JP5862689B2 - Image data output adjustment apparatus, image data output adjustment method, image data output adjustment program, and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for handling information associated with image data.

  Techniques for handling image processing control information for specifying image processing conditions in an image processing apparatus in association with image data, and techniques for describing shooting conditions (shooting information) at the time of shooting in a header of the image data have been proposed. In the technology for associating image processing control information with image data, by using the image processing control information, for example, the difference in color reproduction characteristics between the input device and the output device is eliminated, and the same in both devices Images can be reproduced with the same color. Furthermore, it is possible to easily obtain image data that has undergone desired image processing.

  In addition, in the technique for describing the shooting conditions (information at the time of shooting) in the header of the image data, the image processing apparatus can perform image processing according to the shooting environment on the image data using the described shooting conditions. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-009075 A

  However, until now, information such as image processing control information and imaging conditions has been automatically given by an image data generation device such as a digital still camera in accordance with the set conditions. Therefore, for example, even when a shooting scene or the like is erroneously set and shot, the user cannot correct information such as image processing control information and shooting conditions. As a result, an image processing apparatus that uses these pieces of information when executing image processing may execute inappropriate image processing.

  In recent years, printers of a type that can be directly connected to a digital still camera are being put into practical use. In such a case, it is convenient if information such as image processing control information can be edited in the digital still camera.

  The present invention has been made to satisfy the above problems and requirements, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image data generating apparatus capable of executing editing processing of image processing control information or shooting conditions.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first aspect of the present invention provides an image data generation device that generates image data. An image data generation apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention uses an imaging condition setting unit that sets an imaging condition, an image data generation unit that generates image data, and at least a part of the set imaging condition. An image processing unit at the time of photographing that performs image processing on the generated image data, an image data storage unit that associates and stores the image data subjected to the image processing and the photographing condition, and the image data storage unit Image data selecting means for selecting desired image data from, image capturing condition display means for displaying the image capturing condition associated with the selected image data, and image capturing condition changing means for changing the displayed image capturing condition. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the image data generation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data generation apparatus includes the imaging condition changing unit that changes the imaging condition associated with the desired image data selected from the image data storage unit. The photographing condition editing work can be executed later.

  The image data generation apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include an output unit that outputs the changed shooting condition and the selected image data in association with each other. In such a case, the image data and the updated photographing condition can be directly associated with and supplied to the image processing apparatus. In addition, since the updated shooting conditions are associated with the image data, various processes can be performed on the image data using the updated shooting conditions.

  The image data generation device according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes storage means for storing the changed imaging condition and the selected image data output in association with the output means in a storage medium. May be. In such a case, the image data and the updated shooting condition can be associated with each other and stored in the storage medium, and the image data and the updated shooting condition are supplied to the image processing apparatus via the storage medium. Can do.

  In the image data generation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the shooting condition may be a shooting scene. In such a case, image processing suitable for the shooting scene can be performed, and even if a shooting scene that is different from the actual shooting scene has been set, it will be changed to an appropriate shooting scene later. Therefore, the image processing for the image data can be made appropriate.

  A second aspect of the present invention provides an image data generation device that generates image data. An image data generation device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a shooting condition setting unit that sets shooting conditions, an image data generation unit that generates image data, and the image data at the time of image processing according to the shooting conditions. Image data control means for associating and storing the image processing control information for designating the processing conditions and the image data, image data selection means for selecting desired image data from the image data storage means, and the selected The image processing control information display means for displaying the image processing control information associated with the image data, and the image processing control information changing means for changing the displayed image processing control information.

  The image data generation device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes the image processing control information changing means for changing the image processing control information associated with the desired image data selected from the image data storage means. After the image data is generated, the image processing control information can be edited.

  In the image data generation device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image processing control information may be a combination of a plurality of parameter values according to a shooting scene. In such a case, it is possible to specify image processing conditions corresponding to the shooting scene by combining a plurality of parameter values. Even if a combination of a plurality of parameter values that does not match the actual shooting scene has been set, it can be changed to an appropriate combination of a plurality of parameter values afterwards. As a result, it is possible to prevent image processing that does not match the shooting scene for image data, and to specify image processing according to the actual shooting scene after shooting.

  The image data generation device according to the second aspect of the present invention further comprises image processing control information storage means for storing image processing control information for storing a plurality of the image processing control information, wherein the image processing control information display means is The image processing control information associated with the selected image data may be acquired from the image processing control information storage means and displayed. In such a case, image processing control information associated with the image data can be acquired and displayed by selecting the image data.

