JP2003264711A - Image processing method, image processor and image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide images that give good impressions to a viewer by executing an image processing corresponding to the conditions of ambient light in photographing to photographing images by a simple and general means. <P>SOLUTION: When image signals are inputted from one of a film scanning data processing part 71, a reflection original scanning data processing part 72, an image data format decoding processing part 73 and a template processing part 79, an image adjustment processing part 74 acquires information regarding the ambient light in photographing and the information regarding the lens characteristics of equipment used for photographing from additional information (tag information) attached to the image signals or the like and executes an optimum image processing corresponding to the ambient light and the lens characteristics. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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, an image processing device, and an image recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image signal representing an image picked up by a photographing device (specifically, image data generated by photographing by a digital camera or the like, a photographed image digitized by a film scanner or a flat head scanner, etc.) When image data and data generated by processing or format converting these image data by various application programs) are output from an output device such as a printing device or a display device, a person who sees the output image has a good impression. In order to give it, predetermined image processing is performed on the image signal representing the captured image.

As such image processing, for example, there is a white balance adjusting function. The white balance adjustment function is used for each color (R, R,
This is a function for adjusting the color development of G and B). For example, if you do not use the white balance adjustment function, if you shoot a white subject under fluorescent light, this subject will become greenish, and if you shoot under a tungsten light, this subject will become reddish and the output image The color of the subject projected on the screen will be different from the actual color. To prevent this phenomenon, color correction is performed using the white balance adjustment function so that a white subject appears white.

In addition to the above, correction of a shift (for example, shift relating to tint) between an actual image and an output image from an output device, which is caused by the influence of ambient light at the time of photographing, and an image or color desired by a customer Various image processing techniques for expressing the taste are known.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-322274,
For an image obtained by capturing a frame image of a developed still photographic film, R, G, B signals of the R, G, B signals are recorded on the magnetic recording layer of the developed still photographic film based on the color temperature information recorded for each frame. There has been proposed an image processing method capable of performing color temperature correction during image pickup by performing gamma correction and generating an image with good white balance. Also,
Based on the backlight information recorded for each frame on the magnetic recording layer,
Regarding gamma correction of the R, G, and B signals, an image processing method has been proposed in which correction is suppressed for halftones and image processing is performed to prevent the subject from becoming black.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-261825, when the color temperature of an image is changed and output, the desired output color temperature of the customer is based on the designation information expressed by a sensitive expression such as "calm". Then, an image processing method and a processing apparatus have been proposed in which color conversion processing is performed to obtain an output image that matches the image desired by the customer.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-238177, image data of a shooting scene of a subject is acquired and at the same time camera information input at the time of shooting the subject is acquired.
If necessary, the related information related to the shooting scene is fetched, and the shooting scene is estimated based on at least one of the camera information and the related information or a combination of this and image data, and the shooting scene is estimated according to the estimated shooting scene. Image processing methods and image processing apparatuses that perform image processing have been proposed.

[0008]

However, for example, including inexpensive digital cameras for toys, lens shutter digital cameras, single-lens reflex high-grade digital cameras, film scanners, flat head scanners, etc.
Looking at the diversification of image signal generation means that represent captured images in recent years, the diversification of shooting environments and shooting scenes due to the diversification of image signal generation means, and the demand for higher quality from customers, None of the processing methods and the image processing apparatuses have sufficient effects as described below.

For example, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-322274 carries out image processing based on color temperature information recorded for each frame on the magnetic recording layer of a developed still photographic film. Since a developed still photographic film image having no recording layer and an image picked up by a digital camera are not taken into consideration, there is a problem that the versatility is poor.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-261825 performs a color conversion process based on designation information expressed by a sensitive expression such as "calm" in which a customer's desired output color temperature is designated. However, even though one color temperature value is associated with one emotional expression, such an emotional expression is not widely and uniquely imagined according to the customer. , It was hard to say that the customer's satisfaction can be sufficiently obtained.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-238177 obtains shooting position information and shooting date and time information as camera information of a shooting scene, and database of map information and weather information as additional information related to the camera information. Or via the Internet or the like, and from the combination of the camera information and additional information related to the camera information, the shooting location and the weather at the time of shooting of the shooting location are specified, and the situation of the shooting scene is further estimated. It is a technology that performs predetermined image processing according to the estimated scene, but the weather changes greatly depending on the climate and topography of the shooting location, and the weather information obtained from the database etc. is the central place of the area. However, if the shooting location is far from the location stored in the database, the accuracy of weather estimation will be low. There was. In addition, if a database in which detailed weather information of each place is stored is used in order to improve the accuracy of weather estimation, there is a problem that the processing load increases and the processing speed decreases. Furthermore,
The task of updating the database one by one is complicated, and when using the Internet or the like, it is necessary to maintain the communication environment.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image which gives a good impression to a viewer by performing image processing on the captured image according to the ambient light condition at the time of shooting by a simple and versatile means. It is to be.

[0013]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In an image processing method for subjecting an image signal representing a captured image to predetermined image processing, an acquisition step of acquiring information about ambient light at the time of capturing the captured image, and the captured image based on the information acquired by the acquisition step. And an image processing step of performing the determined image processing on the image signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the first aspect, the image processing step includes a contrast correction process, a color balance correction process, and a hue correction according to the acquired information about the ambient light. At least one of the processing, the saturation correction processing, the brightness correction processing, the granular noise removal processing, and the sharpness enhancement processing is executed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the first or second aspect, when the information about the ambient light is a content indicating a fluorescent lamp, the image processing step includes It is characterized by further performing hue correction processing for shifting the hue in the magenta direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the first or second aspect, when the information regarding the ambient light indicates the content of tungsten light, the image processing step includes the hue of the photographed image. It is characterized by further performing a hue correction process for shifting the color in the yellow direction.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the first or second aspect, the information regarding the ambient light at the time of photographing is information regarding the weather.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the fifth aspect, when the information regarding the ambient light has a content indicating cloudy weather, the image processing step is performed on the image signal represented by the photographed image. On the other hand, at least one of a contrast enhancement process, a saturation enhancement process, and a hue correction process for shifting the hue in the yellow direction is performed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the fifth aspect, when the information about the ambient light has a content indicating a clear sky, the image processing step is performed according to the contrast of the photographed image. The feature is that the dodging process is performed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the image signal representing the photographed image is added with information relating to the photographing environment, and the acquisition step is performed. Is characterized in that the information on the ambient light is acquired from the photographing environment information added to the image signal.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the acquisition step includes
Further acquiring information about the characteristics of the lens of the photographing device used at the time of photographing the photographed image, the image processing step,
It is characterized in that the content of the image processing applied to the image signal representing the photographed image is determined based on the lens characteristic information acquired in the acquisition step, and the image processing is performed on the image signal.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the ninth aspect, the image signal representing the photographed image is further added with information regarding the photographing device used at the time of photographing, and the acquisition is performed. The step is characterized in that information on the lens characteristics of the photographing device is acquired from the photographing device information added to the image signal.

