JP2012095351A - Imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging system realizing both cost reduction, downsizing, and power saving of an imaging terminal and high functionality of an image processing engine, and realizing a function enabling immediate viewing after imaging which is the maximum benefit of the digital imaging terminal.SOLUTION: In an imaging terminal 10, a minified RAW image generated by minified RAW image generation means 14 is transmitted to an image server 30 via a network 20 by terminal side communication means 12. In the image server 30, the minified RAW image received by a server side communication means 31 is developed by RAW developing means 32 to generate a developed image, and the developed image is returned to the imaging terminal 10 via the network 20 by the server side communication means 31. The developed image is displayed on image display means 13 of the imaging terminal 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging system, and more particularly to a novel imaging system in which an imaging terminal and an image server are communicably connected via a network.

  In recent years, as an imaging system using an imaging terminal equipped with a communication function such as a digital camera equipped with a wireless LAN or a mobile phone with a camera, the photographed image is transmitted to a server and the image is shared with other users via the server. In addition, an imaging system has been proposed that performs advanced image processing, online printing service, and the like.

  For example, as an image distribution system, a system is known in which an image captured by an imaging terminal is automatically wirelessly transmitted to a server and stored, and then the captured image can be used by accessing a server address assigned by the user. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, an image processing system using an imaging terminal having an optical finder as an imaging terminal and capable of outputting raw image data of RAW data that is an output of a solid-state imaging device and reduced image data composed of reduced JPEG image data. Is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In the image processing system disclosed in Patent Document 2, first, reduced image data is transferred from an imaging terminal to an ordering PC via a camera control PC (personal computer), and an order for an image to be printed is received. Original image data corresponding to the ordered image is transmitted from the imaging terminal to the image conversion PC via the camera control PC, and the reduced image data corresponding to the ordered image is standardized by the image verification PC. Based on the adjustment parameter, an image adjustment process is performed to generate a change adjustment parameter. Based on the generated change adjustment parameter and / or a preset conversion parameter, the image conversion PC uses the original image data from the imaging terminal. Is converted to generate image data for printing.

JP 2002-342465 A JP 2005-277944 A

  The imaging systems disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 transmit images captured by an imaging terminal to a server and perform various image services. Images captured by the imaging terminal are displayed on the spot on the imaging terminal body. The method of confirming with is not disclosed. Therefore, considering the configuration of a conventional digital camera, in order to confirm the captured image on the spot, the RAW data original image obtained by capturing is developed in the imaging terminal body in any case. It is necessary to install a RAW development function.

  However, recent digital cameras have been differentiated by strengthening image processing functions such as high ISO compatibility, face recognition, electronic image stabilization, and the like. For this reason, the image processing engine mounted on the digital camera is also required to have high functionality, and accordingly, there is a concern that the cost, the size, and the power consumption are increased.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such circumstances is the greatest merit of the digital imaging terminal, which can achieve both cost reduction, size reduction, and power saving of the imaging terminal and high functionality of the image processing engine. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system capable of realizing a function of “seen immediately after shooting”.

An imaging system according to the present invention that achieves the above object is an imaging system in which an imaging terminal and an image server are communicably connected via a network,
The imaging terminal includes an imaging unit that acquires a RAW original image, a terminal-side communication unit that communicates with the image server via the network, an image display unit that displays a developed image, and the image acquired by the imaging unit. Reduced RAW image generation means for reducing a RAW original image to generate a reduced RAW image,
The image server includes server side communication means for communicating with the imaging terminal via the network, and RAW development means for generating a developed image of a RAW original image,
The imaging terminal transmits the reduced RAW image generated by the reduced RAW image generation unit to the image server via the network by the terminal side communication unit,
The image server develops the reduced RAW image received by the server side communication unit by the RAW development unit to generate a developed image, and the developed image is transmitted by the server side communication unit via the network. Return it to the imaging terminal,
The imaging terminal displays a developed image of the reduced RAW image received by the terminal-side communication unit on the image display unit;
It is characterized by this.

The imaging terminal displays a developed image of the reduced RAW image by the image display unit, and then transmits a RAW image based on the RAW original image acquired by the imaging unit via the network by the terminal side communication unit. To send to the image server,
It is characterized by this.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both low cost, small size, and low power consumption of the imaging terminal and high functionality of the image processing engine, and realize the “seen immediately” function, which is the greatest merit of the digital imaging terminal can do.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the imaging system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the imaging system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the imaging system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the imaging system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the imaging system which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the imaging system which concerns on 5th Embodiment.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the imaging system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The imaging system includes an imaging terminal 10 and an image server 30 connected to the network 20. The imaging terminal 10 connects to the network 20 wirelessly and communicates with the image server 30.

  The imaging terminal 10 includes an imaging unit 11, a terminal-side communication unit 12 that wirelessly communicates with the network 20, and an image display unit 13. Here, the imaging means 11 has a known imaging optical system (not shown) and a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD or a CMOS, and photoelectrically converts a subject image formed on the solid-state imaging device by the imaging optical system. The RAW original image composed of unprocessed digital data is output. Moreover, the image display means 13 is comprised using display elements, such as LCD.