  The image data generation apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention may further comprise image data output means for outputting the image data and the image processing control information associated with the image data. In such a case, the image data and the updated image processing control information can be directly associated with and supplied to the image processing apparatus. In addition, since the updated image processing control information is associated with the image data, it is possible to specify image processing conditions for the image data by the updated image processing control information.

  In the image data generation device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image data generation means may perform image quality adjustment during shooting on the generated image data in accordance with the set shooting conditions. In such a case, image data reflecting the shooting conditions can be generated.

  A third aspect of the present invention provides an image data generation apparatus. An image data generation apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a shooting condition setting unit that sets shooting conditions, an image data generation unit that generates image data, and the image at the time of image processing according to the shooting conditions. Image data control means for associating and storing image processing control information for specifying data processing conditions and the image data, image data selection means for selecting desired image data from the image data storage means, and the selection Image processing means for performing image processing on the selected image data using image processing control information associated with the processed image data, and an image display for displaying an image of the image data subjected to the image processing Means, image processing control information changing means for changing image processing control information associated with the displayed image data, and the changed image processing. By using the control information, characterized in that it comprises an image display updating means for updating the display of the image being the display.

  According to the image data generation device according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the display of the displayed image can be updated using the changed image processing control information, the changed image is compared with the image data. The image processing control information can be edited while confirming the result of applying the processing control information. Therefore, editing of the image processing control information can be made more appropriate.

  In the image data generation device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the image processing control information may be a combination of a plurality of parameter values according to a shooting scene. In such a case, it is possible to specify image processing conditions corresponding to the shooting scene by combining a plurality of parameter values. Even if a combination of a plurality of parameter values that does not match the actual shooting scene has been set, it can be changed to an appropriate combination of a plurality of parameter values afterwards. As a result, it is possible to prevent image processing that does not match the shooting scene for image data, and to specify image processing according to the actual shooting scene after shooting.

In the image data generation device according to the third aspect of the present invention,
The image display update means includes
Update image processing means for performing update image processing on the displayed image data using the changed image processing control information;
Display image updating means for updating an image displayed on the image display means using the image data subjected to the update image processing may be provided. In such a case, the image processing control information can be used to perform image processing on the image data, and the display image can be updated using the image data that has been subjected to the image processing. The image processing control information can be edited while checking the actual image processing result associated with the change.

  The image data generation device according to the third aspect of the present invention further comprises image processing control information storage means for storing image processing control information for storing a plurality of the image processing control information, wherein the image processing means includes the image processing control information. Image processing control information associated with the selected image data may be acquired from the processing control information storage means, and image processing may be executed. In such a case, image processing control information associated with the image data can be acquired and displayed by selecting the image data.

  The image data generation device according to the third aspect of the present invention may further comprise an update image data output means for outputting the image data subjected to the update image processing. In such a case, the image data and the updated image processing control information can be directly associated with and supplied to the image processing apparatus. In addition, since the updated image processing control information is associated with the image data, it is possible to specify image processing conditions for the image data by the updated image processing control information.

  In the image data generation device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the image data generation means may perform image quality adjustment during shooting on the generated image data in accordance with the set shooting conditions. In such a case, image data reflecting the shooting conditions can be generated.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an image data generation device that generates image data. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data generation device comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of image processing control information for specifying processing conditions for image data during image processing; and a plurality of the image processing control information. Image processing control information display means for selecting and displaying desired image processing control information, image processing control information changing means for changing the displayed image processing control information, and the changed image processing control information Image processing control information updating means for updating the selected image processing control information, image data generating means for generating image data, and image processing control for acquiring image processing control information from the storage means according to the photographing conditions An information acquisition unit, and an image data output unit that outputs the acquired image processing control information in association with the generated image data.

  According to the image data generation device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the desired image processing control information is selected from the plurality of image processing control information stored in the storage means, displayed, and displayed. Since the processing control information can be changed and the selected image processing control information can be updated using the changed image processing control information, the image processing control information can be updated independently of the image data. Therefore, the image processing control information can be changed to desired contents in advance.

  In the image data generation device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image processing control information may be a combination of a plurality of parameter values according to a shooting scene.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data generation method for generating image data. In the image data generation method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the imaging conditions are set, image data is generated while performing image processing using at least a part of the set imaging conditions, and the image processing is performed. The image data and the shooting conditions are associated and stored in a storage device, desired image data is selected from the storage device, the shooting conditions associated with the selected image data are displayed, and the displayed shooting conditions are changed. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the image data generation method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the image data generation apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention. The image data generation method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can be implemented in various aspects similar to the image data generation apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention provides an image data generation method for generating image data. In the image data generation method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, image processing control information that sets shooting conditions, generates image data, and specifies processing conditions for the image data during image processing according to the shooting conditions. And the image data are stored in a storage device in association with each other, desired image data is selected from the storage device, image processing control information associated with the selected image data is displayed, and the displayed image processing is displayed. The control information is changed.

