JPH07231422A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To drastically shorten photographing time and to reduce cost by deciding the propriety of photographing conditions such as focusing and flash lighting, etc., by a monitor receiver before image data is transferred to information processor. CONSTITUTION:An A/D converter 33 converts the image signal supplied from a video camera via an amplifier, etc., into 10-bit image data. An LUT 34 converts the signal into 8-bit image data. A memory 35 stores this image data supplied via a changeover switch 36. An LUT 37 performs a gamma correction for the image data read out of the memory 35 by a 0.45gamma characteristic, for instance, which is equal to the gamma characteristic of the CRT of an information processor. A D/A converter 38 converts this image data into image signal and supplies the signal to a monitor receiver. The image data read out of the memory 35 as necessary is supplied to an information processor 8 via an SCSI 47.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus,
In particular, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that shoots a subject and outputs image data of a still image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image processing apparatus for shooting a subject and outputting image data of a still image includes, for example, gamma correction, in an image pickup signal obtained by shooting with a video camera including an image pickup tube and a solid-state image pickup device. After performing so-called process processing such as white clipping and knee processing, this image pickup signal is converted into image data, and this image data is stored in a memory. Then, for example, the image data stored in the memory is read out repeatedly, converted into an analog signal again, and displayed on the monitor receiver.

Further, in this image processing apparatus, the image data stored in the memory is converted into, for example, a so-called small computer system interface (hereinafter, SCSI: Sm).
It is called allComputer System Interface. ) To a video printer for printing (printing out) an image based on this image data, or for printing the image data by SCS.
It is adapted to be transferred to an information processing device such as a personal computer or a work station via I for use or to display an image on a CRT included in the information processing device.

By the way, it takes about 40 seconds to transfer the image data to the information processing apparatus, and it takes about 3 minutes to print out the image data, so that the focus, the angle of view (zoom), the image frame, and the like. , Lighting, flash, and other shooting conditions are judged based on the CRT display image and the printed image to obtain the optimum still image, the lighting and video camera adjustments, printout, etc. It was necessary to repeat (cut and try) every time, and required a great deal of time, labor, and a large amount of printing paper.

Therefore, it is conceivable that an optimum still image can be obtained on the basis of the image displayed on the monitor receiver. That is, the color tone, brightness, picture of the CRT of the monitor receiver and the information processing device,
Adjust the contrast and the video printer to make the image quality of the CRT and printer out equal to the color and gradation reproduction of the monitor receiver (hereinafter referred to as image quality), and display the image on the monitor receiver. It is conceivable to adjust the shooting conditions such as focus and lighting while looking to obtain an optimum still image.

[0006]

If the so-called gamma characteristic of the monitor receiver and the gamma characteristic of the CRT differ, the image quality of the image displayed on each differs, and, for example, the characteristics of the video printer and the density of the paper. Depending on the characteristics, the image quality of the image printed out and the image displayed on the monitor receiver are different, and the adjustment of the monitor receiver and the like is cut and try, and this adjustment also takes time. Further, there is a problem that the image quality cannot be made equal by adjusting the monitor receiver or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the image quality of an image displayed on the display means included in the image processing apparatus is determined according to the characteristics of the CRT of the information processing apparatus or the video printer. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device that can be freely adjusted and can determine whether it is an optimum still image based on the display image of the display means.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image pickup means for photographing a subject and outputting an image pickup signal, and an image pickup signal from the image pickup means. To digital image data, storage means for storing the image data from the analog / digital conversion means, and image processing means for performing data processing for adjusting the image quality of the image data read from the storage means. A digital / analog conversion means for converting the image data processed by the image processing means into an image signal; a display means for displaying an image based on the image signal from the digital / analog conversion means; and a storage means. And an output unit that outputs the read image data.

A second image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the same as the first image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing means is a look-up table, and the image data read from the storage means is looked up. An image data subjected to data processing for adjusting image quality is read from a look-up table as a read address of a table and is supplied to a digital / analog conversion means.