The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 9 or 1.
0. In the image processing method described in 0, the information regarding the image capturing apparatus includes information regarding a manufacturer name of the image capturing apparatus or information regarding a model name of the image capturing apparatus, and the acquisition step includes the information regarding the image capturing apparatus used during the image capturing. It is characterized in that the information on the lens characteristics of the photographing apparatus is acquired based on the information on the manufacturer name or the information on the model name of the photographing apparatus.

The invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to claims 1 to 11.
In the image processing method according to any one of the items, the acquisition step further acquires information about a shutter speed at the time of shooting of the shooting device, and an aperture value, and the image processing step is acquired by the acquisition step. The content of the image processing performed on the image signal is determined further based on information about the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of shooting by the shooting device.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting an image signal representing a photographed image; and image processing means for performing image processing on the image signal input by the input means. The image processing unit further includes an acquisition unit that acquires information about ambient light at the time of capturing the captured image, and the image processing unit determines image processing to be performed on the input image signal based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. The determined image processing is performed on the image signal.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the image processing means is responsive to the information regarding the ambient light acquired by the acquisition means.
At least one of a contrast correction process, a color balance correction process, a hue correction process, a saturation correction process, a lightness correction process, a granular noise removal process, and a sharpness enhancement process is executed.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, when the information about the ambient light is a content suggesting a fluorescent lamp, the image processing means causes the captured image to be recorded. It is characterized by further performing hue correction processing for shifting the hue in the magenta direction.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, when the information on the ambient light indicates the content of tungsten light, the image processing means causes the hue of the photographed image to change. It is characterized by further performing a hue correction process for shifting the color in the yellow direction.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the information regarding the ambient light at the time of photographing is information regarding the weather.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect, when the information about the ambient light has a content suggesting cloudy weather, the image processing means outputs the image signal represented by the photographed image. On the other hand, at least one of a contrast enhancement process, a saturation enhancement process, and a hue correction process for shifting the hue in the yellow direction is performed.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect, when the information regarding the ambient light has a content suggesting a clear sky, the image processing means responds to the contrast of the photographed image. The feature is that the dodging process is performed.

The invention according to claim 20 is the invention according to claims 13 to 1.
9. The image processing device according to any one of 9 above, wherein information regarding a shooting environment is added to the image signal representing the captured image, and the acquisition unit adds information regarding the ambient light to the image signal. It is characterized by being acquired from the shooting environment information.

The invention according to claim 21 is the invention according to claims 13 to 2.
0. In the image processing device according to any one of 0, the acquisition unit further acquires information regarding characteristics of a lens of the imaging device used at the time of capturing the captured image, and the image processing unit acquires by the acquisition unit. It is characterized in that the content of the image processing to be applied to the image signal representing the photographed image is determined based on the obtained lens characteristic information, and the image processing is performed on the image signal.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the twenty-first aspect, the image signal representing the photographed image is further added with information on the photographing apparatus used at the time of photographing, and the acquisition is performed. The means acquires the information about the lens characteristics of the image capturing device from the image capturing device information added to the image signal.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the twenty-first or twenty-second aspect, the information regarding the photographing apparatus includes information regarding a manufacturer name of the photographing apparatus or information regarding a model name of the photographing apparatus. The acquisition unit acquires the information about the lens characteristics of the photographing apparatus based on the information about the manufacturer name of the photographing apparatus used at the time of photographing or the information about the model name of the photographing apparatus.

The invention according to claim 24 is the invention according to claims 13 to 2.
3. In the image processing device according to any one of 3 above, the acquisition unit further acquires information regarding a shutter speed and an aperture value when the image capturing device is shooting, and the image processing unit is acquired by the acquisition unit. The content of the image processing to be performed on the image signal is determined further based on the information about the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of shooting by the shooting device.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in an image recording apparatus having a recording means for recording an image signal representing a photographed image on a recording medium, an obtaining means for obtaining information about ambient light at the time of photographing the photographed image, Based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, the content of the image processing to be applied to the image signal representing the captured image is determined, further comprising an image processing unit for performing the determined image processing on the image signal, The recording means records the image signal, which has been subjected to the image processing by the image processing means, on the recording medium.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the twenty-fifth aspect, the image processing means, in accordance with the acquired information on the ambient light, performs contrast correction processing, color balance correction processing, and hue correction. At least one of the processing, the saturation correction processing, the brightness correction processing, the granular noise removal processing, and the sharpness enhancement processing is executed.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth aspect, when the information on the ambient light indicates contents suggesting a fluorescent lamp, the image processing means causes the captured image to be recorded. It is characterized by further performing hue correction processing for shifting the hue in the magenta direction.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the twenty-fifth aspect or the twenty-sixth aspect, when the information regarding the ambient light indicates tungsten light, the image processing means causes the hue of the photographed image to change. It is characterized by further performing a hue correction process for shifting the color in the yellow direction.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth aspect, the information on the ambient light at the time of photographing is information on the weather.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the twenty-ninth aspect, when the information regarding the ambient light indicates a cloudy sky, the image processing means changes the image signal represented by the photographed image. On the other hand, at least one of a contrast enhancement process, a saturation enhancement process, and a hue correction process for shifting the hue in the yellow direction is performed.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the twenty-ninth aspect, when the information on the ambient light has a content suggesting a clear sky, the image processing means responds to the contrast of the photographed image. The feature is that the dodging process is performed.

The invention according to claim 32 is the invention according to claims 25 to 3.
In the image recording apparatus according to any one of 1, the information regarding the photographing environment is added to the image signal representing the photographed image, and the acquisition unit adds the information regarding the ambient light to the image signal. It is characterized by being acquired from the shooting environment information.

The invention according to claim 33 is the invention according to claims 25 to 3.
2. In the image recording apparatus according to any one of 2 above, the acquisition unit further acquires information regarding characteristics of a lens of the image capturing apparatus used when the captured image is captured, and the image processing unit is acquired by the acquisition unit. It is characterized in that the content of the image processing to be applied to the image signal representing the photographed image is determined based on the obtained lens characteristic information, and the image processing is performed on the image signal.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the thirty-third aspect, the image signal representing the photographed image is further added with information regarding the photographing apparatus used at the time of photographing, and the acquisition is performed. The means acquires the information about the lens characteristics of the image capturing device from the image capturing device information added to the image signal.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the thirty-third or thirty-fourth aspect, the information regarding the photographing apparatus includes information regarding a manufacturer name of the photographing apparatus or information regarding a model name of the photographing apparatus. The acquisition unit acquires the information about the lens characteristics of the photographing apparatus based on the information about the manufacturer name of the photographing apparatus used at the time of photographing or the information about the model name of the photographing apparatus.

