JP2010251909A - Digital camera and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage images before application of image processing as a user desires. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera includes an imaging unit which picks up a subject image to generate an image, an image processing unit which performs the image processing on the image generated by the imaging unit, a recording unit which records at least one of the image to be subjected to the image processing and the image having been subjected to the image processing, a transfer unit which transfers the image recorded in the recording unit to the outside of the digital camera, and a control unit which deletes the image to be subjected to the image processing from the recording unit when the image to be subjected to the image processing and the image having been subjected to the image processing are both recorded in the recording unit, and the image to be subjected to the image processing is transferred by the transfer unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera and an image processing program.

  Conventionally, a technique for performing various image processing on a digital image by image processing has been considered. For example, the following digital camera of Non-Patent Document 1 has a makeup function for photographing a face portion brightly and beautifully when a person is a subject.

Casio Computer Co., Ltd. EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z300 Instruction Manual

  However, in the digital camera of Non-Patent Document 1 described above, since only the image after applying the makeup function is recorded, it is impossible to determine what kind of processing has been performed and to what extent. For this reason, it is conceivable to record an image before applying the makeup function for the purpose of confirmation display or comparison display, but it is not desirable for others to know that image processing has been applied. There is a case.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to manage an image before application of image processing in accordance with a user's request.

The digital camera of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image to generate an image, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image generated by the imaging unit, and an image before the image processing is performed A recording unit that records at least one of the image after the image processing, a transfer unit that transfers the image recorded in the recording unit to the outside of the digital camera, and the recording unit When both the image before the image processing and the image after the image processing are recorded, and the image before the image processing is transferred by the transfer unit And a controller that deletes an image before the image processing is performed from the recording unit.
The recording unit records information indicating the content of the image processing as supplementary information together with the image when recording the image after the image processing is performed, and the control unit is configured by the transfer unit. When the image before the image processing is transferred, the supplementary information may be deleted from the image after the image processing recorded in the recording unit.
Another digital camera of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image to generate an image, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image generated by the imaging unit, and before the image processing is performed. When recording at least one of the image and the image after the image processing, and recording the image after the image processing, information indicating the contents of the image processing is attached. A recording unit that records information together with the image, a transfer unit that transfers the image recorded in the recording unit to the outside of the digital camera, and an image that has undergone the image processing by the transfer unit is transferred And a controller for deleting the supplementary information from the image to be transferred.
The image processing unit includes at least one of face recognition processing of a subject, color tone correction, contrast correction, brightness correction, and adjustment of a characteristic portion in the face of the subject as the image processing. Processing may be performed.

  In addition, a configuration obtained by converting the configuration related to the above invention into an image processing program for realizing image processing on image data to be processed by a computer is also effective as a specific aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, an image before application of image processing can be managed according to a user's request.

It is a functional block diagram of the digital camera of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part 7 when an imaging instruction | indication is performed. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part 7 at the time of recording the image obtained by imaging. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part 7 at the time of displaying the image before a skin beautification process on the display part 8. FIG. 12 is another flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 7 when displaying an image before the skin beautifying process on the display unit 8. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part 7 in the case of transferring at least one of the image before a skin beautification process, and the image after a skin beautification process.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 includes an imaging lens 2, an imaging device 3, an A / D conversion unit 4, a buffer memory 5, an image processing unit 6, a control unit 7, a display unit 8, an operation unit 9, and a memory 10. A recording I / F unit 11, a recording medium 12, a connection unit 13, a communication unit 14, and a bus 15.

  The imaging lens 2 forms a subject image on the imaging surface of the imaging element 3. The imaging lens 2 may be an imaging optical system including a plurality of lenses such as a zoom lens and a focus lens. The imaging element 3 photoelectrically converts the subject light that has passed through the imaging lens 2 and outputs analog image signals corresponding to R, G, and B colors. The imaging device 3 performs thinning-out reading at predetermined intervals and acquires a through image when not imaging. Thereafter, the image sensor 3 acquires the main image when a release button 18 described later is fully pressed.

  An image signal output from the image sensor 3 is input to the A / D converter 4. The A / D conversion unit 4 performs A / D conversion on the analog image signal output from the image sensor 3 and changes it to a digital image signal. The digital image signals are collected into one frame and recorded in the buffer memory 5 as image data. The buffer memory 5 temporarily records image data in the pre-process and post-process of image processing by the image processing unit 6.