  According to the image data generation method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the image data generation apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention. In addition, the image data generation method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects similar to the image data generation apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a method for generating image data. In the image data generation method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, image processing control information that sets shooting conditions, generates image data, and specifies processing conditions for the image data during image processing according to the shooting conditions. And the image data are stored in a storage device in association with each other, desired image data is selected from the storage device, and the selected image data is selected using image processing control information associated with the selected image data. Image processing is performed on the image data, the image of the image data subjected to the image processing is displayed, the image processing control information associated with the displayed image data is changed, and the changed image processing control information is displayed. And updating the display of the displayed image.

  According to the image data generation method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the image data generation apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention. The image data generation method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects similar to the image data generation apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for generating image data, in which desired image processing is selected from a plurality of pieces of image processing control information that specifies processing conditions for image data at the time of image processing stored in a storage device Selecting control information, displaying the selected image processing control information, changing the displayed image processing control information, updating the selected image processing control information using the changed image processing control information, Data is generated, image processing control information is acquired from the storage device in accordance with the photographing conditions, and the acquired image processing control information is output in association with the generated image data.

  According to the image data generation method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the image data generation apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention. In addition, the image data generation method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention can be realized in various aspects similar to the image data generation apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

  The image data generation methods according to the fifth to eighth aspects of the present invention can also be realized as an image data generation program and a recording medium storing the image data generation program.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the image processing system which can apply the image data generation apparatus which concerns on a 1st Example. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the digital still camera which is an image data generation apparatus which concerns on a 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the file structure of the image data which can be used for a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process routine of the image data generation process performed in the digital still camera 10 concerning a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the edit process routine of the image process control information GI in 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the edit image of the image processing control information GI in the digital still camera 10 which concerns on a 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other display image of the image processing control information GI displayed at the time of editing of the image processing control information GI in a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the edit process routine of the image process control information GI in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the edit image of the image processing control information GI in the digital still camera 10 which concerns on a 2nd Example. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an imaging condition editing process routine according to the third embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the file structure of the image data which can be used for a 3rd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display image of the imaging condition displayed at the time of editing of the imaging condition in a 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process routine of the edit process of the image process control information in a 4th Example.

  Hereinafter, an image data generation device and an image data generation method according to the present invention will be described based on several embodiments with reference to the drawings.

First embodiment:
A configuration of an image processing system to which the image data generation apparatus according to the present embodiment can be applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image processing system to which the image data generation apparatus according to the first embodiment can be applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital still camera which is an image data generating apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The image processing system 10 includes a digital still camera 10 as an image data generation device that generates image data, and a personal computer PC as an image processing device that can perform image processing on image data generated by the digital still camera 10. A color printer 20 is provided as an output device that outputs an image using image data. As the output device, in addition to the printer 20, a monitor 30, such as a CRT display or an LCD display, a projector, or the like can be used. In the following description, the color printer 20 is used as the output device.

  The digital still camera 10 controls the optical circuit 11, the image acquisition circuit 12 for acquiring the digital image data by controlling the optical circuit 11, and executes the image quality correction reflecting the imaging conditions at the time of imaging on the acquired image data. An image quality correction circuit 13, a compression circuit 14 for compressing the image data subjected to the image quality correction, a memory card MC as a storage device for storing the compressed image data, and image data stored in the memory card MC An image processing circuit 15 for executing various image processing and a control circuit 16 for controlling each circuit are provided. Each circuit 11-16 is connected via the bus | bath 17, for example.

  The optical circuit 11 includes an imaging lens (not shown) and a lens driving unit that drives the imaging lens, and controls the focal length of the imaging lens in accordance with a control signal from the control circuit 15.

  The image acquisition circuit 12 includes a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, an analog / digital converter, and the like. The image acquisition circuit 12 converts a captured image (light information) input via the optical circuit 11 into electrical image data by forming an image on a photoelectric conversion element, and further converts the digital data by an analog / digital converter. Turn into. In general, a photoelectric conversion element is provided with a color filter, for example, an RGB filter, to obtain color image data, and RGB image data is obtained as primary data. The obtained RGB image data is sent to the image quality correction circuit 13.

