JP3995547B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus that is applied to, for example, a digital camera and includes means for recording an image signal on a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some digital cameras have a function of inputting arbitrary characters into a photographed image. As a method for realizing this function, for example, there is a method of directly overwriting character data on image data. However, with this method, once overwritten character data cannot be deleted or changed later. Therefore, conventionally, as another method, there is a method of superimposing characters on an image displayed on a screen by OSD (On Screen Display) technology. According to this method, since each of the image data and the character data can be handled separately, the character data can be arbitrarily edited later.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, many recent digital cameras have a function of transferring a photographed image to a personal computer. Here, according to the prior art using the OSD technology described above, in order to reproduce characters input on the digital camera side on the personal computer side, the same font data used on the digital camera side is used. It needs to be prepared on the side. In other words, there is a problem that if the same font data used for character input on the digital camera side is not prepared on the personal computer side, the character cannot be reproduced on the personal computer side.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of editing a character input to an image and reproducing the character even in an environment where specific font data is not prepared. It is to be.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  This inventionThe image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a reproducing unit that reproduces the first image stored in the first predetermined position of the image file in response to the reproducing operation, a receiving unit that accepts a character input operation in relation to the reproducing process of the reproducing unit, Overwriting to create a partial composite image by overwriting the second image representing the character input in response to the input operation over the partial first image partially existing at the designated position on the first image reproduced by the reproducing means An image file in response to an embedding operation after a character input operation on one or more partial composite images created by the overwriting unit Embedded in the second predetermined position.
[0006]
[Action]
  The reproduction means reproduces the first image stored at the first predetermined position of the image file in response to the reproduction operation. The character input operation is accepted by the accepting means in association with the reproduction process of the reproducing means. The overwriting means overwrites the partial first image partially existing at the designated position on the first image reproduced by the reproduction means with the second image representing the character input in response to the character input operation, and performs partial synthesis. Create an image. The designated position is changed by the changing means every time the overwriting process of the overwriting means is completed. The embedding unit embeds one or more partial composite images created by the overwriting unit in a second predetermined position of the image file in response to the embedding operation after the character input operation.
[0007]
  Preferably, the first image is stored in the image file in a state compressed by a predetermined method, and the partial composite image created by the overwriting means is an image compressed by the predetermined method.
[0011]
【The invention's effect】
  According to this invention, the first pictureStatue and, First imageofPart 2StatueOverwrittenportionComposite imageStatue andBut,Image fileIndividuallyStowThe second pictureStatueIncludeportionComposite imageStatueFirst pictureStatue andCan be edited separately. Moreover, SpecialThe second screen even in environments where certain font data is not preparedTo the statueRepresented bySentenceThe character can be reproduced.
[0012]
The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
【Example】
Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 of this embodiment has a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type image sensor 14 into which an optical image of a subject is incident via a focus lens 12.
[0014]
When the photographing mode for photographing the subject is selected by the main switch 16, the CPU 18 instructs the TG (Timing Generator) 20 to repeat pre-exposure and thinning-out reading. The TG 20 supplies a timing signal corresponding to this command to the image sensor 14, and the image sensor 14 exposes an optical image of the subject according to the supplied timing signal, and a part of the electric charge accumulated by the exposure. Output in the next one frame period. That is, when the shooting mode is initially selected, a low-resolution raw image signal is output from the image sensor 14 every frame period.
[0015]
The raw image signal of each frame output from the image sensor 14 is input to a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) / AGC (Automatic Gain Control) circuit 22 where it is subjected to correlated double sampling processing and gain adjustment processing. , Input to the A / D conversion circuit 24. The A / D conversion circuit 24 converts the input raw image signal into raw image data that is a digital signal, and inputs the converted raw image data to the signal processing circuit 26.
[0016]
The signal processing circuit 26 performs a series of processes such as color separation, white balance adjustment, gamma correction, and YUV conversion on the input raw image data. Image data (YUV data) processed by the signal processing circuit 26 is temporarily stored in an image data storage area 30a of an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) 30 as a main memory by a memory control circuit 28, and then buffer memory. 32.
[0017]
The image data transferred to the buffer memory 32 is input to the mixing circuit 34, where it is mixed with OSD data input from the OSD memory 36 described later. However, at this time, since no OSD data is input from the OSD memory 36, the image data input from the buffer memory 32 is output as it is from the mixing circuit 34. The image data output from the mixing circuit 34 is input to the video encoder 38, where it is converted into an NTSC composite image signal. The converted composite image signal is input to the liquid crystal monitor 40, whereby a real-time moving image of the subject, a so-called through image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40.