  The image server 30 includes a server-side communication unit 31 that communicates with the imaging terminal 10 via the network 20, and a RAW development unit that generates a developed image by performing image processing on a RAW image in consideration of parameters such as white balance and saturation. 32, and this RAW developing means 32 can be shared by a plurality of imaging terminals 10 via the network 20 by the client-server method.

  In the present embodiment, every time the image capturing terminal 10 captures an image, the RAW original image output from the image capturing unit 11 is transmitted to the image server 30 via the network 20 by the terminal side communication unit 12. . Note that the terminal-side communication unit 12 preferably compresses and transmits the RAW original image.

  Whenever the server side communication unit 31 receives the RAW original image from the imaging terminal 10, the image server 30 performs image processing on the received RAW original image by the RAW development unit 32 and develops the developed image. The communication means 31 returns the image data to the transmission source imaging terminal 10 via the network 20. Note that the server-side communication unit 31 also preferably compresses and transmits the developed image.

  The imaging terminal 10 receives the developed image returned from the image server 30 via the network 20 by the terminal side communication unit 12 and displays it on the image display unit 13.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the RAW original image obtained by imaging with the imaging terminal 10 by the client-server method in which the RAW developing unit 32 that develops the RAW original image is installed in the image server 30 is used as the imaging terminal 10. Is transmitted to the image server 30 and developed by the RAW developing means 32, and the developed image is sent back to the imaging terminal 10 and displayed on the image display means 13, so that the imaging terminal 10 is equipped with an image processing engine. There is no need, and the cost, size, and power saving of the imaging terminal 10 can be reduced, and the “advanced shooting” function that is the greatest merit of the imaging terminal 10 can be realized. In addition, since the image server 30 is provided with the RAW developing means 32, a differentiated high-function image processing engine can be easily installed, and a high-function image processing engine can be provided without being conscious of the user. .

  In the present embodiment, the image captured by the image capturing terminal 10 is provided with image storage means on the image capturing terminal 10 side, stored in the image storage means as a RAW original image, and transmitted to the image server 30 later. Then, the RAW original image means 32 can process again, or the developed image returned by the image server 30 can be stored. Further, an image storage unit is provided on the image server 30 side, and the image storage unit can be stored via the network 20 so as to store the raw image as it is, to store the developed image, or to store both. You can also.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the imaging system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the imaging terminal 10 is further provided with a reduced RAW image generation unit 14 that reduces the RAW original image from the imaging unit 11 to generate a reduced RAW image. The reduced RAW image generated by the image generating means 14 is transmitted to the image server 30 and developed by the RAW developing means 32, and the developed image of the developed reduced RAW image is displayed on the image display means 13. is there. The reduced RAW image generation unit 14 is configured to reduce the RAW original image from the imaging unit 11 by, for example, thinning out or averaging. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, the imaging terminal 10 transmits a reduced RAW image obtained by reducing the RAW original image to the image server 30, and receives the developed image of the reduced RAW image developed by the RAW developing unit 32. Since the data is displayed on the image display means 13, data can be transmitted and received at a higher speed and image processing can be performed at a higher speed than when the raw image is transmitted and the developed image is received and displayed. Therefore, an image captured by the imaging terminal 10 can be displayed on the image display unit 13 with more immediateness.

  In the present embodiment, the RAW original image obtained by the imaging terminal 10 is, for example, provided with an image storage unit on the imaging terminal 10 side, stored in the image storage unit as the RAW original image, and later stored in the image server 30. To the RAW original image means 32, or an image storage means is provided on the image server 30 side, the RAW original image is stored in the image storage means so as to be accessible via the network 20, and The original image means 32 can be developed.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an imaging system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the imaging terminal 10 is further provided with an image storage unit 15 that temporarily stores a RAW original image from the imaging unit 11, and the image server 30 includes an imaging unit. Image storage means 33 for storing the RAW original image transmitted from the terminal 10 is provided.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the imaging system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when shooting is started in the imaging terminal 10, the RAW original image output from the imaging unit 11 is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 15 (step S1), and the acquired RAW original image is reduced to the reduced RAW image generation unit 14. (Step S2), and the generated reduced RAW image is transmitted to the image server 30 via the network 20 by the terminal side communication means 12 (step S3).

  In the image server 30, when the server side communication unit 31 receives the reduced RAW image from the imaging terminal 10, the received reduced RAW image is processed and developed by the RAW developing unit 32 (step S4). Is sent back to the imaging terminal 10 as the transmission source by the server side communication means 31 via the network 20 (step S5).

  When the terminal-side communication unit 12 receives the developed image returned from the image server 30 via the network 20, the imaging terminal 10 displays the developed image on the image display unit 13 (step S6).

