JP3403441B2 - Image input device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image input device such as an electronic still camera and a presentation camera system, and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image input device represented by an electronic still camera, a presentation camera system, etc., a signal component relating to red, a signal component relating to blue and a signal component relating to green, which are obtained by photographing a subject and represent a subject image. White balance adjustment is performed on at least two of the signal components. Further, some image input devices are provided with a setting volume for color adjustment to suit the user's color preference. By adjusting this setting volume, the reproduced image can be made a reddish color, a bluish color, or a greenish color.

In an image input device capable of color adjustment, a signal component output from the white balance adjustment circuit is given to the color adjustment circuit in order to simplify the circuit system of the entire device.
The signal component output from the color adjustment circuit is subjected to peak detection and used for controlling the white balance adjustment circuit.

However, if the level of the signal component is adjusted in the color adjusting circuit for the color adjustment, the signal component whose level is adjusted so as to obtain the color desired by the user is used. Since the white balance must be adjusted, the white balance cannot be adjusted accurately.
Therefore, it is necessary to clear the color adjustment setting once when performing white balance adjustment. After the white balance adjustment is completed, the color adjustment is set again if necessary.

In this way, the color adjustment set for the white balance adjustment must be cleared and set again.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to enable white balance adjustment without resetting the color adjustment for setting a color desired by the user.

The control method of the image input apparatus of the first invention is as follows:
A white balance adjustment circuit for performing white balance adjustment on at least two signal components of a red-based signal component, a blue-based signal component, and a green-based signal component representing a subject image, and a signal component output from the white-balance adjustment circuit. And a means for controlling to perform white balance adjustment in the white balance adjustment circuit based on a signal component output from the color adjustment circuit, and a color adjustment circuit that performs color adjustment according to given color adjustment data. In the image input device provided with, a white balance adjustment setting switch is provided, and color adjustment data given from the color adjusting means to the color adjustment circuit is stored in response to a white balance adjustment command from the white balance adjustment setting switch. The standard color adjustment data that prevents color adjustment in the color adjustment circuit is given to the color adjustment circuit, and Performs white balance adjustment by using the white balance adjusting circuit, after white balance adjustment by the white balance adjustment circuit is completed, the color adjustment data stored, characterized in that applied to the color adjustment circuit.

A first aspect of the present invention is a white balance adjusting circuit for performing white balance adjustment on at least two signal components of a red signal component representing a subject image, a blue signal component and a green signal component. A color adjustment circuit that performs color adjustment according to color adjustment data given to a signal component output from the white balance adjustment circuit, and the white balance adjustment circuit based on the signal component output from the color adjustment circuit In the image input device having means for controlling to perform the white balance adjustment in, the white balance adjustment setting switch and the white balance adjustment command from the white balance adjustment setting switch
Store the color adjustment data given to the color adjustment circuit,
Reference color adjustment data that does not allow color adjustment in the color adjustment circuit is given to the color adjustment circuit, white balance adjustment is performed using the white balance adjustment circuit, and white balance adjustment by the white balance adjustment circuit is performed. It is characterized by comprising control means for giving the stored color adjustment data to the color adjustment circuit after the end.

Color adjustment is performed by the user operating the color adjusting means, and an image of the color desired by the user is obtained. It may be preferable or necessary to perform the white balance adjustment when the document, the light source, or the like as the subject changes. Therefore, the user operates the white balance adjustment setting switch. According to the first invention,
The color adjustment data given to the color adjustment circuit is stored according to the white balance adjustment command from the white balance adjustment setting switch. Then, the color adjustment data is provided to the color adjustment circuit such that the color adjustment in the color adjustment circuit is not performed. White balance adjustment is performed in the white balance adjustment circuit in a state where color adjustment is not performed in the color adjustment circuit. A relatively accurate white balance adjustment can be achieved. When the white balance adjustment is completed, the stored color adjustment data is given to the color adjustment circuit. Since the color adjustment realized before the white balance adjustment is reproduced, the user can obtain the image of the desired color without performing the color adjustment again.

