The digital still camera 12 stores image data as a JPEG file as described above, and the JPEG file stores image data using the YCbCr color space in order to increase the compression rate.

  The CPU 31 executes a 3 × 3 matrix operation S in order to convert the image data based on the YCrCb color space into image data based on the RGB color space (step S210). The matrix operation S is an arithmetic expression shown below.

  The CPU 31 executes gamma correction and matrix operation M using the matrix M on the image data based on the RGB color space thus obtained (step S220). When executing gamma correction, the CPU 31 acquires the gamma value on the DSC side from the image processing control information GC, and executes gamma conversion processing on the video data using the acquired gamma value. That is, the gamma value is also included in the image processing control parameter value specified by the image processing control information GC. The matrix M is a matrix for converting the RGB color space to the XYZ color space. Since the image file GF used in this embodiment can include color space information to be used at the time of image processing, when the image file GF includes color space information, the CPU 31 executes a matrix operation M. In this case, the matrix operation is executed by referring to the color space information and using the matrix (M) corresponding to the designated space. The matrix operation M is an arithmetic expression shown below.

  The color space of the image data GD obtained after execution of the matrix operation M is an XYZ color space. Conventionally, the color space used for image processing in a printer or computer is fixed to sRGB, and the color space of the digital still camera 12 cannot be used effectively. In contrast, in the present embodiment, when the image file GF includes color space information, a printer (printer driver) that changes the matrix (M) used in the matrix operation M corresponding to the color space information. ) Is used. Therefore, the color space of the digital still camera 12 can be effectively used to realize correct color reproduction.

The CPU 31 executes processing for converting the color space of the image data GD from the XYZ color space to the wRGB color space, that is, matrix operation N ⁻¹ and inverse gamma correction in order to execute image adjustment based on the image processing control information GC. (Step S230). The wRGB color space is a wider color space than the sRGB color space. When executing gamma correction, the CPU 31 acquires a default gamma value on the printer side from the ROM 32, and executes an inverse gamma conversion process on the video data using the inverse of the acquired gamma value. When executing the matrix operation N ⁻¹ , the CPU 31 executes the matrix operation using the matrix (N ⁻¹ ) corresponding to the conversion from the ROM 31 to the wRGB color space. Matrix operation N ^-1 is an arithmetic expression shown below.

The color space of the image data GD obtained after execution of the matrix operation N ⁻¹ is the wRGB color space. As described above, this wRGB color space is a wider color space than the sRGB color space, and corresponds to the color space of image data that can be generated by the digital still camera 12.

  The CPU 31 executes image processing of the image data GD based on the image processing control information GC (step S240). Image processing based on the image processing control information GC in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a correspondence relationship between the mode number stored in the PROM 32 or the like in the control circuit 30 of the printer 20 and the level of each image processing control parameter corresponding to the mode number. As described above, the image file GF according to the present embodiment includes image data GD to be subjected to image processing and image processing control information GC for controlling image processing in the printer 20. The color printer 20 (CPU 31) analyzes the image processing control information GC and acquires the value of each image processing control parameter to be used for image processing.

  In this embodiment, the level of each image processing control parameter constituting the shooting mode is determined in consideration of the reproducibility of the image data GD in the printer 20. That is, it is verified how the control circuit 30 of the printer 20 interprets parameter levels such as “standard” and “slightly bright”, and the verification result is reflected in the parameter level setting. In this embodiment, the shooting mode is 1, 2,. . . Therefore, the CPU 31 analyzes the level of each image processing control parameter corresponding to each photographing mode based on the reference number, and determines the value of each image processing control parameter.

  Image processing control parameters for each shooting mode will be described with reference to FIG. The shooting mode 1 is suitable for standard shooting conditions, for example, the shooting mode 2 is suitable for shooting conditions for shooting a person, for example, and the shooting mode 3 is suitable for shooting conditions for shooting a landscape, for example. Is suitable for, for example, photographing conditions for photographing a sunset scene, the photographing mode 5 is suitable for, for example, photographing conditions for photographing a night scene, and the photographing mode 6 is suitable for, for example, photographing conditions for photographing a flower. The shooting mode 7 is suitable for shooting conditions for macro shooting, for example, the shooting mode 8 is suitable for shooting conditions for shooting a person who is playing sports, for example, and the shooting mode 9 is for shooting conditions under backlight, for example. Suitably, the shooting mode 10 is suitable for shooting conditions for shooting autumn leaves, for example, and the shooting mode 11 is suitable for shooting conditions for shooting commemorative photography, for example. When the shooting mode is not set, the parameter indicating the set shooting mode is set to 0.

