JP2008278320A - White balance adjustment device, information processing device, white balance adjustment method, white balance setting method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a white balance adjusting device and white balance adjustment program capable of easily setting a white balance value desired by a photographer. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera connectable to an information processor includes a transmitting means for transmitting moving picture data, a displaying means for displaying the moving picture data, a white balance control means for receiving the coordinates or rectangle of the moving picture data from the information processor and operating a white balance value from the designated coordinates or rectangle, and a customized white balance setting means for setting the white balance value as a customized white balance value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a white balance adjustment device that corrects white balance of a photographing device such as a digital camera, and an information processing device such as a personal computer connected to the white balance adjustment device. The present invention also relates to a white balance adjustment method using a white balance adjustment device, a white balance setting method using the information processing device, a program for realizing the white balance adjustment method, and a white balance setting method.

  2. Description of the Related Art A white balance processing device that allows a photographer to adjust a white balance value and performs white balance correction based on the adjusted white balance value is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The white balance processing device described in Patent Document 1 captures a subject and generates still image data when the release button is pressed and photographing is instructed. Then, based on the adjusted white balance value, the still image data is subjected to white balance correction and recorded on the medium, and the still image data subjected to the white balance correction is displayed on the monitor.

In addition, a white balance processing apparatus that allows a photographer to adjust a white balance value in a moving image series has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The white balance processing device described in Patent Document 2 is based on the set white balance value in a state where moving image series data is displayed, and channels of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) Specify balance by level. Based on this designation, the white balance value is finely adjusted to set a custom white balance value.
JP 2004-48523 A JP 2006-238369 A

  However, in the white balance processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the photographer can confirm the result of white balance correction based on the white balance value only after photographing. For this reason, in order to obtain still image data having a desired hue, the photographer has to repeat the setting of the white balance value and the instruction of shooting, and there is a problem that it is difficult to set the white balance value.

  In the white balance processing device described in Patent Document 2, the photographer can correct the white balance while checking the white balance correction result, but the correction instruction is repeatedly performed, so that a desired white balance value can be obtained at one time. difficult.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily set a white balance value desired by a photographer in a photographed image. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a white balance adjustment device, an information processing device, a white balance adjustment method, a white balance setting method, and a program having such a configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, a white balance adjustment device according to the present invention includes a transmission unit that transmits image data captured by an imaging unit that captures an image to an external device, and an arbitrary position in the image data from the external device. Receiving means for receiving the specified information, a calculating means for calculating a white balance value from the position of the image data corresponding to the specified information, and the white balance value for the image data photographed by the photographing means. And correction means for performing white balance correction.

  Further, the present invention provides a transmission unit that transmits image data captured by an imaging unit that captures an image, a calculation unit that calculates a white balance value of the image data, and image data captured by the imaging unit. And an information processing device connected to a white balance adjustment device comprising correction means for performing white balance correction using the white balance value, wherein the image data transmitted from the white balance adjustment device is received. Receiving means, display means for displaying the image data received by the receiving means, and designation means for designating an arbitrary position of the image data displayed by the display means as a position for calculating the white balance value; And transmitting means for transmitting the information specified by the specifying means to the white balance adjusting device. And butterflies.

  The white balance adjustment method of the present invention includes a transmission step of transmitting image data captured by an imaging unit that captures an image to an external device, and designation information on an arbitrary position in the image data from the external device. A white balance correction using the white balance value with respect to the image data captured by the photographing step, and a calculating step of calculating a white balance value from the position of the image data corresponding to the designation information. And a correction step for applying the above.

  Further, the present invention provides a transmission unit that transmits image data captured by an imaging unit that captures an image, a calculation unit that calculates a white balance value of the image data, and image data captured by the imaging unit. And a white balance setting method of an information processing apparatus connected to a white balance adjustment device comprising a correction means for performing white balance correction using the white balance value, wherein the white balance adjustment method is transmitted from the white balance adjustment device. A reception step for receiving image data, a display step for displaying the image data received in the reception step, and an arbitrary position of the image data displayed in the display step as a position for calculating the white balance value The designated process to be designated and the information designated in the designated process are transmitted to the white balance adjusting device. Characterized by comprising a transmission step.

  The present invention also provides a computer-readable program for executing a control method of a white balance adjustment device for adjusting white balance of image data captured by an image capturing unit that captures an image. A transmitting step of transmitting image data captured by the external device, a receiving step of receiving designation information at an arbitrary position in the image data from the external device, and a position of the image data corresponding to the designation information A calculation step of calculating a white balance value, and a correction step of performing white balance correction on the image data photographed by the photographing step using the white balance value are provided.

