JPH11220741A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To drastically reduce the deterioration of frequency components needed for character recognition and to enhance character recognition ratio. SOLUTION: At character recognition image-pickup of a digital camera, a camera control part 108 instructs an image binarization part 105 to perform binarization processing of the image. Then, when the image binarization part 105 refers to contents of a frame memory 102, interprets the data of each pixel as luminance data as they are and has a luminance more than a certain threshold, other wise it interprets it as being white or black. Thus, by binarizing the image and writing it in an image storage part 106, it is determined whether or not it is an image-pickup for the character recognition pixel, a binary pixel that is not much distorted is taken out without performing pixel mixing processing at image-pickup of the character recognition pixel and the character recognition ratio is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera for electronically recording a still image as digital data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Character recognition software such as a personal computer reads binary image data and recognizes characters in the image. For this reason, a business card or the like is photographed with a digital camera, the color image is read into a personal computer, and then binarized and then subjected to character recognition processing.

[0003]

However, in an image taken by a conventional digital camera, a single-plate color C
CD (Charge Coupled Device)
, RGB (Red / Green / Blu) for each pixel (in case of primary color filter type)
e) has only any one of the information of e).

Therefore, focusing on a certain pixel, for example, if the pixel has only R information, G and B data must be generated for the pixel.

In a conventional digital camera, G and B information are interpolated using a method called pixel mixing. More specifically, G and B information for a pixel of interest is calculated by low-pass filter calculation or the like from adjacent pixels having G and B information.

As described above, when pixel mixing is performed, an operation such as a low-pass filter is performed, and an image containing many high-frequency components such as a character outline is distorted.
For example, if you shoot a business card and mix pixels,
The outline of the character is blurred, and the white portion included in the character is blackened. Thus, even if the distorted image is binarized and the character recognition process is executed, a high recognition rate cannot be expected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital camera capable of greatly reducing the deterioration of high-frequency components required for character recognition and improving the character recognition rate.

[0008]

In order to solve this problem, a digital camera according to the present invention comprises a single-chip color CCD for capturing a color image, and a frame memory for storing image data captured by the single-chip color CCD. A color data interpolating unit for generating RGB data corresponding to individual pixels with respect to the image data stored in the frame memory, and an instruction to store an instruction as to whether or not to perform character recognition on the captured image A mode instructing unit and an image binarizing unit that binarizes image data taken into the frame memory from the single-chip color CCD when an instruction stored in the photographing mode instructing unit is to photograph a character recognition image. Department and
An image storage unit for storing an output result of the color data interpolation unit or the image binarization unit.

Thus, it is possible to determine whether or not the image of the character recognition pixel has been photographed, and it is possible to extract a binary pixel with little distortion without performing a pixel mixing process when photographing the character recognition pixel. The character recognition rate can be greatly improved.

In the digital camera according to the present invention, preferably, the image binarizing section designates a threshold value for performing a binarizing process; A display memory for storing image data for displaying a change in the image according to the content specified by the instruction unit; and a display unit for displaying the content of the display memory.

Thus, the user can select and select the binarization threshold value while checking the image, and can save the high-frequency components necessary for character recognition, thereby improving the character recognition rate.

Further, the digital camera of the present invention has an automatic white balance setting section for calculating the white balance for the single-chip color CCD based on the contents of the image storage section and instructing each of the RGB gains. Things.

[0013] Thus, the color temperature of the light source does not depend on
Since a stable luminance component or a binarized image can be taken out, high-frequency components necessary for character recognition are preserved, and the character recognition rate can be improved.

Further, the digital camera of the present invention has an outline emphasizing section for performing an outline emphasizing process by referring to the contents of the frame memory.

[0015] Thereby, in order to improve the deterioration of the high frequency component due to the optical system, the high frequency component necessary for character recognition is preserved, and the character recognition rate can be improved.

