JPH11308444A - Image processing method and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform the decision of image processing conditions and an image processing to digital image data in the method and device for processing images for applying the image processing to the digital image data obtained by a digital camera. SOLUTION: In this image processing method, the digital image data S are converted into rough image data RS in a rough image data preparation means 4, image processing conditions are decided in an automatic setup means 5 based on the data RS, the image processing is applied to the rough image data RS by the image processing conditions and they are displayed at an image display means 10. An operator observes displayed images and corrects the image processing conditions by an image correction means 11 and the corrected image processing conditions are stored in a second memory 6. An image data conversion means 7 reads the image processing conditions from the second memory 6, applies the image processing to the digital image data S based on the conditions and obtains processed image data S'. The processed image data S' are variably magnified, output converted and outputted from an output means 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus for performing image processing on digital image data obtained by a digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a digital electronic still camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera), an image obtained by photographing is stored as digital image data in a recording medium such as an internal memory or an IC card provided inside the digital camera and recorded. Based on the obtained digital image data, an image obtained by photographing can be displayed on a printer or a monitor. As described above, when an image obtained by a digital camera is printed, it is expected to have the same high-quality image quality as a photograph printed from a negative film.

On the other hand, conventionally, there has been proposed an image processing apparatus which reads an image recorded on a color negative film, displays the image on a monitor, and corrects image processing conditions while observing the image displayed on the monitor. For example, JP
No. 6-62243). Also, an image processing apparatus which displays digital image data on which image processing has been performed on a monitor and outputs the image after confirming the displayed image (for example, JP-A-63-61591, JP-A-6-24252).
No. 2) has also been proposed. Further, image processing conditions for reading and printing the image recorded on the negative film were determined, and image data subjected to image processing based on the image processing conditions was displayed on a monitor, and displayed on the monitor. There has also been proposed an image processing apparatus that corrects image processing conditions while observing an image and performs image processing on image data based on the corrected image processing conditions (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-5593). ). In such an image processing apparatus, the image data to be processed is image data read from a negative film or the like, but the same processing can be performed on digital image data obtained by a digital camera.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional image processing apparatus for processing digital image data obtained by a digital camera. As shown in FIG. 3, a conventional image processing apparatus includes image data input means 3 for inputting digital image data S from a recording medium in a digital camera.
1, image decompression / format conversion means 32 for decompressing the digital image data S when it is compressed, and converting various file formats of the image data S into a file format that can be processed by the present apparatus; Data memory 3 for temporarily storing
3, rough image data creating means 34 for creating rough image data RS by reducing the number of pixels of digital image data S
An auto setup means 35 for automatically determining image processing conditions for outputting the digital image data S as an appropriate image by the output means 42; and a digital image processing apparatus based on the image processing conditions determined by the auto setup means 35. Image data converting means 37 for performing image processing on the data S to obtain processed image data S '; scaling means 38 for enlarging / reducing the processed image data S' so as to be suitable for the output size; Output conversion means 39 for converting the image data S 'into output image data S "suitable for the output means 42; and image display means 40 such as a monitor for displaying the output image data converted by the output conversion means.
And image correction means 41 for manually correcting the image processing conditions while observing the image displayed on the image display means 40.

In such an image processing apparatus, the image data conversion means 37 performs image processing on the digital image data S based on the image processing conditions determined by the auto setup means 35, and further changes the magnification,
The output conversion is performed and the output image data S ″ is displayed on the image display means 40. The operator corrects the image processing conditions by the image correction means 41 while observing the image displayed on the image display means 40. The image processing conditions are input to the image data conversion means 37, where the processed image data S 'is processed again or the digital image data S is processed based on the corrected image processing conditions. Then, the processed image data S ′ obtained by performing the image processing again is scaled and output-converted again and output from the output means 42.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another image processing apparatus. In FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. The image processing apparatus shown in FIG.
7, the processed image data S ′ obtained by
This is displayed on the image display means 40 without output conversion and corrected by the image correction means 41. According to the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, there is no need to perform scaling and output conversion before displaying the processed image data S 'on the image display means 40, as compared with the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. Therefore, the processing time can be reduced.

