JP2012015940A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate an image file including image data for display.SOLUTION: A camera 100 comprises: imaging means for capturing a subject image to generate main image data; first reduced image generation means which on the basis of the main image data, generates first reduced image data for monitor display standardized by a multi-picture format; second reduced image generation means which on the basis of the main image data, generates second reduced image data to be displayed by a specific reproduction display device; and image file generation means for generating the image file including the main image data, the first reduced image data, and the second reduced image data.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  The following imaging devices are known. This imaging device generates thumbnail data, reduced image data (small), and reduced image data (large) from original image data at the time of shooting, and generates an image file including these (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-120006 A

  In a conventional imaging apparatus, reduced image data (small) and reduced image data (large) are included in an image file for the purpose of performing reduced display and enlarged display of an image at high speed, respectively. For this reason, in an apparatus for reproducing image files of different standards, it is necessary to display image data for display after creating image data for display from original image data, and there is a possibility that images cannot be displayed at high speed.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention generates imaging image means for capturing a subject image to generate main image data, and generates first reduced image data for monitor display standardized by a multi-picture format based on the main image data. First reduced image generating means, second reduced image generating means for generating second reduced image data to be displayed on a specific reproduction display device based on the main image data, main image data, And image file generation means for generating an image file including one reduced image data and second reduced image data.

  According to the present invention, an image can be displayed at high speed even in a specific playback display device that does not support the multi-picture format.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of a camera. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the process performed at the time of imaging | photography.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a camera according to the present embodiment. The camera 100 includes a lens 101, an image sensor 102, an AFE (Analog Front End) 103, an ASIC 104, a flash memory 105, a CPU 106, an operation member 107, a RAM 108, a memory card I / F 109, and a display unit. 110.

  The lens 101 is composed of a plurality of optical lenses, but is representatively represented by one lens in FIG. The image pickup element 102 is an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS, for example, and picks up a subject image formed by the lens 101. Then, the image signal obtained by imaging is output to the AFE 103. The AFE 103 performs various processes on the analog signal input from the image sensor 102, converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the ASIC 104. The ASIC 104 performs various image processing, such as interpolation processing, gradation conversion processing, contour enhancement processing, white balance adjustment processing, image compression processing, image expansion processing, etc., on the input digital signal.

  The flash memory 105 is a non-volatile memory in which data of a program executed by the CPU 106, various parameters read when the program is executed, and the like are recorded. The CPU 106 controls the entire camera 100. The operation member 107 includes various input members operated by the user, such as a power button, a release button, a zoom button, a cross key, a determination button, a playback button, and a delete button. The operation member 107 outputs operation signals from various input members to the CPU 106, and the CPU 106 controls the camera 100 according to the input operation signals.

  The RAM 108 is a volatile memory, and is used as a work memory for the CPU to expand the program when the program is executed or as a buffer memory for temporarily recording data. The memory card I / F 109 has a memory card slot for inserting a memory card 109a such as an SD card, for example, and reads data from the memory card 109a inserted in the memory card slot or writes data to the memory card 109a. Sloppy.

  The display unit 110 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor (rear monitor) mounted on the back of the camera 100, and the display unit 110 has an image stored in the memory card 109 a and a setting menu for setting the camera 100. Etc. are displayed. Further, when the mode of the camera 100 is set to the shooting mode by the user, the CPU 106 outputs image data for display of images input in time series from the image sensor 102 to the display unit 110. As a result, a through image is displayed on the display unit 110.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 106 generates main image data (JPEG data) in a predetermined image format, for example, JPEG format, based on the image data that has been subjected to image processing by the ASIC 104. Further, the CPU 106 generates display image data based on the main image data, for example, thumbnail image data having an image size of 180 × 120 pixels and View thumbnail image data having an image size of 600 × 400 pixels. The thumbnail image data is display image data defined in the Exif standard, and is recorded in the APP1 in the Exif information. The thumbnail image data is image data that can be displayed on a general-purpose display on a general reproduction display device that conforms to the Exif standard.

  On the other hand, the view thumbnail image data is not image data that can be generally displayed on the playback display device like the above-described thumbnail image data, but a playback display device corresponding to the display of the view thumbnail image data, for example, a specific camera manufacturer This is image data that can be displayed by using the reproduction display device provided by. When a playback display device that supports the display of view thumbnail image data is used, it is faster to read and display the view thumbnail image data than to read and display the main image data from the image file. can do. Note that View thumbnail image data is recorded in the manufacturer note in the Exif information.