[0010]

The control method of the image input apparatus of the second invention is as follows:
A white balance adjustment circuit for performing white balance adjustment on at least two signal components of a red-based signal component, a blue-based signal component, and a green-based signal component representing a subject image, and a signal component output from the white-balance adjustment circuit. A color adjustment circuit for performing color adjustment according to a given color adjustment signal, and a white control for performing white balance adjustment in the white balance adjustment circuit based on the signal component output from the color adjustment circuit. An image input device provided with a balance adjustment control means is provided with a color adjustment signal setting means for giving a color adjustment signal according to the setting of the color adjustment means, a reference color signal setting means for giving a reference color adjustment signal, and a white balance adjustment setting switch. In accordance with the white balance adjustment command from the white balance adjustment setting switch, A reference color adjustment signal is supplied to the color adjustment circuit, white balance adjustment is performed using the white balance adjustment circuit, and after the white balance adjustment is completed in the white balance adjustment circuit, the reference color signal in the color adjustment signal setting means. Is given to the color adjustment circuit.

A second aspect of the present invention is a white balance adjustment circuit for performing white balance adjustment on at least two signal components of a red signal component, a blue signal component and a green signal component representing a subject image. A color adjusting circuit that performs color adjustment according to a given color adjusting signal with respect to a signal component output from the balance adjusting circuit, and a white in the white balance adjusting circuit based on the signal component output from the color adjusting circuit. In an image input device provided with a white balance adjustment control means for controlling to perform balance adjustment, a color adjustment signal setting means for giving a color adjustment signal according to the setting of the color adjustment means, and a reference color signal setting for giving a reference color adjustment signal Means, the white balance adjustment setting switch, and the white balance adjustment command from the white balance adjustment setting switch. The reference color adjustment signal in the color signal setting means is applied to the color adjustment circuit, white balance adjustment is performed using the white balance adjustment circuit, and after the white balance adjustment is completed in the white balance adjustment circuit, the color adjustment signal setting is performed. It is characterized in that it is provided with a control means for giving a reference color signal in the means to the color adjusting circuit.

There are provided a color adjustment signal setting means for giving a white adjustment signal according to the setting of the color adjusting means, a reference color signal setting means for giving a reference color adjustment signal, and a white balance adjustment setting switch. The user operates the color adjusting means to obtain an image of the color desired by the user. It may be preferable or necessary to perform the white balance adjustment when the document, the light source, or the like as the subject changes. Therefore, the user operates the white balance adjustment setting switch. According to the second invention, the reference color adjustment signal in the reference color signal setting means is given to the color adjustment circuit in response to the white balance adjustment command from the white balance adjustment setting switch. The color adjustment circuit is in a state of not performing color adjustment. White balance adjustment is performed in the white balance adjustment circuit while color adjustment is not performed in the color adjustment circuit. When the white balance adjustment is completed, the reference color signal in the color adjustment signal setting means is given to the color adjustment circuit. Since the color adjustment realized before the white balance adjustment is reproduced, the user can obtain the image of the color desired by the user without performing the color adjustment again.

Since the adjustment level set by the user before the white balance adjustment is held, it is not necessary to reset the level for color adjustment after the white balance adjustment is completed.

The presentation camera system is a method of photographing a manuscript (including negative film etc.) with an image pickup device,
This is a system in which the obtained video signal is given to a display or photographing device such as a CRT display device or a TV projector to be enlarged.

In the above description, the reference level is a level at which a signal component having a level that is the same as or considered to be the same as the level of the signal component input to the color adjusting circuit is output.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a document and outputting a video signal representing an image represented by the image.

The operation of the image pickup device is controlled by the control device 30.

The image pickup device includes a CCD 11, and C
The shutter operation is performed by controlling the charge accumulation time in CD11.

When a subject is photographed, the CCD 11 outputs a video signal representing the subject image. This video signal is given to the preamplifier circuit 13 via a CDS (correlated double sampling circuit) 12. Video signal is a preamplifier circuit 13
Are amplified and given to the color separation circuit 14, and the color separation circuit 14 represents the object image of three primary colors, R (red) and G.
It is separated into (green) and B (blue) color signals.

The image pickup device needs to perform white balance adjustment when the type of document or the light source changes. Therefore, the image pickup apparatus includes the white balance adjustment setting switch 35.
When the white balance adjustment setting switch 35 is set, a signal indicating the setting is input to the control device 30.

To the control device 30, the peak values of the R signal, G signal and B signal output from the peak detection circuits 21, 22 and 23 are input, as will be described later. When the white balance adjustment setting switch 35 is set, data for gain control of the GCA (gain control amplifier) 15, 16 and 17 so that the peak values of the R signal, G signal and B signal become the rated level. Is output from the control device 30 and given to the electronic volume 26. Based on the data output from the controller 30, the R gain control signal of GCA15, GCA16
G gain control signal of GCA17 and B gain control signal of GCA17 are output from the electronic volume 26, and GCA15, 16 and
Each given to 17.