The invention described in Item 36 is defined as Items 25 to 3.
5. The image recording device according to any one of 5 above, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires information about a shutter speed and an aperture value at the time of photographing by the photographing device, and the image processing unit is acquired by the acquisition unit. The content of the image processing to be performed on the image signal is determined further based on the information about the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of shooting by the shooting device.

The invention described in Item 37 is the items 25 to 3.
In the image recording apparatus described in any one of 6 above, the recording means prints the image signal on a print medium and outputs the image signal.

The invention according to claim 38 is the one according to claims 25 to 3.
The image recording apparatus described in any one of 6 above is characterized in that the recording means records and outputs the image signal on a silver halide printing paper.

The invention as defined in claim 39 is, in claims 25 to 3,
The image recording apparatus described in any one of 6 above is characterized in that the recording means prints the image signal on a print medium by an inkjet method and outputs the image signal.

The invention as defined in claim 40 is defined by claim 25 through claim 3.
The image recording apparatus described in any one of 6 above is characterized in that the recording means prints the image signal on a print medium by an electrophotographic method and outputs the image signal.

The invention described in claim 41 is, in claims 25 to 3,
In the image recording apparatus described in any one of 6 above, the recording unit prints the image signal on a print medium by a sublimation method and outputs the image signal.

The invention according to claim 42 is the invention according to claims 25 to 3.
The image recording apparatus described in any one of 6 above is characterized in that the recording means prints the image signal on a print medium by a thermal method and outputs the image signal.

The invention described in Item 43 is defined by Items 25 to 3.
The image recording apparatus described in any one of 6 above is characterized in that the recording means records the image signal on the recording medium as digital data.

The invention described in Item 44 is defined as Items 25 to 3.
7. The image recording device according to any one of 6 above, wherein the recording medium is a CD-R, a CD-RW, an MD, a memory card, or an I.
It is characterized by being at least one of a C card, a flexible disk, and a magneto-optical disk.

[0057]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an image recording apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
Here, the correspondence relationship between the image processing apparatus or the image recording apparatus in the claims and each component in the image recording apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be clearly shown. That is, the image processing device of the present invention, and the acquisition means in the image recording device,
The image processing unit corresponds to the image adjustment processing unit 74, and the input unit is the film scanner unit 9 and the reflection original input unit 1.
0, the image reading unit 14, and the communication unit 17. The recording means in the image recording apparatus of the present invention corresponds to the print creating section 5, the image writing section 15, and the external printer of the image recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

Here, the image recording apparatus 1 will be described as an apparatus that exposes and develops a photosensitive material to produce a print, but the invention is not limited to this and any apparatus capable of producing a print based on image information can be used. For example, an inkjet type, an electrophotographic type, a heat sensitive type, a sublimation type print forming apparatus or the like may be used.

First, the structure will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the image recording apparatus 1. In FIG. 1, an image recording apparatus 1 includes a magazine loading unit 3 on a left side surface of a main body 2, an exposure processing unit 4 that exposes a photosensitive material as a recording medium in the main body 2, and a developed photosensitive material. A print creating unit 5 is provided for processing, drying, and creating a print. A tray 6 is provided on the right side of the main body 2 for carrying out the created prints, and a control unit 7 is provided inside the main body 2 above the exposure processing unit 4.

A monitor 8 is arranged above the main body 2. The monitor 8 constitutes a display means for displaying an image based on an image signal for making a print on the screen. Further, a film scanner unit 9 is arranged on the left side of the monitor 8 and a reflection original input device 10 is arranged on the right side. An operation unit 11 is arranged on the front side of the monitor 8, and the operation unit 11 is further provided with an information input means 12. The information input means 12 is composed of, for example, a touch panel or the like.

An image reading unit 14 is provided near the control unit 7 of the main body 2. PC for the image reading unit 14
A card adapter 14a and a flexible disk adapter 14b are provided, and the PC card 13a and the flexible disk 13b are configured to be removable. The PC card 13a stores in its internal memory, for example, image data corresponding to a plurality of images captured by a digital camera. In addition, the flexible disk 13b,
For example, image data corresponding to a plurality of images captured by a digital camera is stored. In addition, a recording medium such as a memory card, MD data, and a CD-ROM may be detachably attached to the main body 2 and the image data stored in these may be acquired.

Further, in the vicinity of the control unit 7, the image writing unit 1
5 are provided. The image writing unit 15 is provided with a flexible disk adapter 15a, a magneto-optical disk adapter 15b, and an optical disk adapter 15c. The flexible disk 16a, the magneto-optical disk 16b, and the optical disk 16c are configured to be removable, and image data Can be written in each of the disks 16a to 16c.

In FIG. 1, the operation unit 11, the monitor 8,
The film scanner unit 9, the reflection original input device 10, the image reading unit 14, and the image writing unit 15 are integrally configured in the main body 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any one or more of them may be separately provided. It may be provided as.

Next, the main structure of the image recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the image recording apparatus 1.

In FIG. 2, the control unit 7 has a C (not shown).
PU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only)
Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU reads out various control programs stored in the ROM, and centrally controls the operation of each unit constituting the image recording apparatus 1 according to the read control program.

Specifically, the control unit 7 has the information input means 12
In response to an instruction signal input from the computer, the document information is read from the film scanner unit 9 or the reflection original input device 10 to acquire image information, and a display signal for displaying the acquired image information is displayed on the monitor 8. Output. Further, the control unit 7 has an image processing unit 70, and the acquired image information (image signal) is image-processed by the image processing unit 70, and the exposure processing unit 4,
The image is output to the image writing unit 15, the communication unit 17, an external printer, or the like. The details of the image processing unit 70 will be described later (see FIG. 3).

The operation section 11 has an information input means 12. The information input unit 12 is composed of, for example, a touch panel or the like, and outputs a depression signal of the information input unit 12 to the control unit 7. The operation unit 11 may be configured to include a keyboard and a mouse as the information input unit 12.

The film scanner section 9 reads a photographed image from the developed negative film N obtained by developing the negative film imaged by the analog camera and outputs it to the control section 7.

The reflection original input device 10 is, for example, a flat head scanner, reads the image of the print P printed and developed on photographic paper, converts it into digital image data, and outputs it to the control unit 7.

The image reading section 14 has an image transfer means 30, and reads the image data from the PC card 13a or the flexible disk 13b in which the image data based on the image taken by the digital camera is stored, and the control section 7 is read.
Transfer to. As the image transfer means 30, as shown in FIG. 1, a PC card adapter 14a, a flexible disk adapter 14b, etc. are provided.

The exposure processing section 4 includes the image processing section 7 of the control section 7.
The photosensitive material is exposed according to the image signal output from 0,
Output to the print creation unit 5.

