JP4967880B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic cameras and computers that perform image processing have a function that allows a user to customize image processing settings. In particular, in recent electronic cameras, it is also considered that the image processing parameters customized by the user are stored in advance, and the above-described parameters are applied by mode selection to reproduce the setting state of the image processing intended by the user. ing. Note that Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an image correction apparatus that can customize the correction amount of image processing.
JP 2005-208884 A

  By the way, even when the image processing parameters customized by the user are applied by the electronic camera, the user may want to further fine-tune other parameters that are not customized. However, if the image processing setting change is accepted without limitation in the above case, there may be a conflict in the parameter setting. As a result, the finished image may be far from the user's intention, and the user may be confused.

  The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a means for preventing parameter setting changes such that the image finish is contrary to the user's intention when applying image processing parameters customized by the user.

An imaging device that is an example of the present invention includes an imaging unit, an image processing unit, an operation unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The imaging unit captures a subject image and generates image data. The image processing unit performs a plurality of image processes on the image data. The operation unit receives an input for changing the setting of image processing. The storage unit stores custom parameters for image processing edited by the user. The control unit switches between a first mode in which image processing is performed by applying a custom parameter and a second mode in which image processing is performed without applying a custom parameter, and the setting of image processing is changed according to an input from the operation unit. Do. The custom parameter has a parameter group of a plurality of items for adjusting the image quality. In the first mode, the control unit disables the image processing setting change for the parameter items related to the edited custom parameter in the parameter group .
An imaging device as another example of the present invention includes an imaging unit, an image processing unit, an operation unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The imaging unit captures a subject image and generates image data. The image processing unit performs a plurality of image processes on the image data. The operation unit receives an input for changing the setting of image processing. The storage unit stores custom parameters for image processing edited by the user. The control unit switches between a first mode in which image processing is performed by applying a custom parameter and a second mode in which image processing is performed without applying a custom parameter, and the setting of image processing is changed according to an input from the operation unit. Do. Then, in the first mode, the control unit disables the image processing setting change for the parameter item that conflicts with the custom parameter edited by the user and has a name different from the custom parameter.

  In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, when custom processing generated by a user is applied to perform image processing, it is impossible to change image processing settings for items related to the custom parameter. Therefore, the possibility that the finished image is far from the user's intention is reduced.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic camera of this embodiment. The electronic camera includes an imaging optical system 11, an imaging device 12, an AFE 13, an image processing unit 14, a first memory 15, a recording I / F 16, a monitor 17, a communication unit 18, a release button 19, and an operation. The member 20, the CPU 21, the second memory 22, and the bus 23 are included. Here, the image processing unit 14, the first memory 15, the recording I / F 16, the monitor 17, the communication unit 18, the CPU 21 and the second memory 22 are connected via a bus 23. Moreover, the release button 19 and the operation member 20 are each connected to the CPU 21.

  The imaging optical system 11 includes a plurality of lens groups including a zoom lens and a focusing lens. For simplicity, the imaging optical system 11 is illustrated as a single lens in FIG.

  The imaging element 12 captures a subject image by a light beam that has passed through the imaging optical system 11 and generates data of a recorded image (main image). The output of the image sensor 12 is connected to the AFE 13.

  A light receiving element is two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup element 12, and an object image formed on the light receiving surface is photoelectrically converted to generate an analog image signal. In addition, in each light receiving element of the image sensor 12, any one of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color filters is arranged according to a known Bayer array. Therefore, each light receiving element of the imaging element 12 outputs an image signal corresponding to each color by color separation in the color filter.

  The AFE 13 is an analog front end circuit that performs analog signal processing on the output of the image sensor 12. The AFE 13 performs correlated double sampling, image signal gain adjustment, and image signal A / D conversion. The output of the AFE 13 is connected to the image processing unit 14.

  The image processing unit 14 is an ASIC that performs various types of image processing (color interpolation processing, gradation conversion processing, contour enhancement processing, white balance adjustment, color correction, saturation adjustment, and the like) on image data.

  The first memory 15 is a buffer memory that temporarily stores image data in the pre-process and post-process of image processing by the image processing unit 14.

  A connector for connecting the storage medium 24 is formed in the recording I / F 16. The recording I / F 16 executes data writing / reading with respect to the storage medium 24 connected to the connector. The storage medium 24 is composed of a hard disk, a memory card incorporating a semiconductor memory, or the like. In FIG. 1, a memory card is illustrated as an example of the storage medium 24.

  The monitor 17 displays various images according to instructions from the CPU 21. For example, a menu screen on which various setting items can be input under the control of the CPU 21 is displayed on the monitor 17. The CPU 21 executes display processing and setting change processing on the menu screen based on a program. Note that the configuration of the monitor 17 in this embodiment may be any of an electronic viewfinder having an eyepiece and a liquid crystal display panel provided on the back surface of the camera housing.