[0007]

However, the density, color, or gradation of digital image data that has been subjected to image processing has been corrected by image processing. And the data value of the image data is often lost. Therefore, even if the processed image data is further processed by the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 according to the modified image processing conditions, the lost data cannot be restored to the original state. It is not possible to obtain processed image data that has been subjected to image processing. At this time, such a problem does not occur if image processing is performed on the original digital image data under the corrected image processing conditions. However, while the image data conversion means is performing image processing, the image processing conditions of other image data cannot be obtained by the auto set-up means. The processing could not be performed efficiently because a waiting time occurred before the processing of (1) was started. Further, in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the processing time can be shorter than that in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. Since the image processing conditions of the image data cannot be obtained by the auto setup means, the processing cannot be performed efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image processing method and apparatus capable of performing image processing efficiently.

[0009]

An image processing method according to the present invention determines an image processing condition for digital image data based on digital image data acquired by a digital camera, and executes the digital processing based on the image processing condition. In an image processing method for performing image processing on image data to obtain processed image data, the image processing conditions are stored in an image processing condition storage unit, and the digital image data is stored in the digital image data based on the stored image processing conditions. It is characterized by performing image processing.

In the image processing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that rough image data with a reduced number of pixels is created from the digital image data, and the image processing conditions are determined based on the rough image data.

In this case, the rough image data is subjected to image processing based on the image processing conditions to obtain processed rough image data, and the processed rough image data is displayed as a visible image. It is preferable that the image processing conditions corrected based on the processed rough image data are stored in the image processing condition storage unit.

Further, in the image processing method according to the present invention, a step of determining an image processing condition for the digital image data and storing the image processing condition in the image processing condition storage means; It is preferable to independently perform the step of performing image processing on the digital image data based on the above.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image processing condition determining means for determining image processing conditions for digital image data based on digital image data obtained by a digital camera, and an image processing condition determining means for determining image processing conditions. Image processing means for performing image processing on the digital image data based on the image processing conditions to obtain processed image data, wherein the image processing condition storage means for storing the image processing conditions Furthermore, the image processing means is means for performing image processing on the digital image data based on the image processing conditions stored in the image processing condition storage means.

Further, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention further comprises rough image data creating means for creating rough image data with a reduced number of pixels from the digital image data, and the image processing condition determining means comprises It is preferable that the image processing condition is determined based on the condition.

Further, in this case, rough image display is performed by performing image processing on the rough image data based on the image processing conditions to obtain processed rough image data and displaying the processed rough image data as a visible image. Means, and a correction means for correcting the image processing conditions based on the processed rough image data displayed on the rough image display means, wherein the corrected image processing conditions are stored in the image processing condition storage means. Preferably, it is stored.

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, an image processing condition for the digital image data is determined, and the image processing condition is stored in the image processing condition storage means. It is preferable to independently perform the step of performing image processing on the digital image data based on the above.

[0017]

According to the image processing method and apparatus of the present invention, since the image processing conditions are stored in the image processing condition storing means, the determined image processing conditions are sequentially stored in the image processing condition storing means. Thus, the determined image processing conditions can be read from the image processing condition storage means and image processing can be performed on the digital image data. As described above, in the present invention, since the determination of the image processing condition and the image processing based on the image processing condition can be performed in parallel, there is no waiting time until the image processing condition of the next image data is determined, This makes it possible to efficiently perform image processing on digital image data.

Further, by determining image processing conditions based on rough image data in which the number of pixels has been reduced from digital image data, it is possible to reduce the operation time, thereby making it possible to determine image processing conditions at high speed. it can.

Further, by processing the rough image data to obtain processed rough image data, displaying the processed rough image data as a visible image and correcting the image processing conditions, As compared with the image processing apparatus of the above, the time until the display of the image that has been subjected to the image processing can be shortened, whereby the image processing can be performed more efficiently. In addition, since the image processing conditions determined by the above-described auto setup means can be corrected and image processing can be performed on digital image data according to the corrected image processing conditions, appropriate image processing can be efficiently performed. .

In addition, the process of storing image processing conditions in the image processing condition storage means and the process of performing image processing on digital image data are performed independently, so that storage of image processing conditions and image processing can be efficiently performed. Can do well.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image data input unit 1 for inputting digital image data S from a recording medium in a digital camera, and expands the compressed digital image data S because the digital image data S is compressed. Image decompression / format conversion means 2 for converting various file formats of the digital image data S into a file format which can be processed by the present apparatus; a first memory 3 for temporarily storing the digital image data S; Of the rough image data R
Rough image data creating means 4 for creating S, automatic setup means 5 for automatically determining image processing conditions for outputting digital image data S as an appropriate image by output means 12 such as a printer, and automatic setup means 5 for storing the image processing conditions determined in 5
A digital image data S based on the image processing conditions stored in the second memory 6, an image data converting means 7 for obtaining processed image data S ', and an output means 12 A scaling means 8 for performing an interpolation operation on the processed image data S 'so as to be suitable for the output size in step (1) to enlarge / reduce the processed image data S';
Is converted into output image data S ″ suitable for the output unit 12, and rough image data RS is output based on the image processing conditions determined by the auto setup unit 5.
, Image processing means such as a CRT monitor for displaying the rough image data RS on which the image processing has been performed as a visible image, and the operator observes the image displayed on the image display means 10. And an image correcting means 11 for manually correcting the image processing conditions.

