JP2003271944A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow image processing fit to an environment in a used area, without conducting a setting operation for the image processing by a user. <P>SOLUTION: A signal processing circuit 17 conducts the image processing, using a parameter corresponding to a set language data out of the parameters (for example, color conversion factor, convergence point of color balance, gamma conversion coefficient, and an edge intensifying factor), different each other, corresponding to the plurality of language data, by perceiving that the language data are set to be fit to the used areas. <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 apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus for performing image processing on image data captured by an image capturing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a digital camera applies image processing to image data taken by an image pickup device such as a CCD to make the hue, color saturation, contrast, sharpness, etc. of the image data proper, and display it in a display device. Display or store on memory card.

[0003]

By the way, if the same image processing that makes the image data taken in Japan into an appropriate state is performed on the image data taken in Europe, the yellow tint becomes strong. For example, the image processing may not match the local environment.

Therefore, it is conceivable that the parameters used for the image processing can be manually set so that the image processing suitable for the environment of the area to be used can be performed.
However, there is a problem in that the user has to manually set parameters suitable for the environment of the area used after the camera is purchased, which is very troublesome for the user.

Therefore, the present invention pays attention to the above-mentioned problems, and the user does not perform the setting operation of the image processing,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device capable of performing image processing suitable for the environment of the area where it is used.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that an image pickup device for displaying one set language data from a plurality of types of language data picks up an image. An image processing apparatus for performing image processing of image data, which corresponds to the plurality of types of language data,
The image processing apparatus includes a first image processing unit that performs image processing corresponding to the set language data among a plurality of different image processings.

According to the invention described in claim 1, in general,
Paying attention to the fact that the language data is set according to the region in which it is used, the first image processing means selects the set language data among the plurality of different image processings corresponding to the plurality of types of language data. Perform corresponding image processing. Therefore, if the user performs the language setting operation, the image processing suitable for the selected language data, that is, the region to be used is performed without performing the image processing setting operation separately from the language setting operation. You can

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, which corresponds to the set language data among a plurality of different parameter values corresponding to the plurality of types of language data. The image processing apparatus is characterized in that the image processing corresponding to the set language data is performed by performing the image processing by using the parameter value.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the image processing is performed using the parameter corresponding to the set language data among the plurality of different parameter values corresponding to the plurality of types of language data. Therefore, the image processing corresponding to the set language data can be easily performed without largely changing the program of the image processing itself.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the parameters having a plurality of different parameter values corresponding to the plurality of types of language data are a color conversion coefficient and a color balance. The image processing apparatus is characterized by including one or more of a convergence point, a gamma conversion coefficient, and an edge enhancement coefficient.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the parameters corresponding to a plurality of types of language data and each having a plurality of different parameter values are the color conversion coefficient, the color balance convergence point, the gamma conversion coefficient, and the edge enhancement coefficient. Any one or more of are included. Therefore, depending on the set language data, that is, the number of color conversions such as Y gain and U gain depending on the environment of the use area,
By changing the convergence point of the color balance, it is possible to perform image processing with a tint suitable for the region.

Further, since the intensity and the angle of the sunlight are different depending on the region, the difference in the brightness of the image is different, and when the same image processing is performed, the blown-out highlights and the crushed blacks in the dark regions are likely to occur depending on the region. With this in mind, if the gamma change coefficient is changed according to the set language data, that is, the environment of the use area, it is possible to perform image processing with a tint suitable for the area. Further, since the intensity and angle of sunlight are different depending on the region, the contrast of the image is different, and when the same image processing is performed, the sharpness varies depending on the region. With this in mind, if the gamma change coefficient is changed according to the set language data, that is, the environment of the use area, it is possible to perform image processing with a tint suitable for the area.

Further, since the color conversion coefficient, the convergence point of color balance, the gamma conversion coefficient, and the edge enhancement coefficient are closely related to each other, two or more different parameter values corresponding to plural kinds of language data are combined. If included, it is possible to perform image processing to make the color more suitable for the region.

The invention according to claim 4 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a manual setting means for manually setting each of the parameter values corresponding to the plurality of types of language data is provided. The image processing apparatus is characterized by further comprising.