  The image quality correction circuit 13 performs correction processing and color conversion processing on the RGB image data reflecting the shooting conditions set at the time of shooting. The correction process reflecting the shooting conditions includes, for example, exposure correction, white balance correction, and the like. In the color conversion process, a process of converting RGB data into YCbCr data using a known conversion matrix is executed. The image data converted into YCbCr data is sent to the compression circuit 14, and, for example, image data compression, thumbnail image data generation, and the like are executed according to the JPEG format to obtain JPEG format image data. The image data obtained in this way is stored in the memory card MC.

  The image processing circuit 15 is a circuit for executing arbitrary image processing (retouch processing) on the image data stored in the memory card MC. The image processing circuit 15 executes image processing on the image data in accordance with image processing control information GI described later. For convenience of explanation, the image processing circuit 15 is used in the second embodiment, which will be described here.

  The control circuit 16 includes a central processing circuit (CPU) 161 that executes various arithmetic processes, a read only memory (ROM) 162 that records various programs and image processing control information GI, and a random access memory that temporarily records various data. (RAM) 163 and the like. When the compression circuit 14 generates JPEG image data, the control circuit 16 describes shooting time information SI and image processing control information GI, which are information related to shooting conditions of the image data GD, in the header of the image data. That is, the shooting time information SI and the image processing control information GI are automatically described in the header of the image data at the time of shooting, and the image data GD in which at least one of the shooting time information SI and the image processing control information GI is described is stored in the memory. Stored in the card MC. As the shooting time information SI, for example, shooting conditions such as a shooting scene, exposure correction amount, and light source as shooting conditions selected by the user are described. Further, as the image processing control information GI, for example, an image processing condition suitable for the photographing mode set by the user, an image processing condition suitable for the photographing condition at the time of photographing, an image processing condition suitable for the output device, and the like are described. The

  In addition to this, the digital still camera 10 has a selection / determination button 18 for setting shooting time information SI (shooting scene (shooting mode), exposure correction amount (exposure correction value), light source, etc.), and image processing control information GI. A liquid crystal display 19 is provided for previewing the photographed image and setting photographing conditions and image processing control information using the selection / determination button 18. As a storage format of the image data in the digital still camera 12, a storage format such as a RAW format, a TIFF format, a GIF format, and a BMP format can be used in addition to the JPEG format.

  The image data GD generated in the digital still camera 10 is sent to the color printer 20 via, for example, the cable CV, the computer PC, or via the cable CV. Alternatively, the memory card MC in which the image data GD is stored in the digital still camera 10 is connected to the printer 20 via the computer PC mounted in the memory card slot or directly to the printer 20. As a result, the image file is sent to the color printer 20.

  A color printer 20 shown in FIG. 1 is a printer that can output a color image. For example, four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are used as a printing medium. This is an ink jet printer that forms an image by forming a dot pattern by jetting it upward. Alternatively, it is an electrophotographic printer that forms an image by transferring and fixing color toner onto a printing medium. In addition to the above four colors, light cyan (light cyan, LC), light magenta (light magenta, LM), and dark yellow (dark yellow, DY) may be used as the color ink.

  The image data GD according to the present embodiment has, for example, a file structure (Exif file) according to the Exif format proposed as an image file format standard for digital still cameras by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), C-Cube Microsystems , Xing Technology, Digital Origin (Radius), which is a standard for JPEG data file compatibility established by three companies, JFIF format file structure (JFIF file), and parameters related to image data in tag format A file structure (TIFF file) according to the TIFF format specified by the user can be provided. Exif files can be classified into JPEG-Exif files that store lossy compression type JPEG image data and TIFF-Exif files that store lossless compression type TIFF image data depending on the type of image data to be stored.

  A schematic configuration of a JPEG data file that can be used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a file structure of image data that can be used in the first embodiment. Note that terms such as file structure, data structure, and storage area in this embodiment mean an image of a file or data in a state where the file or data is stored in the storage device.

  The image data GD includes JPEG image data and an application marker segment APP that stores auxiliary information for the JPEG image data. In the application marker segment APP (IFD), a tag is used to specify each piece of information, and each piece of information is sometimes called by a tag name. The application marker segment APP shown in FIG. 3 includes a tag (area) for storing the image processing control information GI and thumbnail image data.

