JP2012257040A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of properly adjusting white balance of raw data on a taken image.SOLUTION: The digital camera is provided with: storage means for storing plural sample images in association with color temperature information; sample image display means which displays the sample images stored in the storage means; selection receiving means which receives as a selected image a sample image selected from the sample images displayed by the sample image display means; and creation means which on the basis of color temperature information on the selected image received by the selection receiving means, adjusts the white balance of the raw data on the taken image to create plural types of candidate images different in color temperature.

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera capable of suitably performing white balance adjustment.

  In the digital camera, white balance adjustment is performed on the raw data of the captured image (hereinafter referred to as “raw data”). This white balance adjustment means that R, G, and B included in the raw data of the photographed image are displayed so that the achromatic subject is displayed as an achromatic image in the captured image converted into the JPEG format or the like. Adjustment is performed by multiplying the color data by a white balance gain corresponding to the color temperature of the ambient light. When the white balance adjustment is not properly performed, color cast or the like occurs in the captured image converted into the JPEG format or the like.

  Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a digital camera having an auto white balance function that automatically performs white balance adjustment and a manual white balance function that performs white balance adjustment by setting a white balance gain based on a user's operation. Is disclosed. This digital camera has a function to display on the display unit the type of ambient light stored in advance for the auto white balance function, that is, the color balance corresponding to the color temperature of the ambient light. When using the manual white balance function, the color balance can be determined while referring to the previously stored color balance.

  In the digital camera, when using the manual white balance function, the white balance gain is determined using the color balance determined by the user as described above, and the white balance of the raw data of the captured image is adjusted. Therefore, it is said that this digital camera can perform appropriate white balance adjustment.

JP 2005-64850 A

  However, in the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to determine the color balance while assuming the result of the white balance adjustment of the raw data of the captured image actually performed by the user. Absent. Therefore, it is difficult for the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 to perform appropriate white balance adjustment.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera capable of appropriately adjusting white balance of raw data of a captured image.

  In order to achieve the above object, the digital camera according to claim 1 is a storage means for storing a plurality of sample images in association with color temperature information, and a sample image for displaying the sample images stored in the storage means. Based on the color temperature information of the selection image received by the display means, the selection reception means for receiving the sample image selected from the sample images displayed by the sample image display means as the selection image, and the selection image received by the selection reception means And a creation means for creating a plurality of types of candidate images having different color temperatures by adjusting the white balance of the raw data of the image.

  The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of types of candidate images created by the creation unit are displayed together with the selected image, and a plurality of types of candidate images displayed by the candidate image display unit. Storage means for storing the candidate image selected from the above as a photographed image.

  The digital camera according to claim 3, further comprising a target receiving unit that receives a shooting target, wherein the storage unit stores the sample image in association with shooting target information indicating a shooting target of the sample image, and the sample image The display means displays the sample image associated with the shooting target information that matches the shooting target received by the target receiving means.

  The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the user selects a sample image that looks similar while comparing a subject to be photographed with a sample image displayed by the sample image display means. The selection accepting means accepts the selected sample image as a selected image, and the creation means, after photographing, creates white of the raw data of the photographed image based on the color temperature information of the selected image stored in the storage means in association with the selected image. Adjust the balance. In this digital camera, when the creation unit performs white balance adjustment of the raw data of the captured image, a plurality of types of candidate images having different color temperatures are created, so that the user can select a desired image from the candidate images. Can be selected as a captured image. Based on the above, this digital camera can perform an appropriate white balance adjustment in accordance with the user's visual judgment.

  The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the user selects a desired image from the candidate images created by the creating unit displayed by the candidate image displaying unit and compares the selected image with the selected image. Since it can be stored as an image, a more appropriate white balance adjustment can be performed.

  In the digital camera according to claim 3, since the target receiving unit receives the shooting target from the user and displays the sample image associated with the shooting target information matching the shooting target by the sample image display unit, the user can It is easy to search for a desired sample image, and convenience can be improved.

1 is a perspective view showing a digital camera according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a digital camera according to the present invention. The figure which shows the data structure of a sample image. 6 is a flowchart showing a photographing process. The enlarged rear view which shows the example of a display of a sample image. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship of the color temperature of a sample image and a candidate image. The enlarged rear view which shows the example of a display of a candidate image. The flowchart which shows the creation process of a candidate image.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 of the present invention is provided with a camera lens 3 provided on the front side of the housing 2 and a rear surface side of the housing, and is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like to display an image. A display unit 4 to be moved, a multi-selector 5 disposed on the right side of the display unit 4 for moving a cursor or the like displayed on the display unit 4, and disposed above the multi-selector 5 to display the display A button 6 for selecting an image displayed on the unit 4 and a shutter button 7 provided on the upper surface of the housing 2 for releasing a shutter when taking a picture are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 1 of the present invention is imaged by a CPU 8, an image sensor 9 composed of a CCD, a CMOS, etc. for photographing a subject, and an image sensor 9. A storage unit 10 including a raw data based on the captured image, a sample image, a RAM for storing a program for operating the digital camera 1, a ROM, and the like, and the imaging stored in the storage unit 10 RAW data based on an image or the like is subjected to processing such as white balance adjustment and converted into a format such as JPEG, the display unit 4 that displays the sample image, the captured image, and the like, the sample image, and the captured image A storage medium 12 for storing images and the like, and an operation unit 13 including the multi-selector 5, the button 6 and the shutter button 7. Ri, which are connected to each other.