  The image processing unit 6 performs image processing on the image data recorded in the buffer memory 5. Examples of the image processing include well-known white balance adjustment, color interpolation, gradation conversion processing, and contour enhancement processing. The image processing unit 6 also executes a process of compressing in JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format or the like before recording an image file on the recording medium 12, and a process of decompressing and restoring the compressed data.

  The image processing unit 6 performs skin beautification processing. This skin beautification process is an image process performed on the main image, and includes the following processes.

  For example, the image processing unit 6 performs exposure correction for correcting the exposure of the image to the over side. Thereby, a preferable image in which the skin of the subject is expressed white can be obtained.

  The image processing unit 6 performs soft focus processing. Thereby, when a subject is a woman, while femininity is emphasized, a preferable image with softness can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to obtain a preferable image in which wrinkles and rough skin of the subject are not noticeable.

  Further, the image processing unit 6 may correct the saturation parameter and the brightness parameter to express the skin white, reduce the dullness of the skin color, and the like.

  Further, the image processing unit 6 performs correction to make the person included in the image look slim. For example, the image processing unit 6 changes the aspect ratio of the image to be slightly long and then cuts out a person portion and adjusts the size of the image. Alternatively, the image processing unit 6 may correct the outline of the face and make the cheek look thin as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-264893.

  In addition, the image processing unit 6 adjusts feature portions (eyebrows, eyes, mouth, etc.) in the face. For example, the image processing unit 6 performs correction for enlarging the eye part, correction for narrowing the nose width, and the like. Further, the image processing unit 6 corrects the color of the feature portion. For example, the image processing unit 6 performs color correction for increasing the bluish color for the upper eyelid color and color correction for increasing the red color for the lip color. Thereby, since the effect of point makeup such as eye shadow and lipstick is obtained, the appearance of a woman as a subject can be improved.

  The control unit 7 performs overall control of the digital camera 1 according to a predetermined sequence program, and executes various calculations (AF, AE, etc.) necessary for imaging. The control unit 7 has the function of the face detection unit 16. The face detection unit 16 extracts feature points from the through image, the main image, and the image recorded on the recording medium 12 to detect the face area, the size of the face area, and the like. For example, the face detection unit 16 extracts a face region by a feature point extraction process described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-16573. Examples of the feature points include eyebrow, eye, nose, and lip end points, face contour points, head apexes, and chin lower end points. Then, the face detection unit 16 specifies the position information of the face area. For example, the face detection unit 16 calculates the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the pixels included in the face area, with the horizontal direction of the image as the X axis and the vertical direction as the Y axis.

  The display unit 8 displays various images under the control of the control unit 7. Various images displayed on the display unit 8 include a through image, a main image, an image recorded on the recording medium 12, a menu image, and the like. The display unit 8 includes a touch panel 17. The touch panel 17 detects a position where a finger or a stylus is touched on the panel, a dragged direction, and the number of times the drag is performed. The state of the touch panel 17 is detected by the control unit 7. Note that the touch panel 17 is configured by a transparent panel having a size equivalent to that of the display unit 8 because the touch panel 17 is stacked on the entire surface of the display unit 8. Moreover, in the example of this embodiment, the touch panel 17 is comprised with the electrostatic capacitance type panel which senses the electrical signal by static electricity. Not only the capacitance type, but also a resistive film type panel that detects a change in voltage due to pressure may be used.

  The operation unit 9 includes a release button 18, a cross key 19, and the like. The release button 18 is operated by the user during imaging. The cross key 19 is operated on the above menu image or the like. The states of the release button 18 and the cross key 19 are detected by the control unit 7, and a sequence based on the detected button state is executed. The recording I / F unit 11 includes a connector for connecting the recording medium 12. When the recording I / F unit 11 and the recording medium 12 are connected, data writing / reading is executed on the recording medium 12.

  The connection unit 13 includes input / output terminals and the like, and is connected to an external device of the digital camera 1 to input / output image data and the like. The communication unit 14 communicates with a device external to the digital camera 1 by wireless or wired. The bus 15 connects the buffer memory 5, the image processing unit 6, the control unit 7, the display unit 8, the memory 10, and the recording I / F unit 11 to execute data and signal input / output.