The R signal, G signal and B signal are GCA15,
Gain control is performed based on the R gain control signal, the G gain control signal, and the B gain control signal that are given to 16 and 17 and output from the electronic volume 26, and white balance adjustment is performed.

All of the R, G and B signals output from the GCAs 15, 16 and 17 are color adjustment circuits 1.
Given to 8, 19 and 20, respectively.

The image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can perform color adjustment so that an output image has a reddish color, a bluish color, a greenish color, or vice versa. The color adjustment circuits 18, 19 and 20 are provided in. Color adjustment is the process of changing the saturation of the output image without changing the adjusted white balance. Color adjustment circuit
18, 19 and 20 can be constituted by, for example, a linear matrix circuit.

The levels of the R signal, G signal and B signal input to the color adjusting circuits 18, 19 and 20 are Ri and Gi, respectively.
And Bi, and the levels of the R, G and B signals output from the color adjusting circuits 18, 19 and 20 are Ro. Go
And Bo, Ro, Go and Bo are expressed as follows.

[0027]

[Equation 1]   Ro = a (Ri-Gi) + b (Ri-Bi) + Ri Equation 1

[0028]

[Equation 2]   Go = c (Gi-Ri) + d (Gi-Bi) + Gi Equation 2

[0029]

[Equation 3]   Bo = e (Bi-Ri) + f (Bi-Gi) + Bi Equation 3

In equations 1 to 3, a, b, c, d, e
And f are coefficients from -1 to 1.

Of these coefficients a to f, a and b determine the degree of red color, c and d determine the degree of green color, and e and f determine the degree of blue color.

In order to determine the coefficients a and b, the red color adjustment data is output from the controller 30, and in order to determine the coefficients c and d, the green color adjustment data is output from the controller 30 to calculate the coefficients e and f. The blue adjustment data is output from the controller 30 to determine. These adjustment data are given to the electronic volume 27, and the R adjustment signal for adjusting the red condition of the reproduced image from the electronic volume 27 is sent to the color adjustment circuit.
It is provided to 18 and the R signal is adjusted. Similarly, a G adjustment signal for adjusting the green condition of the reproduced image is supplied from the electronic volume 27 to the color adjusting circuit 19 to adjust the G signal, and a B adjustment signal for adjusting the blue condition of the reproduced image is supplied from the electronic volume 27. The B signal supplied to the color adjusting circuit 20 is adjusted.

To set the color adjustment, the image pickup apparatus is provided with a color adjustment volume 31 for setting the red saturation adjustment, a color adjustment volume 32 for setting the green saturation adjustment, and a blue saturation adjustment setting. A color adjustment volume 33 is provided. The setting signals of these color adjustment volumes 31, 32, and 33 are given to the control device 30, and the control device 30 outputs the above-mentioned red adjustment data, green adjustment data, and blue adjustment data.

As will be described later, the image pickup apparatus does not perform color adjustment in the color adjusting circuits 18, 19 and 20 when the white balance adjustment is performed in order to accurately perform the white balance adjustment. When the white balance is adjusted, the above formula 1
Therefore, the color adjustment data is output from the control device so that all the coefficients a to f in Expression 3 become zero.

A memory 25 for storing the color adjustment data generated based on the settings of the color adjustment volumes 31, 32 and 33 and given to the electronic volume 27 is externally attached to the control device 30. When the white balance adjustment is performed, the color adjustment data generated based on the settings of the color adjustment volumes 31, 32 and 33 and given to the electronic volume 27 is stored in the memory 25. Memory when white balance adjustment is completed
The color adjustment data stored in 25 is read and given to the electronic volume 27, so that the color adjustment circuits 18, 19 and 20 perform color adjustment.

The R, G and B signals output from the color adjusting circuits 18, 19 and 20 are supplied to peak detecting circuits 21, 22 and 23, and the peak value of each signal is detected. The detected peak value of each signal is given to the control device 30 and used for white balance adjustment.

Further, the R, G and B signals are also output from the peak detection circuits 21, 22 and 23 and given to the encoder 24 to output the NTSC video signal. This NTSC
Many people can see a document or the like taken by applying a video signal to a television device or the like.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure when the white balance is adjusted after the color is adjusted once.