  The sample image stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12 includes, as shown in FIG. 3, color temperature information indicating the color temperature of ambient light, a mountain landscape, a sea landscape, By writing shooting target information indicating a shooting target such as a person, a plurality of sheets, for example, 50 or more, are stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12 in association with the color temperature information and shooting target information. The sample image is stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12 at the manufacturing stage of the digital camera 1.

  Next, photographing processing by the digital camera 1 of the present invention will be described. First, when the user operates the operation unit 13 to start shooting using the digital camera 1, the CPU 8 stores the sample stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12 in S1 of FIG. The image is displayed on the display unit 4. When the sample image is displayed on the display unit 4 by the CPU 8, all the sample images stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12 may be displayed, but only the sample images that match the shooting target are extracted. This makes it easy for the user to select a desired sample image. Therefore, the CPU 8 accepts the user by inputting the shooting target from the operation unit 13 in advance, and extracts only sample images whose shooting target information written in the header portion shown in FIG. 3 matches the shooting target input by the user. It is preferable to make it a display object.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 8 displays sample images one by one on the display unit 4 so that the sample images displayed on the display unit 4 are sequentially switched each time the user operates the operation unit 13. To display. At this time, in addition to the sample image, the CPU 8 displays on the display unit 4 an indicator 14 that moves in response to the operation of the operation unit 13 by the user. Then, the CPU 8 arranges the sample images to be displayed according to the color temperature indicated by the color temperature information written in the header portion of the sample image to be displayed, and points the indicator 14 at the indicated position. And the color temperature of the sample image are displayed in correspondence with each other. That is, the CPU 8 displays the sample image having the highest color temperature in the sample image to be displayed on the display unit 4 when the indication position of the indicator 14 is at the upper end, and the indication position of the indicator 14 is at the lower end. Sometimes, the sample image with the lowest color temperature in the sample image to be displayed is displayed on the display unit 4.

  Next, in S2 of FIG. 4, the CPU 8 compares the sample image displayed on the display unit 4 with the shooting target and looks similar to the shooting target, that is, the shooting target and the ambient light. Assuming that the color temperatures are similar, a sample image selected by operating the operation unit 13 is accepted as a selected image.

  Next, in S3 of FIG. 4, the CPU 8 accepts an operation of the operation unit 13 for photographing the photographing target of the user, causes the image sensor 9 to photograph, and stores the raw data of the photographed image based on the photographing. Store in the unit 10.

  Next, in S4 of FIG. 4, the CPU 8 causes the image processing unit 11 to adjust the white balance for the raw data of the captured image stored in the storage unit 10, so that a plurality of types, for example, five JPEGs are used. A candidate image of the format is created and stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12. At this time, the CPU 8 instructs the image processing unit 11 that the color temperatures of the plurality of candidate images to be created are centered on the color temperature of the ambient light of the selected image selected by the user in S2, as shown in FIG. The creation of candidate images is instructed so as to be slightly different from each other, for example, by about 10K.

  Next, in S5 of FIG. 4, the CPU 8 arranges any one of the candidate images stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12 along with the selected image on the display unit 4 as shown in FIG. indicate. At this time, the CPU 8 displays the candidate images displayed on the display unit 4 so as to sequentially switch each time the user operates the operation unit 13.

  Next, in S6 of FIG. 4, the CPU 8 determines that white balance adjustment is most appropriate after the user compares the candidate image displayed on the display unit 4 with the candidate image. The selection information selected by operating the operation unit 13 is received, and the selected candidate image is stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12 as a final captured image. Thus, the photographing process by the digital camera 1 is completed.

  Next, the candidate image creation process in S4 of FIG. 4 will be described in more detail. First, in S11 of FIG. 8, the CPU 8 reads out the color temperature information written in the header portion shown in FIG. 3 of the selected image selected by the user from the sample image in S2 of FIG. The indicated color temperature is stored in the storage unit 10 as the target color temperature.

  Next, the CPU 8 calculates the color temperature of the Raw data stored in the storage unit 10 in S12 of FIG. The color temperature may be calculated by any method. For example, the CPU 8 obtains Rav, Gav, and Bav, which are average values in a predetermined area of R, G, and B data constituting the Raw data, and calculates the ratio of Gav to Rav and the ratio of Gav to Bav. It may be obtained by referring to a table outside the figure showing the relationship between the color temperature and the ratio of Gav and Rav stored in the storage unit 10 and the ratio of Gav and Bav.