According to the invention of claim 4, the user is
The parameter value corresponding to a plurality of types of language data can be manually set freely by using the manual setting means. Therefore, even if a user who uses a language that is not widely used in the area or a user who travels from another area uses it, use the manual setting means to set the parameter value that matches the environment of the area. If it is set manually, image processing suitable for the area can be performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the second image processing for constantly performing the reference image processing regardless of the selected language data. The image processing apparatus further includes a unit and a switching unit that switches between the image processing by the first image processing unit and the image processing by the second image processing unit.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the second image processing means always performs the reference image processing regardless of the selected language data. The switching unit switches between the image processing by the first image processing unit and the image processing by the second image processing unit. Therefore, if the standard image processing is tailored to the most shipping area, even if the user uses a language other than the one used most in the most shipping area, If the switching means is used to switch to the image processing by the second image processing means, the image processing suitable for the region can be easily performed.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a digital camera incorporating the image processing apparatus of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the subject light is first captured by the photographing optical system 1.
It is incident on the CCD 12 through 1. Shooting optical system 11
Is a focus lens 11a that adjusts the focus of a subject image by moving back and forth in the optical axis direction, and the focus lens 11a.
In addition, the image pickup lens 11b for forming a subject image on the image pickup surface of the CCD 12 is provided. In addition, the photographing optical system 11
A diaphragm 13 is disposed between the CCD 12 and the CCD 12, and the diaphragm 13 limits the amount of light incident on the CCD 12. It should be noted that the photographing optical system 11 and the diaphragm 13 described above
Are respectively driven by the motor driver 14.

The above-mentioned CCD 12 has an image pickup surface in which a plurality of pixels for photoelectric conversion are arranged in a secondary matrix,
When the subject light is incident, the optical image formed on the imaging surface is converted into an electrical signal and output as analog image data. The image data output from the CCD 12 has a noise component removed by the CDS circuit 15, and A /
After being converted into a digital value by the D converter 16, it is output to the signal processing circuit 17.

The signal processing circuit 17 uses the SDRAM 18 for temporarily storing image data, and performs various signal processing such as YUV conversion processing and various image processing such as color conversion processing, color balance processing, gamma conversion processing and edge enhancement processing. I do.
The color conversion process adjusts the hue of the image data, the color balance process adjusts the color depth of the image data, the gamma conversion process adjusts the contrast of the image data, and the edge emphasis process adjusts the sharpness of the image data. . Further, the signal processing circuit 17 displays the image data on which the signal processing or the image processing has been performed on the liquid crystal display 19 (hereinafter, referred to as “LCD 19”).
Will be abbreviated).

The image data that has undergone the signal processing and image processing described above is recorded in the memory card 21 via the image compression / expansion circuit 20. The image compression / expansion circuit 20
Is a circuit that compresses the image data output from the signal processing circuit 17 and outputs the compressed image data to the memory card 21, and expands the image data read from the memory card 21 and outputs the expanded image data to the signal processing circuit 17.

The CCD 12 and the CDS circuit 1 described above are also provided.
5 and the A / D converter 16 are controlled in conversion timing and removal timing by the system controller 23 via a timing signal generator 22 that generates a timing signal. Further, the signal processing circuit 17, the image compression / expansion circuit 20, and the memory card 21 are also controlled by the system controller 23.

The system controller 23 is for controlling the entire camera, and is a PROM 23 which is a memory that stores a CPU 23a for performing various arithmetic processes according to a program and a program executed by the CPU 23a.
b and a built-in SRAM 23c, which is a readable / writable memory having a work area used in various processes in the CPU 23a, a data storage area for storing various data, and the like, and these are interconnected by a bus line (not shown). ing. The system controller 23 described above
An operating unit 24 and an OSD 25 for displaying language data on the LCD 19 are connected to the.

Next, the data stored in the above-mentioned PROM 23b will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the PROM 23b has a plurality of types of language data 1 to 4, set language data indicating the language data set to be displayed on the LCD 19, and the OSD 25.
And an area for storing a language program for selecting the language data indicated by the set language data from the language data 1 to 4 and displaying it on the LCD 19 is formed.

At the time of shipping, the set language data is data indicating language data matched to the region of the shipping destination. Further, the set language data can be reset by the user using the operation unit 24 according to the language setting screen of FIG. In this embodiment, for example, language data 1: Japanese, language data 2: English, language data 3: German, language data 4: French.

In the PROM 23b, an image processing program for controlling the signal processing circuit 17 to execute various image processes, user setting information indicating information set by the user regarding parameters used in the image processing, and image processing. Parameter group (hereinafter referred to as P group) 1m to 4m used in
Areas for storing 1u to 4u and st are formed.

P group 1m to 4m, 1u to 4u and st
As shown in FIG. 3A, each is composed of four parameters of a color conversion coefficient, a color balance convergence point, a gamma conversion coefficient, and an edge emphasis coefficient.
One P group is stored in the it × 4 area.

The P group 1m is set by the manufacturer as the P group corresponding to the language data 1, and the P group 2m.
Is the language data 2, the P group 3m is the language data 3, and the P group 4m is the P group corresponding to the language data 4, respectively, set by the manufacturer. Therefore, the above-mentioned P group 1m-4m is PRO
The digital camera is shipped with it already stored in the M23b.

