JP4439173B2 - Digital camera and information terminal - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera and an information terminal , and more particularly to a digital camera and an information terminal that can output image data as it is as an output signal of an imaging means.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With a digital camera, it is possible to continuously display an image of a subject before shooting and confirm the captured image before shooting, or to reproduce and check the shot image. In particular, the function of playing back a captured image immediately after shooting is highly convenient.
[0003]
In such a digital camera, the captured image data is converted into an image signal format suitable for image reproduction on the image display unit, and then recorded on a recording medium (for example, luminance Y signal, color difference RY signal, color difference). A combination of BY signals, a combination of RGB signals, or the like is used as an image signal form), and an output signal of an imaging means (CCD imaging element or the like) is recorded as it is on a recording medium (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). .)is doing.
[0004]
In the latter case, image data as it is output from the image pickup means (hereinafter, image data as it is as the output signal of the image pickup means will be referred to as “RAW data”), and the pixel configuration and characteristics of the image pickup means are utilized. An image can be obtained, and processing without image deterioration is possible even during image correction processing by the user.
[0005]
An example of such RAW data image correction processing is white balance (WB) adjustment processing. This adjustment process is to obtain image data of an appropriate color tone by changing the gain for each color signal of the RAW data. The white balance adjustment function built in the digital camera performs white balance adjustment processing using color gain data according to the settings before shooting. Then, when converting to an image signal format suitable for image reproduction, image data subjected to white balance adjustment processing is used.
[0006]
The white balance can be set according to the light source conditions (outdoor, shade, illumination type), or can be automatically adjusted according to the shooting scene (auto white balance). Since the color gain data obtained according to the setting has a characteristic difference between the type of the CCD image sensor and the individual, even with the same setting, it differs for each camera used for photographing. Auto white balance adjustment is also performed by an algorithm according to the type of camera and the characteristics of the individual.
[0007]
However, when color correction is performed on the output RAW data, there may be a case where it is desired to make an adjustment so that an image is obtained under different light source conditions, such as when an error in setting at the time of shooting is noticed. Since the color gain according to the difference varies from camera to camera, it is practically difficult.
[0008]
In view of such circumstances, there has also been proposed a digital camera that outputs RAW data that can be subjected to white balance adjustment processing under different light source conditions that are inherently set in the digital camera after output.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-261933 gazette
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-223979
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even in the case of video from the above-described conventional digital camera, when RAW data is displayed on an information terminal such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer), several levels of signals are used to obtain a general-purpose visible image. Processing is necessary (for example, processing of white balance conditions, processing of tone curve conditions, processing of sharpness conditions, etc.), and takes a long time. For example, if the same image is performed with a digital camera, even if it takes less than 1 second due to hardware processing, a personal computer requires approximately 20 seconds due to software processing.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when displaying RAW data from a digital camera on an information terminal such as a personal computer, the digital camera that outputs RAW data can be displayed easily and quickly. And it aims at providing an information terminal .
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the object, the digital camera according to the first aspect of the present invention captures an image and outputs RAW data, and performs a plurality of different signal processing on the RAW data output from the imaging unit. , Processing means for creating a plurality of preview image data, the RAW data, the plurality of preview image data, and a plurality of different signal processing conditions applied when creating the plurality of preview image data from the RAW data And recording means for recording the information in one image file.
[0014]
According to the present invention, when RAW data from a digital camera is displayed on an information terminal such as a personal computer, the image data of the preview image is recorded in the file, so that these can be displayed easily and quickly.
[0015]
In the present invention, it is preferable that signal processing conditions at the time of creating each preview image are appended to the plurality of preview images. This is because the object of the present invention can be easily achieved if a preview image with such signal processing conditions such as white balance conditions, tone curve conditions, and sharpness conditions is obtained.
In the present invention 2, in the digital camera according to the present invention 1, the processing means performs white balance adjustment processing corresponding to a plurality of light source conditions, and the recording means records information on the plurality of light source conditions in the image file. It is characterized by that.