The digital camera according to the present invention further comprises a photographing distance instructing unit for instructing whether the photographing is a close-up photographing or a normal photographing, and a color information extracting unit for extracting color information from the image taken in the single-plate type color CCD. OCR (Optical Ch) that determines that the shooting is for character recognition in the mode
(Archor Reader) photographing determination unit.

Accordingly, when the color information of the subject is small in the close-up photographing situation, it is determined that the image for character recognition is to be photographed, so that the user does not need to give an instruction in the photographing for OCR, and the burden on the operation can be reduced. it can.

The digital camera according to the present invention includes a single-chip color CCD for capturing a color image and the single-chip color CCD.
D, a frame memory for storing the captured image data, a color data interpolator for generating RGB data corresponding to individual pixels for the image data stored in the frame memory, and an instruction for close-up or normal shooting A photographing distance instructing unit that performs color recognition from an image captured by the single-chip color CCD, and determines that the photographing is for character recognition if the color information is small and the close-up mode is set.
A CR image determination unit, and an image binary for binarizing image data taken into the frame memory from the single-chip color CCD when an instruction stored in the imaging mode instruction unit is to capture a character recognition image. And an image storage unit for storing an output result of the color data interpolation unit or the image binarization unit.

Accordingly, when the color information of the subject is small in the close-up photographing situation, it is determined that the image for character recognition is to be photographed, so that the user does not need to give an instruction in photographing for OCR, thereby reducing the burden of operation. Can be.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a single-chip color CCD for taking in a color image, a frame memory for storing image data taken by the single-chip color CCD, and a frame memory. A color data interpolation unit that generates RGB data corresponding to each pixel with respect to the stored image data, a shooting mode instruction unit that stores an instruction as to whether or not to perform character recognition on a captured image; An image binarization unit for binarizing image data taken into the frame memory from the single-panel color CCD when the instruction stored in the imaging mode instruction unit is to capture a character recognition image; A digital interpolating unit or an image storing unit that stores an output result of the image binarizing unit. Since it is determined whether or not a shadow has the effect of a can retrieve the binary pixels less distortion without pixel mixing process at the time of shooting for character recognition pixel character recognition rate can be greatly improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a binarization threshold for instructing the image binarization section to specify a threshold value for performing a binarization process. A digital memory comprising: a value indicating unit; a display memory for storing image data for displaying a change in an image according to the content specified by the binarization threshold value indicating unit; and a display unit for displaying the content of the display memory. The camera is a camera, and a binarization threshold instructing unit and a display unit allow a user to select and select a binarization threshold while checking an image, so that high-frequency components required for character recognition can be stored and a character recognition rate can be saved. Can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the single plate type color CC is provided.
D is a digital camera provided with an auto white balance setting unit that calculates a white balance based on the content of the image storage unit and instructs each of the RGB gains. Since a stable luminance component or a binarized image can be taken out without being affected, the character recognition rate can be improved, and character recognition can be performed correctly even with a colored business card. It has the action of:

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the outline emphasizing section for performing the outline emphasizing process by referring to the contents of the frame memory is provided. The outline emphasis section improves deterioration of high-frequency components due to the optical system, so that high-frequency components necessary for character recognition are preserved, and the recognition rate of character recognition can be improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing distance indicating section for instructing a close-up photographing or a normal photographing, and the single-plate type color CCD. Extract color information from the image captured in the
This digital camera is equipped with an OCR shooting determination unit that determines that the shooting is for character recognition when the color information is small and in the close-up mode. Even if the color information of the subject is small in the close-up shooting by the OCR shooting determination unit, character recognition is performed. Since it is possible to recognize the image for the OCR, there is no need for the user to give an instruction for the OCR shooting, and the operation load can be reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a single-chip color CCD for capturing a color image, a frame memory for storing image data captured by the single-chip color CCD, and an image stored in the frame memory. For the data, a color data interpolator for generating RGB data corresponding to each pixel, a photographing distance instructing unit for instructing close-up or normal photographing, and color information from an image captured by the single-chip color CCD If the color information is small and the shooting mode is the close-up mode, an OCR shooting determination unit that determines that the shooting is for character recognition, and the instruction stored in the shooting mode instruction unit is a shooting of a character recognition image An image binarization unit for binarizing image data taken into the frame memory from the single-chip color CCD; and the color data interpolation unit or the color data interpolation unit. The digital camera includes an image storage unit that stores an output result of the image binarization unit. The OCR imaging determination unit can recognize an image for character recognition even in a case where color information of a subject is small in close-up photography. Therefore, there is no need for the user to give an instruction for OCR shooting, and the operation load can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In these drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a photographing operation of the digital camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, the digital camera comprises a single-chip color CCD 101, a frame memory 10
2. Color data interpolation unit 103, shooting mode instruction unit 10
4, an image binarization unit 105, an image storage unit 106, a shutter 107, and a camera control unit 108.