A third image processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the look-up table is rewritable in the second image processing apparatus.

[0011]

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, an image pickup signal obtained by shooting a subject is converted into image data, stored as image data of a still image, and stored when outputting the stored image data. After the image data is subjected to data processing for adjusting the image quality, it is converted into an image signal and displayed, so that the image quality of the display means is made equal to the image quality of the CRT of the information processing device or the image quality of the printout of the video printer. be able to.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus that photographs a subject and outputs image data of a still image.

An image processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, converts a video camera 10 which shoots a subject and outputs an imaging signal, and an imaging signal from the video camera 10 into image data. Stored, and the stored image data is output to the information processing device 8 or the like, and after the stored image data is subjected to data processing for adjusting the image quality,
A digital processor 30 for converting into an image signal and a monitor receiver 7 for displaying an image based on the image signal from the digital processor 30 are provided.

Then, the digital processor 30 performs data processing for adjusting the image quality of image data based on the data of a look-up table (hereinafter referred to as LUT) supplied from the information processing device 8, for example. Then, an image based on the adjusted image data is displayed on the monitor receiver 7.

The image processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, has a viewfinder 2, a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 3, and a generator 5.
And a flash 6 are provided so that flash synchronized shooting can be performed.

More specifically, the video camera 10 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a color separation prism 11 for separating the light incident through the video lens 1 into lights of three primary colors, and a charge coupled device, for example. And solid-state image pickup devices (hereinafter, referred to as CCDs) 12 _R , 12 _G , and 12 _B for receiving the respective lights of the three primary colors from the color separation prism 11, and the C.
Preamplifiers 13 _R , 13 _G , and 13 _{B for} amplifying the outputs of the CDs 12 _{R to} 12 _B , respectively, and the preamplifiers 13 _R to
S / H circuits 14 _R for outputting the image signals of the three primary colors by so-called correlated double sampling of the outputs of 13 _B ,
14 _G and 14 _B , and AGC 15 _{R for} adjusting the levels of the respective image pickup signals from the S / H circuits 14 _{R to} 14 _B ,
15 _G and 15 _B, and a process circuit 16 _R for performing so-called process processing on the image pickup signals from the AGCs 15 _R to 15 _B ,
16 _G and 16 _B are provided.

The video lens 1 is, for example, a diaphragm,
The color separation prism 11 splits the light incident through the video lens 1 into light of three primary colors, which is composed of a lens capable of remotely controlling zoom, focus and the like.

CCD 12 _{R to} 12 _B (hereinafter collectively referred to as C
It is called CD12. ) Converts light of the three primary colors into an electric signal, and the preamplifier 13 amplifies the output of the CCD 12.
Then, the S / H circuit 14 generates the imaging signals of the three primary colors by the correlated double sampling method and supplies the imaging signals to the AGC 15. The AGC 15 amplifies the image pickup signal so that the image pickup signal has an appropriate level, that is, a white balance, for example, and supplies the amplified image pickup signal to the process circuit 16.

The process circuit 16 is composed of, for example, a gamma correction circuit, a white clip circuit, a knee circuit, a black clip circuit, and the like. If necessary, the image signal is subjected to process processing such as gamma correction, and the obtained image signal is described above. 1 to a digital processor 30 via a cable 4.

As shown in FIG. 2 described above, the video camera 10 is based on a sync signal generator (hereinafter referred to as SG) 21 for generating a horizontal sync signal and the like, and a horizontal sync signal from the SG 21 and the like. And a timing generation circuit (hereinafter, referred to as TG) for generating the read pulse of the CCD 12 and the like.
22, drivers 23 _H and 23 _V for amplifying read pulses and the like from the TG 22, and an electronic variable volume (hereinafter referred to as EVR) 24 for controlling the gain of the AGC 15.
And a sub central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as SUBCPU) 25 for controlling the EVR 24 and the like.