The print creating section 5 develops the photosensitive material exposed by the exposure processing section 4 and further dries it to create prints P1, P2, P3 and the like. For example, the print P1 is a service size, a high-definition size, a panorama size, etc., the print P2 is an A4 size, and the print P3 is a business card size print. It should be noted that the image subjected to the development processing in the print creating section 5 is printed by, for example, being printed out on a silver salt type photographic paper.

Further, the exposure processing section 4 and the print creating section 5
The light-sensitive material to be processed in is a color negative film, a color reversal film, a black and white negative film,
There are black and white reversal films.

The image writing section 15 has an image conveying section 31, conveys the image data to an image recording medium such as the mounted flexible disk 16a, magneto-optical disk 16b, optical disk 16c, etc., and stores the image data. Write. As the image transport unit 31, as shown in FIG.
A flexible disk adapter 15a, a magneto-optical disk adapter 15b, an optical disk adapter 15c, etc. are provided.

The data accumulating means 81 stores image information (image signal, header information, tag information), order information (information on how many prints are made from which image of which frame, print size information, etc.). Are stored in association with each other.

The template storage means 82 prestores at least one template data for setting a composite area with a background image, an illustration image, etc., which are sample image data, corresponding to the sample identification information D1, D2, D3. ing.

The monitor 8 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
And the like, and performs a required display according to a display control signal input from the control unit 7.

The communication means 17 is a telephone line network, ISDN line network, leased line, mobile communication network, communication satellite line, CATV.
A captured image is displayed from various line networks such as a line network and external devices (for example, a computer in the same building or a distant computer) connected by a communication network including an Internet service provider or a base station that connects them. Receives image signals and print commands. Also,
The communication unit 17 transmits an image signal that has undergone image processing and the like to an external device.

Next, the image processing section 70 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the image processing unit 70.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing section 70 includes a film scan data processing section 71, a reflected original scan data processing section 72, an image data format decoding processing section 73, an image adjustment processing section 74, and a monitor specific processing section 75. , A printer-specific processing unit 76, 77, an image data format creation processing unit 78, and a template processing unit 79.

The film scan data 71 is used for the image signal input from the film scanner unit 9 to perform a calibration operation specific to the film scanner unit 9, negative / positive reversal in the case of a negative document, dust scratch removal, and gray balance adjustment (= white balance adjustment). ), Contrast adjustment (correction), granular noise removal, sharpening enhancement, and the like, and the processed image signal is output to the image adjustment processing unit 74. The film scan data 71 includes the film size, negative / positive type,
Information about the main subject recorded optically or magnetically on the film, information about shooting conditions (for example, APS
(Detailed information content of (Advanced Photo System)) and the like together with the image signal subjected to the above processing.
Output to.

The reflection original scan data processing unit 72 performs a calibration operation specific to the reflection original input device 10 with respect to an image signal input from the reflection original input device 10, negative / positive reversal in the case of a negative original, dust / scratch removal, and gray balance adjustment. , Contrast adjustment, noise removal, and sharpening enhancement are performed, and the processed image signal is output to the image adjustment processing unit 74.

The image data format decoding processing unit 73 decompresses the image signal input from the image transfer means 30 and the communication means 17 according to the data format of the image signal, if necessary, and restores the compression code and expresses the color signal. Is converted into a data format suitable for calculation in the image processing unit 70 and output to the image adjustment processing unit 74. At this time, the image data format decoding processing unit 73 outputs to the image adjustment processing unit 74, together with the converted image signal, information regarding the ambient light at the time of shooting, which is acquired from the header information and the tag information of the image signal.

In addition to the above, information for supplementing / supplementing information regarding the ambient light output from the film scanner unit 9, the reflection original input device 10, the image transfer unit 30, and the communication unit 17 is input in the operation unit 11, This input information can be output to the image adjustment processing unit 74.

The size of the output image is determined on the basis of the designation input from the operation unit 11. In addition to this, the size of the output image sent to the communication unit 17 and the image transfer unit 30 are designated. When the size of the output image embedded in the header information and the tag information of the acquired image data is designated, the image data format decoding unit 73 detects the designation information and the image adjustment processing unit 74. Output to.

The image adjustment processing section 74 outputs the image signal to the template processing section 79 when the image signal input from the reflection original input device 10, the image transfer means 30, and the communication means 17 requires the template processing. The image signal after the template processing is acquired from the template processing unit 79.

Further, the image adjustment processing section 74 includes a control section 7,
Alternatively, according to an instruction from the operation unit 11, an image signal (described below) is applied to an image signal input from any one of the film scanner unit 9, the reflection original input device 10, the image transfer unit 30, the communication unit 17, and the template processing unit 79. (See FIG. 4), the monitor-specific processing unit 75, the printer-specific processing unit 76,
Printer-specific processing unit 77, image data format creation processing unit 7
8. Output the image-processed image signal to the data storage means 81.

Specifically, the image adjustment processing section 74 acquires information on ambient light at the time of image capturing from the additional information attached to the input image signal, and based on the acquired ambient light information. , The content of the image processing to be applied to the image signal is determined, and the image processing is performed according to the determined processing content (see FIG. 4).

Here, "information on ambient light at the time of photographing"
The meaning of what kind of light source the subject is being photographed at the time of photographing means, specifically, the light source type (fluorescent lamp,
Tungsten light, sunlight (daylight, etc.), light source type (that is, flash light) attached to the shooting device, weather (clear, cloudy, rain, snow, etc.), color temperature, time (morning, dusk, etc.), etc. Information.

Information on ambient light at the time of photographing can be obtained by using various functions such as a light amount measuring function of the photographing device.
In the case of a digital camera, it is possible to obtain information on ambient light by using a photometric device for automatic exposure control or a photographing element. Alternatively, the ambient light can be measured with a spectrophotometer or the like, and the information on the ambient light can be acquired from the measured value. When using the measurement function or spectrophotometer installed in the imaging device, add the measurement result (measurement value) using these functions to the additional information attached to the image signal as information about ambient light. Good. Further, the measurement result may be directly transferred from the photographing device to the image recording apparatus 1 or may be directly input into the image recording apparatus 1 at the time of image processing by an input operation of the operation unit 11.

On the other hand, even in a situation where the information on the ambient light at the time of photographing cannot be directly obtained, the present invention can be implemented by estimating the information on the ambient light. Specifically, the image is divided, and for each divided area or for each pixel,
Hue / saturation / lightness values are calculated, and the calculated hue / saturation /
The brightness value is extracted from the accumulated data to extract a divided area or pixel included in a certain range determined to be white equivalent by various light sources, and a continuous area is extracted from the extracted divided area or pixel. Information regarding the ambient light can be estimated from the average value or the median value of the hue values of the extracted white equivalent region. When performing image processing, the image processing content is determined based on the estimated information about the ambient light.