  As described above, the image processing control information GI describes parameter values relating to image quality used for image processing in the personal computer PC, the color printer 20, and the like. The parameters relating to the image quality include, for example, YCbCr → RGB color conversion matrix values, gamma correction values of the digital still camera 10, contrast, saturation, sharpness, brightness, color balance, and the like. The image processing control information GI includes information including a plurality of parameter sets that specify image processing conditions corresponding to the shooting mode selected at the time of shooting. The plurality of parameter sets includes, for example, parameters related to a plurality of image quality such as contrast and saturation, and the values of the parameters relating to each image quality take different values depending on the shooting mode. The designation of the image processing condition for each shooting mode is specified by the number assigned in advance to the image processing condition corresponding to each shooting mode, for example.

  Image data generation processing executed in the digital still camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of image data generation processing executed in the digital still camera 10 according to the first embodiment.

  This embodiment is executed by the control circuit 16 (CPU 161). When the photographer sets the exposure, shooting mode, etc., and the shutter is released, the CPU 161 forms an image on the photoelectric conversion element of the image acquisition circuit 12 via the optical circuit 11, and sets the analog / digital converter. Then, digital image data is generated (step S100).

  The CPU 161 reflects the shooting conditions set at the time of shooting through the image quality correction circuit 13 and executes image quality adjustment at the time of shooting on the RGB image data (step S110). In the image quality adjustment at the time of shooting executed at this time, for example, the image quality correction circuit 13 adjusts the tone curve (γ curve) according to the set exposure amount and applies the adjusted tone curve to the image data. Adjust the brightness. The image quality correction circuit 13 corrects the white balance of the image data by executing a color balance adjustment process on the image data in accordance with the set light source.

  After completing the correction process on the image data, the CPU 161 converts the RGB data into YCbCr data using the known conversion matrix via the image quality correction circuit 13. Next, the CPU 161 compresses the image data converted into YCbCr data through the compression circuit 14 in accordance with the JPEG format, and obtains image data in the JPEG format (step S120).

  The CPU 161 acquires image processing control information GI from the ROM 162 according to the shooting conditions (step S130). More specifically, parameters as image processing conditions at the time of executing image processing are acquired based on the exposure amount, shutter speed, white balance (light source), and the like set as shooting conditions. In addition, when a shooting mode that defines image processing conditions suitable for a specific shooting scene such as a night view, a sunset view, or a person is selected, a number corresponding to the selected shooting mode is acquired as the image processing control information GI. The

  The CPU 161 describes the acquired image processing control information GI in the header portion (application marker segment APP) of the image data in JPEG format, stores the image data GD in the memory card MC, and ends this processing routine. That is, the image processing control information GI and the image data GD are associated with each other and stored in the memory card MC.

  With reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the editing process of the image processing control information GI in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an editing processing routine of the image processing control information GI in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an edited image of the image processing control information GI in the digital still camera 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing another display image of the image processing control information GI displayed when editing the image processing control information GI in the first embodiment.

  In accordance with a user instruction, the CPU 161 displays a file name (data name) of the image data GD or a preview image of the image data GD on the liquid crystal display 19. When the user selects image data GD desired to edit the image processing control information GI via the selection / determination button 18, the CPU 161 selects the image data selected by the user from the memory card MC (step S200).

  The CPU 161 displays the image processing control information GI associated with the selected image data on the liquid crystal display 19 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S210). In FIG. 6, the shooting mode is displayed as the image processing control information GI, and the currently set shooting mode is “night scene”. For example, the shooting mode may be set to “night view” on the previous day, and shooting may be performed in the daytime the next day without returning the shooting mode to “standard”. Conventionally, even after the user notices that the shooting mode is not appropriate after shooting, the user cannot edit (change) the shooting mode. As a result, image processing corresponding to the “standard” shooting mode has to be performed originally, but image processing corresponding to the “night scene” shooting mode has been performed by the personal computer PC, the printer 20, and the like. .

  According to the digital still camera 10 of the first embodiment, when the user notices that the shooting mode is not appropriate after shooting, the user can edit (change) the shooting mode, and as a result, It is possible to appropriately specify image processing conditions in the personal computer PC, the printer 20, and the like. Since the image processing control information GI is information for designating image processing conditions for the image data, the image data GD remains original until the image processing is executed. Therefore, if the erroneously set photographing mode can be changed to an appropriate photographing mode, image processing in the personal computer PC, the printer 20 and the like can be made appropriate.

  As the image processing control information GI, the contents shown in FIG. 7 may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 19 instead of the shooting mode in FIG.

  The CPU 161 stands by until the editing of the image processing control information GI ends (step S220: No). When the editing of the image processing control information GI ends (step S220: Yes), whether or not the image processing control information GI has been changed. Is determined (step S230). The CPU 161 determines that the editing of the image processing control information GI has ended when an editing end instruction is input from the user via the selection / determination button 18.

