JP4346222B2 - Mobile phone - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile phone that handles image files.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras and the like, opportunities for handling image files in information devices such as personal computers have increased. The image file can be edited and processed with respect to the image file acquired from the camera by using a dedicated utility program.
[0003]
For example, when an image file is to be changed to a predetermined data size for a certain purpose, the image file can be changed to a predetermined data size by a user's operation using an image editing function provided in the utility program. it can.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, conventionally, although the data size of the image file can be changed, the user has to operate the utility program so as to obtain a predetermined data size. Therefore, in order to adjust the data size of the image file, a certain amount of expert knowledge is required for the user, and trial and error operations such as repeated operations to achieve the target data size are performed. It may be necessary, and the burden on the user is large.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a mobile phone capable of reducing the work burden on the user and changing the image file to a predetermined data size. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a mobile phone capable of changing the image file so that the data size of the image file does not become larger than the specified data size , the size setting means for setting the specified data size and the image lower limit size ; Format setting means for setting a plurality of image formats with different compression ratios, and the size of the image represented by the image file when the data size of the image file is larger than the specified data size set by the size setting means A changed image size setting means for setting a changed image size reduced at a predetermined ratio with respect to the image lower limit size set by the size setting means, and an image of the image file A size changing means for changing to a size indicated by the changed image size; The image is resized by size changing means, the used plurality of in ascending order compression ratio of the image format set by the format setting means, one of said plurality of image formats until no greater than the specified data size Image file changing means for sequentially changing the specified data to the specified data even if the data size of the image file changed by the image file changing means is changed using all the image formats set by the format setting means. When the size is larger than the size, the changed image size setting means sets the changed image size further reduced at a predetermined ratio, and the size changing means sets the image file changed by the image file changing means. The image data is indicated by the further reduced image size. Change in size, and wherein the changing the image format by the image file changing means.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a mail terminal according to the present embodiment. The mail terminal in the present embodiment is realized by, for example, a computer that reads a program recorded on a recording medium and whose operation is controlled by this program. The mail terminal in the present embodiment is a dedicated terminal equipped with a function for facilitating transmission / reception of e-mails, handles image files of images taken by a camera, and stores image files of image files suitable for a predetermined purpose. It is possible to operate as an image processing apparatus having a function capable of changing to a data size.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 1, the mail terminal in this embodiment includes a CPU 10, a ROM 12, a RAM 14, an external storage device 16, an auxiliary storage device 18, a camera 20, an LCD 22, a VRAM 24, a pointing device 26, a tablet 28, a keyboard 30, and a communication. The device 32 is configured.
[0011]
The CPU 10 controls the entire apparatus by executing a program stored in the ROM 12. The CPU 10 executes various programs stored in the ROM 12, for example, a communication program for communicating via a network, a mail program for handling electronic mail, and an image processing program for handling image files. Function can be realized. The image processing program can execute image data size change processing, image data color type change processing, and the like, which will be described later. The RAM 14 is used for temporarily storing data as various processes executed by the CPU 10 are executed.
[0012]
The external storage device 16 and the auxiliary storage device 18 store various data and programs.
The camera 20 takes a color image and captures image data. Image data captured by the camera 20 is stored in the RAM 14, the external storage device 16, or the auxiliary storage device 18 as an image file in a predetermined image format. The image file obtained by the camera 20 can be used as an email attachment.
[0013]
The LCD 22 displays text, images, etc. according to the display pattern data stored in the VRAM 24.
The pointing device 26, the tablet 28, and the keyboard 30 input various data according to user operations.
The communication device 32 is for performing communication via an external network, and has a communication control function by wireless communication, for example.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration related to transmission / reception of an electronic mail by the mail terminal 40 having the configuration illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a mail server 38, a mail terminal 40, a PC (personal computer) 42, a mobile phone 44, and the like are connected to each other via a network 36 including various communication networks such as a public line network and the Internet. . In the mail server 38, a predetermined capacity is allocated to the mail box 38a for each user (mail account) that transmits and receives electronic mail using the server 38. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, for user A who uses the mail terminal 40, a capacity for the user A is provided in the mail box 38 a, and an email ( (Including attached files). In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that a file attached to one e-mail is limited due to the limitation of the capacity of the mail box 38a.