[0018]
Here, when the shutter button 42 is pressed, the CPU 18 enters a recording operation. That is, the CPU 18 instructs the TG 20 to perform main exposure for one frame and all pixel readout. The TG 20 supplies a timing signal corresponding to a command from the CPU 18 to the image sensor 14. As a result, the main exposure is performed by the image sensor 16, and all charges accumulated by the main exposure, that is, a high-resolution raw image signal for one frame is output from the image sensor 14. The raw image signal output from the image sensor 14 is processed by the CDS / AGC circuit 22 and input to the A / D conversion circuit 24 where it is converted into raw image data. Then, this raw image data is input to the signal processing circuit 26, subjected to the series of processes described above, and then stored in the image data storage area 30 a in the SDRAM 30 by the memory control circuit 28.
[0019]
The memory control circuit 28 reads out high-resolution image data stored in the image data storage area 30 a according to control by the CPU 18 and inputs the read-out image data to the compression / decompression circuit 44. The compression / decompression circuit 44 is supplied with a compression command from the CPU 18, and the compression / decompression circuit 44 performs a compression process according to a JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) system on the input image data in response to the compression command. . The JPEG compressed image file generated by this compression processing is temporarily stored in the compressed image file storage area 30b in the SDRAM 30 by the memory control circuit 28, and then input to the memory card 48 via the memory interface circuit 46. To be recorded.
[0020]
The image (JPEG compressed image file) recorded on the memory card 48 in this way can be reproduced in the reproduction mode. That is, when the reproduction mode is selected by the main switch 16, the CPU 18 instructs the memory control circuit 28 to read out the JPEG compressed image file. In response to this command, the memory control circuit 28 reads out the JPEG compressed image file from the memory card 48 via the memory interface circuit 46, and once reads the read JPEG compressed image file into the compressed image file storage area 30b in the SDRAM 30. Temporarily store.
[0021]
Then, the memory control circuit 28 inputs the storage of the JPEG compressed image file stored in the compressed image file storage area 30 b to the compression / decompression circuit 44. The compression / decompression circuit 44 is given a decompression command from the CPU 18, and the compression / decompression circuit 44 decompresses the input JPEG compressed image file in response to the decompression command and reproduces the original image data. The reproduced image data is temporarily stored in the image data storage area 30 a of the SDRAM 30 by the memory control circuit 28 and then transferred to the buffer memory 32.
[0022]
The image data transferred to the buffer memory 32 is input to the mixing circuit 34. Even at this time, since the OSD data is not input from the OSD memory 36 to the mixing circuit 34, the image data input from the buffer memory 32 is output as it is from the mixing circuit 34. The image data output from the mixing circuit 34 is input to the video encoder 36 where it is converted into a composite image signal. The converted composite image signal is input to the liquid crystal monitor 40, whereby a high-resolution reproduced image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40.
[0023]
In the playback mode, desired playback images can be displayed one by one, or a plurality of playback images can be displayed in a multi display. In this manner, which playback image is to be displayed can be arbitrarily selected by operating a mode key 50, a set key 52, and a cross key 54, which will be described later, but a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0024]
Referring to FIG. 2, mode key 50 and set key 52 are arranged side by side at the upper right position on the back of digital camera 10 together with main switch 16 described above. Below the mode key 50, the set key 52, and the main switch 16, a cross key 54 having four contact points, upper, lower, left, and right is arranged. The shutter switch 42 is provided near the main switch 16 on the upper surface of the digital camera 10. The liquid crystal monitor 40 is provided at a position on the left side of the back surface of the digital camera 10.
[0025]
By the way, the digital camera 10 of this embodiment has a character input function for inputting an arbitrary character (text) to a photographed image. Characters that can be input by this character input function are characters according to the well-known ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) code, and character data for expressing such characters is stored in an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable ROM) 56. . In order to input a character using this character input function, it is assumed that an image for inputting the character is reproduced.
[0026]
In other words, it is assumed that the reproduction mode is selected by the main switch 16 and an image for inputting characters is reproduced. In this state, when the character input mode is selected by operating the mode key 50, the set key 52 and the cross key 54, a cursor setting screen as shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40 as an OSD (overlay) display. Is done. Specifically, the CPU 18 generates OSD data for displaying the cursor setting screen, and inputs the OSD data to the OSD memory 36. The OSD data input to the OSD memory 36 is input to the mixing circuit 34, where it is mixed with the image data input from the buffer memory 32 to the mixing circuit 34 and then input to the video encoder 38. The video encoder 36 converts the input data into a composite image signal, and inputs the converted composite image signal to the liquid crystal monitor 40. As a result, the reproduced image according to the image data, that is, the main image of the subject, and the cursor setting screen according to the OSD data are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40 in an overlapping manner.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 3A, a rectangular cursor 60 is displayed on the cursor setting screen. The cursor 60 is an index for indicating a place where a character is to be input from now on, and moves in the vertical and horizontal directions in accordance with the operation of the cross key 54. Specifically, the CPU 18 generates OSD data such that the cursor 60 moves according to the operation of the cross key 54.