On the other hand, the P group 1u is set by the user as a P group corresponding to the language data 1, the P group 2u is the language data 2, the P group 3u is the language data 3, and the P group. 4u is set by the user as a P group corresponding to each language data 4. Therefore, the P group 1u to
4u is not stored in the PROM 23b at the time of shipment from the digital camera, but is written in the PROM 23b when the user sets it using the operation unit 24 as the manual setting unit according to the setting screen of FIG. 4B.

However, when the image quality setting 1 is selected on the setting screen 1 of FIG. 4B, the setting screen 2 for setting the P group 1u is switched to, and when the image quality setting 2 is selected, the P group 2u, Setting screen 2 for setting P group 3u by selecting image quality setting 3 and setting P group 4u by selecting image quality setting 4
Switch to. Further, in the setting screen 2 of FIG. 4B, if the hue is selected, the color conversion coefficient forming the P group is selected, if the color depth is selected, the convergence point of the color balance is selected, and if the contrast is selected, the gamma conversion coefficient and the sharpness are selected. If is selected, the edge emphasis coefficient can be set. The P group st is not associated with the language data 1 to 4,
It is a standard P group.

On the other hand, the user setting information is as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the bit length is 8 bits. Each of the lower 4 bits of the user setting information corresponds to the P groups 1u to 4u, and information indicating whether or not the corresponding P groups 1u to 4u are set by the user is stored. Specifically, 1 is stored if the user setting is performed, and 0 is stored if the user setting is not performed.

On the other hand, for the upper 4 bits of the user setting information, the image processing in the first image processing mode is performed or the second processing is performed.
The setting information on whether to perform image processing in the image processing mode is stored. The first image processing mode is the LCD 1
P corresponding to the language data set to be displayed on
The second image processing mode is a mode in which the image processing is always performed using the P group st regardless of the set language data, by using the groups 1m to 4m or 1u to 4u. .

Specifically, 0 is stored if the first image processing mode is set, and 1 is stored if the second image processing mode is set. Further, the setting information can be switched by the user using the operation unit 24 as a switching unit according to the setting screen of FIG. However,
If permission is selected on the setting screen of FIG. 4C, the mode is switched to the first image processing mode, and if prohibition is selected,
The mode is switched to the second image processing mode.

The operation of the digital camera having the above configuration will be described below. When the power is turned on, the digital camera receives the subject light and forms an optical image on the image forming surface of the CCD 12. Image data obtained by photoelectrically converting the optical image formed on the image pickup surface by the CCD 12 is
For example, it is sent to the signal processing circuit 17 via the CDS circuit 15 and the A / D converter 16 every 1/30 seconds. The signal processing circuit 17 converts the sent RGB image data into SDR.
Store in AM18.

In addition, the RGB stored in the SDRAM 18
The image data is read into the signal processing circuit 17 again,
A YUV conversion unit (not shown) provided in the signal processing circuit 17 performs YUV conversion and writes back the data in the SDRAM 18, and then sends it to the LCD 19 for display. When performing this YUV conversion, the signal processing circuit 17 causes the P group 1m to
Of the 4m, 1u to 4u, and the P group st, various image processes are performed using the P group set by the P group setting process described later. This process is repeated, for example, every 1/30 seconds. When a shooting operation is performed, the YUV image data that has undergone various image processing is output to the image compression / expansion circuit 20 and compressed, and then stored in the memory card 21.

Next, the setting processing of the P group used in the various image processing described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart showing the processing procedure of the CPU 23a in FIG. First, C
The PU 23a reads the upper 4 bits of the user setting information stored in the PROM 23b, and performs a mode determination process for determining which of the first image processing mode and the second image processing mode is set (step S1).

If 0 is stored in the upper 4 bits of the user setting information and it is determined that the first image processing mode is set ("first" in step S1), the CPU 23a.
Next performs a set language identification process (step S2). In the setting language identification processing, the CPU 23a uses the PROM2
The set language data stored in 3b is read to determine which of the language data 1 to 4 is set. When it is determined that the language data 1 is set as a result of the setting language identification process (“1” in step S2), the CP
The U 23a then reads the lower 4 bits of the user setting information and determines whether or not the setting of the P group 1u has been performed by the user (step S3).