  The digital camera 1 having the configuration described above has a skin beautification processing mode in which the above-described skin beautification processing is performed on an image generated by imaging. The skin beautification processing mode may be provided as one of existing scene modes such as a portrait mode and a landscape mode, or may be provided independently of the existing scene mode. The skin beautification processing mode may be set by user designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17 or may be automatically set by the control unit 7. When the user designates, a dedicated button or the like may be provided on the operation unit 9 or a menu screen or the like may be displayed on the display unit 8.

The operation of the control unit 7 when the above-described skin beautification processing mode is set and an imaging instruction is given by a user operation via the release button 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In step S <b> 1, the control unit 7 determines shooting conditions for shooting a subject image, as in the known technique. The control unit 7 may determine a preferable shooting condition when the skin beautification processing mode is set. For example, exposure, photographing sensitivity, and the like may be conditions suitable for the skin beautification processing mode.
In step S <b> 2, the control unit 7 controls the imaging lens 2, the imaging device 3, the A / D conversion unit 4, and the like to capture a subject image and generate an image.
In step S3, the controller 7 causes the face detector 16 to perform face detection and face recognition on the image generated in step S2. Furthermore, the control unit 7 may perform face recognition processing based on a face image of a specific person registered in advance. For example, based on the face feature points detected by the face detection described above, the position of the face feature points, the size of each face part, the relative distance of each feature point, etc. included in the image generated in step S2 are calculated. To do. Then, the calculation result and the image data of the face image of the specific person registered in advance are compared to obtain the similarity. The image processing unit 6 determines that the specific person registered in advance is matched when the obtained similarity exceeds a predetermined threshold.

  Note that the face detection and face recognition described above may be performed when a through image (composition confirmation image) is captured before an imaging instruction is issued. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which performs facial expression recognition based on the result of the face detection and face recognition mentioned above, and controls an imaging timing based on a recognition result.

For example, the face detection unit 16 recognizes the facial expression of the main subject based on the above-described face detection and face recognition results. Then, the control unit 7 reduces the possibility of shooting failure by performing imaging at a timing when the recognized facial expression is in a predetermined state such as a state where the eyes are not blinking or a state of smile, and preferable imaging is performed. Can be realized. For facial expression recognition, for example, the face detection unit 16 can use techniques described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2004-272933 and 2001-51338.
In step S5, the control unit 7 controls the image processing unit 6 to perform skin beautification on the image generated in step S2 based on the results of face detection and face recognition performed in step S3. In addition, the control part 7 may record the information which shows the content of the skin beautification process in the Exif information (supplementary information) of the image produced | generated by step S2. By recording such information, the user can confirm what kind of skin treatment has been performed at the time of image reproduction. Note that information indicating the content of the skin beautifying process may be recorded as a separate file associated with the image instead of being recorded as supplementary information.
In step S6, the control unit 7 records the image subjected to the skin beautifying process in step S5 on the recording medium 12 via the recording I / F unit 11, and ends the series of processes.
In general, when a process such as skin beautification process is applied, there is a user's desire to confirm what kind of process has been performed and to what extent. Therefore, when recording an image subjected to skin beautification, it is conceivable to record an image before skin beautification.
With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the control unit 7 when recording an image obtained by imaging in the state in which the skin beautification processing mode described above is set (step S <b> 6 in FIG. 2) will be described.

In step S11, the control unit 7 determines whether or not to record an image before the skin beautifying process. When the control unit 7 determines to record the image before the skin beautifying process, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it determines with not recording the image before skin beautification process, the control part 7 will progress to step S18 mentioned later.
Whether or not to record an image before the skin beautification process may be set by a user's designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17, or may be automatically set by the control unit 7. When the user designates, it may be configured to be designated every time the image is taken, or when the image is taken in a batch designation and the skin beautification processing mode is set, the image before the skin beautification process is always displayed. It is good also as a structure which records (or does not record). Moreover, when setting automatically by the control part 7, it sets automatically based on the presence or absence of the setting of the skin beautification processing mode.

  In step S12, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the main subject is a person. If the control unit 7 determines that the main subject is a person, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, when determining that the main subject is not a person, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S15 described later. It should be noted that when a shooting mode capable of estimating that a person is the main subject is set, such as a skin beautifying process mode or a portrait mode, or when it is possible to estimate that the main subject is a person by face detection in step S3 of FIG. Alternatively, step S12 may be skipped and the process may proceed to step S13.

