JPH118819A - Imaging device, imaging method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) An object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus having an image synthesizing function capable of synthesizing picked-up title data with picked-up image data, plate data serving as a background of the title, and the like.
An object is to provide an imaging method and a storage medium. SOLUTION: A CPU 35 sets a title photographing L set in a RAM 33 for title data photographed in a title photographing mode and stored in a DRAM 29.
According to the UT, a brightness correction process is performed to emphasize light and dark, a cutout portion to be used as a title is designated, and the title data in which the cutout portion is specified is binary-coded using default threshold data read from a threshold table stored in the ROM 32. The threshold value for change stored in the ROM 32 is arbitrarily selected with respect to the binarized title display, and the threshold data for making the title data in which the optimal brightness is emphasized is searched for. After the compressed title data is subjected to compression processing by the compression / decompression circuit 30, the title data is registered in the flash memory 31.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and a storage medium, and more particularly, to an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup method, and a storage medium capable of capturing a title on a picked-up image and combining them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, digital cameras (image input devices) for electronically storing captured images instead of films have become widespread. In such a digital camera, when a photographer presses a shutter, an image of a subject captured through an imaging lens is captured by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).
The data is captured by an image sensor such as e) and subjected to data compression and the like, and then stored as image data in a recording medium inside the camera.

In such a digital camera, a γ correction table for correcting a luminance component for image capturing is used as an image capturing function when capturing an image of the subject.
After correcting the luminance component of the captured image, the data is compressed and stored as image data in a recording medium inside the camera.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional digital camera, a gamma correction table for correcting a luminance component for image photographing is used as an image photographing function when photographing the subject. Thus, a function for correcting the luminance component of a captured image is provided, but an image combining function for combining a desired title with the captured image is not provided.

That is, in a conventional digital camera, when combining title data and the like with image data captured and stored, the image data is transferred to an external information processing device such as a personal computer, and the information processing device is connected to the external device. In such a case, the desired title data is input to the image and synthesized by using the application software or the like installed in the information processing apparatus.

However, in order to use the image synthesizing function, it is necessary to prepare an information processing device such as a personal computer in addition to the digital camera, and only a user who has the information processing device in advance uses the image synthesizing function. I couldn't. Therefore, it is difficult to effectively use the photographed image data only by owning the conventional digital camera, and there is a problem that the use range of the photographed image data is limited.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup method, and a storage medium having an image synthesizing function capable of synthesizing picked-up image data with picked-up title data, plate data as a background of the title, and the like. That is.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A photographing mode selecting unit for selectively selecting an image photographing mode for photographing an image and a title photographing mode for photographing a title to be combined with the image, and a second photographing mode for correcting image data photographed in the image photographing mode. 1 correction information, second correction information for correcting the title data captured in the title shooting mode, and correction information setting means for setting the correction data, and the correction information setting means for setting each of the shooting modes selected by the shooting mode selection means. Correction means for correcting image data or title data picked up in accordance with the first correction information or second correction information set in the correction information setting means, and an image corrected by the image correction means. Image combining means for combining data and title data.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the photographing mode selecting means selectively selects an image photographing mode for photographing an image and a title photographing mode for photographing a title to be combined with the image. Correction information setting means for correcting the image data captured in the image capturing mode; first correction information for correcting the title data captured in the title capturing mode;
And the image correction unit converts the image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes into the set first correction information or the second correction information.
Is corrected based on this correction information, the image combining means combines the corrected image data and title data.

Therefore, it is possible to realize an image synthesizing function for synthesizing an arbitrary title character picked up on a picked-up image only by the image pick-up device without preparing another information processing device such as a personal computer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing mode selecting means for selectively selecting an image photographing mode for photographing an image and a title photographing mode for photographing a title to be combined with the image, and the image photographing mode. Correction information setting means for setting first correction information for correcting image data captured in the mode, and second correction information for correcting title data captured in the title shooting mode;
A storage unit for storing plate data serving as a base of the title data, and image data or title data captured according to each of the shooting modes selected by the shooting mode selection unit, set in the correction information setting unit. Image correction means for correcting based on the first correction information or the second correction information, and combining the title data corrected by the image correction means with the plate data stored in the storage means as a base, Image synthesizing means for synthesizing the title data synthesized with the plate data with the corrected image data.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the photographing mode selecting means selectively selects an image photographing mode for photographing an image and a title photographing mode for photographing a title to be combined with the image. Correction information setting means for correcting the image data captured in the image capturing mode; first correction information for correcting the title data captured in the title capturing mode;
The storage means stores plate data as a base of the title data, and the image correction means stores the image data or the title data imaged according to each of the selected shooting modes as the set data. The image synthesizing unit synthesizes the corrected title data with the plate data stored in the storage unit as a base, and corrects the image data based on the first correction information or the second correction information. The combined title data is combined with the corrected image data.