Invention 3 of the present application provides a light source condition selection means for selecting the light source condition and a display means for displaying preview image data corresponding to the light source condition selected by the light source condition selection means in the digital camera according to Invention 2 of the present application. And further comprising.
Invention 4 of the present application is the digital camera according to Invention 2 of the present application, further comprising display means for displaying the preview image data corresponding to the plurality of light source conditions side by side.
Invention 5 of the present application is the digital camera according to Inventions 1 to 4, wherein the processing means performs white balance adjustment processing, tone curve adjustment processing and sharpness processing on the RAW data, and the recording means performs white balance adjustment processing. Information on conditions of tone curve adjustment processing and sharpness processing is recorded in the image file.
The information terminal according to the present invention includes a light source condition selecting means for selecting a light source condition and a light source selected by the light source condition selecting means when displaying an image file recorded by the digital camera according to the present invention. And display means for displaying preview image data corresponding to the condition.
An information terminal according to another aspect of the present invention includes display means for displaying preview image data corresponding to the plurality of light source conditions side by side when displaying an image file recorded by the digital camera according to the second aspect of the present invention. It is characterized by that.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a digital camera 10 according to the present invention. The digital camera 10 includes an imaging unit including a lens unit 12, an imaging device 14 that is an imaging unit, and a driving unit 16, an analog signal processing unit 18, an A / D conversion unit 20, a digital signal processing unit 22, and an output memory 24. A signal processing unit including a compression / decompression processing unit 26, an output unit including a media interface 30 and an image monitor 32, an operation unit 34 including a mode switch, a release button, and the like, and a system for controlling the entire digital camera 10. And a control unit 28.
[0017]
The configuration of the imaging unit is substantially the same as that of a conventional digital camera. The light transmitted through the lens unit 12 is focused on the imaging device 14 such as a CCD, and a captured image signal is output from the imaging device 14. When acquiring the captured image signal, the system control unit 28 controls the lens unit 12 and a diaphragm (not shown) via the drive unit 16. The imaging device 14 is driven by a driving unit 16 including a timing generator (not shown) at a predetermined timing by operating a release button (not shown), and a captured image signal is output.
[0018]
The output captured image signal is subjected to analog signal processing by the analog signal processing unit 18, converted to a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 20, and sent to the digital signal processing unit 22 as RAW data. The digital signal processing unit 22 performs digital signal processing according to the operation mode set by the operation unit 34, and the obtained image data is temporarily stored in the output memory 24.
[0019]
The processing performed by the digital signal processing unit 22 includes white balance adjustment, Y / C processing, gamma correction processing, and the like. When an image based on image data that has undergone digital image processing is displayed on the image monitor 32, the contents of the output memory 24 are read and sent to the image monitor 32. The image data in the output memory 24 is compressed by the compression / decompression processing unit 26 or is directly recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card (not shown) via the media interface 30. The image monitor 32 can also display an image based on the image data of the recording medium.
[0020]
The digital signal processing unit 22 processes RAW data using various conditions of signal processing (processing of white balance conditions, processing of tone curve conditions, processing of sharpness conditions, etc.) given from the system control unit 28. Thus, the image data of the preview image is created, and this is stored in the output memory 24 together with the RAW data.
[0021]
The system control unit 28 controls the entire digital camera including the photographing operation. That is, the system control unit 28 is mainly configured by a processor that operates according to a predetermined program, and includes a memory for storing programs and various data necessary for operation, a work memory, and the like.
[0022]
The operation unit 34 is provided to perform various operations when using the digital camera, and performs various settings at the time of shooting (for example, setting of shooting method, shooting conditions, and processing method of shot image information), and recording mode for media. It is configured so that it can be set. The operation unit 34 may be provided with an operation member corresponding to each function, but the operation member may be shared in conjunction with the display on the image monitor 32.