The image adjustment processing section 74 further obtains not only the information on the ambient light but also the information on the lens characteristics of the photographing device from the additional information attached to the input image signal, and the acquired environment is acquired. The content of the image processing to be performed on the image signal is determined based on the optical information and the lens characteristic information. When determining the image processing content, the characteristics of the taking lens should be taken into consideration in addition to the ambient light at the time of shooting.
This is because, due to the characteristics of the taking lens, deterioration symptoms such as density unevenness and a decrease in light amount around the image occur in the taken image. In order to avoid such a situation, the image adjustment processing unit 74 performs processing such as contrast correction and sharpness correction according to the lens performance.

The image adjustment processing section 74 has a characteristic table (not shown) in which lens characteristics are stored for each maker name and model name of various image pickup devices, and the image adjustment processing section 74 picks up an image from the additional information attached to the image signal. By acquiring the maker name or model name of the image capturing device used for the above, the lens characteristic of the image capturing device used is acquired from the characteristic table.

The additional information attached to the above-mentioned image signal is JPEG (Joint Photographic coding Expe).
rts Group), TIFF (Tagged Image File Forma)
t), existing tag information stipulated in various general-purpose image formats such as Exif (Exchangeable image file format), and information set in freely usable areas such as maker notes and user notes are used. can do. In the case of a negative film or a reversal film, tag information is recorded on the film optically or magnetically at the time of shooting or before development.
When reading a photographed image with the film scanner 9,
You may make it acquire the tag information recorded on the film.

Further, there is no particular limitation on the method of acquiring the information (environmental light, maker name of the photographing device, model name, etc.) necessary for determining the image processing contents. For example, the necessary information may be directly transferred from the image capturing device to the image recording apparatus 1, or an input operation of the operation unit 11 by an operator during image processing may be performed.
It is also possible to obtain.

The image adjustment processing unit 74 further applies the correction condition table storing the image processing contents (correction processing contents) to be applied to the image signal according to the type of ambient light having a high appearance frequency, and to the image signal according to the lens characteristics. It has a processing condition table that stores the contents of image processing, and when information about ambient light at the time of shooting and information about lens characteristics are acquired, they correspond to the acquired information from the correction condition table and the processing condition table, respectively. The image processing content is extracted, and the extracted image processing content is determined as the image processing to be actually applied to the image signal.

In FIG. 3, the monitor-specific processing section 75 is
The image data input from the image adjustment processing unit 74 is subjected to processing such as changing the number of pixels and color matching, if necessary, and outputs it to the monitor 8.

The printer-specific processing unit 76 performs printer-specific calibration processing, color matching, change in the number of pixels, etc. on the image signal input from the image adjustment processing unit 74 as necessary, and the processed image signal is processed. Is output to the exposure processing unit 4.

The printer-specific processing unit 77 performs, on the image signal input from the image adjustment processing unit 74, calibration processing, color matching, pixel number change, etc., specific to the external printer, if necessary, and the processed image is processed. Output signal to external printer.

The image data format creation processing unit 78 converts the image signal input from the image adjustment processing unit 74 into various general-purpose image formats represented by JPEG, TIFF, Exif, etc., if necessary. Then, the format-converted image signal is output to the image transport unit 31 and the communication unit 17.

The template processing section 79 operates the template storage means 7 according to the operation of the operating section 11 by the operator.
A predetermined template is acquired from a plurality of templates stored in advance in 2, and image information is combined with the acquired template. Further, the template processing unit 79 synthesizes the sample image data selected based on the designated sample identification information D1, D2, D3 and the image data and / or the character data based on the order to create a print. The synthesis using this template is performed by the well-known chroma key method.

The division of each processing unit in the image processing unit 70 described above is a division provided to facilitate understanding of the function of the image processing unit 70, and is necessarily realized as a physically independent device. Instead, for example, it may be realized as a division of the types of software processing in a single CPU.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As a premise of the operation description, a program for realizing the processes described in the following flowcharts is stored in the ROM of the control unit 7 in the form of a computer-readable program code, and the control unit 7 , The operation according to the program code is sequentially executed. Further, the control unit 7 can also sequentially execute the operation peculiar to the present embodiment by using a program and data supplied from the outside via a transmission medium.

Image processing executed in the image adjustment processing section 74 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The image adjustment processing section 74 includes a film scan data processing section 71 and a reflection original scan data processing section 7.
2. When an image signal is input from any of the image data format decoding processing units 73, it is first determined whether or not template processing is required for the input image signal (step S1).

If it is determined in step S1 that template processing is required for the input image signal (step S1; YES), the image adjustment processing section 74
An instruction signal for instructing the template processing of the image signal is output to the template processing unit 79, and the input of the image signal after the template processing is awaited. The template processing unit 79 performs template processing on the image signal according to an instruction from the image adjustment processing unit 74 (step S7), and the image signal subjected to the template processing is output to the image adjustment processing unit 74.

When the image adjustment processing unit 74 determines in step S1 that the template processing for the input image signal is unnecessary (step S1; NO), or the image subjected to the template processing (step S7). When a signal is input, the tag information related to the ambient light added to the input image signal is acquired, and from this acquired tag information, it is possible to estimate the type and situation of the ambient light emitted to the subject or background at the time of shooting. It starts (step S2).

The tag information relating to the above-mentioned ambient light includes the light source type,
If the weather, the color temperature, and the photographing time are recorded, the image adjustment processing unit 74 regards these pieces of information as the information on the ambient light, and proceeds to step S3.

When the tag information relating to the ambient light acquired above is recorded as "unknown" or when the tag information cannot be obtained because the tag information relating to the ambient light itself does not exist, image adjustment is performed. The processing unit 74 shifts to the step of estimating ambient light.

In the step S2 of estimating the ambient light, the image adjustment processing unit 74 determines whether the ambient light is applied to the entire image at substantially the same intensity, or if the ambient light source is The top and bottom of the image is determined in consideration of being in the heaven direction, and a region corresponding to the heaven part (for example, the upper part of the image in the case of a scene photographed in the horizontal position) 1/3 is selected and From the color, the light source type of the ambient light and the weather are estimated by referring to the table of the color tone of the environment light source and the weather that frequently appear, which is prepared in advance. Since the light radiated to the subject is not limited to one type, the image adjustment processing unit 74 determines whether or not the flash photography is the most case when a plurality of lights are radiated. Whether or not the flash light is emitted is determined from the tag information about the flash added to the image signal. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above determination method.

When the step of estimating the ambient light in step S2 is completed, the image adjustment processing section 74 acquires the tag information regarding the model name of the image input device (photographing device) added to the image signal, and the tag information is acquired. The estimation of the lens characteristics of the lens used at the time of shooting is started from the tag information (step S3). In the lens characteristic estimating step of step S3, the image adjustment processing unit 74 extracts the lens characteristic corresponding to the model name described in the tag information acquired above from the characteristic table, and extracts the extracted lens characteristic from the characteristic table. Considered as the lens characteristics of the lens used at the time of shooting.