Then, the SG 21 generates a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal, and supplies these synchronizing signals to the TG 22 and the digital processor 30. The TG 22 generates a read pulse, a vertical transfer pulse, a horizontal transfer pulse, and the like based on these synchronization signals, and the drivers 23 _H , 23
_{The V} drives the CCD 12 with these pulses.

The SUBCPU 25 controls the EVR 24 based on the control signal from the digital processor 30 to change the gain of the AGC 15. In addition, SUBC
The PU 25 controls the diaphragm and the like of the video lens 1.

On the other hand, the viewfinder 2 is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the moving image based on the image signal of the moving image from the digital processor 30 and the still image based on the image data stored in the digital processor 30 are attached to the video camera 10 as described later. It is supposed to be displayed.

Further, the remote controller 3 is provided with various button switches such as a release button, a print button, an aperture value setting button, and an operation mode switching button, and the video camera 10 sends control signals corresponding to the operation of these button switches by the photographer. To control the video camera 10 and the digital processor 30. That is, in addition to the above-described image signals of the three primary colors, the sync signal from the SG 21 of the video camera 10 and the control signal from the remote controller 3 are supplied to the digital processor 30 via the cable 4, and the image signal from the digital processor 30 is supplied. It is supplied to the viewfinder 2.

The digital processor 30 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
, Amplifiers 31 _R , 31 _G and 31 _{B for} amplifying the respective image signals from the video camera 10,
Cable compensators 32 _R and 32 for compensating cable lengths for the respective image signals from the amplifiers 31 _{R to} 31 _B
G , 32 _B and an analog / digital converter for converting the respective image signals from the cable compensators 32 _{R to} 32 _B into image data.
Digital converter (hereinafter referred to as A / D converter) 33
_R , 33 _G and 33 _B and the A / D converters 33 _{R to} 33 _B
LUTs 34 _R , 34 _G , and 34 _B on the camera side, which respectively perform processing for adjusting the gradation on each image data from
The LUT 34 _R to 34C and the memory 35 _R, 35 _G, 35 _B of respectively storing the image data from the _B, the LUT
Image data from 34 _{R to} 34 _B and memories 35 _{R to} 3
A change-over switch 36 _R, 36 _G, 36 _B of each image data from the 5 _B respectively selectively switched, the monitor side performing data processing for adjusting the image quality each image data from said changeover switching switch 36 _R ~ 36 _B, respectively LUT37 _R , 3
7 _G , 37 _B , and a D / A converter 38 for converting each image data from the LUT 37 _{R to} 37 _B into an image signal.
_R , 38 _G and 38 _B and the D / A converters 38 _{R to} 38 _B
Drivers 39 _R , 39 _G and 39 _B for supplying the respective image signals from the monitor receiver 7 and the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the digital processor 30 has a read-only memory (hereinafter, referred to as RO) in which a program for controlling the whole is stored.
M: Read Only Memory. ) 41 and the above LUT3
Random storage of 4 _{R to} 37 _B LUT data, etc.
Access memory (hereinafter RAM: Randam Access Memo
called ry. ) 42, the CPU 43 that executes the programs stored in the ROM 41, and the memory 35 _R
~ 35 _B for controlling the memory controller 44, and the above L
A buffer 45 for writing data to the UTs 34 _{R to} 34 _B , a buffer 46 for writing data to the LUTs 37 _{R to} 37 _B , and a small computer system interface (hereinafter, referred to as an interface with the information processing device 8 or the like). SCSI: Small Computer Sys
It is called tem Interface. ) 47 and.

The amplifiers 31 _{R to} 31 _B (hereinafter collectively referred to as amplifier 31) amplify the image signals of the three primary colors supplied from the process circuit 16 of the video camera 10 via the cable 4, and The compensator 32 compensates the frequency characteristic (so-called f characteristic) according to the length of the cable 4 for the amplified image signal.
The frequency characteristics combined with the frequency characteristics of are flat.
Cable length compensation is performed so that the obtained image signal is supplied to the A / D converter 33.