[0028]
In this cursor setting screen, when the set key 52 is pressed while the cursor 60 is placed at a certain position, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 transitions to a character input screen as shown in FIG. . In other words, in addition to the cursor 60, a plurality of characters (including codes) 62, 62,... According to the ASCII code and a rectangular pointer 64 surrounding any one of these characters 62, 62,. , OSD is displayed. Each character 62, 62,... Is displayed based on the character data stored in the EEPROM 56 described above.
[0029]
The pointer 64 on this character input screen is an index for selecting a character to be input on the main image from among a plurality of characters 62, 62,. Moves in the vertical and horizontal directions according to the operation. Here, it is assumed that the character 62 “H” is selected (enclosed) by the pointer 64 and the set key 52 is pressed in this state. Then, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 transitions to a state as shown in FIG.
[0030]
That is, in FIG. 3B, the character 66 “H” is displayed at the place where the cursor 60 existed before the set key 52 was pressed, and the cursor 60 is moved by the width dimension of the character 66. Move to the right. Here, the character 66 of “H” is not displayed in the OSD but overwritten on the main image. Specifically, the CPU 18 overwrites the character data corresponding to the character 66 on the image data developed in the image data storage area 30 a in the SDRAM 30. The image data overwritten with the character data is read by the memory control circuit 28 and transferred to the buffer memory 32. As a result, the main image in which the character 66 is overwritten is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40.
[0031]
Note that the character 66 is represented by a total of 1024 pixels of 32 horizontal pixels × 32 vertical pixels as shown in FIG. 4A based on the character data stored in the EEPROM 56 described above. The color of the character 66 itself is white (shown in black in the drawing for the sake of convenience), and the color of the background portion 68 excluding the character 66 itself is a transparent color. Therefore, if there is a striped pattern 70 as shown in FIG. 4B on the main image before the character 66 is overwritten, for example, as shown in FIG. A portion (pixel) overlapping with 66 itself is filled with the character 66 itself, but a portion not overlapping with the character 66 itself appears in the table without being painted.
[0032]
Further, in the state of FIG. 3C, the CPU 18 instructs the compression / decompression circuit 44 to extract a portion of 32 pixels wide × 32 pixels high in which the character 66 is overwritten in the main image (image data) in the JPEG format. Compress according to The so-called compressed character file generated by this compression processing is temporarily stored in the cache memory 18a built therein. As will be described later, the compressed character file includes information indicating a combination number “m”, coordinate information indicating the position of the character 66 on the main image, an ASCII code corresponding to the character 66, and compressed data. The compressed data that is the main body is included.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 3 (d), 5 "E", "L", "L", "O" and "!" Assume that two characters 66, 66,... Are overwritten successively in this order. Suppose that five compressed character files corresponding to these characters 66, 66,... Are stored in the cache memory 18a of the CPU 18. When the set key 52 is pressed in this state, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 transitions to an input confirmation screen as shown in FIG. That is, a character string 72 “OK” and a character string 74 “CANCEL” are OSD displayed in two upper and lower stages on the main image in which the characters 66, 66,. An elongated rectangular pointer 76 is OSD displayed so as to surround one of the character strings 72 and 74, here the character string 72.
[0034]
The pointer 76 on this input confirmation screen is an index for selecting whether or not to overwrite each character 66, 66,..., And the character strings 72 and 74 are changed according to the operation of the cross key 54. Move up and down to surround either. Here, when the set key 52 is pressed while the character string 72 (“OK”) is selected by the pointer 76, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 transitions to a state as shown in FIG. . That is, a screen on which a character string “HELLO!” Represented by six characters 66, 66,... Is input is displayed on the main image, and the OSD display is canceled.
[0035]
At this time, the CPU 18 embeds the above-described six compressed character files stored in its own cache memory 18a in the JPEG compressed image file of the main image currently being reproduced.
[0036]
That is, an optional marker called APP [n] (Reserved for Application segments) can be embedded in the JPEG compressed image file as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 18 assigns an individual identification number n starting from “0” to each compressed character file, and generates APP [n] for each identification number n. Each APP [n] includes the combination number m, the position coordinates of the character 66, the ASCII code, and the compressed data of the character 66 portion. The CPU 18 then controls the memory control circuit 28 to embed the generated APP [n] in the JPEG compressed image file stored in the compressed image file storage area 30b in the SDRAM 30. The JPEG compressed image file in which APP [n] is embedded is input to the memory card 48 by the memory control circuit 28 via the memory interface circuit 46. The JPEG compressed image file input to the memory card 48 is recorded in the area where the JPEG compressed image file was recorded before the characters 66, 66,. In other words. The contents of the JPEG compressed image file are updated. By updating the JPEG compressed image file, a series of character input processes in the character input mode is completed.