The red adjustment data representing the red condition adjusted by the red color adjustment volume 31 is temporarily stored in the memory 25.
(Step 41). White balance setting switch
When the white balance adjustment is set by 35, the red adjustment data is stored in the memory 25, and the coefficients a and b in Equation 1 are set to 0.
The reference data for setting the adjustment level in the color adjustment circuit 18 to the reference level is given to the electronic volume 27 (step 42). As a result, the color adjustment in the color adjustment circuit 18 is not performed, and the input R signal is output as it is.

The electronic volume 26 is adjusted so that the peak value of the R signal output from the peak detection circuit 21 becomes the rated level.
The control data is output to and the GCA 15 is controlled (step 43). As a result, if the white balance is achieved (step 44)
YES), the red color adjustment data stored in the memory 25 is read from the memory 25 and given to the electronic volume circuit 27, and the color adjustment circuit 18 performs the red color adjustment processing (step 45).

The green and blue adjustment data representing the states of green and blue adjusted by the green color adjustment volume 32 and the blue color adjustment volume 33 are processed in the same manner as the red adjustment data.

The green adjustment data and the blue adjustment data are temporarily stored in the memory 25 (steps 51 and 61). When the white balance adjustment switch 35 sets the white balance adjustment, the green adjustment data and the blue adjustment data are respectively used as the reference data, and the coefficients c and d of the equation 2 and the coefficients e and f of the equation 3 are set to 0 ( Steps 52 and 62). G so that the peak values of the G and B signals are at the rated level
The gains of CAs 16 and 17 are controlled (steps 53, 6).
3). When the white balance adjustment is completed (Y in steps 54 and 64)
ES), the green adjustment data and blue adjustment data once stored in the memory 25 are read and given to the electronic volume 27 (steps 55 and 65). This allows the color adjustment circuit 19
And 20 adjust the color.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment, and is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the image pickup apparatus. In this figure, the same parts as those shown in FIG.

In the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 1, an electronic volume circuit 27 is provided for performing color adjustment in the color adjustment circuits 18, 19 and 20, and the electronic volume circuit 27 is controlled by the control device 30 for color adjustment. Data is being output. In the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the electronic volume circuit 27 for color adjustment is not provided.

The image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 3 includes variable resistance circuits 31A, 32A, and 33A whose resistance values change according to the user's setting as color adjustment volumes. Further, a reference resistor R for giving a reference adjustment signal to the color adjustment circuit 18
_1. A reference resistor R ₂ for giving a reference adjustment signal to the color adjustment circuit 19 and a reference resistor R ₃ for giving a reference adjustment signal to the color adjustment circuit 20 are provided.

Further, for applying either the reference voltage obtained by the reference resistors R ₁ , R ₂ and R ₃ or the color adjustment voltage obtained by the variable resistors 31A, 32A and 33A to the color adjustment circuits 18, 19 and 20. Changeover switch 36, 37
And 38 are provided. These changeover switches 36,
Switching of 37 and 38 is controlled by the controller 30.

When the user adjusts the reproduced image to a desired color, all the changeover switches 36, 37 and 38 are set to b.
The terminal side is made conductive, and the color adjustment voltage is applied to the color adjustment circuit 18,
Given to 19 and 20. When the white balance is adjusted, the terminals a of the change-over switches 36, 37 and 38 are made conductive, and the reference voltage is applied to the color adjusting circuits 18, 19 and 20. Therefore, when the white balance adjustment is performed, the color adjustment is not performed, and the accurate white balance adjustment is performed.

When the white balance adjustment is completed, the changeover switch 3
All of 6, 37 and 38 have the b terminal side in a conductive state, and color adjustment is performed in a state set by the user.

In any of the image pickup apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the white balance adjustment is performed, the color adjustment is not performed, and when the white balance adjustment is completed, the color adjustment circuit 18 is set so that the set favorite color is obtained. Since ~ 20 is controlled, there is no need to reset the color adjustment level.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3, the levels of all the red, green and blue signal components are adjusted by the GCA 15 to 17 to adjust the white balance, but in the white balance adjustment, the red is adjusted. , The level may be adjusted for at least two signal components of the green and blue signal components. When the white balance adjustment is performed on the two signal components, the gain for one signal component is fixed and the other two signal components are adjusted to have the same level as the fixed signal component. The color adjustment by the color adjusting circuits 18 to 20 can be performed independently according to at least one of the color adjusting volumes 31 to 33, or can be performed according to all the settings.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and shows an electrical configuration of an image pickup apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of white balance adjustment processing.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention and shows the electrical configuration of the image pickup apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