The single-chip color CCD 101 captures a color image, and the single-chip color CCD 101
Is connected to the camera control unit 108. The frame memory 102 stores image data captured by the single-plate type color CCD 101, and is similarly connected to the camera control unit 108.

The color data interpolation unit 103 generates RGB data for each pixel with respect to the image data stored in the frame memory 102. For example, a single-panel color CCD of a primary color filter type can have only one of RGB information for each pixel, so that R, G, and B data that does not exist in each pixel are adjacent to each other. Generated by interpolating from other pixels. The same applies to the complementary color filter type. The color data interpolation unit 103 is also connected to the camera control unit 108.

The photographing mode instructing section 104 instructs in advance whether or not to perform character recognition on an image photographed by the user, and stores the instruction. The shooting mode instruction unit 104 is also connected to the camera control unit 108.

Further, since the character recognition process expects a binarized image, the image binarizing unit 105 is a single-panel type when the user instructs the photographing mode instructing unit 104 to photograph a character recognizing image. The image data taken into the frame memory 102 from the color CCD 101 is binarized.

The image storage unit 106 stores the output result of the color data interpolation unit 103 or the image binarization unit 105, and the shutter 107 instructs the user to shoot at a desired timing. The image binarization unit 105, the image storage unit 106, and the shutter 107 are connected to a camera control unit 108.

When the user presses the shutter 107, the camera control unit 108 instructs the single-panel color CCD 101 to capture an image, stores the captured result in the frame memory 102, and When the normal shooting mode is selected, the image data stored in the frame memory 102 is passed to the color data interpolation unit 103, the color data is interpolated, and the result is stored in the image storage unit 106. When shooting of an image for character recognition is selected by the mode instruction unit 104, the image data stored in the frame memory 102 is transferred to the image binarization unit 105, and the result is stored in the image storage unit 10.
6 is stored.

Next, the photographing operation of the digital camera according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, when the user operates the shutter 107, the camera control unit 108 instructs the single-panel color CCD 101 to capture an image, and the single-panel color CCD 101
101 writes the image data into the frame memory 102 (step S101).

Thereafter, the camera control unit 108 inquires of the photographing mode instructing unit 104 about the current photographing mode (step S102).

In the process of step S102, when the mode instructed by the user is the normal photographing mode, the camera control unit 108 instructs the color data interpolation unit 103 to interpolate color data, and the color data interpolation unit 103 The color data is interpolated with reference to the contents of the memory 102, and the result is written to the image storage unit 106 (step S103). Thus, the shooting operation in the normal shooting mode ends.

Further, in the processing of step S102,
When instructing to capture an image for character recognition, the camera control unit 108 instructs the image binarization unit 105 to perform image binarization processing, and the image binarization unit 105
2, the data of each pixel is interpreted as luminance data as it is, and when the luminance has a certain threshold or more, the image is binarized by interpreting as white, otherwise as black, Write to the image storage unit 106 (step S
104), the photographing operation of the character recognition image in the photographing mode ends.