[0015]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data managed in the mail terminal 40 and used for change processing for an image file (image data size change processing and image data color type change processing described later). In the change process for the image file, designated size data shown in FIG. 3A and user-specified data shown in FIG. 3B are used. The designated size data indicates the data size (image file data size) of the image file after the change process, and for example, data indicating a restriction determined by the mail box 38a of the mail server 38 is set in advance. (For example, it may be preset in the image processing program or the mail program, or may be preset in the ROM 12). The user-specified data can be arbitrarily set according to an instruction from the user by a data setting function by the image processing program, and in this embodiment, the image format, the image lower limit size, and the color type are set. Can do. In the data setting function, for example, a list of data that can be selected by the user is presented to the user, and data can be easily set by selecting the data from the list. That is, as for the image format, as shown in FIG. 3C, a plurality of selectable image formats 1 to 4 are presented and selected from them. As the image format, various formats such as BMP (Bit Map), TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) file can be used. Further, for an image format in which the compression rate can be arbitrarily adjusted, such as JPEG, a plurality of compression rates may be designated. In this case, a plurality of settings are made for one type of image format (JPEG) as user-specified data. The plurality of image formats set in the user-specified data are used in an image data size changing process to be described later in ascending order of compression rate regardless of the setting order by the user. Similarly, for the image lower limit size, the image sizes 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 3D are presented and selected, and for the color type, from full color to (256 colors) shown in FIG. 3E. Select from multiple levels.
[0016]
Note that the designated size data is not predetermined, and may be arbitrarily set by an instruction from the user in the same manner as the user designated data.
The designated size data and the user designated data are stored, for example, in the external storage device 16, and are read out and stored in the RAM 14 as necessary.
[0017]
Next, the operation of the image data size changing process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the image data size change processing, the image file is converted by combining the change of the image size (size in the vertical and horizontal directions) and the change of the image format so that the image file matches the target data size. .
[0018]
Here, a case where an e-mail with an image file attached is transmitted from the mail terminal 40 in the system shown in FIG.
The image file attached to the e-mail is taken by the camera 20 and is stored in, for example, the external storage device 16. The camera 20 is not only intended to create an image file attached to an e-mail, but can capture an image with a resolution and color gradation sufficient for general use.
[0019]
When the CPU 10 is instructed to send an e-mail attached with an image file, the CPU 10 executes an image data size changing process by an image processing program.
[0020]
The CPU 10 sets designated size data in advance (step A1), and compares the image data size of the image file attached to the e-mail with the set designated size data (step A2).
[0021]
If the image data size exceeds the specified size (step A3), the CPU 10 sets an initial changed image size (step A4). The changed image size is a size reduced at a predetermined ratio with respect to the image to be processed.
[0022]
If the changed image size exceeds the image lower limit size set in the user-specified data, that is, if the specified size data cannot be obtained unless it is reduced below the image size intended by the user, the process ends as an error (step A5).
[0023]
On the other hand, when the image lower limit size is not exceeded, the CPU 10 converts the image data so as to become the changed image size (step A6). Further, the CPU 10 calculates the image data size when the image changed to the changed image size is changed to an image file having one image format (n) set in the user-specified data (step A7).
[0024]
Here, the CPU 10 compares the image data size of the image file in the image format (n) with the designated size data (step A8). As a result, if the image data size does not exceed the specified size, the process is terminated assuming that the image data size can be changed to the target image data size.
[0025]
On the other hand, if the image data size exceeds the designated size, the CPU 10 changes the target image format in the image format set in the user designated data (step A9). Then, in the same manner as described above, the image data size when the image is changed to the changed image size is changed to an image file of the next image format (step A7), and compared with the designated size data, It is determined whether the target image data size has been reached (step A8).
[0026]
That is, with respect to the image data of the changed image size set in step A4, the image file is sequentially changed until the specified size is not exceeded by using a plurality of image formats set in the user-specified data in order of decreasing compression rate. Do.
[0027]
In addition, in the change of the image file by the image format in the user-specified data, when the specified size is exceeded (step A10), a new changed image size is set (step A4), and the image size is set at a predetermined ratio. After changing to a reduced size (step A6), the image file is changed in a plurality of image formats in the same manner. In this way, the image file is repeatedly changed until the image data size does not exceed the specified size.
[0028]
In this way, by changing the image file by combining the change of the image size and the change of the image format, the data size of the image file can be set in advance without the user performing an editing operation on the image file. The specified size can be made. The user does not need specialized knowledge such as the amount of change in the image data size when the image size is changed or the difference in compression rate due to the difference in image format, and simply by specifying the image format as user-specified data An image file having an image data size that matches the size data can be acquired.