15, 16, 17 GCA 18, 19, 20 color adjustment circuit 21, 22, 23 Peak detection circuit 25 memory 30 Control device

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-58-71786 (JP, A) JP-A-62-183293 (JP, A) JP-A-1-279694 (JP, A) JP-A-4-150690 (JP , A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 9/64-9/73 H04N 9/04

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A signal component related to red representing the image of the subject, the white balance adjustment circuit for performing white balance adjustment for at least two signal components of the signal components relating to the signal component and the green about blue, from the white balance adjustment circuit Based on the color adjustment circuit that adjusts the color of the output signal component according to the given color adjustment data , and the signal component output from the color adjustment circuit,
White balance adjustment in the white balance adjustment circuit
In the image input device having the means for controlling as described above , a white balance adjustment setting switch is provided, and color adjustment data given from the color adjustment means to the color adjustment circuit in response to a white balance adjustment command from the white balance adjustment setting switch. Is stored, the reference color adjustment data that does not allow color adjustment in the color adjustment circuit is given to the color adjustment circuit, white balance adjustment is performed using the white balance adjustment circuit, and the white balance adjustment circuit A method for controlling an image input device, wherein stored color adjustment data is given to the color adjustment circuit after white balance adjustment is completed. 2. A signal component related to red representing the image of the subject, the white balance adjustment circuit for performing white balance adjustment for at least two signal components of the signal components relating to the signal component and the green about blue, from the white balance adjustment circuit Based on the color adjustment circuit that adjusts the color of the output signal component according to the given color adjustment signal , and the signal component output from the color adjustment circuit,
White balance adjustment in the white balance adjustment circuit
In the image input device having the white balance adjustment control means for controlling in this manner, a color adjustment signal setting means for giving a color adjustment signal according to the setting of the color adjustment means, a reference color signal setting means for giving a reference color adjustment signal, and a white balance An adjustment setting switch is provided, and a reference color adjustment signal in the reference color signal setting means is applied to the color adjustment circuit in response to a white balance adjustment command from the white balance adjustment setting switch, and the white balance adjustment circuit is used to perform white balance adjustment. It was carried out, after the white balance adjustment by the white balance adjusting circuit <br/> is completed, giving the color adjustment signals in the color adjusting signal setting means to the color adjustment circuit, a control method for an image input apparatus. 3. A signal component related to red representing the image of the subject, the white balance adjustment circuit for performing white balance adjustment for at least two signal components of the signal components relating to the signal component and the green about blue, from the white balance adjustment circuit Based on the color adjustment circuit that adjusts the color of the output signal component according to the given color adjustment data , and the signal component output from the color adjustment circuit,
White balance adjustment in the white balance adjustment circuit
In the image input device equipped with the means for controlling as described above, in accordance with the white balance adjustment setting switch and the white balance adjustment command from the white balance adjustment setting switch, the color adjustment data given to the color adjustment circuit is stored, and A standard color adjustment data that does not allow color adjustment in the color adjustment circuit is given to the color adjustment circuit, and white balance adjustment is performed using the white balance adjustment circuit.
An image input device comprising: a control means for applying the stored color adjustment data to the color adjustment circuit after the white balance adjustment by the white balance adjustment circuit is completed. 4. A signal components relating to red representing the image of the subject, the white balance adjustment circuit for performing white balance adjustment for at least two signal components of the signal components relating to the signal component and the green about blue, from the white balance adjustment circuit Based on the color adjustment circuit that adjusts the color of the output signal component according to the given color adjustment signal , and the signal component output from the color adjustment circuit,
White balance adjustment in the white balance adjustment circuit
In the image input device having the white balance adjustment control means for controlling as described above, the color adjustment signal setting means for giving the color adjustment signal according to the setting of the color adjustment means, the reference color signal setting means for giving the reference color adjustment signal, the white balance In response to a white balance adjustment command from the adjustment setting switch and the white balance adjustment setting switch, the reference color adjustment signal in the reference color signal setting means is applied to the color adjustment circuit, and white balance adjustment is performed using the white balance adjustment circuit. performed, after the white balance adjustment by the white balance adjusting circuit <br/> is completed, the image input apparatus provided with a control means for giving to the color adjustment circuit color adjustment signals in the color adjusting signal setting section.