In step S13, the control unit 7 determines whether or not to perform trimming on the image before the skin beautifying process. If the control unit 7 determines to perform trimming on the image before the skin beautification process, the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if it determines with not performing trimming with respect to the image before a skin beautification process, the control part 7 will progress to step S15 mentioned later.
Whether or not to perform trimming on the image before the skin beautifying process may be set by a user designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17 or may be automatically set by the control unit 7. When the user designates it, it may be configured to be designated every time the image is taken, or when designated in a lump and when the image is taken in the state where the skin beautification processing mode is set, the image before the skin beautification process is always applied. It is good also as a structure which trims. Moreover, when setting automatically by the control part 7, it sets automatically based on the presence or absence of the setting of the skin beautification processing mode.

  In step S <b> 14, the control unit 7 controls the image processing unit 6 to perform trimming on the image before the skin beautification process. Based on the result of face detection in step S3 in FIG. 2, the image processing unit 6 performs a trimming process for cutting out an image of the face portion from the image before the skin beautification process. Note that the trimming conditions (processed image size, trimming range, etc.) may be determined based on user designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17, or automatically determined by the control unit 7. It is good also as a structure. However, if the image after trimming is too small, it is not preferable to confirm the skin beautification process that is the original purpose. Therefore, it is preferable to set a limit value in advance for the size of the processed image.

In step S15, the control unit 7 determines whether or not to perform resizing on the image before the skin beautifying process. If the control unit 7 determines to resize the image before the skin beautification process, the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if it determines with not performing resizing with respect to the image before skin beautification process, the control part 7 will progress to step S17 mentioned later.
Whether or not to perform resizing on the image before the skin beautification process may be set by a user designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17 or may be automatically set by the control unit 7. When the user designates it, it may be configured to be designated every time the image is taken, or when designated in a lump and when the image is taken in the state where the skin beautification processing mode is set, the image before the skin beautification process is always applied. It is good also as a structure which performs resizing. Moreover, when setting automatically by the control part 7, it sets automatically based on the presence or absence of the setting of the skin beautification processing mode.

  In step S <b> 16, the control unit 7 controls the image processing unit 6 to perform resizing on the image before the skin beautification process. The image processing unit 6 resizes the image before the skin beautification process or the image trimmed in step S13 at a predetermined magnification. Note that the resizing conditions (magnification, etc.) may be determined based on user designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17, or may be determined automatically by the control unit 7. However, if the resized image is too small, it is not preferable for confirming the skin beautification process that is the original purpose. Therefore, it is preferable to set a limit value in advance for the magnification at the time of resizing. If the size of the image to be resized is too small, the magnification may be set to 1 or more and the enlargement process may be performed.

  Furthermore, the trimming described in step S14 and the resizing may be linked to determine a preferable condition for confirming the skin beautifying process.

  In step S <b> 17, the control unit 7 records the image before the skin beautifying process on the recording medium 12 via the recording I / F unit 11.

In step S <b> 18, the control unit 7 records the image after the skin beautification process on the recording medium 12 via the recording I / F unit 11 and ends the series of processes. However, when the image before the skin beautifying process is recorded in step S17, the control unit 7 records the image before the skin beautifying process and the image after the skin beautifying process in association with each other. Moreover, when recording both the image before the skin beautifying process and the image after the skin beautifying process, the two images may be simultaneously recorded by one recording process.
By the way, the image before the skin beautifying process is useful for confirming what kind of processing has been performed and how much it has been performed, but it is not preferable to be viewed by others. In view of this, it is conceivable to limit or protect the image before reproducing the skin-beautifying process.
The operation of the control unit 7 when displaying the image before the skin beautifying process on the display unit 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S <b> 21, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the reproduction target image is an image for counting the number of reproductions. If the control unit 7 determines that the image to be reproduced is an image for counting the number of reproductions, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, when determining that the image to be reproduced is not an image for counting the number of times of reproduction, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S23 described later.
Whether the image before the skin beautification process is an “image for counting the number of times of reproduction” may be set by a user's designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17, or may be automatically set by the control unit 7. It is also good. When the user designates, it may be configured to be designated every time imaging or reproduction is performed. For an image which is designated in a lump and is imaged in a state in which the skin beautification processing mode is set, “count the number of reproductions”. It is good also as a structure set as "the image to do." Moreover, when setting automatically by the control part 7, it sets automatically based on whether it is the image imaged in the state in which the skin beautification processing mode was set. In addition, the upper limit value (= n) of the number of reproductions may be set by user designation, or may be set automatically by the control unit 7.