  Further, the present invention provides a transmission unit that transmits image data captured by an imaging unit that captures an image, a calculation unit that calculates a white balance value of the image data, and image data captured by the imaging unit. And a computer-readable program for executing a white balance setting method of an information processing apparatus connected to a white balance adjustment apparatus having a correction means for performing white balance correction using the white balance value. A receiving step for receiving the image data transmitted from the white balance adjustment device, a display step for displaying the image data received in the receiving step, and an arbitrary position of the image data displayed in the display step. A designation step for designating a position for calculating the white balance value, and the designation The information specified in extent, characterized in that a transmission step of transmitting to the white balance adjustment device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily set a white balance value desired by a photographer in a photographed image, and white balance correction can be performed efficiently.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera system including a white balance adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  This digital camera system includes a digital camera including a white balance adjustment device according to the present embodiment, and an information processing device (external device) 101 including a personal computer connected to the digital camera 100. Yes.

  First, the configuration of the digital camera 100 will be described.

  The digital camera 100 includes a photographing element 10 that converts an optical image into an electric signal, an A / D converter 11 that converts an analog signal output from the photographing element 10 into a digital signal, and an image processing circuit 12. The image processing circuit 12 performs white balance on the data from the A / D converter 11 or the data from the memory control circuit 13, and further performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing. The image processing circuit 12 also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the calculation result obtained by the white balance control circuit 19. Further, the image processing circuit 12 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data. Based on the obtained calculation result, the system control circuit 18 performs TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing. .

  Further, a memory control circuit 13, a memory 16, an image compression / decompression circuit 17, a white balance control circuit 19, and a communication unit 110 are connected to a system control circuit 18 that controls the overall operation of the digital camera 100. Further, the memory control circuit 13 is connected to an image display unit 15 composed of a TFT LCD or the like via a D / A converter 14. The display image data written in the image display memory is displayed by the image display unit 15 via the D / A converter 14.

  The memory 16 is a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 16 at high speed even in the case of continuous shooting or moving images in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot. The memory 16 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 18. Data of the A / D converter 11 is written into the memory 16 via the image processing circuit 12 and the memory control circuit 13, or data of the A / D converter 11 is directly written via the memory control circuit 13.

  The image compression / decompression circuit 17 is a circuit that compresses / decompresses image data, thins out, or cuts out the image data, reads an image stored in the memory 16, performs compression / decompression processing or thinning out, and cuts out the processing. Data is written to the memory 16. The white balance control circuit 19 performs a white balance control value calculation process using the captured image data.

  The communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. The connector 111 connects the digital camera 100 to another device, for example, the information processing apparatus 101. In the case of wireless communication, an antenna 111 is used instead of the connector. Image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from the information processing apparatus 101 and peripheral devices such as a printer via the communication unit 110.

  Next, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 101 will be described.

  In this information processing apparatus 101, an input unit 50, a display unit 51, a communication unit 52, a CPU 53, a ROM 54, and a RAM 55 are connected via a system bus.

  The input unit 50 includes a keyboard and a pointing device, and inputs instructions and data from the user. Note that examples of the pointing device include a mouse, a trackball, and a tablet. The display unit 51 includes, for example, a CRT display or a liquid crystal display, and displays an image such as a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The CPU 53 controls all the processes related to each configuration described above. The ROM 54 stores control programs and data necessary for each process, and the RAM 55 provides the CPU 53 with a work area necessary for each process. The control program may be stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk (not shown). In this case, the control program is once read into the RAM 55 and executed by the CPU 53.

  The communication unit 52 transmits / receives information such as image data, white balance values, and coordinates to / from the digital camera 100 when the digital camera 100 is connected to the digital camera 100 via a connector 56 using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or 1394 cable. be able to.

  Next, the appearance of the digital camera system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital camera system shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a USB port 201 is provided on the front surface of the information processing apparatus 101, and the digital camera 100 is connected to the USB port 201 and receives image data and the like from the digital camera 100. The power switch 202 is a switch for turning on / off the information processing apparatus 101. The infrared light receiving unit 203 receives input signals from the wireless keyboard 204 and the remote controller 205. Each of the wireless keyboard 204 and the remote controller constitutes the input unit 50 in FIG.

  A display output terminal (not shown) is provided on the back surface of the information processing apparatus 101, and a display device 206 such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display is connected thereto.

<Processing in the present embodiment>
Next, a processing procedure in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the digital camera 100. A program for realizing this processing is stored in the memory 16 of the digital camera 100, a memory built in the system control unit 18, or the like, and is executed by the CPU of the system control unit 18. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the information processing apparatus 101. A program for realizing this processing is stored in the ROM 54 or the like in the information processing apparatus 101 and is executed by the CPU 53. FIGS. 5A and 5B are screen diagrams illustrating a GUI displayed on the display unit 51 of the information processing apparatus 101.