The first memory 3 not only stores the digital image data S but also stores one digital image data when the processing of all the input images is completed or when the digital image data S is sequentially read out. A signal indicating that the processing in S has been completed is input to the image input means 1 (see the broken line in FIG. 1), and the processing is completed or the next digital image data is read out.

The rough image data generating means 4 generates the rough image data RS by reducing the number of pixels of the digital image data S. That is, the number of pixels of the digital image data S differs depending on the digital camera, and ranges from several hundred thousand to several million pixels. Thousands to tens of thousands of pixels are sufficient to determine the image processing conditions, and the rough image data creating means 4 creates rough image data RS by reducing the number of pixels to such a number of pixels.

The rough image data RS may be created by thinning out the pixels of the digital image data S at a fixed interval. An average value of a plurality of (for example, 5 × 5) pixel values is obtained, and this is calculated. RS may be used, and the accuracy of the average value may be improved using this and the rough image data RS obtained by thinning out the pixels.
Normally, digital image data S acquired by a digital camera has a relatively coarse value of 8 bits, and further includes electrical noise on the shadow side. Therefore, by calculating the average value of a plurality of pixels and using the average value as the rough image data RS, the calculation time becomes longer, but the accuracy of the pixel value can be improved. On the other hand, the method of creating the rough image data RS by thinning out the pixels of the digital image data S can easily and quickly obtain the rough image data RS, but the accuracy of the pixel value is not so good.

Further, as a method of obtaining the rough image data RS, a method of thinning out the pixels of the digital image data S at regular intervals, obtaining an average value of a plurality of pixel values, and using the average value as the rough image data RS, After calculating the average value of the pixel values, these pixels are thinned out, and this is replaced with the rough image data R
Various methods such as the method of setting S can be used.

The image processing conditions determined by the auto setup means 5 include, in addition to image density, color, gradation, gradation balance, dodging, sharpness enhancement, grain improvement processing, moiré removal processing, and the like. It is.

The image data conversion means 7 performs image processing on the digital image data S based on the image processing conditions determined by the auto setup means 5. Further, the conversion of the digital image data S using fixed parameters optimized for the image system including the present embodiment, such as the output unit 12 and the output medium, may be performed at the same time. These conversions are performed by a lookup table or a matrix operation.

The output conversion means 9 outputs the processed image data S '
Is converted into output image data S ″ corresponding to the output unit 12. In the present embodiment, the image data conversion unit 7 may convert the image data using the fixed parameters in the output conversion unit 9.

The image display means 10 displays the rough image data RS on which the image processing has been performed as a visible image. The rough image data RS is used to convert the number of pixels for display and to match the display system with the output image. Processing such as gradation correction, color correction, and edge enhancement may be performed.

The image correcting means 11 is used for correcting the color, density, gradation, etc. of the image by manual input from a keyboard, a mouse, a touch board or the like while an operator observes the image displayed on the image display means 10. belongs to.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, digital image data S is input from a recording medium of a digital camera from an image data input unit 1, and the image expansion / format conversion unit 2 expands and converts the format of the digital image data S, and stores the digital image data in a first memory 3. Image data S is recorded. The rough image data creating means 4 reads the digital image data S from the first memory 3, creates rough image data RS by reducing the number of pixels of the digital image data S, and inputs the rough image data RS to the automatic setup means 5. In the auto setup means 5, image processing conditions for the digital image data S are determined based on the rough image data RS. The determined image processing conditions are stored in the second memory 6 and input to the image display means 10. The image display means 10 performs image processing on the rough image data RS based on the input image processing conditions, and displays the processed rough image data RS as a visible image. The operator manually corrects the image processing conditions by the image correcting means 11 while observing the image displayed on the image display means 10. The corrected image processing conditions are stored in the second memory 6. At this time, by storing both the image processing conditions determined by the auto setup means 5 and the corrected image processing conditions in the second memory 6,
This is preferable because it is not necessary to determine the image processing conditions again when performing the correction again.