  The CPU 31 executes image processing on the image data GD based on the acquired value of the image processing control parameter. When the shooting mode is not specified, that is, when the shooting mode parameter is set to 0, the image processing on the image data GD is not executed for each image processing control parameter.

  When finishing the automatic image quality adjustment process, the CPU 31 executes a wRGB color conversion process and a halftone process for printing (step S250). In the wRGB color conversion process, the CPU 31 refers to a look-up table (LUT) for conversion to the CMYK color space corresponding to the wRGB color space stored in the ROM 31, and changes the color space of the image data from the wRGB color space to the CMYK. Change to color space. That is, image data composed of R, G, and B tone values is converted to data of tone values of, for example, six colors of C, M, Y, K, LC, and LM used by the color printer 20.

  In the halftone process, the color-converted image data is received and the gradation number conversion process is performed. In this embodiment, the image data after color conversion is expressed as data having a 256 gradation width for each color. On the other hand, the color printer 20 of the present embodiment can only take one of the states of “form dots” or “do not form dots”, and the color printer 20 of this embodiment is locally on the second floor. Can only express the key. Therefore, the image data having 256 gradations is converted into image data expressed in 2 gradations that can be expressed by the color printer 20. As a representative method of the two gradation processing (binarization), there are a method called an error diffusion method and a method called a systematic dither method.

  In the color printer 20, prior to color conversion processing, when the resolution of image data is lower than the printing resolution, new data is generated between adjacent image data by performing linear interpolation, and conversely higher than the printing resolution. Performs a resolution conversion process for converting the resolution of the image data into the print resolution by thinning out the data at a constant rate. In addition, the color printer 20 executes an interlace process in which the image data converted into a format representing the presence / absence of dot formation is rearranged in the order to be transferred to the color printer 20.

  As described above, according to the digital still camera 12 in this embodiment, the image processing executed in the printer 20 can be controlled by setting the shooting mode on the digital still camera 12. That is, since the shooting mode is associated with the image processing control parameter used in the image processing, the level or value of the image processing control parameter can be designated by setting the shooting mode. Accordingly, it is possible to set image processing conditions executed by the printer 20 on the image data at the time of shooting, and an output result appropriately reflecting the image processing conditions desired at the time of shooting can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to easily associate the image data with the image processing conditions assumed at the time of shooting, and it is not necessary to set the image processing conditions again at the time of image processing of the image data, and image processing reflecting the image processing conditions is performed. Can be facilitated.

  Further, according to the color printer 20 in the present embodiment, the image processing of the image data GD can be executed by reflecting the image processing control information GC included in the image file GF. Therefore, it is possible to execute image processing reflecting the user's intention of shooting at the time of shooting, reflecting the shooting mode (shooting environment) set at the time of shooting. As a result, the conventional problem that the photographing mode at the time of photographing is not interpreted, the arbitrary photographing intention is corrected, and the intention of the user cannot be reflected can be solved.

F. Other examples:
In the above embodiment, all image processing is executed in the color printer 20 without using the personal computer PC, and a dot pattern is formed on the print medium according to the generated image data GD. Alternatively, a part may be executed on a computer or a server via a network. In this case, it is realized by providing an image processing function to an image data processing application (program) such as a retouch application or a printer driver installed in a hard disk of a computer. The image file GF generated by the digital still camera 12 is provided to the computer via a cable or a memory card MC. On the computer, an application is activated by a user operation, and reading of the image file GF, analysis of the image processing control information GC, conversion and adjustment of the image data GD are executed. Alternatively, by detecting the insertion of the memory card MC or by detecting the insertion of the cable, the application is automatically started, the image file GF is read, the image processing control information GC is analyzed, the image Conversion and adjustment of the data GD may be automatically performed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image processing control information GC stores a reference number corresponding to the set shooting mode, and the printer 20 uses the correspondence between the reference number and the level of each image processing control parameter in each parameter. Although the value is obtained, the value of the image processing control parameter may be directly described in the image processing control information GC. In such a case, the digital still camera 12 may be provided with a map indicating the correspondence between the reference number provided on the printer 20 (personal computer PC) side and the value of each image processing control parameter. Alternatively, the value of the image processing control parameter can be dynamically generated according to the shooting mode and actual shooting conditions (exposure, etc.).

In the image processing in the color printer 20, as shown in FIG. 20, automatic image quality adjustment processing may be executed first, and color space conversion may be executed later. Basic information may be processed. The image processing in the color printer 20 is executed by matrix calculation using a composite matrix (MN ⁻¹ ) obtained by combining the matrix M and the matrix N ⁻¹ when changing the color space characteristics from the sRGB color space to the wRGB color space. May be. Furthermore, various conversion system matrices may be combined as necessary. By combining the matrices, a series of matrix calculation processes can be speeded up.