[0029]
If the image file can be set to the specified image data size, the mail terminal 40 transmits the image file to the mail server 38 as an attached file of the e-mail. In the mail server 38, since the image file attached to the e-mail is within the limit, it can be stored in the storage capacity of the user A in the mail box 38a without any problem.
[0030]
In the image data size changing process described above, an image lower limit size is provided, but it is not always necessary for the user to set the image lower limit size in the user-specified data. Further, the setting for the image lower limit size may be eliminated so that an error due to the image lower limit size does not occur.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the image data color type changing process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the above description, the image file is changed by changing the image size and the image format. However, in the image data color type changing process, the image file including the color type set in the user-specified data is converted. .
[0032]
When the CPU 10 is instructed to send an e-mail with an image file attached, the CPU 10 executes an image data color type change process by an image processing program.
[0033]
The CPU 10 sets the designated size data in advance (step B1), sets the color type set in the user specified data (step B2), and sets the image file according to the color type set in the user specified data. Is changed (step B3). That is, the image data size is reduced by reducing the number of colors of the image.
[0034]
Here, the CPU 10 compares the image data size of the image data whose color type has been changed with the designated size (step B4). If the image data size does not exceed the specified size (step B5), the CPU 10 ends the process assuming that the image data size can be changed to the target image data size.
[0035]
On the other hand, if the image data size exceeds the specified size, the CPU 10 executes the image data size changing process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 (step B6). That is, the image file is converted by changing the image size and the image format so that the image data size becomes the specified size.
[0036]
In this way, when the image file can be set to the specified image data size, the mail terminal 40 transmits the image file to the mail server 38 as an attached file of the e-mail.
[0037]
In this way, when the color type is designated by the user designated data, the image data size of the image file can be changed by conversion to this color type. In addition, even if the image file cannot be set to the specified size only by converting the image file based on the color type, the image file can be set to the specified image data size by the image data size changing process.
[0038]
In the above description, the image file is converted only by one color type set in the user-specified data. However, a plurality of color types are set, and the specified size and image data size are arranged in descending order. You may make it perform conversion of an image file until it becomes.
[0039]
As described above, in the mail terminal 40 according to the present embodiment, even if the user does not have specialized knowledge, the data size of the image file matches the target size by setting the user-specified data in advance. If not, the image file can be changed so as to have a predetermined data size without performing a special editing operation.
[0040]
In the above description, a still image taken by the camera 20 is described as an example, but it can also be applied to a case where a moving image is handled.
In the above description, a dedicated terminal (email terminal 40) for sending and receiving e-mails is taken as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to other information devices such as the PC 42 and the mobile phone 44. For example, it is assumed that a camera is mounted on the mobile phone 44 in the same manner as the mail terminal 40, and an image captured by this camera can be transmitted to an arbitrary destination. In this case, if there is a restriction on the data size of the image file according to the image transmission destination, the image data size changing process is performed so that the data size (specified size) according to the transmission destination is obtained without an instruction from the user. May be executed.
[0041]
Furthermore, the image file attached to the e-mail is to be processed, and the data size of the image file is changed according to the file size limit provided in the mail server 38. A change process (or an image data color type change process) may be executed to change the data size of the image file.
[0042]
For example, when an image file is to be stored in a storage medium, if the free space of the storage medium is not sufficient, an image data size change process (image data color type change process) is executed. That is, when the free space is detected in advance when the image file is stored in the storage medium, and this free space is not sufficient, this free space is set as the specified size data, and the image data size is set as described above. After the change, the storage processing of the image file to the storage medium is executed. Accordingly, the user can store the image file in the storage medium without being aware of the storage capacity of the storage medium and without having to perform processing on the image file in accordance with the remaining storage capacity in accordance with an instruction from the user. .
[0043]
In addition, the utility program is provided with a function that allows the user to arbitrarily specify the data size, the specified data size is set as the specified size data, and the change processing for the image file is executed according to the specified size data. Also good.
[0044]
The method described in the above-described embodiment is a program that can be executed by a computer, for example, on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), and a semiconductor memory. It can be written and provided to various devices. It is also possible to transmit to a variety of devices by transmitting via a communication medium. A computer that implements this apparatus reads the program recorded on the recording medium or receives the program via the communication medium, and the operation is controlled by this program, thereby executing the above-described processing.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, since a predetermined image processing method is used so as to match a data size of a preset image file, the image file is changed. Accordingly, it is possible to change the image file to a predetermined data size by reducing the work load on the user without the need for a corresponding trial and error image file changing operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a mail terminal according to an embodiment.