  The CPU 106 generates an image file that includes the generated main image data, thumbnail image data, and view thumbnail image data, and further includes header information, for example, a JPEG file, and outputs the image file to the memory card I / F 109.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 106 records a plurality of main image data in one image file in addition to the above-described JPEG file, that is, an image file in which one main image data is recorded in one image file. A generated image file can also be generated. In the present embodiment, an image file (hereinafter referred to as “MPF file”) in accordance with the MPF standard is generated as an image file in which a plurality of main image data is recorded in one image file.

  For example, the CPU 106 generates monitor display image data having a different number of pixels from the above-described thumbnail image data and view thumbnail image data, and records them together with the main image data, whereby a plurality of main image data are included in one image file. Can be recorded. For example, the CPU 106 generates monitor display image data of VGA size (640 × 480 pixels) and full HD size (1920 × 1080 pixels), which are monitor display image data in accordance with the MPF standard. Can be included in the MPF file. Further, the CPU 106 performs a case where a plurality of JPEG data is generated as a set by one shooting, such as when continuous shooting is performed, when panoramic shooting is performed, or when interval shooting is performed. Can also record a plurality of generated JPEG data together in one image file.

  As described above, when the monitor display image data having a different number of pixels from the thumbnail image data or the view thumbnail image data is recorded in the MPF file, the playback display device that reproduces the image corresponds to the MPF file standard. If not, the playback display device cannot read the monitor display image data from the MPF file and display the image. For this reason, in the playback display device, an image cannot be displayed and a display error occurs or the above-described thumbnail image data and View thumbnail image data are generated based on the main image data in the MPF file, and then the image is displayed. There is a need.

  In the present embodiment, in order to solve such a problem, the CPU 106 includes main image data, thumbnail image data, View thumbnail image data, and monitor display image data in accordance with the MPF standard in the MPF file. And including. As a result, a display / playback device compatible with the MPF standard can read monitor display image data from the MPF file and display an image, while a display / playback device not compatible with the MPF standard can display the image within the MPF file. The thumbnail image data and the view thumbnail image data can be read from the image and the image can be displayed.

  Hereinafter, processing by the CPU 106 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed at the time of shooting. The process shown in FIG. 2 is executed by the CPU 106 as a program that starts when shooting is instructed by a user operating a release button included in the operation member 107.

  In step S <b> 10, the CPU 106 acquires image data input from the image sensor 102 and performs shooting processing. The acquired image data is subjected to image processing by the ASIC 104 and then temporarily recorded in the RAM 108 which is a buffer memory. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S20, and the CPU 106 reads out the image data recorded in the RAM 108, and generates the above-described main image data (JPEG data) based on the image data. Then, it progresses to step S30.

  In step S30, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the mode of the camera 100 is set to a monitor display image generation mode for generating monitor display image data. In the present embodiment, the user generates an MPF file in which the above monitor display image data is recorded together with the main image data, thumbnail image data, and view thumbnail image data, or the main image data, thumbnail image data, It is possible to set in advance whether to generate a JPEG file in which only View thumbnail image data is recorded. Specifically, when the user wants to generate the MPF file, the mode of the camera 100 is set to the monitor display image generation mode, and when the user wants to create the JPEG file, the mode of the camera 100 is normally set. Set to mode.

  If a negative determination is made in step S30, the process proceeds to step S40, and the CPU 106 reduces the main image data generated in step S20 to generate conventional display images, that is, thumbnail image data and view thumbnail image data. It progresses to step S70 mentioned later. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S30, the process proceeds to step S50.

  In step S50, the CPU 106 reduces the main image data generated in step S20 to generate the monitor display image data described above. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S60, and the CPU 106 reduces the monitor display image data generated in step S50 to generate conventional display images, that is, thumbnail image data and view thumbnail image data. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, the CPU 106 generates an image file including the image data generated by the above-described processing. That is, when the mode of the camera 100 is set to the normal mode, a JPEG file including main image data, thumbnail image data, and View thumbnail image data is generated. On the other hand, when the mode of the camera 100 is set to the monitor display image generation mode, an MPF file including main image data, thumbnail image data, View thumbnail image data, and monitor display image data is generated.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S80, and the CPU 106 records the image file generated in step S70 on the memory card 109a via the memory card I / F 109, and proceeds to step S90. In step S90, the CPU 106 updates the card management information of the memory card 109a. For example, information such as the file name of a newly recorded image file is added to the card management information and updated. Thereafter, the process ends.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) The CPU 106 generates an MPF file including View thumbnail image data and monitor display image data as display image data. As a result, a display / playback device compliant with the MPF standard can read monitor display image data from the MPF file and display an image, while a display / playback device not compliant with the MPF standard can display the image within the MPF file. The view thumbnail image data can be read from and the image can be displayed.