The A / D converter 33 uses a sampling clock based on the synchronizing signal from the video camera 10 to
The image signal supplied from the cable compensator 32 is converted into, for example, image data having one sample value of 10 bits, and this image data is supplied to the LUT 34.

On the other hand, the RAM 42 is a so-called EEPR, for example.
The LUT is composed of an OM and stores in advance the LUT data supplied from the information processing device 8 via the SCSI 47. The LUT 34 is composed of, for example, a 512K × 8-bit static RAM, and stores LUT data supplied from the RAM 42 via the buffer 45. Specifically, the LUT 34 stores, for example, 0.45γ characteristic data as shown in FIG. 4, and converts the 10-bit image data supplied from the A / D converter 33 into 8-bit image data. At the same time, the gradation is adjusted and the obtained image data is supplied to the changeover switch 36.

By the way, this image processing apparatus has three operation modes, for example, a camera mode, a memory mode, and a standby mode. In the camera mode, the changeover switch 36 displays the image data from the LUT 34 on the camera side on the monitor side. In the memory mode, the image data read from the memory 35 is supplied to the LUT 37.

In the standby mode, the change-over switch 36 supplies the image data from the LUT 34 to the LUT 37, and when the release button of the remote controller 3 is pressed,
The image data from the UT 34 is supplied to the memory 35.

The memory 35 comprises, for example, a maximum of 10 frame memories, and stores the image data supplied from the changeover switch 36 in synchronization with the light emission of the flash 6 in the standby mode. Specifically, the memory controller 44 performs control to sequentially write image data in the frame memory each time flash synchronized imaging is performed, for example. As a result, the image data of up to 10 still images is stored in the memory 35. Further, the memory controller 44 controls the reading of image data from each frame memory of the memory 35 in the memory mode, for example,
The read image data is supplied to the LUT 37 on the monitor side.

The LUTs 37 _R , 37 _G , and 37 _B are, for example, 512K × 8-bit SRAMs, and RAM4
2 stores the data of the LUT supplied via the buffer 46. Specifically, for example, the color reproduction, gradation reproduction (image quality) of the monitor receiver and the image quality of the CRT or printer out of the information processing device 8 are equal to each other.
The UT data is stored. Then, the LUT 37 uses the image data read from the memory 35 as a read address, reads the image data whose image quality has been adjusted, and supplies this image data to the D / A converter 38.

The D / A converter 38 converts the image data supplied from the LUT 37 into an image signal, and supplies this image signal to the monitor receiver 7 via the driver 39. The image signal is also supplied to the viewfinder 2 via the cable 4.

The image data stored in the memory 35 is transferred to the information processing device 8 and the video printer 9 as needed. Specifically, when the photographer presses the print button on the remote controller 3 or executes the software for capturing image data in the information processing device 8, the CPU 4
3 controls the memory controller 44 to control the memory 35.
The image data stored in the desired frame memory is read and the image data is transferred to the video printer 9 or the like via the SCSI 47. And the video printer 9
Prints out an image based on the transferred image data. In addition, the information processing device 8 uses the transferred image data or has a CRT provided therein.
An image based on the image data is displayed on.

The specific characteristics of the process circuit 16 and the LUTs 34, 37 of the video camera 10 will be described. For example, when adjusting the focus or the like while watching the moving image displayed on the monitor receiver 7, the process circuit 1
6 gamma correction works (hereinafter referred to as ON), LU
The characteristics of T34 and T37 are made linear. As a result, gamma correction suitable for display on the monitor receiver 7 is performed.

Further, for example, when transferring image data to the information processing device 8, the gamma correction of the process circuit 16 is turned off, the characteristic of the LUT 34 is made linear, and the characteristic of the LUT 37 is changed to the gamma characteristic of the CRT, for example, 0.45γ characteristic. And As a result, the image data that has not been subjected to gamma correction (linear) can be transferred to the information processing device 8 and the image quality of the monitor receiver 7 and the image quality of the CRT can be made equal.