  Next, in S13 of FIG. 8, the CPU 8 obtains a difference between the target color temperature and the calculated color temperature of the Raw data, and determines whether or not the absolute value of the difference is a predetermined value, for example, 5K or more. .

  If it is determined in S13 that the absolute value of the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the CPU 8 causes the image processing unit 11 to perform white balance adjustment of the Raw data in S14 of FIG. In this white balance adjustment, the image processing unit 11 multiplies the R, G, and B data constituting the Raw data by a white balance gain for setting the color temperature to the target color temperature, and creates new Raw data. To do. The CPU 8 rewrites the previous raw data stored in the storage unit 10 with the new raw data created by the image processing unit 11, and returns to S12 to continue the processing. The white balance gain may be determined by an arbitrary method. For example, the white balance gain may be obtained by fuzzy inference using the difference obtained in S13 as a parameter, and the relationship between the difference and the white balance gain is illustrated. An external table may be stored in the storage unit 10 and obtained by referring to the table.

  If it is determined in S13 that the absolute value of the difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 8 uses the Raw data stored in the storage unit 10 in the image processing unit 11 in a format such as JPEG in S15 in FIG. Candidate images are created, and the candidate images are stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12. Then, the CPU 8 counts the number of candidate images stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12.

  Next, in S16 of FIG. 8, the CPU 8 determines whether or not the counted number of candidate images has reached the number scheduled to be created.

  If it is determined in S16 that the number of candidate images stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12 has not reached the number scheduled to be created, the CPU 8 determines in S17 in FIG. The target color temperature is changed by a predetermined value and stored in the storage unit 10, and the process returns to S12 and continues. The amount of change in the target color temperature may be determined according to the number of candidate images scheduled to be created, the number of candidate images counted, and the color temperature difference between each desired candidate image. An unillustrated table indicating the relationship may be stored in the storage unit 10 and determined with reference to the table.

  If it is determined in S16 that the number of candidate images stored in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12 has reached the number scheduled to be created, the candidate image creation process is completed.

  In the digital camera 1 of the present invention described above, the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12 stores a plurality of sample images in which color temperature information indicating the color temperature of ambient light is written in the header unit. In the present digital camera 1, the CPU 8 displays the sample image on the display unit 4, so that it is possible to select a sample image that looks similar after being compared with a subject to be photographed by the user. . In the digital camera 1, the image processing unit 11 performs white balance adjustment of the Raw data of the captured image captured by the image sensor 9 based on the color temperature of the ambient light of the selected image that is the sample image selected by the user. Thus, a photographed image in a format such as JPEG with appropriate white balance adjustment can be provided to the user.

  In the digital camera 1 of the present invention, the CPU 8 causes the image processing unit 11 to create a plurality of types of candidate images having slightly different color temperatures, and displays the candidate images on the display unit 4 together with the selected image. While comparing the selected image with the selected image, the person can select the image with the most appropriate white balance adjustment from the candidate images to obtain a captured image. Therefore, the digital camera 1 can provide the user with a captured image that has been subjected to more appropriate white balance adjustment.

  The digital camera 1 shown in this embodiment is only one aspect of the digital camera according to the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, after the plurality of types of created candidate images are stored in the storage medium 12 in step S4 of FIG. It may be configured so that a candidate image that should be a captured image can be selected.

  Further, the user may be configured to store the sample image in the storage unit 10 or the storage medium 12. In this case, the CPU 8 checks whether the color temperature information and the shooting target information are written in the header portion of the sample image stored by the user. What is necessary is just to comprise so that the input of imaging | photography object information may be prompted.

  The digital camera according to the present invention can be used as a camera for photographing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Case 3 Camera lens 4 Display part 5 Multi selector 6 Button 7 Shutter button 8 CPU
9 Image sensor 10 Storage unit 11 Image processing unit 12 Storage medium 13 Operation unit 14 Indicator

Claims (3)

Storage means for storing a plurality of sample images in association with color temperature information;
Sample image display means for displaying the sample image stored in the storage means;
Selection accepting means for accepting a sample image selected from the sample images displayed by the sample image displaying means as a selected image;
Creating means for adjusting the white balance of the Raw data of the photographed image based on the color temperature information of the selected image received by the selection receiving means and creating a plurality of types of candidate images having different color temperatures. A featured digital camera. Candidate image display means for displaying a plurality of types of candidate images created by the creating means together with the selected image;
The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit that stores a candidate image selected from the plurality of types of candidate images displayed by the candidate image display unit as a captured image. Provided with an object accepting means for accepting a photographing object;
The storage unit stores the sample image in association with shooting target information indicating the shooting target of the sample image, and the sample image display unit matches the shooting target information received by the target receiving unit. 3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the sample image associated with the digital camera is displayed.

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