  Thereafter, for example, when the next shooting is started within a predetermined time (for example, several minutes) (step S7), the process proceeds to step S1 and the same processing is repeated. Is not started, the RAW original image stored in the image storage means 15 is read out, and the read RAW original image is transmitted to the image server 30 via the network 20 by the terminal side communication means 12 to receive the image. The data is stored in the storage means 33 (step S8). The RAW original image stored in the image storage means 33 can be developed by the RAW original image means 32 by accessing the imaging terminal 10 that acquired the RAW original image or another communication terminal via the network 20. Like that. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the reduced RAW image of the RAW original image is transmitted from the imaging terminal 10 to the image server 30, and the developed image of the developed reduced RAW image is displayed on the image display unit 13. Therefore, in addition to obtaining the same effect as in the second embodiment, the RAW original image having a large amount of data is transmitted to the image server 30 after being photographed and stored in the image storage means 33. It is possible to easily cope with shooting and the like, and the usability of the imaging terminal 10 can be improved. Further, if there is no next shooting after a predetermined time, the imaging terminal 10 transmits the RAW original image primarily stored in the image storage unit 15 to the image server 30, so that an inexpensive image storage unit 15 having a small capacity is used. There is an advantage that can be used.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an imaging system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the imaging terminal 10 further reduces the RAW original image obtained from the imaging unit 11 to generate a reduced RAW image, and the reduced RAW image generation unit 16. A reduced RAW developing unit 17 that generates a developed image of the reduced RAW image generated by the RAW image generating unit 16 is provided, and the developed image developed by the reduced RAW developing unit 17 is displayed on the image display unit 13. It is a thing.

  Note that the RAW original image obtained from the imaging unit 11 is transmitted to the image server 30 and stored in the image storage unit on the server side each time, or provided temporarily on the imaging terminal 10 side. The RAW original image stored in the image storage unit on the server side is stored and later transmitted to the image server 30 and stored in the image storage unit on the server side, as in the third embodiment. Access from the imaging terminal 10 or another communication terminal via the network 20 enables the RAW original image means 32 to perform development processing. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a reduced RAW image is generated on the imaging terminal 10 side, developed, and displayed on the image display means 13, so that the captured image can be viewed more quickly. In addition, the reduced RAW developing unit 17 simply processes the reduced RAW image with a small amount of data in order to view the captured image on the image display unit 13, and the image processing engine is not required to be highly functional. Therefore, as compared with the conventional case where the image processing engine for developing the RAW original image is mounted on the image capturing terminal, the image capturing terminal 10 can be reduced in cost, size, and power saving.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the imaging system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the imaging terminal 10 is further provided with an image storage unit 18, and a developed image of the reduced RAW image developed by the reduced RAW development unit 17 is stored in the image storage unit 18. Via the image display means 13. The RAW original image transmitted from the imaging terminal 10 to the image server 30 is developed by the RAW developing unit 32 and returned to the imaging terminal 10, and the developed image of the returned RAW original image is reduced RAW. The image is stored in the image storage unit 18 in association with the corresponding reduced RAW image developed by the developing unit 17. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the captured image can be quickly viewed as a developed image of the reduced RAW image processed by the imaging terminal 10, and for example, the user can When a detailed developed image developed by the high-performance image processing engine by the RAW developing means 32 of the image server 30 is desired to be viewed, the developed image of the corresponding RAW original image is read from the image storage means 18 and image display means. Therefore, it is possible to improve usability.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, Many deformation | transformation or a change is possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the imaging terminal 10 and the network 20 are connected by wireless, but may be connected by wire. In the third embodiment, if there is no next shooting within a predetermined time after shooting, the RAW original image already shot and stored in the image storage unit 15 is transmitted to the image server 30. The RAW original image acquired for each shooting is transmitted to the image server 30, or the stored RAW original image is transmitted to the image server 30 when the remaining capacity of the image storage unit 15 becomes a predetermined value or less. , You can also do that. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the developed image of the reduced RAW image that is developed by the image server 30 and returned to the imaging terminal 10 is stored in the image storage unit 15, and any captured image can be stored. It can also be displayed on the image display means 13.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Imaging terminal 11 Imaging means 12 Terminal side communication means 13 Image display means 14, 16 Reduced RAW image generation means 15, 18 Image storage means 17 Reduced RAW development means 20 Network 30 Image server 31 Server side communication means 32 RAW development means 33 Image Storage means

Claims (2)

An imaging system in which an imaging terminal and an image server are communicably connected via a network,
The imaging terminal includes an imaging unit that acquires a RAW original image, a terminal-side communication unit that communicates with the image server via the network, an image display unit that displays a developed image, and the image acquired by the imaging unit. Reduced RAW image generation means for reducing a RAW original image to generate a reduced RAW image,
The image server includes server side communication means for communicating with the imaging terminal via the network, and RAW development means for generating a developed image of a RAW original image,
The imaging terminal transmits the reduced RAW image generated by the reduced RAW image generation unit to the image server via the network by the terminal side communication unit,
The image server develops the reduced RAW image received by the server side communication unit by the RAW development unit to generate a developed image, and the developed image is transmitted by the server side communication unit via the network. Return it to the imaging terminal,
The imaging terminal displays a developed image of the reduced RAW image received by the terminal-side communication unit on the image display unit;
An imaging system characterized by that. The imaging terminal displays a developed image of the reduced RAW image by the image display unit, and then transmits a RAW image based on the RAW original image acquired by the imaging unit via the network by the terminal side communication unit. To send to the image server,
The imaging system according to claim 1.

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