The image data conversion means 7 performs image processing on the digital image data S stored in the first memory 3 based on the image processing conditions (corrected) stored in the second memory 6. To obtain processed image data S '.
The processed image data S 'is input to the scaling means 8 and subjected to enlargement / reduction processing. Further, the output means 9 performs processing suitable for the output means 12 to obtain output image data S ". The data S "is input to the output means 12, where it is reproduced as a print image.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the second memory 6 for storing the image processing conditions determined by the auto setup means 5 is provided, the image processing conditions are determined and the image processing for the digital image data S is performed. And can be performed independently. That is,
Creation of rough image data RS, determination of image processing conditions, display of an image, and correction of an image are performed in a first step, and image processing, scaling, output conversion, and output of digital image data S are performed in a second step. Deciding and correcting the image processing conditions in the first step and storing them in the second memory 6, and performing image processing on the digital image data S based on the image processing conditions in the second step in parallel Can be. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently determine the image processing conditions and perform the image processing. Further, a device for performing the first step and a device for performing the second step may be separately provided,
A plurality of apparatuses for performing the second step may be provided for one apparatus for performing the first step, and the processing may be performed. An apparatus for performing the first step for one apparatus for performing the second step May be provided to perform the processing.

Further, the image processing conditions are determined based on the rough image data RS, and the rough image data RS is subjected to image processing and displayed on the image display means 10. Can be shortened.

In the above embodiment, the image expansion /
The digital image data S converted by the format conversion means 2 is stored in the first memory 3. As shown in FIG. 2, image expansion / formatting is performed separately in the first step and the second step. Conversion means 2A and 2B may be provided. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the digital image data stored in the first memory 3 is expanded and therefore has a large capacity, but in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, it is read from the recording medium of the digital camera. Since the extracted and compressed digital image data S is stored in the first memory 3, more digital image data S is stored in the first memory 3 as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. It becomes possible.

In the above embodiment, the image processing device is provided separately from the digital camera, but the digital camera may be provided with the image processing device according to the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional image processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image data input means 2 Image decompression / format conversion means 3 First memory 4 Rough image data creation means 5 Auto setup means 6 Second memory 7 Image data conversion means 8 Magnification means 9 Output conversion means 10 Image display means 11 Image correction means 12 Output means S Digital image data S 'Processed image data S "Output image data RS Rough image data

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image processing condition for digital image data is determined based on digital image data acquired by a digital camera, and image processing is performed on the digital image data based on the image processing condition to complete processing. An image processing method for obtaining image data, wherein the image processing conditions are stored in image processing condition storage means, and image processing is performed on the digital image data based on the stored image processing conditions. . 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein rough image data in which the number of pixels is reduced is created from the digital image data, and the image processing condition is determined based on the rough image data. 3. Applying image processing to the rough image data based on the image processing conditions to obtain processed rough image data, displaying the processed rough image data as a visible image, 3. The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein the image processing condition corrected based on the processed rough image data is stored in the image processing condition storage unit. 4. A step of determining image processing conditions for the digital image data, storing the image processing conditions in the image processing condition storage means, and storing an image in the digital image data based on the stored image processing conditions. 4. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of performing the processing are performed independently of each other. 5. An image processing condition determining means for determining image processing conditions for digital image data based on digital image data obtained by a digital camera, and based on the image processing conditions determined by the image processing condition determining means. Image processing means for performing image processing on the digital image data to obtain processed image data, further comprising: an image processing condition storing means for storing the image processing conditions; The image processing apparatus is characterized in that the means is means for performing image processing on the digital image data based on the image processing conditions stored in the image processing condition storage means. 6. A rough image data creating means for creating rough image data with a reduced number of pixels from said digital image data, wherein said image processing condition determining means determines said image processing condition based on said rough image data. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image processing apparatus performs the processing. 7. A rough image display means for performing image processing on the rough image data based on the image processing conditions to obtain processed rough image data, and displaying the processed rough image data as a visible image. Correction means for correcting the image processing conditions based on the processed rough image data displayed on the rough image display means, wherein the corrected image processing conditions are stored in the image processing condition storage means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: 8. A step of determining image processing conditions for the digital image data, storing the image processing conditions in the image processing condition storage means, and performing image processing on the digital image data based on the stored image processing conditions. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the steps of performing the processing are performed independently of each other.