[0037]
By repeating this series of character input processes, a plurality of character strings are input to one image. That is, the operator can input a plurality of character strings in one image. At this time, the CPU 18 assigns the same combination number m to the characters 66, 66,... Input by one character input process, and updates the combination number m each time the character input process is repeated. Therefore, the same combination number m is assigned between the characters 66, 66,... Constituting the same character string, and the combination numbers m different between the characters 66, 66,. Is granted.
[0038]
In the input confirmation screen of FIG. 3E, when the set key 52 is pressed in a state where the character string 74 (“CANCEL”) is selected by the pointer 76, all overwritten characters 66, 66 are displayed. Are erased from the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 40 and the OSD display is released. As a result, only the main image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40.
[0039]
Now, when an arbitrary image is reproduced in the above-described reproduction mode, if one or more character strings are input to the image in the above-described character input mode, the liquid crystal monitor 40 displays the image shown in FIG. The character string list screen as shown in FIG. That is, one or more character strings input in the character input mode described above on the reproduced main image, here, three character strings 80 “HELLO!”, “GOOD LUCK!”, And “YOO-HOO!” ˜84 are displayed in a line along the vertical direction. Then, an elongated rectangular pointer 86 is displayed so as to surround any one of these character strings 80 to 84, here the character string 80.
[0040]
The pointer 86 in the character string list screen is an index for selecting which of the character strings 80 to 84 is to be displayed on the screen, and the character string 80 to 84 is selected according to the operation of the cross key 54. Move up and down to surround either. Here, when the set key 52 is pressed in a state where the character string 80 (“HELLO!”) Is selected by the pointer 86, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 transitions to a state as shown in FIG. To do. That is, as in FIG. 3F described above, a screen on which a character string “HELLO!” Represented by six characters 66, 66,... The display is canceled.
[0041]
When the set key 52 is pressed while the character string 82 (“GOOD LUCK!”) Is selected by the pointer 86 on the character string list screen in FIG. A screen on which a character string “GOOD LUCK!” Is input is displayed on the main image. Similarly, when the set key 52 is pressed while the character string 84 (“YOO-HOO!”) Is selected by the pointer 86, the characters “YOO-HOO!” Are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40. A screen with the columns entered is displayed.
[0042]
Furthermore, the characters 66, 66,... (Character string) input in the character input mode can be arbitrarily edited in the character edit mode. That is, it is assumed that the screen shown in FIG. 6B is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40 in the playback mode. In this state, when the character editing mode is selected by operating the mode key 50, the set key 52, and the cross key 54, a cursor setting screen as shown in FIG. That is, a rectangular cursor 90 is displayed so as to surround the first character 66. The cursor 90 is an index for selecting the character 66 to be edited, and moves in the vertical and horizontal directions according to the operation of the cross key 54.
[0043]
In the cursor setting screen of FIG. 8A, in the state where the character 66 “L” positioned fourth from the top of each character 66, 66,... Assume that 52 is pressed. Then, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 transitions to an edit selection screen as shown in FIG. That is, in addition to the cursor 90, a character string 92 “INSERT” and a character string 94 “DELETE” are OSD-displayed in two upper and lower rows, and one of these character strings 92 and 94, which is a character here. An elongated rectangular pointer 96 is displayed in an OSD so as to surround the column 92. Note that the pointer 96 moves up and down so as to surround one of the character strings 92 and 94 in accordance with the operation of the cross key 54.
[0044]
This edit selection screen is a screen for selecting the edit contents to be executed from now on. Specifically, whether the character 66 selected on the cursor setting screen in FIG. 8A is rewritten (Insert), or This is a screen for selecting whether or not to delete the selected character 66. When the set key 52 is pressed while the character string 92 (“INSERT”) is selected by the pointer 96, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 is changed to a character input screen as shown in FIG. Transition.
[0045]
In the character input screen of FIG. 8C, as in the character input screen of FIG. 3B described above, a plurality of characters 98, 98,... According to the ASCII code, and these characters 98, 98, A rectangular pointer 100 surrounding any one of them is OSD-displayed. Note that the pointer 100 moves in the vertical and horizontal directions according to the operation of the cross key 54. Here, it is assumed that the character 98 “P” is selected by the pointer 100 and the set key 52 is pressed in this state. Then, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 changes to a state as shown in FIG.
[0046]
That is, the fourth character 66 from the beginning which was “L” in FIG. 8C is rewritten to “P”. The list of characters 98, 98,... And the pointer 100 in FIG. 8C are deleted, and the cursor 90 moves to the right by one character 66.