[0023]
As a photographing condition set by the operation unit 34, for example, white balance is set. In this setting, manual setting corresponding to the light source condition (outdoor, shade, illumination type, etc.) and auto white balance setting that automatically adjusts the white balance according to the shooting scene are possible. The recording mode setting for the medium includes a compressed image data recording mode and a RAW data recording mode, and the compression rate can be set when the compression mode is set.
[0024]
Next, an example of signal processing in the digital signal processing unit 22 and the like will be described. The following is an example of shooting when the white balance is set to “Auto White Balance” and the recording mode is set to “RAW data”. In the digital signal processing unit 22, auto white balance adjustment processing is performed on the RAW data from the A / D conversion unit 20, and further, gamma correction, interpolation processing, Y / C processing, etc. are performed and displayed on the image monitor 32. The image data is in a possible format and is written in the output memory 24. On the image monitor 32, a through image is displayed based on the written image data. Note that when the through image is not displayed, gamma correction, interpolation processing, Y / C processing, and the like are not necessary.
[0025]
Further, the digital signal processing unit 22 performs an auto white balance adjustment process on the RAW data to obtain a color correction gain (R gain, G gain, B gain) according to the shooting scene, and together with the RAW data, an output memory 24 is written. Also, preview image data based on the color correction gain is obtained and written in the output memory 24.
[0026]
The RAW data in the output memory 24 and the color gain data obtained by the auto white balance adjustment process are used for white balance adjustment corresponding to the light source conditions (outdoor, shade, illumination type, etc.) that can be set manually. These are recorded together with color gain data stored in advance on a recording medium (memory card or the like) (not shown) via the media interface 30. At this time, the shooting accessory information and the like are also recorded on the recording medium as one image file.
[0027]
The system control unit 28 controls the shooting operation and the recording operation as described above. Also, color gain data and the like based on manual settings corresponding to light source conditions (outdoor, shade, illumination type, etc.) are stored in a memory.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an image file in which RAW data is recorded, and shows an example of the data format of the image file. The image file 40 includes a header portion 42 and an image data portion 44. The header portion 42 includes model information 42a, preview image data and the like (including image correction parameters) 42b, and shooting attachment information 42c.
[0029]
The model information 42a is for specifying the imaging unit of the camera. By specifying the model, the number of pixels, the image arrangement, the analog signal processing method, the number of bits for A / D conversion, and the like are specified. For the preview image data, such as 42b will be described later. The shooting accessory information 42c includes shooting conditions such as shooting date, shutter speed, aperture value, and exposure mode. The ratio of the header portion 42 including these to the image file is small, and even if preview image data is newly added, the memory area used is only increased by several percent.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example showing a part of FIG. 2 in detail, and shows details of the header section 42, particularly the preview image data 42b and the like. Of the preview image data 42b, the image correction parameter is information for assisting the processing for the RAW data, and includes color gain data for white balance adjustment.
[0031]
As shown in the figure, the color gain data includes color gain data (R gain, G gain, B gain) corresponding to the white balance set at the time of shooting and light source conditions (sunny, shade, illumination type). Correspondingly, color gain data (R gain, G gain, B gain) adjusted in advance is included. In the example of the figure, “clear”, “shade”, “fluorescent lamp D50”, and “fluorescent lamp daylight” can be set as the light source conditions.
[0032]
Also, preview JPEG image data is recorded for each light source condition (sunny, shade, etc.).
[0033]
In the image data unit 44, the RAW data from the A / D conversion unit 20 is sequentially recorded according to the number of pixels, the pixel arrangement, and the color (RGB) component of the imaging device 14. In this example, it has been described that either one of image data in the form of an image signal suitable for image reproduction on the image display unit and RAW data can be selectively output, but both may be output. . In this case, it is preferable to include not only color gain data used for white balance adjustment but also optical black correction data, gradation correction data, and the like as image correction parameters for RAW data.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example showing a part of FIG. 2 in detail, and shows details of the header section 42, particularly the preview image data 42b and the like. Note that the description of the same or similar parts as in FIG. 3 is omitted. In this example, various signal processing conditions (white balance condition processing, tone curve condition processing, sharpness condition processing, etc.) are recorded together with preview image data for each preview image.