  In step S22, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the remaining count n = 0. When the control unit 7 determines that the remaining count n = 0, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S24 described later. On the other hand, when determining that the remaining count n is not 0, the control unit 7 proceeds to Step S26 described later.

  In step S <b> 23, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the reproduction target image is an image for which a password input is requested. If the control unit 7 determines that the image to be reproduced is an image for which a password is requested, the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, when determining that the image to be reproduced is not an image for requesting password input, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S27 described later.

  Whether or not the image before the skin beautification process is set to “image that requires password input” may be set by a user's designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17, or may be automatically set by the control unit 7. Also good. When the user designates, it may be configured to be designated every time imaging or reproduction is performed. For an image which is designated in a lump and is imaged in a state where the skin beautification processing mode is set, “require password input” A configuration of “image” may be used. Moreover, when setting automatically by the control part 7, it sets automatically based on whether it is the image imaged in the state in which the skin beautification processing mode was set. In addition, the master-slave relationship between the “image for counting the number of reproductions” and the “image for which password input is requested” may be set by the user's designation, or may be automatically set by the control unit 7.

In step S24, the control unit 7 prompts the user to input a password by displaying a message on the display unit 8, voice information via a speaker (not shown), or the like.
The password is input by, for example, displaying a GUI of keys such as numbers on the display unit 8 and operating the touch panel 17 by the user. In addition, when the touch panel 17 has a character recognition function, the password may be input by writing a password such as a number on the surface of the touch panel 17. Furthermore, the operation order of the cross key 18 (for example, up, down, right, left, etc.) may be used instead of the password. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which asks a user whether reproduction | regeneration is permitted by displaying the message on the display part 8, etc. instead of requiring the input of a password. In any case, the content of the password and the input method may be set by the user's designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17.

  In step S25, the control unit 7 determines whether a password has been input. If the control unit 7 determines that the password has been input, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S27 described below. On the other hand, if it determines with the password not being input, the control part 7 will progress to step S28 mentioned later.

  In step S26, the control unit 7 sets the remaining count n = n−1 and proceeds to step S27.

  In step S27, the control unit 7 controls the display unit 8 to reproduce and display the target image, and the series of processing ends. In addition, when displaying the image before the skin beautifying process, both the image before the skin beautifying process and the image after the skin beautifying process may be displayed side by side or may be switched and displayed. In any case, it is preferable to display corresponding areas in the image before the skin beautification process and the image after the skin beautification process. Therefore, when trimming or resizing is performed on the image before the skin beautification process, the same process may be performed on the image after the skin beautification process.

In step S28, the control unit 7 controls the display unit 8 to perform an error display notifying the user that a password has not been input, and returns to step S25. Note that a series of processing may be terminated after error display.
In the flowchart of FIG. 4, an example in which restriction or protection is performed using a password at the time of reproduction of an image before skin beautification processing is shown, but an image before skin beautification processing may be deleted according to the number of reproductions. The operation of the control unit 7 when performing such processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In Step S31 and Step S32, the control unit 7 performs the same processing as Step S21 and Step S22 of FIG. If the controller 7 determines in step S32 that the remaining count n = 0, the controller 7 proceeds to step S33. On the other hand, when determining that the remaining count n is not 0, the control unit 7 proceeds to Step S34 described later.

  In step S <b> 33, the control unit 7 deletes the image before the skin beautifying process from the recording medium 12.

  In step S34, the control unit 7 sets the remaining count n = n−1 and proceeds to step S35.

  In step S35, the control unit 7 performs the same process as in step S27 of FIG. 4, and ends the series of processes.

In the above description, the case where both the image before the skin beautifying process and the image after the skin beautifying process are recorded on the recording medium 12 has been described as an example. However, it is also conceivable to record an image on a recording unit other than the recording medium 12 as a countermeasure against an increase in memory capacity associated with recording of an image before skin beautification processing. For example, another memory in the digital camera 1, an external device such as a computer that can be connected via the connection unit 13, a server on the Internet that can communicate via the communication unit 14, and the like.
In the following, the operation of the control unit 7 when transferring at least one of the pre-skin-processed image and the pre-skin-processed image once recorded on the recording medium 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. .