  If the CPU 161 determines that the image processing control information GI has not been changed (step S230: No), the processing routine ends. When the CPU 161 determines that the image processing control information GI has been changed (step S230: Yes), the CPU 161 updates the image processing control information GI described in the image data GD (step S240), and ends this processing routine. To do.

  Whether the image processing control information GI has been changed is determined based on the change flag, for example, when a value of any parameter of the image processing control information GI is changed. For example, the image processing control information GI may be updated by overwriting the image processing control information before the change with the image processing control information after the change, or, if appropriate, the parameter value of the image processing control information before the change. And difference information between the parameter value of the changed image processing control information may be written.

Second embodiment:
A digital still camera according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an editing processing routine of the image processing control information GI in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an edited image of the image processing control information GI in the digital still camera 10 according to the second embodiment.

  The digital still camera according to the second embodiment is structurally the same as the first embodiment except that the editing process of the image processing control information GI is different from the editing process of the digital still camera 10 according to the first embodiment. The same constituent elements as those of the digital still camera 10 according to the present invention are provided, and the description of each constituent element is omitted by giving the same reference numerals.

  The CPU 161 displays a file name (data name) of the image data GD or a preview image of the image data GD on the liquid crystal display 19 in accordance with a user instruction. When the user selects image data GD desired to edit the image processing control information GI via the selection / determination button 18, the CPU 161 reads the image data selected by the user from the memory card MC onto the RAM 163 (step S300). ).

  The CPU 161 acquires the image processing control information GI associated with the selected image data (step S310), and displays the acquired image processing control information GI on the liquid crystal display 19 (step S320). The CPU 161 applies the acquired image processing control information to the image data GD stored in the RAM via the image processing circuit 15, and, as shown in FIG. 9, the display image of the image data GD after the image processing and The applied image processing control information GI is displayed on the liquid crystal display 19 (step S330). In FIG. 9, the shooting mode is displayed as the image processing control information GI, and the currently set shooting mode is “night scene”. It goes without saying that the contents shown in FIG. 7 may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 19 as the image processing control information GI.

  The CPU 161 determines whether or not the image processing control information GI has been changed (step S340). If it is determined that the image processing control information GI has been changed (step S340: Yes), the image processing on the image data GD is performed. The control information GI is updated, the updated image processing control information GI is displayed on the liquid crystal display 19, and then the image data GD to which the updated image processing control information GI is applied is displayed on the liquid crystal display 19. (Step S320). Whether or not the image processing control information GI has been changed is determined, for example, by the method described in the first embodiment.

  If the CPU 161 determines that the image processing control information GI has not been changed (step S340: No), the CPU 161 waits until the editing of the image processing control information GI is completed (step S360: No). When the editing of the image processing control information GI ends (step S360: Yes), the CPU 161 determines whether or not an output request for the image data GD has occurred (step S370). The CPU 161 determines that the editing of the image processing control information GI has been completed when an editing end instruction is input from the user via the selection / determination button 18, and an output request for the image data GD is output when the output request instruction is input. It is determined that it has occurred.

  If the CPU 161 determines that an output request has not occurred (step S370: No), the process routine ends. If the CPU 161 determines that an output request has occurred (step S370: Yes), the CPU 161 applies the image processing control information GI updated via the image processing circuit 15 to the image data GD, and sends it to the printer 20 or the like. (Step S380), and this processing routine ends.

  As described above, according to the digital still camera 10 of the second embodiment, the image processing control information GI is obtained while confirming the image data GD to which the image processing control information GI is applied (image processing has been performed). Can be edited. Therefore, the parameter value of the image processing control information GI can be changed to an appropriate value.

  In addition, since image data GD subjected to image processing by applying the image processing control information GI can be output, even in a personal computer PC, printer 20 or the like that cannot interpret and use the image processing control information GI, An image of image data to which the image processing control information GI is applied can be output.

  When an image of the image data GD to which the image processing control information GI is applied is displayed on the liquid crystal display 19, for example, the result of applying the image processing control information GI to the thinned image data GD and thumbnail image data May be displayed. Since the liquid crystal display 19 can display an appropriate image even at a resolution lower than that of the printer (during printing), it is required for image processing while maintaining the image quality of the display image at an appropriate level. The load on the CPU 161 can be reduced.

  Further, when image processing is executed by the CPU 161 via the image processing circuit 15, the image data is analyzed, for example, statistical values of parameters related to image quality are taken, and the statistical values and parameters related to each image quality are preliminarily determined. Automatic image quality adjustment processing using the reference value may be executed. Needless to say, the image processing control information GI can be reflected in the automatic image quality adjustment processing.