(2) When the mode of the camera 100 is set to the monitor display image generation mode, the CPU 106 allows the generation of the monitor display image data to generate the MPF file, and the camera 100 mode is the normal mode. When set to, generation of monitor display image data is prohibited and a JPEG file is generated. Thereby, the user can arbitrarily select whether or not to generate the MPF file including the monitor display image data.

-Modification-
The camera according to the above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the View thumbnail image data is recorded in the manufacturer note of Exif information has been described. However, it may be recorded in an area other than the manufacturer note. For example, it may be recorded in an area of APP2 or APP3 of Exif information.

(2) In the embodiment described above, when the mode of the camera 100 is set to the monitor display image generation mode, the CPU 106 reduces the monitor display image data to the thumbnail image data or the view thumbnail image data. The example generated by the above has been described. However, the CPU 106 may generate thumbnail image data or view thumbnail image data by reducing the main image data.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 106 has described an example in which the generated image file, that is, a JPEG file or an MPF file is recorded on the memory card 109a. However, when the camera 100 includes a communication device that communicates with the outside, the generated JPEG file or MPF file may be transmitted to an external device connected via the communication device.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the user generates a monitor display image generation mode for generating an MPF file including monitor display image data and a JPEG file that does not include monitor display image data. An example in which the normal mode can be arbitrarily selected has been described. However, the user may arbitrarily select whether or not to include the View thumbnail image in the JPEG file or MPF file.

(5) In the embodiment described above, when the mode of the camera 100 is set to the monitor display image generation mode, the CPU 106 generates the MPF file including the monitor image data together with the main image data. The example to do was demonstrated. However, the CPU 106 may generate a JPEG file including main image data and a JPEG file including monitor display image data. Even in this case, when the playback display device does not support the MPF file, the image can be displayed based on the JPEG file including the main image data, and the playback display device supports the MPF file. In this case, if the image is displayed based on the JPEG file including the monitor display image data, a higher-detailed image can be displayed. Therefore, the object of the present invention can be achieved. In this case, the CPU 106 may associate the two generated JPEG files. For example, the CPU 106 may associate the two JPEG files by recording them in the same folder, or may record information for associating the two JPEG files in the card management information described above.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a camera has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to other devices that can take an image and generate an image file, such as a video camera or a mobile phone with a camera.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the configurations in the above-described embodiments as long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which combined the above-mentioned embodiment and a some modification.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Camera, 101 Lens, 102 Image pick-up element, 103 AFE, 104 ASIC, 105 Flash memory, 106 CPU, 107 Operation member, 108 RAM, 109 Memory card I / F, 109a Memory card, 110 Display part

Claims (4)

Imaging means for capturing a subject image and generating main image data;
First reduced image generation means for generating first reduced image data for monitor display standardized by a multi-picture format based on the main image data;
Second reduced image generation means for generating second reduced image data for display on a specific playback display device based on the main image data;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: an image file generation unit configured to generate an image file including the main image data, the first reduced image data, and the second reduced image data. The imaging device according to claim 1,
A first prohibiting unit for prohibiting the generation of the first reduced image data by the first reduced image generating unit;
The image file generating means generates the image file without including the first reduced image data when the generation of the first reduced image data is prohibited by the first prohibiting means. An imaging device that is characterized. The imaging device according to claim 1,
Further comprising second prohibiting means for prohibiting generation of the second reduced image data by the second reduced image generating means;
The image file generating means generates the image file without including the second reduced image data when the generation of the second reduced image data is prohibited by the second prohibiting means. An imaging device that is characterized. Imaging means for capturing a subject image and generating main image data;
First reduced image generation means for generating first reduced image data for monitor display standardized by a multi-picture format based on the main image data;
Second reduced image generation means for generating second reduced image data for display on a specific playback display device based on the main image data;
Image file generating means for generating a first image file including the main image data and the first reduced image data, and a second image file including the main image data and the second reduced image data. An imaging apparatus comprising:

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