When the estimation of the ambient light in step S2 and the estimation of the lens characteristic in step S3 are completed, the image adjustment processing section 74 performs image processing for the image signal based on the information on the ambient light and the lens characteristic. The content is determined (step S4). In step S4, the image adjustment processing unit 74 determines the image processing content corresponding to the ambient light by referring to the correction condition table.

When it is determined in step S2 that the ambient light is a fluorescent lamp, the image adjustment processing section 74 selects a hue correction condition for shifting the hue of the original image in the magenta direction from the correction condition table, and this selection is made. The hue correction condition is determined as the image processing content. When the ambient light is determined to be tungsten light, the image adjustment processing unit 74 selects a hue correction condition that shifts the hue of the original image in the yellow direction from the correction condition table, and the selected hue correction condition is image processed. Determine as content. Here, in the case of shooting under tungsten light, in order to take advantage of the atmosphere of the shooting place,
We do not dare to decide on the processing content that erases the yellow color unique to Tungsten Light.

In step S2, when the image adjustment processing unit 74 determines that the ambient light is light in cloudy weather, the contrast of the original image is adjusted to a high contrast and the saturation is emphasized based on the correction condition table so that the hue becomes yellow. A correction processing condition that shifts in the direction is selected, and the selected correction processing condition is determined as the image processing content. When it is determined that the ambient light is the light in fine weather, the image adjustment processing unit 74 calculates the contrast of the original image, and selects the dodging process condition corresponding to the calculated contrast value from the correction condition table, The dodging processing condition is determined as the image processing content.

Further, the image adjustment processing section 74 determines in step S
In 2, when it is determined that the ambient light includes a plurality of lights (for example, when it is determined that there is flash emission), the image processing conditions corresponding to the plurality of lights are selected from the correction condition table, The selected processing condition is determined as the image processing content.

Specifically, when the ambient light includes a plurality of lights, it is assumed that a person is photographed. Therefore, the image adjustment processing unit 74 receives the flash light from the correction condition table. A color correction condition is selected so that a continuous skin color region (assuming a skin part such as a face or neck) has a suitable skin color tint. Further, the image adjustment processing unit 74 performs frequency decomposition processing on a continuous area of the skin color from the correction condition table in order to make the skin texture of the person have a smooth impression, and then suppresses the strength of the medium frequency component. The noise removal processing condition of is selected.

Further, the image adjustment processing section 74 selects processing conditions for suppressing the contrast from the correction condition table in order to make the texture of the skin of the person soft. Also,
Since the high-frequency component obtained by performing the frequency decomposition processing is estimated to be the eyes or hair, among the high-density parts surrounded by the skin-colored continuous region or surrounding the skin-colored region,
The image adjustment processing unit 74 selects a sharpness enhancement processing condition from the correction condition table.

Further, the image adjustment processing section 74 determines in step S
In 4, the image processing content according to the lens characteristics is determined by referring to the processing condition table. For example, when the image adjustment processing unit 74 determines in step S3 that the lens used at the time of shooting is a lens used for a film with a lens, the image adjustment processing unit 74 determines from the processing condition table that a predetermined reference condition is used for focus blur correction. The sharpness enhancement processing condition of strong intensity and the peripheral light amount correction condition are selected, and the selected processing condition is determined as the image processing content.

By operating the keys of the operation unit 11 or the like, for example,
When the information on the preference tendency of the customer who requests the print processing of the film image is acquired or when the information which can estimate the preference tendency of the customer is acquired, the image adjustment processing unit 74.
Corrects the contents of the image processing determined above based on the acquired or estimated customer preference tendency.

It should be noted that, in the image signal representing the picked-up image, in order to provide an image that gives a good impression to the viewer when the image is output to a print medium or the like, an image signal that has already undergone image processing or a specific intention is provided. Based on the above, there is a possibility that image signals for which image processing at the time of output is prohibited are mixed. At the beginning of the image processing, the image adjustment processing unit 74 refers to the header information / tag information in various image formats and the instruction from the operation unit 11, and when it determines that the image processing is prohibited, The content of the processing is defined as "no image processing". For the image signal indicating that the image processing has been completed and the image signal indicating that the image processing is prohibited, the JPEG and TI
Information that prohibits image processing at the time of output is described in the header information / tag information in various general-purpose image formats represented by FF, Exif, or the like, or the operator operates the operation unit 11
It is preferable to instruct the prohibition of the image processing via.

The information acquired or judged / estimated in the steps S2 to S4 and the determined image processing contents are additional information attached to the image signal representing the photographed image (so-called tag information, etc.). ) May be added. Such additional information is attached as a unique information format or an independent information file / signal, but more preferable modes are JPEG, TIFF, and Exif.
It is possible to use existing tag information defined in various general-purpose image formats represented by, for example, or to use a freely usable area such as a maker note or a user note. Further, the determined image processing contents and the like may be input to the image recording apparatus 1 by the operator through the operation unit 11, or an image recorded on a developed film such as a negative film or a reversal film may be read by a film scanner. When the image processing of this embodiment is performed on the read image, the image may be recorded on the film optically or magnetically.

When the image processing content is determined in step S4, the image adjustment processing section 74 executes the image processing determined in step S4 on the input image signal (step S5). However, the template processing unit 7
With respect to the image signal subjected to the template processing in 9, only the portion corresponding to the image signal representing the captured image in the input image signal is the target of the image processing. When the image processing in step S5 ends, the image adjustment processing unit 74 processes the image-processed image signal according to the control signal of the control unit 7 by the monitor-specific processing unit 75, the printer-specific processing units 76 and 77, and the image data format creation. The data is output to the processing unit 78, the data storage unit 81, and the like (step S6), and the image processing shown in this flowchart ends.

As described above, according to the image recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the image adjustment processing section 74 uses the additional information (tag information) attached to the image signal or the like to obtain information on ambient light at the time of shooting. Alternatively, by obtaining information about the lens characteristics of the device used for shooting and performing optimal image processing according to the ambient light and the lens characteristics, it is possible to output an image that gives a good impression to the viewer.

Further, the image adjustment processing section 74 determines the image processing content only by acquiring or estimating the information (environmental light, lens characteristics, etc.) necessary for the image processing, and the image processing according to the determined image processing content. By executing, it is possible to perform image processing by a simple and versatile method without performing heavy calculation.

The description contents in this embodiment are as follows.
Modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, it is more preferable to use the information about the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of shooting when determining the image processing contents based on the information about the lens characteristics of the shooting device. This is because the reduction in the amount of peripheral light caused by the above-mentioned lens characteristics varies due to the unevenness of the shutter and the aperture amount due to the shutter speed at the time of shooting. In this case, the characteristic table further stores information about the shutter speed and the aperture value for each maker name and model name, and the image adjustment processing unit 74 uses the additional information and the like attached to the image signal to capture an image. The shutter speed and the aperture value are acquired from the characteristic table by acquiring the maker name or the model name of the photographing device used in the above.