  When the digital camera 100 is turned on, the system control circuit 18 initializes flags, control variables, and the like. The digital camera 100 starts shooting when the mode is the shooting mode (step S101 in FIG. 3). In photographing, the focusing lens of the photographing lens is driven from the distance data stored in the system control circuit 18 to focus on the subject. In addition, the image sensor 10 is exposed by opening the shutter according to the photometric data. After the exposure of the image sensor 10 is completed, a charge signal is read from the image sensor 10, and the image processing circuit 12 performs white balance correction, color processing, and the like using the preset white balance value via the A / D converter 11.

  When the display mode is the full screen display mode for displaying the entire image (step S102), the image compression / expansion circuit 17 converts the image into a low resolution, for example, a 1/4 size image (step S103). When the display mode is an enlargement mode for displaying a part of the image (step S102), the image portion to be displayed is cut out from the captured image (step S104). Then, the image data is written in the buffer memory 16 (step S105) and displayed on the display device 15 (step S106).

  On the other hand, when the information processing apparatus 101 is connected to the digital camera 100, it detects that the digital camera is connected and starts a predetermined program. When this program is activated, an image display area 501 (color space plane) and a camera parameter control area 504 are displayed on the screen of the display unit 51 as shown in FIG. For example, in the camera parameter control area 504, a white balance position designation mode button 505, a white balance display 506 (white balance value index), a custom white balance registration button 507, and the like are displayed as necessary. A histogram (not shown) or the like may be displayed on the screen of the display unit 51.

  When the initialization of the program on the information processing apparatus 101 is completed, an image data request command is issued to the digital camera 100 in order to display the captured image data captured by the digital camera 100 on the display unit 51 (step S201 in FIG. 4). ).

  In the digital camera 100, when the image data request command is received (step S107), the captured image data stored in the buffer memory 16 is read out. Then, a reduction ratio is added to the captured image data in the case of the entire display image, an image cutout position and size are added to the enlarged display image, and rotation information and a histogram are added (step S108). It transmits to the processing apparatus 101 (step S109). Note that by adding the magnification, cutout position, and size to the image, the information processing apparatus 101 can also specify coordinates and the like for the digital camera 100.

  When receiving the image data from the digital camera 100 (step S202), the information processing apparatus 101 displays the image data on the display unit 51 (step S203). By displaying the image data in time series, it is possible to display a captured image as a moving image.

  For the image data displayed on the display unit 51, the operator clicks the white balance position designation mode button 505 with the mouse in order to determine the position for matching the white balance. When the mode of the information processing apparatus 101 is changed to the white balance position designation mode, when the mouse cursor enters the image display area 501, the mouse cursor changes to a cursor as indicated by 503 in FIG. .

  In this embodiment, the image displayed at this time is assumed to be a gray chart as shown in FIG. The operator clicks with the mouse cursor the position to adjust the white balance of the gray chart while confirming the displayed image (step S204). As shown in FIG. 5B, the same operation can be performed on the enlarged image by instructing the digital camera 100 to switch to the enlarged display mode. By clicking the mouse cursor, the information processing apparatus 101 transmits a white balance position designation command (designation information) (step S205).

  When the digital camera 100 receives the white balance position designation command (step S110), the digital camera 100 acquires an image data block corresponding to the designated coordinates from the image data in the buffer memory 16 (step S111). This image data block is, for example, a block of 64 pixels in each of the vertical and horizontal directions. Then, the white balance control circuit 19 calculates a white balance value from the image data block (step S112).

  The white balance value is, for example, R / G, G, B / G as the white balance value, where R, G, B are the integrated values of the red, green, and blue colors of the acquired image data block. Value. The calculated white balance value is stored in the white balance control circuit 19, and thereafter, the white balance value is applied by the white balance correction in the photographing in step S101 (step S113).

  The image displayed in step S106 and the image transmitted to the information processing apparatus 101 are images that have been corrected with the calculated white balance value. After changing the white balance adapted to the image, white balance change notification information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus (step S114).

  Upon receiving the white balance change notification information (step S206), the information processing apparatus 101 changes the white balance display 506 in the camera parameter control area 504 of FIG. 5 from “incandescent light bulb” to “white point designation”, for example. (Step S207). The white balance display 506 may use icons in addition to characters.

  Further, when the calculated white balance value is applied not only to the moving image but also to the still image of the actual shooting, the custom white balance registration button 507 in the camera parameter control area 504 is pressed. Thus, the white balance value can be set in the digital camera 100 as a custom white balance. That is, the digital camera 100 receives a custom white balance setting command (step S115). Then, the white balance value recorded in the white balance control circuit 19 is set as one of preset white balances that can be selected by the digital camera 100 (step S116). After the setting, the PC set can be added to the preset white balance and selected. When the PC set is selected for shooting, the white balance value calculated in step S112 is applied. In this way, it is possible to register as a custom white balance.