  In step S41, the control unit 7 determines whether or not to transfer the image after the skin beautification process. If the control unit 7 determines to transfer the image after the skin beautification process, the process proceeds to step S42. On the other hand, if it determines with not transferring the image after a skin beautification process, the control part 7 will progress to step S46 mentioned later. Whether or not to transfer the image after the skin beautifying process is selected by the user's designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17. At this time, the transfer destination is also selected by the user's designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17.

  In step S <b> 42, the control unit 7 controls the connection unit 13 and the communication unit 14 according to the transfer destination, and transfers the image after the skin beautification process.

  In step S43, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the information indicating the content of the skin beautification process is included in the Exif information of the image after the skin beautification process. If the control part 7 determines with the information which shows the content of the skin beautifying process being included, it will progress to step S44. On the other hand, if it is determined that the Exif information of the image after the beautifying process does not include information indicating the content of the beautifying process, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S45 described later.

  In step S44, the control part 7 deletes the information which shows the content of the skin beautification process from the Exif information of the image after the skin beautification process transferred by step S42.

  In step S45, the control unit 7 records the image after the skin beautifying process transferred in step S42, or the image in which the information indicating the content of the skin beautifying process is deleted from the Exif information in step S44.

  In step S46, the control unit 7 determines whether or not to transfer the image before the skin beautifying process. When the control unit 7 determines to transfer the image before the skin beautifying process, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S47. On the other hand, if it determines with not transferring the image before skin beautification process, the control part 7 will complete | finish a series of processes. Whether or not to transfer the image before the skin beautifying process is selected by the user's designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17. At this time, the transfer destination is also selected by the user's designation via the operation unit 9 or the touch panel 17.

  In step S <b> 47, the control unit 7 controls the connection unit 13 and the communication unit 14 according to the transfer destination, and executes the transfer of the image before the skin beautifying process.

  In step S48, the control unit 7 records the image before the skin beautifying process transferred in step S47 at the transfer destination.

  In step S49, the control unit 7 deletes the image before the skin beautifying process from the recording medium 12, and ends the series of processes.

  However, when the transfer of the image after the skin beautification process is selected in step S41, the control unit 7 transfers the image before the skin beautification process (step S47 to step S49) and the image transfer after the skin beautification process (step S42). Step S45) may be performed simultaneously. Further, the transfer destination of the image before the skin beautifying process and the image after the skin beautifying process may be two or more.

  Further, a series of processing related to transfer described in FIG. 6 may be performed following the series of imaging processing described in FIG.

Moreover, it is preferable to perform restriction and protection at the time of reproduction described with reference to FIGS.
For example, for the pre-skin-processed image recorded after transfer, restriction and protection during reproduction are performed in view of the transfer destination. When the transfer destination is a recording unit that is highly likely to be viewed by others, the number of playbacks described with reference to FIG. 4 is reduced, the password request is increased, and the number of times until automatic deletion described with reference to FIG. By taking measures such as reducing the amount of the image, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the image before the skin beautifying process will be viewed by others. On the other hand, when the transfer destination is a recording unit that is unlikely to be viewed by others, such a response is unnecessary.
In addition, for example, when both the image before the skin beautification process and the image after the skin beautification process are transferred to the same transfer destination, it is preferable to consider the image before the skin beautification process. This is the same when the series of processing related to transfer described in FIG. 6 is performed following the series of imaging processing described in FIG. In either case, both the image before the skin beautification process and the image after the skin beautification process are recorded in the same recording unit. For this reason, it is not preferable that the image before the skin beautifying process is viewed by others as with the image after the skin beautifying process. Therefore, the image before the skin beautification process is restricted or protected during reproduction. In addition to the examples described above, for example, a hidden folder may be created to hide the image before the skin beautification process. Such control may be performed by the control unit 7 of the digital camera 1 or may be performed by a transfer destination control unit.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, an imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates an image, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image generated by the imaging unit, and image processing are performed. A recording unit that records at least one of the previous image and an image after image processing is provided, and a transfer unit that transfers the image recorded in the recording unit to the outside of the digital camera. When both the image before being subjected to image processing and the image after being subjected to image processing are recorded and the image before being subjected to image processing by the transfer unit is transferred, An image before image processing is deleted from the recording unit. Accordingly, it is possible to manage the image before the image processing is performed with the transfer so that it is not known that the image processing itself has been applied.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the recording unit records information indicating the content of the image processing together with the image as supplementary information when recording the image after the image processing is performed. Then, when the image before the image processing is transferred by the transfer unit, the incidental information is deleted from the image after the image processing recorded in the recording unit. Therefore, it can be managed not to know that the image processing itself has been applied to the image.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, both the image before the image processing and the image after the image processing are recorded in the recording unit, and the image processing is performed. When the previous image is transferred, the image before the image processing is deleted from the recording unit. It is possible to manage the image before the image processing is performed so as not to know that the image processing itself has been applied.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the image after the image processing is performed by the transfer unit is transferred, the incidental information is deleted from the image to be transferred. Therefore, it can be managed not to know that the image processing itself has been applied to the image.