Thus, in the first embodiment, the photographing mode instructing unit 104 can determine whether or not the photographing of the character recognition pixel is performed. Therefore, the pixel mixing process is not performed when photographing the character recognition pixel. Since a binary pixel with less distortion is extracted, the character recognition rate can be greatly improved.

According to the first embodiment, the color data is interpolated and then stored in the image storage unit 106.
(Joint Photographic Expert
After performing image compression processing such as “ts Group”, the image data is stored in the image storage unit 106, which is no different from the gist of the present invention.

In the contents of the frame memory 102, each pixel is regarded as a "luminance component" without any change.
In general, since there is a difference in RGB sensitivity in a CCD, even if interpreted as a “luminance component” after multiplying the reciprocal of this sensitivity,
It does not change the gist of the present invention.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a photographing operation of the digital camera according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, the digital camera described in the first embodiment has a binary
09, an image storage unit 110, a display image memory 111, and a display unit 112.

The binarization threshold value instructing section 109 instructs the image binarization section 105 to specify a threshold value for performing the binarization processing. The image storage unit 110 stores the output result of the color data interpolation unit 103 or the image binarization unit 105.

Further, the display image memory 111 stores an image for confirming how the binarized image changes when the user designates a threshold value. The display unit 112 displays the contents of the display image memory 111.

The binarization threshold value instructing section 109, the image storage section 110, and the display image memory 111 are connected to the camera control section 108, and the camera control section 10
8 controls the operation. The display unit 112
Are connected to the display image memory 111.

Next, the photographing operation of the digital camera according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Here, a description will be given assuming that a business card is photographed as an image for character recognition.

First, the camera control unit 108 instructs the single-panel color CCD 101 to capture an image. The single-chip color CCD 101 stores the captured image in the frame memory 10.
2 (step S201).

Then, the camera control unit 108 inquires of the photographing mode instructing unit 104 whether or not the current user's designation is to photograph a character recognition image (step S202).

In the process of step S202, when the instruction for photographing the image for character recognition has been given, the photographing mode is the photographing mode for the image for character recognition, and therefore, the image binarization unit 105
Is instructed to binarize the image. Camera control unit 108
Refers to the binarization threshold instructing unit 109, performs binarization based on the threshold specified by the user, and stores the result in the image storage unit 110 (step S203).

Also, in the processing of step S202,
If the mode instructed by the user is the normal shooting mode, the camera control unit 108 instructs the color data interpolation unit 103 to interpolate color data, and the color data interpolation unit 103 updates the contents of the frame memory 102. The color data is interpolated with reference to the result (step S204), and the result is written in the image storage unit 110.

Thereafter, the user checks the contents of the display unit 112, and if the image is a desired image, presses the shutter 107 to load the image into the image storage unit 106. Thus, the normal photographing operation ends.

Next, the camera control unit 108 controls the shutter 1
07 is pressed (step S2).
05) When the shutter 107 is pressed, the camera control unit 108 transfers the contents of the image storage unit 110 to the display image memory 111. Then, the display unit 112 actually displays the contents of the display image memory 111 (step S
206), and returns to the process of step S201.

Here, a case will be described in which the user refers to the contents of the display unit 112 and the binarized image is not the desired image, for example, the entire screen is too black.

In this case, the user operates the binarization threshold value instructing unit 109 to reduce the threshold value. Then, steps S201 to S2 described above are performed.
03 and the processing of steps S205 and S206, the display unit 112 displays an image that is entirely whiter than before.

As described above, the user operates the binarization threshold value instructing section 109 to confirm on the display section 112 an image having the clearest contrast of the subject to be photographed.

When the user presses the shutter 107 after confirming the image on the display unit 112, a step S205 is performed.
In the processing of (1), it is confirmed that the shutter 107 is pressed, and the camera control unit 108 sets the current image storage unit 110
Is written into the image storage unit 106 (step S20).
7) The photographing operation for character recognition ends.