[0035]
Next, an example in which image data written in the output memory 24 or the like is displayed on an information terminal such as a personal computer will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen of a personal computer. On the display screen 50, a preview screen 52 is arranged on the left half, and various switches 54 to 64 are arranged on the right half. This display screen 50 is an example of previewing manual white balance, and is provided with a sunny switch 54, a shade switch 56, a fluorescent lamp D50 switch 58, a fluorescent lamp daylight switch 60, etc. corresponding to each light source condition. Further, a change switch 62 and an OK switch 64 are also provided.
[0036]
These switches 54 to 60 are for selecting each light source condition, and are operated by setting the mouse pointer to the ▽ mark of each switch 54 to 60 and clicking. The change switch 62 is used to change the light source condition, and the OK switch 64 is used to fix the condition.
[0037]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a display screen of a personal computer. This display screen 50 is also an example in which white balance preview is performed. However, unlike FIG. 5, a plurality of light source condition preview screens 52 a, 52 b... Are displayed on the display screen 50 without selecting each light source condition. That is, a sunny preview screen 52a, a shade preview screen 52b, a fluorescent lamp D50 preview screen 52c, a fluorescent lamp daylight preview screen 52d,. Thereby, the preview state of each light source condition can be compared and determined at a glance.
[0038]
Since the hardware and software for executing the processing procedure such as the preview screen display described above can be realized by employing various known means, detailed description is omitted here. For example, the digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be adopted as hardware, and existing software for driving a digital camera can be adopted as software.
[0039]
As mentioned above, although the example of embodiment of the digital camera which concerns on this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the example of the said embodiment, Various aspects can be taken.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the RAW data from the digital camera is displayed on an information terminal such as a personal computer, the image data of the preview image is recorded in the file. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an image file in which RAW data is recorded. FIG. 3 shows a part of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of a part of FIG. 2 in detail. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen of a personal computer. FIG. Schematic diagram showing another example of the screen [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 12 ... Lens part, 14 ... Imaging device, 16 ... Drive part, 20 ... A / D conversion part, 22 ... Digital signal processing part, 24 ... Memory, 26 ... Compression / decompression processing part, 28 ... System control 30 ... Media interface 32 ... Image monitor 34 ... Operation part 40 ... Image file 42 ... Header part 44 ... Image data part

Claims (7)

Imaging means for capturing an image and outputting RAW data;
  Processing means for performing a plurality of different signal processing on the RAW data output from the imaging means to create a plurality of preview image data;
  Recording means for recording the RAW data, the plurality of preview image data, and information on a plurality of different signal processing conditions applied when creating the plurality of preview image data from the RAW data in one image file When,
A digital camera comprising: The processing means performs white balance adjustment processing corresponding to a plurality of light source conditions,
  The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records information on the plurality of light source conditions in the image file. Light source condition selection means for selecting the light source condition;
  Display means for displaying preview image data corresponding to the light source condition selected by the light source condition selection means;
The digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising: The digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising display means for displaying preview image data corresponding to the plurality of light source conditions side by side. The processing means performs white balance adjustment processing, tone curve adjustment processing, and sharpness processing on the RAW data,
  5. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records information on conditions of white balance adjustment processing, tone curve adjustment processing, and sharpness processing in the image file. Light source condition selection means for selecting a light source condition when displaying an image file recorded by the digital camera according to claim 2;
  Display means for displaying preview image data corresponding to the light source condition selected by the light source condition selection means;
An information terminal comprising: 3. An information terminal comprising display means for displaying preview image data corresponding to the plurality of light source conditions side by side when displaying an image file recorded by the digital camera according to claim 2.

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