  The communication unit 18 controls data transmission / reception with an external device (such as a personal computer) in accordance with the specifications of a known communication standard such as wired or wireless. For example, the communication unit 18 transmits / receives data by wired serial communication based on the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, or wireless communication based on a wireless LAN or Bluetooth.

  The release button 19 receives from the user an instruction input for starting an autofocus (AF) operation before photographing by a half-press operation and an instruction input for starting an imaging operation by a full-press operation.

  The operation member 20 includes, for example, a command dial, a cross-shaped cursor key, a determination button, and the like. The operation member 20 receives various inputs of the electronic camera from the user. For example, the operation member 20 is used for an input operation on the above menu screen, a mode selection operation of an electronic camera, or the like.

  Here, the types of modes that can be selected with the operation member 20 are the operation mode (for example, shooting mode, playback mode, etc.) of the entire electronic camera, and the image quality adjustment mode (for example, Standard mode, Neutral mode, Vivid) of the image processing unit 14. Mode). This image quality adjustment mode defines the contents of image processing performed on the data of the main image, and each image quality adjustment mode item is associated with a different parameter group. Note that the CPU 21 can also register an image quality adjustment mode (usercustom mode) in which a custom parameter edited by the user is applied as one of the image quality adjustment modes.

  The CPU 21 is a processor that comprehensively controls each unit of the electronic camera. For example, in the shooting mode described above, the CPU 21 drives the image pickup device 12 to pick up a main image and causes the image processing unit 14 to execute various image processing. Then, the CPU 21 records the data of the main image after image processing in the storage medium 24 via the recording I / F 16.

  Further, the CPU 21 inputs an image processing parameter group to the image processing unit 14 in accordance with the image quality adjustment mode selected by the user. Further, the CPU 21 can change any image processing parameter in accordance with a user input on the menu screen.

  The second memory 22 is composed of a nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The second memory 22 stores a plurality of image processing parameter groups corresponding to each image quality adjustment mode. Here, the parameter group corresponding to the above-mentioned usercustom mode is generated by the user in the electronic camera or in an external PC, for example. The parameter group data generated by the external PC is read into the electronic camera via the storage medium 24 of the recording I / F 16 and the communication unit 18.

  Hereinafter, an operation example on the menu screen in the present embodiment will be specifically described. First, the CPU 21 launches a predetermined program in response to the start operation of the menu screen and causes the monitor 17 to display the menu screen. Thereafter, when the item “image quality adjustment mode” is selected on the menu screen, the CPU 21 displays a first display screen relating to the image quality adjustment mode on the monitor 17.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first display screen related to the image quality adjustment mode. A list of image quality adjustment modes that can be selected by the user (Standard mode, Neutral mode, Vivid mode, and usercustom mode) is displayed on the first display screen. If there are a plurality of custom parameters edited by the user in the second memory 22, the number of items in the usercustom mode on the first display screen also increases in accordance with the number of registered custom parameters.

  When the user designates one of the items of the image quality adjustment mode on the first display screen, the CPU 21 reads out a parameter group corresponding to the designated image quality adjustment mode from the second memory 22 and sends the parameter group to the image processing unit 14. Set. Thereafter, when the user takes a picture with the electronic camera, the image processing unit 14 applies the above-described parameter group to perform image processing on the data of the main image.

  On the other hand, when the item “change image processing setting” is selected by the user on the menu screen, the CPU 21 displays a second display screen relating to the image processing setting change on the monitor 17.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second display screen related to image processing setting change. In the example of FIG. 3, the description will be made on the assumption that an image quality adjustment mode other than the usercustom mode is specified (for example, a state where the Vivid mode is specified).

  On this second display screen, the CPU 21 accepts an adjustment operation for each item of “contour emphasis”, “contrast”, “brightness”, “color density (saturation)”, and “hue (hue)” from the user. . The user shifts the slide bar on the screen by the operation member 20 and inputs the degree of each item to the CPU 21. Note that the name of the designated image quality adjustment mode (Vivid mode) is also displayed on the second display screen.

  Specifically, the CPU 21 changes the contour enhancement filter applied by the image processing unit 14 in accordance with the operation of the “contour enhancement” item on the second display screen.

  Further, the CPU 21 adjusts the tone curve applied to all the RGB gradation values in accordance with the operations of the items “contrast” and “brightness” on the second display screen. When the item “Contrast” is strengthened, the CPU 21 makes the tone curve S-shaped to increase the difference between the bright part and the dark part, thereby making the tone of the image hard. When the item “contrast” is weakened, the CPU 21 sets the tone curve in an inverted S shape to reduce the difference between the bright and dark portions and softens the tone of the image (see FIG. 4A).