Thus, according to the second embodiment, 2
The binarization threshold instructing unit 109 and the display unit 112 allow the user to select and binarize the binarization threshold while checking the image, so that high-frequency components required for character recognition can be saved and the character recognition rate can be improved. be able to.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a photographing operation of the digital camera according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

In the third embodiment, the white balance calculation unit 113 is added to the digital camera described in the first embodiment.
Is provided, and the white balance calculation unit 113 is provided.
Is connected to the camera control unit 108. The white balance calculation unit 113 is controlled by a camera control unit 108.

The white balance calculation unit 113 determines each RGB from the contents of the frame memory 102 in order to set a gain for each RGB for the single-chip color CCD 101.
The value of the B component is integrated over the entire screen to determine the RGB ratio.

Next, the photographing operation of the digital camera according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, when the user operates the shutter 107, the camera control unit 108 issues an image capture instruction to the single-chip color CCD 101, and the single-chip color CCD 1
01 writes the image data into the frame memory 102 (step S301).

Next, the camera control unit 108 instructs the white balance calculation unit 113 to calculate the white balance, and the white balance calculation unit 113 refers to the frame memory 102, integrates each RGB value, and R such that the integrated values of RGB are equal for the entire image
Each gain of GB is calculated (step S302). The camera control unit 108 receives this value and receives a single-plate color CC.
Set to D101.

Then, the camera control unit 108 determines whether the mode instructed by the user to the shooting mode instruction unit 104 is a normal shooting or a character recognition image shooting (step S303). .

In the case of normal photographing, the camera control unit 108 instructs the color data interpolation unit 103 to interpolate color data, and the color data interpolation unit 103 refers to the contents of the frame memory 102 to interpolate color data. Then, the result is written in the image storage unit 106, and the photographing operation in the normal photographing mode ends.

Further, in the process of step S303,
If the user has instructed a mode for shooting a character recognition image, the camera control unit 108 instructs the image binarization unit 105 to perform image binarization processing, and the image binarization unit 105 The data of each pixel is interpreted as it is as luminance data with reference to the contents of the memory 102, and if the luminance has a certain threshold or more, the image is binarized by interpreting as white or otherwise black. (Step S305) By writing in the image storage unit 106, the photographing operation of the photographing mode of the image for character recognition ends.

As a result, according to the third embodiment, the white balance calculation unit 113 can take out a stable luminance component or a binarized image regardless of the color temperature of the light source. The character recognition rate can be improved, and character recognition can be performed correctly even with colored business cards.

In the third embodiment, the color data is interpolated and then stored in the image storage unit 106. However, after the image compression processing such as JPEG is performed as is generally performed in a digital camera, However, even if it is stored in the image storage unit 106, it is not different from the gist of the present invention.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a photographing operation of the digital camera according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

In the fourth embodiment, the digital camera according to the first embodiment is provided with an outline emphasis unit 114, and the outline emphasis unit 114 is connected to the camera control unit 108. Control is governed. Further, the contour emphasizing unit 114 performs a Laplacian operation with reference to the contents of the frame memory 102 and stores the result in the frame memory 102 again.

Next, the photographing operation of the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, when the user operates the shutter 107, the camera control unit 108 instructs the single-panel color CCD 101 to capture an image. Single-plate color CCD1
01 writes the image data into the frame memory 102 (step S401).

Then, the camera control unit 108 inquires of the photographing mode instruction unit 104 about the current photographing mode,
It is determined whether the mode instructed by the user is a normal shooting mode or a character recognition image shooting (step S40).
2) When the user has instructed the normal shooting mode, the camera control unit 108 instructs the color data interpolation unit 103 to interpolate color data. Then, the color data interpolation unit 1
03 performs color data interpolation by referring to the contents of the frame memory 102 (step S403), writes the result in the image storage unit 106, and ends the shooting operation in the normal shooting mode.