For example, when transferring image data to the video printer 9, the gamma correction of the process circuit 16 is turned on, the characteristic of the LUT 34 is made linear, and the LUT 37 is set.
Are made equal to the characteristics of the video printer 9. As a result, the image quality of the monitor receiver 7 and the image quality of the printed out can be made equal.

Thus, in the camera mode, the moving image captured by the video camera 10 is displayed on the viewfinder 2 and the monitor receiver 7, and the photographer looks at the screen of the viewfinder 2 or the like and focuses and images. The angle (zoom), the image frame, etc. can be adjusted.

On the other hand, in the memory mode, a still image based on the image data stored in the frame memory 35 is displayed on the monitor receiver 7, and the image data is transferred to the image processing device 8 or printed by the video printer 9. You can check the captured still image before you go out.
That is, the quality of the shooting conditions such as focus, image frame, illumination, and flash can be determined by the screen of the monitor receiver 7, and the shooting time can be significantly shortened as compared with the conventional device. Also, the cost can be reduced.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG.
By making the characteristics of Nos. 4 and 37 inverse linear, it is possible to obtain the image data of the still image of the positive / negative conversion, and at the same time, the monitor receiver 7 can see the normal (positive) image. Further, the characteristics of the LUTs 34 and 37 can be freely set from the information processing device 8 as described above, and can be various characteristics such as the characteristics of an S-shaped curve as shown in FIG. It is possible to obtain image data of desired image quality while looking at the screen of the receiver 7.

Further, by storing the LUT data transferred from the information processing device 8 in the nonvolatile memory such as the EEPROM as described above, when the digital processor 30 is turned on, it can be used immediately and conveniently. You can improve your sex.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, as an image processing means for performing data processing for adjusting image quality of image data, an arithmetic circuit is used instead of the look-up table. Etc. can also be used.

[0044]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an image pickup signal obtained by shooting a subject is converted into image data, stored as image data of a still image, and the stored image data is output. In this case, the stored image data is subjected to data processing for adjusting the image quality, and then converted into an image signal and displayed. The image quality can be made equal to the image quality of the output, and the still image taken by the display unit can be confirmed before the image data is transferred to the image processing apparatus or printed out by the video printer. That is, the quality of the shooting conditions such as focus, image frame, illumination, and flash can be determined by the screen of the display unit, and the shooting time can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional device, and the cost can be reduced. Can be reduced.

Further, in the present invention, by making the look-up table rewritable, it is possible to obtain image data of a desired image quality while looking at the screen of the display means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of an image processing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of a video camera that constitutes the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of a digital processor that constitutes the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a 0.45γ characteristic as a specific characteristic of an LUT which constitutes the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an inverse linear characteristic as a specific characteristic of the LUT.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing specific characteristics of the LUT.

[Explanation of symbols]

7 Monitor Receiver 10 Video Camera 12 _R , 12 _G , 12 _B CCD 30 Digital Processor 33 _R , 33 _G , 33 _B A / D Converter 34 _R , 34 _G , 34 _B , 37 _R , 37 _G , 37 _B L
UT 35 _R , 35 _G , 35 _B memory 38 _R , 38 _G , 38 _B D / A converter 42 RAM 43 CPU 44 memory controller 47 SCSI

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for photographing a subject and outputting an image pickup signal, an analog / digital conversion means for converting the image pickup signal from the image pickup means into image data, and image data from the analog / digital conversion means. Storage means for storing, image processing means for performing data processing for adjusting image quality on the image data read from the storage means, and digital for converting the image data subjected to the data processing by the image processing means into image signals / Analog conversion means, display means for displaying an image based on the image signal from the digital / analog conversion means, and output means for outputting the image data read from the storage means. Image processing device. 2. The image processing means comprises a look-up table, and the image data read from the storage means is used as a read address of the look-up table to adjust the image quality from the look-up table. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data subjected to the data processing is read out and supplied to the digital / analog converting means. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the look-up table is rewritable.