Third embodiment:
A digital still camera according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an imaging condition editing process routine in the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a file structure of image data that can be used in the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a display image of shooting time information displayed when editing shooting time information in the third embodiment. Note that terms such as file structure, data structure, and storage area in this embodiment mean an image of a file or data in a state where the file or data is stored in the storage device.

  The digital still camera according to the third embodiment has the same constituent elements as those of the digital still camera 10 according to the first embodiment except that the shooting conditions are edited instead of the image processing control information GI. Since it is provided, description of each component is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  First, the structure of the image data GD1 used in the third embodiment will be described. The image data GD1 includes JPEG image data and an application marker segment APP that stores auxiliary information for the JPEG image data. In the application marker segment APP (IFD), a tag is used to specify each piece of information, and each piece of information is sometimes called by a tag name. The application marker segment APP shown in FIG. 11 includes a tag (area) for storing shooting time information SI (Exif information) describing shooting conditions, and thumbnail image data.

  In the shooting time information SI, shooting conditions at the time of shooting shown in FIG. 12 are described. The shooting time information includes both shooting conditions set by the user such as an exposure program and shooting scene type, and shooting conditions set in the digital still camera 10 during auto shooting such as shutter speed and exposure time.

  Next, photographing information editing processing executed in the digital still camera 10 will be described. In accordance with a user instruction, the CPU 161 displays a file name (data name) of the image data GD1 or a preview image of the image data GD1 on the liquid crystal display 19. When the user selects image data GD1 for which the shooting time information SI is desired to be edited via the selection / determination button 18, the CPU 161 selects the image data selected by the user from the memory card MC (step S400).

  The CPU 161 displays the shooting time information SI associated with the selected image data on the liquid crystal display 19 (step S410). For example, the shooting scene set as the shooting time information SI may be set to “night view”, and shooting may be performed in the daytime without returning the shooting scene to “standard”. Conventionally, even after the user notices that the shooting scene is not appropriate after shooting, the user cannot edit (change) the shooting scene. As a result, image processing in the personal computer PC, printer 20, etc. may not be performed properly.

  According to the digital still camera 10 of the third embodiment, after the shooting, when the user notices that the shooting scene is not appropriate, the user can edit (change) the shooting scene, and as a result, In the personal computer PC, the printer 20, etc., image processing based on an appropriate shooting scene can be executed.

  The CPU 161 waits until the editing of the shooting time information SI is completed (step S420: No). When the editing of the shooting time information SI is completed (step S420: Yes), it is determined whether or not the shooting time information SI is changed. (Step S430). The CPU 161 determines that the editing of the shooting time information SI is completed when an editing end instruction is input from the user via the selection / determination button 18.

  If the CPU 161 determines that the shooting time information SI has not been changed (step S430: No), this processing routine ends. If the CPU 161 determines that the shooting time information SI has been changed (step S430: Yes), the CPU 161 updates the shooting time information described in the image data GD1 (step S440), and ends this processing routine. The update of the shooting time information SI may be performed, for example, by overwriting the shooting time information before the change with the shooting time information after the change or, if appropriate, the parameter value of the shooting time information before the change and the changed value. You may make it add the difference information with the parameter value of information at the time of imaging | photography.

Fourth embodiment:
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of image processing control information editing processing in the fourth embodiment. The first and second embodiments described above are characterized in that the image processing control information GI associated with the image data GD selected by the user is edited after shooting. In the fourth embodiment, the image processing control information GI is edited. The image processing control information GI stored in advance in the ROM 162 is edited regardless of the data GD.

  In the present embodiment, description will be given using the above-described shooting mode as the image processing control information GI. The CPU 161 displays image processing control information GI (shooting mode) on the liquid crystal display 19 in accordance with a user instruction. When the user selects image processing control information GI desired to be edited via the selection / determination button 18, the CPU 161 selects and acquires a shooting mode as the image processing control information GI selected by the user (step S500). . Subsequently, the CPU 161 displays on the liquid crystal display 19 the values of the respective parameters constituting the shooting mode as the image processing control information GI selected and acquired by the user (step S510).

  The CPU 161 waits until the editing of the image processing control information GI ends (step S520: No). When the editing of the image processing control information GI ends (step S520: Yes), the image processing control information GI is changed. It is determined whether it has been done (step S340). Since the determination method for editing the image processing control information GI by the CPU 161 and the determination method for determining whether the image processing control information GI has been changed have already been described in the second and second embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted.