In this case, the color data is interpolated and then stored in the image storage unit 106. However, after image compression processing such as JPEG is performed as is usually performed in a digital camera, the image storage unit 106 Even if it is stored in 106, it is not different from the gist of the present invention.

Next, in the process of step S402,
When the user has instructed the mode for shooting a character recognition image, the camera control unit 108 instructs the outline emphasis unit 114 to perform outline emphasis processing. The contour emphasizing unit 114 performs a Laplacian operation with reference to the frame memory 102, and stores the result in the frame memory 102 (step S4).
04).

Thereafter, the camera control unit 108 instructs the image binarization unit 105 to perform image binarization processing, and the image binarization unit 105 refers to the contents of the frame memory 102 and After interpreting the data as it is as luminance data, if the luminance is equal to or higher than a certain threshold, the image is binarized by interpreting as white or otherwise as black (step S405), and written into the image storage unit 106. Thus, the photographing operation of the character recognition image in the photographing mode ends.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, since the deterioration of the high frequency component due to the optical system is improved by the contour emphasizing unit 114, the high frequency component necessary for character recognition is preserved, and the character recognition is performed. Rate can be improved.

In the fourth embodiment, the Laplacian operation is used to enhance the contour. However, the use of other functions and operations does not change the gist of the present invention.

Although the frame memory 102 is referred to in the outline emphasizing unit 114, the gist of the present invention is the same even if the image storage unit 106 is used instead.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a photographing operation of the digital camera according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

In the fifth embodiment, the digital camera comprises a single-chip color CCD 101, a frame memory 10
2, color data interpolation unit 103, image binarization unit 105,
Image storage unit 106, shutter 107, camera control unit 10
8, an imaging mode instruction unit 115 and an OCR imaging determination unit 116.

The photographing mode instructing section 115 instructs whether the user takes a close-up photograph or a normal photographing. The OCR shooting determination unit 116
Color information is extracted from the image stored in the frame memory 102, and if the color information is small and the mode is the close-up mode, it is determined that the shooting is for character recognition.

The camera control unit 108 includes the single-chip color CCD 101, the frame memory 102, the color data interpolation unit 103, the image binarization unit 105, the image storage unit 106, the shutter 107, the shooting mode instruction unit 115, and the OCR It controls the control of the photographing determination unit 116.

Next, the photographing operation of the digital camera according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, the user operates the shutter 107, and the camera control unit 108 instructs the single-panel color CCD 101 to capture an image. Then, the single-plate color CCD 101 writes the image data into the frame memory 102 (step S501).

Then, the camera control unit 108 inquires of the photographing mode instructing unit 115 about close-up photographing or normal photographing (step S502). If the user has specified close-up shooting, the camera control unit 108
6 is notified that the user is currently selecting close-up photography.

The OCR photographing judging section 116 integrates each component of RGB from the image stored in the frame memory 102. If the respective integrated values are close to each other, it is interpreted that there is little color information (step S503). Is determined, the camera control unit 108 instructs the image binarization unit 105 to perform image binarization processing (step S50).
4).

Next, the image binarization unit 105 refers to the contents of the frame memory 102, interprets the data of each pixel as it is as luminance data, and if the luminance of the pixel exceeds a certain threshold, white and white If not, the image is binarized by interpreting it as black and written into the image storage unit 106, and the photographing operation of the character recognition image ends.

In the process of step S502,
If the user has instructed the normal shooting mode, the camera control unit 108 instructs the color data interpolation unit 103 to interpolate color data (step S505). The color data interpolation unit 103 refers to the contents of the frame memory 102, interpolates the color data, and stores the result in the image storage unit 1.
06, and the photographing operation in the normal photographing mode ends.

Thus, in the fifth embodiment, the OCR
Even when the color information of the subject is small in close-up shooting by the shooting determination unit 116, an image for character recognition can be recognized, so that the user does not need to give an instruction for OCR shooting, and the operation load can be reduced.