  In the above-described embodiments, the color printer 20 is used as an output device. However, a display device such as a CRT, LCD, or projector can be used as the output device. In such a case, an image processing program (display driver) that executes the image processing described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 is executed by the display device as the output device. Alternatively, when a CRT or the like functions as a computer display device, an image processing program is executed on the computer side. However, finally output image data has an RGB color space instead of a CMYK color space.

  In such a case, the shooting mode at the time of shooting can be reflected in the display result on a display device such as a CRT in the same manner as the shooting mode at the time of shooting can be reflected in the print result via the color printer 20. Therefore, the image data GD generated by the digital still camera 12 can be displayed more accurately.

  As described above, the output device, the image processing device, and the program according to the present invention have been described based on the embodiments. However, the embodiments of the present invention described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention. It is not limited. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, image processing control parameters such as the light source, exposure correction amount, target color space, brightness, and sharpness are used as the shooting mode. However, it is arbitrarily determined which parameters are used as parameters constituting the shooting mode. It is a matter.

Further, the values of the parameters illustrated in the table of FIG. 8 are merely examples, and the invention according to the present application is not limited by these values. Furthermore, the values of the matrices S, M, and N ⁻¹ in each formula are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the values can be changed as appropriate depending on the target color space or the color space that can be used in the color printer 20. .

  In the above embodiment, the digital still camera 12 has been described as the image file generating device. However, a scanner, a digital video camera, or the like can be used. In the case of using a scanner, the specification of the captured data information of the image file GF may be executed on the computer PC, or a preset button assigned with setting information in advance for information setting on the scanner, an arbitrary setting A display screen and a setting button may be provided so that the scanner can be executed alone.

  In the above embodiment, the Exif format file has been described as a specific example of the image file GF, but the format of the image file according to the present invention is not limited to this. That is, any image file including image data generated by the image data generation device and image processing control information GC for specifying image processing conditions of the image data may be used. With such a file, it is possible to appropriately execute image processing on the image data based on the image processing conditions set in the image file generation device and output the image data from the output device.

  Note that, in the image file GF including the image data and the output device control information CI, association data for associating the output device control information CI is generated, and one or a plurality of image data and the output device control information CI are independent of each other. Also included is a file that can be stored in the above-mentioned file and that can associate the image data with the output device control information CI by referring to the association data at the time of image processing. In such a case, the image data and the output device control information CI are stored in separate files, but at the time of image processing using the output device control information CI, the image data and the output device control information CI are inseparable. This is because they function in the same manner as when they are stored in substantially the same file. That is, at least at the time of image processing, an aspect in which image data and output device control information CI are used in association with each other is included in the image file GF in the present embodiment. Furthermore, a moving image file stored in an optical disc medium such as a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM is also included.

  The digital still camera 12 and the color printer 20 used in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the configuration is not limited to the description of each embodiment. The digital still camera 12 only needs to have at least a function capable of generating the image file GF according to the above embodiment. The color printer 20 only needs to analyze at least the shooting mode (image processing control parameter) of the image file GF according to the present embodiment and execute image processing on the image data GD based on the analysis result.

  The shooting mode may be combined with other modes. For example, even when shooting in the same mode 1, the sharpness parameter value may be increased or decreased in accordance with the resolution to be captured (resolution of image data). Further, other conditions such as the presence or absence of flash photography may be added.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image processing system 12 ... Digital still camera 121 ... Optical circuit 122 ... Image acquisition circuit 123 ... Image processing circuit 124 ... Control circuit 126 ... Selection / decision button 127 ... Liquid crystal display 14 ... Display 20 ... Color printer 21 ... Carriage 211 ... Print head 212 ... Ink cartridge 213 ... Ink cartridge 214-220 ... Ink ejection head 22 ... Carriage motor 23 ... Platen 24 ... Paper feed motor 25 ... Slide shaft 26 ... Drive belt 27 ... Pulley 28 ... Position detection sensor 29 ... Operation Panel 30 ... Control circuit 31 ... Arithmetic processing unit (CPU)
32. Programmable read only memory (PROM)
33 ... Random access memory (RAM)
34 ... PCMCIA slot 35 ... Peripheral device input / output unit (PIO)
36 ... Timer 37 ... Drive buffer 38 ... Bus 39 ... Oscillator 40 ... Distribution output device GF ... Image file (Exif file)
101 ... JPEG image data storage area 102 ... Attached information storage area 103 ... Makernote storage area MC ... Memory card