[0047]
The newly rewritten character 66 “P” is not OSD-displayed, but is overwritten on the main image instead of the previous character 66 “L”. Specifically, the CPU 18 first controls the memory control circuit 28 to read a JPEG compressed image file stored in the compressed image file storage area 30b from the compressed image file storage area 30b in the SDRAM 30. Then, APP [n] corresponding to the fifth character 66 from the head “L” is deleted from the read JPEG compressed image file. The JPEG compressed image file from which APP [n] has been deleted is decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 44, and the decompressed image data is expanded in the image data storage area 30a of the SDRAM 30 by the memory control circuit 28. Further, the CPU 18 newly overwrites the character data corresponding to the character 66 “P” on the image data developed in the image data storage area 30a. The image data overwritten with the character data is read by the memory control circuit 28 and transferred to the buffer memory 32. As a result, the main image in which the fourth character 66 from the top is rewritten to “P” is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40.
[0048]
Further, the CPU 18 instructs the compression / decompression circuit 44 to compress the portion of horizontal 32 pixels × vertical 32 pixels rewritten to the character 66 “P” in accordance with the JPEG method. Then, the above-described identification number n is assigned to the compressed character file generated by this compression processing, and a new APP [n] is generated. Then, the CPU 18 controls the memory control circuit 28 to embed the newly generated APP [n] in the JPEG compressed image file stored in the compressed image file storage area 30b in the SDRAM 30.
[0049]
The fourth character 66 from the beginning “H” is overwritten with “P”, and the fifth character 66 from the beginning that was initially “O” is shown in FIG. It is assumed that “!” Is overwritten as shown. It is assumed that the set key 52 is pressed in a state where the last character (sixth from the head) “!” Is selected by the cursor 90. Then, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 transitions to an edit selection screen as shown in FIG.
[0050]
When the set key 52 is pressed in a state where the character string 94 (“DELETE”) is selected by the pointer 96 on the edit selection screen shown in FIG. 8F, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 is as shown in FIG. Transition to a screen as shown in g). That is, the last character 66 which was “!” In FIG. 8F is deleted from the screen.
[0051]
At this time, the CPU 18 controls the memory control circuit 28 to read out the JPEG compressed image file stored in the compressed image file storage area 30b from the compressed image file storage area 30b in the SDRAM 30. Then, APP [n] corresponding to the last character 66 “!” Is deleted from the read JPEG compressed image file. Further, the CPU 18 causes the compression / decompression circuit 44 to decompress the JPEG compressed image file from which APP [n] has been deleted, and causes the memory control circuit 28 to develop the decompressed image data in the image data storage area 30a of the SDRAM 30. The image data developed in the image data storage area 30 a is read by the memory control circuit 28 and transferred to the buffer memory 32. As a result, the main image from which the last character 66 has been deleted is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40.
[0052]
Then, when the mode key 50 is pressed in the state of FIG. 8G, the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor 40 changes to a state as shown in FIG. That is, a character string that was originally input “HELLO!” By six characters 66, 66,... On the main image is changed to a character string “HELP!” By five characters 66, 66,. The rewritten screen is displayed and the OSD display is canceled. Further, the CPU 18 controls the memory control circuit 28 to transfer the JPEG compressed image file stored in the compressed image file storage area 30 b of the SDRAM 30 to the memory card 48. The JPEG compressed image file transferred to the memory card 48 is recorded in the area where the JPEG compressed image file was recorded before the characters 66, 66,. As a result, the contents of the JPEG compressed image file are updated.
[0053]
In the character editing mode, not only the already overwritten character 66 is rewritten or erased, but also a new character can be added at a place where the character 66 is not overwritten. In this case, a new character is added by the same procedure as the character input mode described above.
[0054]
In order to realize the character input function in this embodiment, the CPU 18 performs the following operation in accordance with a control program stored in the program memory 18b built therein.
[0055]
That is, when the character input mode is selected, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S1 in FIG. 9 to display the cursor setting screen in FIG. 3A on the liquid crystal monitor 40 (strictly speaking, this cursor setting screen). OSD data for displaying is generated and input to the OSD memory 36). Then, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S3 and waits for any key operation to be performed.
[0056]
When any key operation is performed in step S3, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S5 and determines the content of the key operation. If it is determined that the mode key 50 has been pressed, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the OSD display is canceled and the series of processes in the character input mode is terminated.
[0057]
On the other hand, when determining that the cross key 54 has been operated in step S5, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S9 and moves the cursor 60 in accordance with the operation of the cross key 54. In step S11, the position of the cursor 60 after movement is stored in the cache memory 18a, and then the process returns to step S3.
[0058]
Further, when the set key 52 is pressed in step S5, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the character input screen shown in FIG. 3B is OSD-displayed, and then the process proceeds to step S15 to wait for any key operation to be performed.
[0059]
When any key operation is performed in step S15, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S17 and determines the content of the key operation. Here, when the cross key 54 is operated, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S19 and moves the pointer 64 in accordance with the operation of the cross key 54. Then, after the process of step S19, the CPU 18 returns to step S15.
[0060]
On the other hand, when determining that the set key 52 has been pressed in step S15, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the character 66 corresponding to the character 62 selected by the pointer 64 is overwritten on the main image, and the process proceeds to step S23.