In the fifth embodiment, the color data is interpolated and then stored in the image storage unit 106.
After the image compression processing such as described above is performed, the image data is stored in the image storage unit 106, which is no different from the gist of the present invention.

Further, in the present embodiment, the user instructs whether to perform close-up shooting or normal shooting. However, even if close-up shooting is performed automatically by auto-focusing, this does not depart from the gist of the present invention.

[0095]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the photographing mode instructing unit determines whether or not the photographing of the character recognition pixel is performed, the pixel mixing process is performed at the time of photographing the character recognition pixel. Thus, a binary pixel with little distortion can be taken out, and the character recognition rate can be greatly improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the user can select the binarization threshold while photographing the image while confirming the image with the binarization threshold instructing section and the display section. High frequency components can be stored, and an effective effect of improving the character recognition rate can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, a stable luminance component or a binarized image can be taken out without being influenced by the color temperature of the light source by the white balance calculating section. An effective effect of being able to greatly improve is obtained.

According to the present invention, since the deterioration of the high frequency component due to the optical system is improved by the contour emphasizing section, the high frequency component necessary for character recognition is preserved, and the effective effect of improving the recognition rate of character recognition can be obtained. can get.

According to the present invention, an image for character recognition can be recognized by the OCR photographing determination unit even when the color information of the subject is small in close-up photography.
This eliminates the need for the user to give an instruction for OCR shooting, and provides an effective effect of reducing the operation load.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a shooting operation of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a photographing operation of the digital camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a photographing operation of the digital camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a photographing operation of the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a photographing operation of the digital camera according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 single-chip color CCD 102 frame memory 103 color data interpolation unit 104 shooting mode instruction unit 105 image binarization unit 106 image storage unit 107 shutter 108 camera control unit 109 binarization threshold instruction unit 110 image storage unit 111 display image Memory 112 Display unit 113 White balance calculation unit 114 Outline enhancement unit 115 Shooting mode instruction unit 116 OCR shooting determination unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A single-chip color CCD for capturing a color image
A frame memory for storing image data captured by the single-chip color CCD; a color data interpolation unit for generating RGB data corresponding to individual pixels with respect to the image data stored in the frame memory; A shooting mode instructing unit that stores an instruction as to whether or not to perform character recognition on the captured image; and if the instruction stored in the shooting mode instructing unit is to shoot a character recognition image, An image binarization unit that binarizes the image data taken into the frame memory; and an image storage unit that stores an output result of the color data interpolation unit or the image binarization unit. Digital camera. 2. A binarization threshold instructing unit for instructing a threshold value for performing a binarization process with respect to the binary image binarization unit, and according to contents specified by the binarization threshold instructing unit. 2. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a display memory for storing image data for displaying a change in an image; and a display unit for displaying the contents of the display memory. 3. A white balance is calculated for the single-chip color CCD based on the contents of the image storage unit.
3. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising an auto white balance setting unit for instructing each of RGB gains. 4. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising an outline emphasis unit for performing an outline emphasis process by referring to the contents of said frame memory. 5. A photographing distance instructing unit for instructing whether the photographing is close-up or normal photographing, and color information is extracted from an image taken in the single-chip color CCD, and is used for character recognition when the color information is small and in close-up mode. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an OCR photographing determining unit that determines that the photographing is performed. 6. A single-chip color CCD for capturing a color image
A frame memory for storing image data captured by the single-chip color CCD; a color data interpolator for generating RGB data corresponding to individual pixels with respect to the image data stored in the frame memory; A shooting distance instructing unit for instructing whether to perform normal shooting or not, and extracting color information from an image captured in the single-chip type color CCD, and if the color information is small and in a close-up mode, the shooting is for character recognition. An OCR imaging determination unit for determining, and an image for binarizing image data taken into the frame memory from the single-chip color CCD when an instruction stored in the imaging mode instruction unit is to capture a character recognition image. A digital camera comprising: a binarization unit; and an image storage unit that stores an output result of the color data interpolation unit or the image binarization unit. La.