If it is not possible to acquire the information about the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of photographing by the above-mentioned acquisition method, "exposure time", "F-number of lens", "subject distance", "ISO sensitivity" , “Zoom magnification”, “lens focal length”, “35 mm conversion lens focal length”, “shooting scene”, etc., can be used alone or in combination to supplement information about the shutter speed and aperture value. It is possible. "Exposure time", "F of lens
The acquisition method of various information such as “value”, “subject distance”, “ISO sensitivity”, “zoom magnification”, “lens focal length”, “35 mm conversion lens focal length”, and “shooting scene” is
There is no particular limitation, and various methods may be used.

The ISO sensitivity is a widely used notation indicating sensitivity to light and a permissible range. The “information on ISO sensitivity” means, for example, a value according to the display definition stipulated in ISO 12232 of the digital camera when the image is taken by a digital camera, and the image is taken by a silver salt camera using a film. In some cases, I described on film packaging, etc.
It means SO sensitivity value.

[0129]

According to the technique of the present invention, the image signal representing the photographed image is subjected to the image processing according to the condition of the ambient light at the time of photographing, so that the image signal can be photographed under various ambient light. Even with the obtained image, it is possible to output an image that gives a good impression to the viewer. Further, the present invention determines image processing contents by simply acquiring or estimating various simple information, and performs image processing according to the determined image processing contents, so that it is possible to perform simple calculation without heavy calculation. Moreover, image processing can be performed by a general-purpose method.

Furthermore, by acquiring or estimating the information necessary for image processing such as the ambient light at the time of shooting and the lens characteristics of the shooting device from the information added to the image signal representing the shot image, various imaging devices can be used. It is possible to provide an image processing method, an image processing apparatus, and an image recording apparatus that can be adapted to a complicated environment received through a media / communication means even if image signals representing captured images are mixed. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image recording device 1 to which an image recording device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an inside of the image recording apparatus 1.

3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an image processing unit 70 in the image recording apparatus 1. FIG.

4 is a flowchart showing image processing executed in an image adjustment processing section 74 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image recording device 2 body 3 Magazine loading section 4 Exposure processing unit 5 Print making department 6 trays 7 control unit 70 Image processing unit 71 Film scan data processing unit 72 Reflected Original Scan Data Processing Unit 73 Image data format decoding processing unit 74 Image adjustment processing unit 75 Monitor-specific processing unit 76 Printer-specific processing unit 77 Printer-specific processing unit 78 Image data format creation processing unit 79 Template processing unit 8 monitors 9 Film scanner section 10 Reflective original input device 11 Operation part 12 Information input means 13a PC card 13b flexible disk 14 Image reading section 14a PC card adapter 14b Flexible disk adapter 15 Image writing section 15a Flexible disk adapter 15b Magneto-optical disk adapter 15c Optical disk adapter 16a flexible disk 16b magneto-optical disk 16c optical disc 17 Communication means 30 image transfer means 31 Image Conveyor 81 Data storage means 82 Template storage means N negative film P, P1, P2, P3 print

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/91 B41J 3/00 B 5C066 9/64 H04N 9/79 H 5C077 9/79 5/91 H 5C079 (72) Inventor Tsukasa Ito 1 Sakura-cho, Hino-shi, Tokyo Konica Stock Company F-term (reference) 2C187 AC05 AC08 AD13 AF03 BF10 CC08 FA07 FA08 GA01 2C262 AA02 AA03 AA04 AA24 AB11 AC04 AC08 BA16 BA18 BA19 5B057 AA11 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CC01 CE02 CE11 CE17 CH08 5C053 FA08 FA27 JA21 KA01 LA03 5C055 AA03 AA06 AA14 BA05 BA08 EA02 EA03 EA05 EA16 GA01 HA36 HA37 PP3 PP066 AA11 BA13 CA05 CA08 EA13 EC02 MP15Q7702 TT09 5C079 HB01 HB02 HB12 LA12 LA15 LB01 MA11 NA03 NA04 NA05 PA03 PA08