[0061]
In step S23, the CPU 18 compresses the portion of the main image in which the character 66 is overwritten (strictly, the compression is performed by the compression / expansion circuit 44). Then, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S25, assigns the identification number n to the compressed character file generated by the compression process, generates APP [n], and then caches APP [n] in step S27. Temporarily store in the memory 18a. Further, in step S29, the CPU 18 moves the cursor 60 to the right by one character 66 and then returns to step S15.
[0062]
When the mode key 50 is pressed in step S15, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S31 in FIG. In step S31, the CPU 18 determines whether or not one or more characters have been input (overwritten) on the character input screen of FIG. If it is determined that no character is input, the CPU 18 returns to step S1 in FIG. 9 and displays the cursor setting screen shown in FIG. 3A again.
[0063]
On the other hand, when determining that one or more characters have been input in step S31, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S33. In step S33, after the OSD display of the input confirmation screen of FIG. 3E is performed, the process proceeds to step S35 and waits for any key operation to be performed.
[0064]
When any key operation is performed in step S35, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S37 and determines the content of the key operation. If it is determined that the mode key 50 has been pressed, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S39. In step S39, after referring to the position of the cursor 60 stored in the cache memory 18a in step S11 described above, the process returns to step S13 in FIG. 9 to display the character input screen again. At this time, the CPU 18 sets the display position of the cursor 60 on the character input screen based on the reference result in step S39.
[0065]
On the other hand, when determining that the cross key 54 has been operated in step S37, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S41. In step S41, the pointer 76 is moved in accordance with the operation of the cross key 54, and then the process returns to step S35.
[0066]
Further, when the set key 52 is pressed in step S37, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S43. In step S43, it is determined whether or not the character string 72 “OK” is selected on the input confirmation screen. If the character string 72 is selected, the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the CPU 18 embeds APP [n] stored in the cache memory 18a in the currently reproduced JPEG compressed image file. Then, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S47, deletes APP [n] stored in the cache memory 18a, and then ends the series of processes in this character input mode through step S7 of FIG.
[0067]
If the character string 72 “OK” is not selected on the input confirmation screen in step S43, that is, if the character string 74 “CANCEL” is selected, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S49. In step S49, after deleting APP [n] stored in the cache memory 18a, the process proceeds to step S51 to redraw the main image. After the process of step S51, the CPU 18 ends the process in the character input mode through step S7 of FIG.
[0068]
After exiting this character input mode, the CPU 18 records (overwrites) the JPEG compressed image file stored in the compressed image file storage area 30 b of the SDRAM 30 in the memory card 48. As a result, the contents of the JPEG compressed image file of the currently reproduced image are updated.
[0069]
Next, the operation of the CPU 18 in the playback mode will be described with reference to FIG. When any image is reproduced in the reproduction mode, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S61 in FIG. In step S61, it is determined whether or not APP [n] (strictly, APP [n] representing the character 66) is included in the JPEG compressed image file of the reproduced image.
[0070]
Here, when APP [n] is not included, the CPU 18 proceeds from step S61 to step S63. In step S63, a message indicating that no characters are input in the character input mode in the reproduced image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40 for OSD for a certain period, and the series shown in the flowchart of FIG. Terminate the process.
[0071]
On the other hand, when APP [n] is included in step S61, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S65. In step S65, after the character string list screen shown in FIG. 7A is OSD-displayed, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S67 and waits for any key operation to be performed.
[0072]
When any key operation is performed in step S67, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S69 and determines the content of the key operation. If it is determined that the mode key 50 has been pressed, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S71. In step S71, the OSD display on the character string list screen is canceled, and the series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is terminated.
[0073]
When the cross key 54 is operated in step S69, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S73. In step S73, it is determined whether there are a plurality of character strings, that is, combination numbers m. If there are a plurality of character strings, the process proceeds to step S75. In step S75, the CPU 18 moves the pointer 86 in accordance with the operation of the cross key 54. After the pointer 86 is moved, the CPU 18 returns to step S67. If there is not a plurality of character strings in step S73, that is, if there is only one, the CPU 18 skips step S75 and directly returns to step S67.
[0074]
If the set key 52 is pressed in step S69, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S77. In step S77, the combination number m of the character string 80, 82, or 84 selected by the pointer 86 on the character string list screen is recognized, and the recognized number m is stored in a predetermined register m ′ included in the character string list screen. To do. Then, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S79 to set an index representing the identification number n to “0” (n = 0), and then in step S81, APP [n] according to the identification number n from the JPEG compressed image file of the reproduced image. Is read.
[0075]
After the processing in step S81, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S83, and compares the combination number m included in APP [n] read in step S81 with the number stored in the register m '. Here, when the two match (m = m ′), the CPU 18 recognizes that the read APP [n] constitutes the character string selected on the character string list screen, and proceeds to step S85. In step S85, the compressed data included in the APP [n] is decompressed, and the character (the portion of 32 pixels wide × 32 pixels long including the character 66) reproduced by the decompression process is converted into a book in step S87. Overwrite on the image. After the process of step S87, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S89.