  When the item “brightness” is strengthened, the CPU 21 pushes up the middle portion of the tone curve so that the entire image becomes brighter. When the “brightness” item is weakened, the CPU 21 pushes down the middle portion of the tone curve so that the entire image becomes dark (see FIG. 4B).

  Further, the CPU 21 adjusts the correction amount of the color correction in the image processing unit 14 in accordance with the operations of the items “color density (saturation)” and “hue (hue)” on the second display screen. For example, after converting YCbCr, the CPU 21 changes the correction amount of the color difference for CbCr and adjusts the saturation and hue of the image.

  Next, the state of the second display screen when the image quality adjustment mode is the usercustom mode will be described. In general, when the usercustom mode is designated, it is considered that the user does not intend to greatly change the state of the custom parameter set by the user. Therefore, if the CPU 21 accepts all setting changes without limitation on the second display screen, the finished image may be far from the user's intention. Therefore, when the image quality adjustment mode is the usercustom mode, the CPU 21 disables the setting change operation on the second display screen for correction items that conflict with the custom parameters.

  FIG. 5 shows a display example of the second display screen in the usercustom mode. In the example of FIG. 5, it is assumed that a tone curve applied to all RGB values is included in the custom parameter.

  In the second display screen of FIG. 5, in order to give priority to the tone curve of the custom parameter, the CPU 21 disables the input of the “contrast” and “brightness” items relating to the tone curve correction. That is, the user can change the settings of only the items of “contour emphasis”, “color density (saturation)”, and “hue (hue)” that do not conflict with the custom parameters. Thereby, since the setting of the custom parameter is prioritized in the usercustom mode, it is possible to prevent the finished image from being far from the user's intention. In addition, for image processing that does not conflict with custom parameters, the user can freely change settings on the second display screen, so the convenience of the electronic camera can be further improved.

  In the second display screen of FIG. 5, for “contrast” and “brightness” for which the setting change is disabled, the CPU 21 changes the display color and size of the item characters and sets the position of the slide bar to “ “USER” mark is displayed. This makes it easier to recognize that the disabled setting change item conflicts with the custom parameter, and the user is less likely to cause unnecessary confusion.

(Supplementary items of the embodiment)
The combination of the custom parameter and the setting item disabled on the second display screen in the above embodiment is merely an example. For example, when the custom parameter has a separate tone curve for each of the RGB gradation values, the CPU 21 displays “color density (saturation)” and “hue (hue)” on the second display screen. May be further disabled.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The present invention is defined by the claims, and the present invention is not limited to the text of the specification. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic camera of this embodiment The figure which shows an example of the 1st display screen regarding image quality adjustment mode The figure which shows an example of the 2nd display screen regarding the setting change of image processing (A) Diagram showing change in tone curve by adjusting “Contrast”, (b) Diagram showing change in tone curve by adjusting “Brightness” The figure which shows the example of a display of the 2nd display screen at the time of usercustom mode

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Image pick-up element, 14 ... Image processing part, 17 ... Monitor, 20 ... Operation member, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... 2nd memory

Claims (5)

An imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates image data;
An image processing unit for performing a plurality of image processing on the image data;
An operation unit that receives an input of a setting change of the image processing;
A storage unit for storing the custom parameters of the image processing edited by the user;
Switching between a first mode in which the custom parameter is applied to perform the image processing and a second mode in which the image processing is performed without applying the custom parameter, and the setting of the image processing in accordance with an input from the operation unit A control unit for making changes,
The custom parameter has a parameter group of a plurality of items for adjusting image quality,
The image pickup apparatus, wherein, in the first mode, the control unit disables the setting change of the image processing for the parameter item related to the edited custom parameter in the parameter group . The imaging device according to claim 1,
The control unit permits an image processing setting change to be performed on an item of the parameter not related to the custom parameter in the parameter group. An imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates image data;
An image processing unit for performing a plurality of image processing on the image data;
An operation unit that receives an input of a setting change of the image processing;
A storage unit for storing the custom parameters of the image processing edited by the user;
Switching between a first mode in which the custom parameter is applied to perform the image processing and a second mode in which the image processing is performed without applying the custom parameter, and the setting of the image processing in accordance with an input from the operation unit A control unit for making changes,
In the first mode, the control unit disables changing the setting of the image processing for an item of a parameter that conflicts with a custom parameter edited by a user and has a name different from the custom parameter. An imaging device. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A monitor for displaying an operation screen for changing the setting of the image processing;
The said control part performs the display which shows application of the said custom parameter on the said operation screen at the time of the said 1st mode, The imaging device characterized by the above-mentioned. In the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The custom parameter is a gradation conversion characteristic for the image data,
The image pickup apparatus, wherein the control unit disables setting change of the image processing for at least one of brightness adjustment by gradation conversion and contrast adjustment by gradation conversion.

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