Claims (44)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for subjecting an image signal representing a captured image to predetermined image processing, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring information on ambient light at the time of capturing the captured image; and an information acquired by the acquisition step. And an image processing step of determining image processing to be performed on the image signal representing the captured image and performing the determined image processing on the image signal. 2. The image processing step, according to the acquired information about the ambient light, a contrast correction process, a color balance correction process, a hue correction process, a saturation correction process, a lightness correction process, a granular noise removal process, The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a sharpness enhancement process and a sharpness enhancement process is performed. 3. When the information on the ambient light has a content indicating a fluorescent lamp, the image processing step further includes a hue correction process for shifting the hue of the photographed image in the magenta direction. The image processing method according to claim 1. 4. The image processing step further comprises a hue correction process for shifting the hue of the photographed image in the yellow direction when the information about the ambient light is indicative of tungsten light. The image processing method according to item 1 or 2. 5. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the information about the ambient light at the time of photographing is information about the weather. 6. The image processing step, when the information on the ambient light has a content indicating cloudy weather, the contrast signal contrast enhancement processing, the saturation enhancement processing, and the image signal representing the photographed image, The image processing method according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the hue correction processing for shifting the hue in the yellow direction is performed. 7. The image according to claim 5, wherein the image processing step performs a dodging process in accordance with the contrast of the photographed image when the information on the ambient light has a content indicating a clear sky. Processing method. 8. An image signal representing the photographed image is added with information on a photographing environment, and the acquisition step acquires information on the ambient light from the photographing environment information added to the image signal. It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
The image processing method according to any one of 1. 9. The obtaining step further obtains information on the characteristics of the lens of the photographing device used at the time of photographing the photographed image, and the image processing step further adds to the lens characteristic information obtained at the obtaining step. 9. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the content of the image processing to be performed on the image signal representing the captured image is determined based on the image processing, and the image processing is performed on the image signal. 10. The image signal representing the photographed image is further added with information on the photographing device used at the time of photographing, and in the acquisition step, from the photographing device information added to the image signal, The image processing method according to claim 9, further comprising acquiring information about a lens characteristic of the image capturing device. 11. The information about the photographing apparatus includes information about a manufacturer name of the photographing apparatus or information about a model name of the photographing apparatus, and the acquisition step relates to a manufacturer name of the photographing apparatus used at the photographing time. 10. The information about the lens characteristic of the photographing device is acquired based on the information or the information about the model name of the photographing device.
The image processing method described in 0. 12. The acquisition step further acquires information about a shutter speed and an aperture value of the image capturing apparatus at the time of shooting, and the image processing step is acquired by the acquisition step.
The content of image processing to be performed on the image signal is determined further based on information about a shutter speed and an aperture value at the time of shooting by the shooting device.
1. The image processing method according to any one of 1. 13. An image processing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting an image signal representing a photographed image; and image processing means for subjecting the image signal input by the input means to image processing. Further comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring information about the ambient light, the image processing unit, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, determines the image processing to be performed on the input image signal, the image signal, An image processing apparatus, which performs the determined image processing. 14. The image processing means, according to the information on the ambient light acquired by the acquisition means, contrast correction processing, color balance correction processing, hue correction processing, saturation correction processing, lightness correction processing, and granular noise. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the removal processing and the sharpness enhancement processing is executed. 15. The image processing means further performs a hue correction process for shifting the hue of the photographed image in the magenta direction when the information on the ambient light indicates a fluorescent lamp. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13 or 14. 16. The image processing means further performs a hue correction process for shifting the hue of the photographed image in the yellow direction when the information on the ambient light is indicative of tungsten light. Item 13. The image processing device according to item 13 or 14. 17. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the information on ambient light at the time of photographing is information on weather. 18. The image processing means, when the information on the ambient light has a content suggesting cloudy weather, contrast enhancement processing for the image signal representing the photographed image,
18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein at least one of a saturation enhancement process and a hue correction process for shifting the hue in the yellow direction is performed. 19. The image according to claim 17, wherein the image processing means performs a dodging process in accordance with the contrast of the photographed image when the information about the ambient light has a content indicating a clear sky. Processing equipment. 20. Information relating to a photographing environment is added to an image signal representing the photographed image, and the obtaining means obtains information regarding the ambient light from photographing environment information added to the image signal. The image processing device according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that. 21. The acquisition means further acquires information regarding characteristics of a lens of a photographing device used at the time of photographing the photographed image, and the image processing means further includes the lens characteristic information acquired by the obtaining means. The content of the image processing to be applied to the image signal representing the captured image is determined based on the image processing, and the image processing is performed on the image signal.
The image processing device according to any one of 0. 22. The image signal representing the photographed image is further added with information relating to the photographing device used at the time of photographing, and the acquisition means is configured to extract the information from the photographing device information added to the image signal. 22. The image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein information about lens characteristics of the image capturing apparatus is acquired. 23. The information regarding the photographing apparatus includes information regarding a manufacturer name of the photographing apparatus or information regarding a model name of the photographing apparatus, and the obtaining means relates with a manufacturer name of the photographing apparatus used at the photographing time. 23. The image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the information about the lens characteristics of the photographing apparatus is acquired based on the information or the information about the model name of the photographing apparatus. 24. The acquisition unit further acquires information on a shutter speed and an aperture value at the time of photographing by the photographing device, and the image processing unit is obtained by the acquisition unit.
14. The content of image processing to be performed on the image signal is further determined based on information about a shutter speed and an aperture value at the time of shooting by the shooting device.
23. The image processing device according to any one of 23. 25. An image recording apparatus, comprising: a recording means for recording an image signal representing a photographed image on a recording medium; an obtaining means for obtaining information on ambient light at the time of photographing of the photographed image; and an obtaining means obtained by the obtaining means. Based on the information, determine the content of the image processing to be applied to the image signal representing the captured image,
Image processing means for performing the determined image processing on the image signal, wherein the recording means records the image signal subjected to the image processing by the image processing means on the recording medium. Image recording device. 26. The image processing means, according to the acquired information on the ambient light, a contrast correction process, a color balance correction process, a hue correction process, a saturation correction process, a brightness correction process, a granular noise removal process, 26. The image recording apparatus according to claim 25, wherein at least one of a sharpness enhancement process and a sharpness enhancement process is performed. 27. The image processing means further performs a hue correction process for shifting the hue of the photographed image in the magenta direction when the information on the ambient light indicates a fluorescent lamp. The image recording device according to claim 25 or 26. 28. The image processing means further performs a hue correction process for shifting the hue of the photographed image in the yellow direction when the information on the ambient light is indicative of tungsten light. Item 25. The image recording apparatus according to Item 26. 29. The image recording apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the information on the ambient light at the time of photographing is information on the weather. 30. When the information on the ambient light has a content indicating cloudy weather, the image processing means performs contrast enhancement processing on the image signal represented by the photographed image,
30. The image recording apparatus according to claim 29, wherein at least one of a saturation enhancement process and a hue correction process for shifting a hue in the yellow direction is performed. 31. The image according to claim 29, wherein when the information about the ambient light has a content indicating a clear sky, the image processing means performs a dodging process according to the contrast of the photographed image. Recording device. 32. Information relating to a photographing environment is added to an image signal representing the photographed image, and the acquisition means is
26. The information about the ambient light is acquired from the shooting environment information added to the image signal.
32. The image recording device according to any one of 1 to 31. 33. The obtaining means further obtains information on the characteristics of the lens of the photographing device used at the time of photographing the photographed image, and the image processing means further adds to the lens characteristic information obtained by the obtaining means. The content of image processing to be applied to the image signal representing the photographed image is determined based on the image processing, and the image processing is performed on the image signal.
2. The image recording device according to any one of 2. 34. The image signal representing the photographed image is further added with information relating to the photographing device used at the time of photographing, and the obtaining means is configured to extract the information from the photographing device information added to the image signal. 34. The image recording apparatus according to claim 33, wherein information about lens characteristics of the image capturing apparatus is acquired. 35. The information regarding the photographing apparatus includes information regarding a manufacturer name of the photographing apparatus or information regarding a model name of the photographing apparatus, and the acquisition unit relates to a manufacturer name of the photographing apparatus used at the photographing time. The image recording apparatus according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the information on the lens characteristics of the photographing apparatus is acquired based on the information or the information on the model name of the photographing apparatus. 36. The acquisition unit further acquires information about a shutter speed and an aperture value at the time of photographing by the photographing device, and the image processing unit is acquired by the acquisition unit.
26. The content of image processing to be performed on the image signal is determined further based on information about a shutter speed and an aperture value at the time of shooting by the shooting device.
35. The image recording device according to any one of 35. 37. The recording means prints the image signal on a print medium and outputs the image signal.
6. The image recording device according to any one of 6. 38. The recording means records the image signal on a silver halide printing paper and outputs the image signal.
37. The image recording device according to any one of 36 to 36. 39. The image recording apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the recording means prints the image signal on a print medium by an ink jet method and outputs the image signal. 40. The image recording apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the recording means prints the image signal on a print medium by an electrophotographic method and outputs the image signal. 41. An image recording apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said recording means prints said image signal on a print medium by a sublimation method and outputs it. 42. An image recording apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said recording means prints said image signal on a print medium by a thermal method and outputs it. 43. The image recording apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the recording means records the image signal as digital data on the recording medium. 44. The recording medium is a CD-R or a CD-R.
The image recording apparatus according to claim 43, which is at least one of a W, an MD, a memory card, an IC card, a flexible disk, and a magneto-optical disk.