In the present embodiment, skin beautification processing is described as an example of image processing, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a digital camera that performs image processing (smile mode) for processing the facial expression of a subject.
In the present embodiment, the digital camera 1 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a digital camera having a configuration other than that shown in FIG. Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a digital camera capable of capturing a moving image. Furthermore, the present invention can be similarly applied to a digital camera mounted on a mobile phone or the like.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which implement | achieves a part or all of the process which the control part 7 of this embodiment performed with a computer. In this case, an image processing program for executing part or all of the processing (FIGS. 2 to 6) performed by the control unit 7 according to the present embodiment is stored in the computer. By performing this process, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained. Note that, when the image processing program is used, each process may be performed based on incidental information such as Exif information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera, 3 ... Image sensor, 6 ... Image processing part, 7 ... Control part, 8 ... Display part, 13 ... Connection part, 14 ... Communication part, 16 ... Face detection part

Claims (6)

An imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates an image;
An image processing unit that performs image processing on the image generated by the imaging unit;
A recording unit that records at least one of the image before the image processing and the image after the image processing;
A transfer unit that transfers the image recorded in the recording unit to the outside of the digital camera;
Both the image before the image processing and the image after the image processing are recorded in the recording unit, and before the image processing is performed by the transfer unit And a control unit that deletes the image before the image processing from the recording unit when the image is transferred. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein
When recording the image after the image processing is performed, the recording unit records information indicating the content of the image processing as supplementary information together with the image,
When the image before the image processing is transferred by the transfer unit, the control unit deletes the incidental information from the image after the image processing recorded in the recording unit. A digital camera characterized by that. An imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates an image;
An image processing unit that performs image processing on the image generated by the imaging unit;
When recording at least one of the image before the image processing and the image after the image processing, and recording the image after the image processing, the image A recording unit that records information indicating the content of processing as accompanying information together with the image;
A transfer unit that transfers the image recorded in the recording unit to the outside of the digital camera;
A digital camera comprising: a controller that deletes the auxiliary information from the image to be transferred when the image after the image processing is transferred by the transfer unit. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image processing unit performs a skin beautification process including at least one of a face recognition process of a subject, a color tone correction, a contrast correction, a brightness correction, and a feature portion adjustment on the face of the subject as the image processing. A digital camera characterized by doing. An acquisition step of acquiring an image;
An image processing step of performing image processing on the image acquired in the acquisition step;
A recording step for recording at least one of the image before the image processing and the image after the image processing;
A transfer step of transferring the image recorded in the recording step to the outside;
In the recording step, both the image before the image processing is performed and the image after the image processing are recorded, and the image before the image processing is performed in the transfer step And a control step of deleting an image recorded in the recording step before being subjected to the image processing when the image is transferred. An acquisition step of acquiring an image;
An image processing step of performing image processing on the image acquired in the acquisition step;
When recording at least one of the image before the image processing and the image after the image processing, and recording the image after the image processing, the image A recording step of recording information indicating the content of the processing as supplementary information together with the image;
A transfer step of transferring the image recorded in the recording step to the outside;
An image processing program that realizes, by a computer, a control step of deleting the auxiliary information from the image to be transferred when the image after the image processing is transferred in the transfer step. .

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