[0076]
In step S89, the CPU 18 determines whether or not all APP [n] have been read from the JPEG compressed image file of the reproduced image, specifically, whether or not the current index n has reached its maximum value N. If it is determined that the index n has not yet reached the maximum value N (all APP [n] have not been read), the CPU 18 proceeds to step S91 and increments the index n by “1”. , That is, after all the character input screens of FIG. 3B are displayed, the process returns to step S81.
[0077]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the index n has reached the maximum value N (all APP [n] have been read), the CPU 18 proceeds to step S71, cancels the OSD display, and is shown in the flowchart of FIG. A series of processing ends.
[0078]
In step S83 described above, if the combination number m included in APP [n] read out in step S81 does not match the number stored in the register m ′, the CPU 18 performs steps S85 and S87. Is skipped and the process proceeds to step S89.
[0079]
Next, the operation of the CPU 18 in the character editing mode will be described. When this character editing mode is selected, the CPU 18 first proceeds to step S101 in FIG. 12, and displays the above-described cursor setting screen in FIG. Then, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S103 and waits for any key operation to be performed.
[0080]
When any key operation is performed in step S103, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S105 and determines the content of the key operation. If it is determined that the mode key 50 has been pressed, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the OSD display is canceled, and the series of processes in the character editing mode ends.
[0081]
On the other hand, when the cross key 54 is operated in step S105, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S109. Then, after moving the cursor 90 in accordance with the operation of the cross key 54 in step S105, the CPU 18 returns to step S103.
[0082]
Further, when the set key 52 is pressed in step S105, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S113. In step S113, after the OSD display of the edit selection screen of FIG. 8B is displayed, the process proceeds to step S115 to wait for any key operation to be performed.
[0083]
When any key operation is performed in step S115, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S117 and determines the content of the key operation. If it is determined that the mode key 50 has been pressed, the CPU 18 returns to step S101 and displays the cursor setting screen of FIG. 8A again.
[0084]
On the other hand, if the cross key 54 is operated in step S117, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S119. In step S119, after moving the pointer 96 according to the operation of the cross key 54, the CPU 18 returns to step S115.
[0085]
Furthermore, when the set key 52 is pressed in step S117, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S121. In step S121, it is determined whether or not the character string 92 “INSERT” is selected by the pointer 96 described above. If it is determined here that the character string 92 has been selected, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S123. In step S123, the character input screen shown in FIG. 8C is OSD-displayed, and then the process proceeds to step S125 to wait for any key operation to be performed.
[0086]
When any key operation is performed in step S125, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S127 and determines the content of the key operation. If it is determined that the mode key 50 has been pressed, the CPU 18 returns to step S113 and displays the edit selection screen in FIG. 8B again.
[0087]
On the other hand, when the cross key 54 is operated in step S127, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S129 and moves the pointer 100 according to the operation of the cross key 54. Then, after the processing of step S129, the CPU 18 returns to step S125.
[0088]
Further, when determining that the set key 52 has been pressed in step S127, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S131. In step S131, it is determined whether there is a character 66 that has already been overwritten at the position of the cursor 90. If the character 66 is present, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S133 in FIG.
[0089]
In step S133, the CPU 18 recognizes APP [n] of the character 66 existing at the position of the cursor 90. Then, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S135, and deletes the recognized APP [n] from the JPEG compressed image file. Further, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S137 and redraws the currently reproduced main image. Then, the process proceeds to step S139, and a portion of horizontal 32 pixels × vertical 32 pixels including the character 66 is redrawn based on APP [n] after the partial APP [n] is deleted.
[0090]
Further, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S141, overwrites the character 66 corresponding to the character 98 selected by the pointer 100 on the main image, and then proceeds to step S143. In step S143, the CPU 18 compresses the portion of the main image in which the character 66 is overwritten. Then, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S145 to generate APP [n] by assigning an identification number n to the compressed character file generated by the compression process. Then, in step S147, the CPU 18 converts the APP [n] to a JPEG compressed image. Embed in a file.
[0091]
In step S149, the CPU 18 moves the cursor 90 to the right by one character 66 and then returns to step S101 in FIG. 12 to display the cursor setting screen in FIG. 8A again.
[0092]
If the character 66 does not exist at the position of the cursor 90 in step S131 described above, the CPU 18 skips steps S133 to S139 in FIG. 13 and proceeds to step S141.
[0093]
In addition, when the character string 92 “INSERT” is not selected by the pointer 96 in FIG. 8B in step S121 in FIG. 12, that is, when the character string 94 “DELETE” is selected, the CPU 18 The process proceeds to step S151 in FIG. In step S151, it is determined whether or not the character 66 that has been overwritten already exists at the position of the cursor 90. If the character 66 exists, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S153.