Claims (15)

An image file generation device that generates an image file including image data and an image processing control parameter that specifies image processing conditions for the image data,
Image data generating means for generating the image data;
Generation condition specifying means for specifying a generation condition at the time of generating the image data;
Storage means for storing a plurality of combinations of the generation conditions and the plurality of image processing control parameters;
Image processing control parameter acquisition means for acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to the specified generation condition from the storage means;
An image file generation apparatus comprising: an image file generation unit configured to generate an image file including the generated image data and the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters. The image file generation device according to claim 1 further includes:
An image file generation device comprising parameter value changing means for changing a value of an arbitrary image processing control parameter from the plurality of acquired image processing control parameters. An image file generation device that generates an image file including image data and an image processing control parameter group including a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data,
Image data generating means for generating the image data;
Generation condition specifying means for specifying a generation condition at the time of generating the image data;
Image processing control parameter generation means for generating the image processing control parameter group based on the generation condition;
An image file generation apparatus comprising: an image file generation unit configured to generate an image file including the generated image data and the generated image processing control parameter group. An image file generation device that generates an image file including image data and image processing control information that specifies image processing conditions for the image data,
Image data generating means for generating the image data;
Generation condition specifying means for specifying a generation condition at the time of generating the image data;
Storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of information for specifying an image processing control parameter group to be used when executing image processing on the image data as the image processing control information under the generation conditions;
Image processing control information acquisition means for acquiring the image processing control information corresponding to the designated generation condition from the storage means;
An image file generation apparatus comprising: an image file generation unit configured to generate an image file including the generated image data and the acquired image processing control information. The image file generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image processing condition is an image file generation apparatus corresponding to an output apparatus from which the image data is output. The image file generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The image processing control parameter includes an image file generation apparatus including at least parameters relating to color space, gamma correction value, contrast, brightness, color balance, saturation, sharpness, memory color, and noise removal. The image file generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The image file generation device is an imaging device,
The generation condition is an image file generation device that is an imaging mode in the imaging device. An image processing apparatus that executes image processing using an image file that includes image data and a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data,
Image data acquisition means for acquiring the data from the image file;
Image processing control parameter acquisition means for acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters from the image file;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image data based on the plurality of acquired image processing control parameters. An image processing apparatus that executes image processing using an image file that includes image data and image processing control information that specifies an image processing parameter group that includes a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data. And
Image data acquisition means for acquiring the data from the image file;
Image processing control information acquisition means for acquiring the image processing control information from the image file;
Storage means for storing the image processing control information and the image processing parameter group in association with each other;
Based on the acquired image processing control information, an image processing control parameter group acquisition unit that acquires the image processing parameter group from the storage unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image data based on the acquired image processing control parameter group. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, further
An image processing apparatus comprising output means for outputting the image data subjected to the image processing. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
The image processing device is a condition corresponding to the image processing device. A program for generating an image file including image data and an image processing control parameter for specifying an image processing condition for the image data,
A function of generating the image data;
A function for specifying a generation condition at the time of generating the image data;
A function of storing a plurality of combinations of the generation condition and the plurality of image processing control parameters;
A function of acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters corresponding to the designated generation condition from the storage unit;
A program for causing a computer to realize a function of generating an image file including the generated image data and the acquired plurality of image processing control parameters. A program for generating an image file including image data and image processing control information for specifying image processing conditions for the image data,
A function of generating the image data;
A function for specifying a generation condition at the time of generating the image data;
A function of storing a plurality of pieces of information for specifying an image processing control parameter group to be used when image processing is performed on the image data as the image processing control information under the generation condition;
A function of acquiring the image processing control information corresponding to the designated generation condition from the storage unit;
A program for causing a computer to realize a function of generating an image file including the generated image data and the acquired image processing control information. A program that executes image processing using an image file that includes image data and a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data,
A function of acquiring the data from the image file;
A function of acquiring the plurality of image processing control parameters from the image file;
A program that causes a computer to realize a function of performing image processing on the image data based on the plurality of acquired image processing control parameters. A program that executes image processing using an image file that includes image data and image processing control information that specifies an image processing parameter group including a plurality of image processing control parameters that specify image processing conditions for the image data,
A function of acquiring the data from the image file;
A function of acquiring the image processing control information from the image file;
A function of storing the image processing control information and the image processing parameter group in association with each other;
A function of acquiring the image processing parameter group from the storage unit based on the acquired image processing control information;
A program that causes a computer to realize a function of performing image processing on the image data based on the acquired image processing control parameter group.

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