<Advantages according to the present embodiment>
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform white balance correction by calculating white balance from an arbitrary position of a captured image in a state where the digital camera 100 and the information processing apparatus 101 are connected. In particular, when white balance is adjusted using a gray chart, a desired white balance value can be easily obtained by designating a position for gray.

  In addition, by setting the calculated white balance value as a custom white balance, it is possible to apply the white balance value not only to moving images but also to the white balance of actual photographing. This makes it possible to easily obtain a desired white balance value even when the composition and focus confirmation and main shooting are performed with the same light source in the moving image before shooting. For example, it is suitable for application to a system in which a photographed image is directly taken into a personal computer, viewed, and developed, such as photography in a studio.

  In addition, the objective of this invention is achieved by performing the following processes. That is, a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. This is the process of reading the code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Moreover, the following can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, the present invention includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

  Furthermore, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the following processing is also included in the present invention. That is, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera system containing the white balance adjustment apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is an external view of the digital camera system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in a digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in information processing apparatus. It is a screen figure which shows GUI displayed on the display part of information processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

15 Image display unit 18 System control circuit 19 White balance control circuit 51 Display unit 53 CPU
54 ROM
52,110 Communication unit 100 Digital camera 101 Information processing apparatus

Claims (11)

Transmission means for transmitting image data captured by the imaging means for capturing an image to an external device;
Receiving means for receiving designation information of an arbitrary position in the image data from the external device;
Calculating means for calculating a white balance value from the position of the image data corresponding to the designation information;
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a correction unit that performs white balance correction on the image data shot by the shooting unit using the white balance value.   2. The white balance adjustment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting the white balance value calculated by the calculation means as a custom white balance value that can be selected.   After the white balance correction is performed by the correction unit, at least one of notification information of the white balance value calculated by the calculation unit and notification information indicating that the white balance has been changed is notified to the external device. The white balance adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit. Image cutting means for cutting out a part of the image from the image data shot by the shooting means,
4. The white balance adjustment according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit adds the position and the size to the image cut out by the image cut-out unit and transmits the image to the external device. 5. apparatus. Transmitting means for transmitting image data photographed by photographing means for photographing an image, calculating means for calculating a white balance value of the image data, and the white balance value for the image data photographed by the photographing means An information processing apparatus connected to a white balance adjustment device having a correction means for performing white balance correction using
Receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the white balance adjusting device;
Display means for displaying the image data received by the receiving means;
Designating means for designating an arbitrary position of the image data displayed by the display means as a position for calculating the white balance value;
An information processing apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting information designated by the designation means to the white balance adjustment apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reception unit displays that the white balance applied to the image data received from the white balance adjustment apparatus has been changed.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the white balance value calculated by the calculation unit of the white balance adjustment apparatus is received, and an index of the white balance value is displayed on a color space plane. A transmission step of transmitting image data captured by an imaging unit that captures an image to an external device;
A receiving step of receiving designation information of an arbitrary position in the image data from the external device;
A calculation step of calculating a white balance value from the position of the image data corresponding to the designation information;
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a correction step of performing white balance correction using the white balance value on the image data shot in the shooting step. Transmitting means for transmitting image data photographed by photographing means for photographing an image, calculating means for calculating a white balance value of the image data, and the white balance value for the image data photographed by the photographing means A white balance setting method for an information processing apparatus connected to a white balance adjustment device having a correction means for performing white balance correction using
A receiving step of receiving the image data transmitted from the white balance adjustment device;
A display step for displaying the image data received in the reception step;
A designation step of designating an arbitrary position of the image data displayed in the display step as a position for calculating the white balance value;
A white balance setting method comprising: a transmission step of transmitting the information specified in the specifying step to the white balance adjusting device. A computer-readable program for executing a control method of a white balance adjustment device that adjusts white balance of image data captured by an imaging unit that captures an image,
A transmission step of transmitting image data photographed by the photographing means to an external device;
A receiving step of receiving designation information of an arbitrary position in the image data from the external device;
A calculation step of calculating a white balance value from the position of the image data corresponding to the designation information;
And a correction step of performing white balance correction on the image data shot by the shooting step using the white balance value. Transmitting means for transmitting image data photographed by photographing means for photographing an image, calculating means for calculating a white balance value of the image data, and the white balance value for the image data photographed by the photographing means A computer-readable program for executing a white balance setting method of an information processing apparatus connected to a white balance adjustment apparatus having a correction means for performing white balance correction using
A receiving step of receiving the image data transmitted from the white balance adjustment device;
A display step for displaying the image data received in the reception step;
A designation step of designating an arbitrary position of the image data displayed in the display step as a position for calculating the white balance value;
A program comprising: a transmission step of transmitting the information designated in the designation step to the white balance adjustment device.

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