[0094]
In step S153, the CPU 18 recognizes APP [n] of the character 66 existing at the position of the cursor 90. Then, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S155 to delete the recognized APP [n] from the JPEG compressed image file. Further, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S157, and redraws the currently reproduced main image. Then, the process proceeds to step S159, and after redrawing the portion of horizontal 32 pixels × vertical 32 pixels including the character 66 based on APP [n] after the partial APP [n] is deleted, FIG. Return to step S101.
[0095]
If the character 66 does not exist at the position of the cursor 90 in step S151, the CPU 18 skips steps S153 to S159 in FIG. 14 and directly returns to step S101.
[0096]
As can be seen from the above description, according to the character input function of this embodiment, the characters 66, 66,... Overwritten on the main image in the option marker of the JPEG compressed image file including the compressed image data of the main image.・ ・ Data is embedded. That is, the data of the main image and the data of the characters 66, 66,... Are recorded separately. Therefore, each character 66, 66,... Overwritten on the main image can be individually edited. Moreover, since each character 66 is recorded not as character data but as image data of 32 pixels wide × 32 pixels high including the character 66, the character 66 is recorded even in an environment where specific font data is not prepared. Can be reproduced.
[0097]
In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the digital camera 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a mobile phone having a digital camera function. The present invention is not limited to a device provided with a digital camera, but can be applied to any device provided with a function of inputting arbitrary characters on an existing image.
[0098]
Further, although the characters that can be input to the image are limited to characters according to the ASCII code, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it may be possible to input characters expressed in other than the alphabet such as hiragana and kanji.
[0099]
The size of the input character 66 is 32 pixels wide × 32 pixels vertical, but other sizes may be used. However, in the JPEG system, compression processing is performed with 8 pixels in the horizontal direction and 8 pixels in the vertical direction as one unit. Therefore, it is desirable to express the character 66 by the number of pixels that is a multiple of 8 in both the vertical and horizontal directions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing a display example of a screen in a character input mode in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
4 is an illustrative view showing a state in which characters are overwritten on the main image in the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing a configuration of a JPEG compressed image file in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
6 is an illustrative view showing details of an option marker in FIG. 5; FIG.
FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing a display example of a screen in a reproduction mode in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing a display example of a screen in a character editing mode in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU in the character input mode in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart following FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU in the reproduction mode in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU in the character editing mode in the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart following FIG. 12;
14 is a flowchart different from FIG. 13 following FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Digital camera
16 ... Main switch
18 ... CPU
28: Memory control circuit
30 ... SDRAM
34. Mixing circuit
36 ... OSD memory
40 ... LCD monitor
44. Compression / decompression circuit
48 ... Memory card
56… EEPROM

Claims (4)

Reproduction means for reproducing the first image stored in the first predetermined position of the image file in response to the reproduction operation;
Accepting means for accepting a character input operation in relation to the reproduction processing of the reproducing means;
A partial composite image is created by overwriting a partial first image partially existing at a specified position on the first image reproduced by the reproduction unit with a second image representing a character input in response to the character input operation. Override means to create,
In response to the embedding operation after the character input operation, the changing unit that changes the designated position every time the overwriting process of the overwriting unit is completed, and one or more partial composite images created by the overwriting unit An image processing apparatus comprising embedding means for embedding in a second predetermined position of the image file . The first image is stored in the image file in a compressed state by a predetermined method,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the partial composite image created by the overwriting unit is an image compressed by the predetermined method . In a processor of an image processing apparatus provided with reproduction means for reproducing the first image stored in the first predetermined position of the image file in response to the reproduction operation,
An accepting step of accepting a character input operation in relation to the reproduction process of the reproduction means;
A partial composite image is created by overwriting a partial first image partially existing at a specified position on the first image reproduced by the reproduction unit with a second image representing a character input in response to the character input operation. Overwrite step to create,
A change step of changing the designated position every time the overwriting process of the overwriting step is completed; and
An image processing program for executing an embedding step of embedding one or more partial composite images created by the overwriting step at a second predetermined position of the image file in response to an embedding operation after the character input operation . An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus including a reproducing unit that reproduces a first image stored in a first predetermined position of an image file in response to a reproduction operation,
An accepting step of accepting a character input operation in relation to the reproduction process of the reproduction means;
A partial composite image is created by overwriting a partial first image partially existing at a specified position on the first image reproduced by the reproduction unit with a second image representing a character input in response to the character input operation. Overwrite step to create,
A change step of changing the designated position every time the overwriting process of the overwriting step is completed; and
An image processing method comprising: an embedding step of embedding one or more partial composite images created by the overwriting step at a second predetermined position of the image file in response to an embedding operation after the character input operation.

Images