If the P group 1u has not been set (N in step S3), the CPU 23a sets the P group 1m stored in the PROM 23b as the P group used for image processing (step S4). On the other hand, if P1u has been set (Y in step S3), the CPU 23a sends PR
The P group 1u stored in the OM 23b is set as the P group used for the image processing (step S5).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the language data 2 is set (“2” in step S2), the CPU2
3a sets the P group 2u as the P group used for image processing if the P group 2u has not been set (N in step S6) (step S7), and sets the P group 2u if it has been set. (Y in step S6), P group 2u is set as a P group used for image processing (step S8).

When it is determined that the language data 3 is set ("3" in step S2), the CPU 23a
If the P group 3u has not been set (N in step S9), the P group 3m is set as the P group used for image processing (step S10), and if the P group 3u has been set (step S9). Y), P group 3u used for image processing P
It is set as a group (step S11).

Further, when it is determined that the language data 4 is set (“4” in step S2), the CPU 23a
If P group 4u has not been set (step S
12 in N), the P group 4m is set as a P group to be used in image processing (step S13), and if the P group 4u is set (Y in step S12), the P group 4u is used in image processing. It is set as a group (step S14).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the second image processing mode is set as a result of performing the mode determination process ("second" in step S1), the CPU 23a determines the P group s.
t is set as a P group used for image processing (step S
15). According to the above operation, the signal processing circuit 17 and the CPU 23a for controlling the signal processing circuit 17 have the first and second claims.
Obviously, it works as an image processing means.

According to the above digital camera, in general, the language data is set according to the area in which it is used, and image processing is performed using the P group corresponding to the set language data. It can be carried out. Therefore, if the user performs a language setting operation, the image processing suitable for the selected language data, that is, the area to be used is performed without performing the image processing setting operation separately from the language setting operation. be able to.

According to the above digital camera, the P groups 1u to 4u can be freely set by the user. Even if a user who uses a language that is rarely used in the area or a user who travels from another area uses it, if the P groups 1u to 4u are set, the parameter values suitable for the environment of the area are set. If it is manually set to, image processing suitable for the region can be performed.

Furthermore, according to the digital camera, the user can switch between the first image processing mode and the second image processing mode. For this reason, if the P group st used in the second image processing mode matches one of the most shipping regions, a language other than the one used most in the most shipping regions is used. Even when used by the user, if the operation unit 24 is used to switch to image processing in the second image processing mode, image processing suitable for the region can be performed.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, if the user performs the language setting operation, the selection can be performed without performing the image processing setting operation separately from the language setting operation. It is possible to obtain an image processing device capable of performing image processing adapted to the created language data, that is, the area where the language data is used.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain an image processing apparatus which can easily perform image processing corresponding to the set language data without largely changing the program of the image processing itself. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image processing apparatus capable of performing image processing with a tint suitable for a region.

According to the invention of claim 4, the manual setting means is used even if the user uses a language that is rarely used in the area or a user who travels from another area. By manually setting the parameter value suitable for the local environment, it is possible to obtain the image processing apparatus capable of performing the image processing suitable for the local area.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, if the standard image processing is adapted to the most shipping area, a language other than the one used most in the most shipping area is used. Even when used by the user, if the switching means is used to switch to the image processing by the second image processing means, it is possible to obtain an image processing apparatus capable of performing image processing suitable for the region.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a digital camera incorporating an image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a PROM 23 that constitutes the digital camera of FIG.
It is a figure for demonstrating the data stored in b.

FIG. 3 (a) shows P stored in a PROM 23b.
It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the groups 1m-4m, 1u-4u, and st. (B) is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of user setting information stored in the PROM 23b.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing various setting screens.

5 is a CPU 23a included in the digital camera shown in FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of step S1.

[Explanation of symbols]

17 signal processing circuit (first image processing means, second image processing means) 23a CPU (first image processing means, second image processing means) 24 operation unit (manual setting means, switching means)

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup device for displaying one set language data from a plurality of types of language data is imaged,
An image processing apparatus for performing image processing of image data, the first image processing performing image processing corresponding to the set language data among different image processing corresponding to the plurality of types of language data. An image processing apparatus comprising means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a parameter value corresponding to the set language data is used among a plurality of different parameter values corresponding to the plurality of types of language data. An image processing apparatus, which performs the image processing to perform the image processing corresponding to the set language data. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the parameters having a plurality of different parameter values corresponding to the plurality of types of language data are color conversion coefficients, color balance convergence points, and gamma conversion. An image processing apparatus comprising at least one of a coefficient and an edge enhancement coefficient. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a manual setting unit for manually setting each of the parameter values corresponding to the plurality of types of language data. Image processing device. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second image processing unit that constantly performs reference image processing regardless of the selected language data, and the first image processing unit. An image processing apparatus further comprising a switching unit for switching between image processing by the image processing unit and image processing by the second image processing unit.