  If the CPU 161 determines that the image processing control information GI has been changed (step S530: Yes), the CPU 161 updates the image processing control information GI on the image data GD (step S540), and ends this processing routine.

  If the CPU 161 determines that the image processing control information GI has not been changed (step S540: No), the CPU 161 ends this processing routine without updating the image processing control information GI. When an output request instruction is input, it is determined that an output request for image data GD has occurred.

  As described above, according to the digital still camera 10 of the fourth embodiment, the image processing control information GI stored in the ROM 162 can be changed (edited) regardless of the image data GD. Therefore, the image processing control information GI, in particular, the values of parameters constituting the shooting mode can be changed in advance according to the user's preference. As a result, the image processing control information GI collectively changed can be described (associated) with the image data without changing the image processing control information GI in units of the image data GD each time.

Other examples:
In each of the above embodiments, the image processing control information GI is described in the header portion of the image data GD and constitutes one image file. However, the image processing control information GI is stored in the memory card MC as different data (separate file) from the image data GD. May be. Further, the image data GD and the image processing control information GI need only be able to be applied to the image data GD at least at the time of the image processing. Absent.

  In the above embodiment, the digital still camera 10 has been described as the imaging device, but a scanner, a digital video camera, or the like can also be used. In addition to a printer, a liquid crystal display, a CRT display, a projector, or the like can be used as an output device.

  The image data GD and the image processing control information GI in the above embodiment include moving image data stored in an optical disc medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, and moving image data. Image processing control information GI for specifying a condition is also included. When moving image data (file) is used, image processing control according to the image processing control information is performed on all or some of the frames of the moving image.

  As described above, the image generation apparatus and the image generation according to the present invention have been described based on the embodiments. However, the embodiments of the present invention described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and limit the present invention. It is not a thing. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital still camera 11 ... Optical circuit 12 ... Image acquisition circuit 13 ... Image quality correction circuit 14 ... Compression circuit 15 ... Image acquisition circuit 16 ... Control circuit 161 ... Central processing unit (CPU)
162 Read-only memory (ROM)
163: Random access memory (RAM)
17 ... Bus 18 ... Select / Enter button 19 ... Liquid crystal display 20 ... Color printer 30 ... Display display PC ... Personal computer GD ... Image data (image processing control information file)
GD1 ... Image data (Shooting information SI (Exif) file)
CV ... Connection cable MC ... Memory card

Claims (7)

An image data output adjusting device for creating or editing image data in which image processing control information is described,
Storage means for storing a plurality of image processing control information, which is information for specifying processing conditions of image data;
Image processing control information selection means for selecting image processing control information to be edited from among the plurality of image processing control information stored in the storage means;
Image processing control information editing means for editing the selected image processing control information;
An image data output adjustment device comprising: update means for collectively updating the image processing control information described in a plurality of image data using the edited image processing control information. The image data output adjustment device according to claim 1,
The image processing control information is a combination of a plurality of parameter values,
The image data output adjustment apparatus, wherein the image processing control information editing means is capable of editing the plurality of parameter values. The image data output adjustment device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
Image processing control information display means used for displaying the image processing control information,
The image processing control information editing unit edits the image processing control information displayed on the image processing control information display unit. The image data output adjustment device according to claim 3 further includes:
Comprising image data storage means for storing a plurality of the image data;
The image data output adjustment device, wherein the update unit updates the image processing control information described in the plurality of image data stored in the image data storage unit in a batch. An image data output adjustment method for creating or editing image data in which image processing control information is described,
Select image processing control information to be edited from storage means for storing a plurality of image processing control information, which is information for specifying processing conditions for image data,
Edit the selected image processing control information,
An image data output adjustment method comprising: collectively updating the image processing control information described in a plurality of image data using the edited image processing control information. An image data output adjustment program for creating or editing image data in which image processing control information is described,
A function for selecting image processing control information to be edited from storage means for storing a plurality of image processing control information, which is information for specifying processing conditions for image data;
A function for editing the selected image processing control information;
An image data output adjustment program for realizing, by a computer, a function of collectively updating the image processing control information described in a plurality of image data using the edited image processing control information. An imaging device,
Storage means for storing a plurality of image processing control information, which is information for specifying processing conditions of image data;
Image processing control information selection means for selecting image processing control information to be edited from among the plurality of image processing control information stored in the storage means;
Image processing control information editing means for editing the selected image processing control information;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: an updating unit that collectively updates the image processing control information described in a plurality of pieces of image data using the edited image processing control information.

Images