2 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration related to transmission / reception of an electronic mail by the mail terminal 40 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of data managed in the mail terminal 40 and used for change processing for an image file.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of an image data size change process in the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of image data color type change processing.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
14 ... RAM
16 ... External storage device 18 ... Auxiliary storage device 20 ... Camera 22 ... LCD
24 ... VRAM
26 ... Pointing device 28 ... Tablet 30 ... Keyboard 32 ... Communication device 36 ... Network 38 ... Mail server 40 ... Mail terminal 42 ... PC (personal computer)
44 ... Mobile phone

Claims (9)

A mobile phone capable of changing the image file so that the data size of the image file does not become larger than a specified data size,
Size setting means for setting the designated data size and the image lower limit size ;
Format setting means for setting a plurality of image formats having different compression rates;
Wherein when the data size of the image file is larger than the specified data size set by the size setting means, change image size reduced at a predetermined ratio to the size of the image represented by the image file, the A changed image size setting means for setting in a range that does not reduce the image lower limit size set by the size setting means;
A size changing means for changing the image of the image file to a size indicated by the changed image size;
The images whose size has been changed by the size changing unit are used in order of decreasing compression rate of the plurality of image formats set by the format setting unit , and any of the plurality of image formats until the size becomes no larger than the specified data size. Image file changing means for sequentially changing the crab ,
If the data size of the image file changed by the image file changing means is larger than the specified data size even if it is changed using all the image formats set by the format setting means,
The changed image size setting means sets the changed image size further reduced at a predetermined ratio,
The size changing means changes the image data of the image file changed by the image file changing means to a size indicated by the further reduced image size, and causes the image file changing means to change the image format. A mobile phone characterized by. Color type setting means for setting the number of colors of the image represented by the image file;
Image processing means for changing the image data of the image file to image data of the number of colors set by the color type setting means,
2. The mobile phone according to claim 1 , wherein when the data size of the image data changed by the image processing means is larger than the specified data size, the changed image size is set by the changed image size setting means. The color type setting means sets a plurality of different colors;
The image processing means sequentially changes the image data to an image format in order of increasing number of colors set by the color type setting means until it becomes no larger than the specified data size,
3. The changed image size set by the changed image size setting unit is set when the specified data size is not reached even if the number of colors set by the color type setting unit is changed. mobile phone described. The mobile phone according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the size setting means sets the designated data size according to a free space of a storage medium for storing the image file. 4. The mobile phone according to claim 1 , wherein the size setting unit sets the designated data size according to a restriction on a capacity of an e-mail to which the image file is attached. . It said size setting means, in accordance with the limit on the data size of the image file in the transmission destination of the image file, according to claims 1, characterized in that setting the specified data size to one of claims 3 Mobile phone. A mobile phone that sends an e-mail with an attached image file,
Size setting means for setting the designated data size and the image lower limit size according to the capacity allocated to store the e-mail transmitted by the mobile phone in the server device;
Format setting means for setting a plurality of image formats having different compression rates;
Wherein when the data size of the image file is larger than the specified data size set by the size setting means, change image size reduced at a predetermined ratio to the size of the image represented by the image file, the A changed image size setting means for setting in a range that does not reduce the image lower limit size set by the size setting means;
A size changing means for changing the image of the image file to a size indicated by the changed image size;
The images whose size has been changed by the size changing unit are used in order of decreasing compression rate of the plurality of image formats set by the format setting unit , and any of the plurality of image formats until the size becomes no larger than the specified data size. Image file changing means for sequentially changing the crab,
An e-mail attached with the image file changed by the image file changing means, and a transmission means for transmitting via the network ,
If the data size of the image file changed by the image file changing means is larger than the specified data size even if it is changed using all the image formats set by the format setting means,
The changed image size setting means sets the changed image size further reduced at a predetermined ratio,
The size changing means changes the image data of the image file changed by the image file changing means to a size indicated by the further reduced image size, and causes the image file changing means to change the image format. A mobile phone characterized by. 8. The mobile phone according to claim 7 , wherein the size setting means sets the designated data size in accordance with a restriction imposed on a data size of an image file in the e-mail transmission destination device. Color type setting means for setting the number of colors of the image represented by the image file;
Image processing means for changing the image data of the image file to image data of the number of colors set by the color type setting means,
Any data size of the image data changed by said image processing means when the larger specified data size, according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that setting the resized by the changed image size setting means The mobile phone according to the above.

Images