Accordingly, an image synthesizing function for synthesizing an arbitrary title character picked up on a picked-up image only by the image pick-up device and a plate as a base of the title without providing an information processing device such as another personal computer is realized. be able to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the first or second aspect, there is further provided a combination position designation means for designating a combination position relationship between the title data and the plate data to be combined with the image data. The image synthesizing means is characterized in that the corrected title data and plate data are synthesized with the corrected image data based on the synthesizing positional relationship designated by the synthesizing position specifying means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the combination position relationship between the title data and the plate data to be combined with the image data is designated by the combination position designation means, the image combination means The corrected title data and plate data are combined with the corrected image data based on the designated combination positional relationship.

Therefore, the image synthesizing function added to the imaging device can be enhanced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image pickup apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a correction level for arbitrarily specifying a correction level for correcting a luminance level of title data picked up in the title shooting mode is specified. Means for setting the correction level specified by the correction level specifying means as the second correction information.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the correction level specifying means arbitrarily specifies the correction level for correcting the luminance level of the title data picked up in the title shooting mode, the specified correction level is set. The correction information setting means sets the correction information as the second correction information.

Therefore, the luminance level of the title data at the time of the image pickup can be corrected so that the brightness of the title data to be synthesized with the image data is optimized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the first or second aspect, there is further provided color data designating means for arbitrarily designating color data to be set in the title data, When combining the title data with the image data corrected by the image correcting unit, the color data designated by the color data designating unit is set to the title data and combined.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the color data to be set in the title data is arbitrarily designated by the color data designating means, the image synthesizing means makes the image data corrected by the image correcting means When combining title data, the designated color data is set as the title data and combined.

Therefore, an arbitrary color can be set in the title data to be combined with the image data, the title combined with the image can be easily viewed, and the photographed image can be easily decorated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus of the second aspect, the image processing apparatus further comprises color data designating means for arbitrarily designating color data set in the plate data stored in the storage means. The image synthesizing unit sets the color data specified by the color data specifying unit to the plate data when synthesizing the title data corrected by the image correcting unit with the plate data stored in the storage unit as a base. And combine them.

According to the present invention, when the color data to be set in the plate data is arbitrarily designated by the color data designating means, the image synthesizing means makes the image data corrected by the image correcting means When combining the plate data, the designated color data is set in the plate data and combined.

Therefore, an arbitrary color can be set for the plate data to be combined with the base of the title data to be combined with the image data, and the title combined with the image can be decorated, and the decoration of the photographed image can be diversified. can do.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image synthesizing unit is configured to combine the image data corrected by the image correcting unit with the title data. It is characterized in that an edge having a predetermined dot width is added to the periphery of the title data to be synthesized.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the image synthesizing means, when synthesizing the image data and the title data corrected by the image correcting means, surrounds the title data with an edge having a predetermined dot width. Is added to synthesize.

Therefore, the appearance of the title data to be synthesized with the image data can be improved.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus of the first or second aspect, a communication unit having a communication control function for performing data communication with an apparatus having an external communication function is further provided. The communication unit transmits title data corrected by the image correction unit or plate data stored in the storage unit to the external device, and receives the title data or plate data from the external device. It is characterized by doing.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the communication means having a communication control function for performing data communication with an apparatus having an external communication function comprises the title data corrected by the image correcting means. Alternatively, transmitting the plate data stored in the storage means to the external device,
The title data or the plate data is received from the external device.

Therefore, if graphic software or the like is installed in an external device, the received title data and plate data can be used.
Use range of title data and plate data is expanded. Further, in the imaging apparatus, various image synthesizing processes can be easily realized by using the title data and plate data received from an external device in the above-described image synthesizing process.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup method for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data and title data in an image pickup apparatus, comprising: an image pickup mode for picking up an image; A first correction information for correcting the image data captured in the image capturing mode, and a second correction information for correcting the title data captured in the title capturing mode. 2 and the correction information,
Image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes is corrected based on the set first correction information or second correction information, and the corrected image data and title data are corrected. It is characterized by combining with data.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup method for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data and title data in an image pickup apparatus, comprising: an image pickup mode for picking up an image; A title correction mode for selectively capturing a title to be combined; a first correction information for correcting image data captured in the image capture mode; and a title data captured in the title capture mode. Second correction information to be corrected;
Is set, and image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes is corrected based on the set first correction information or second correction information. The image data and the title data are combined.

Therefore, by executing the above-described image pickup method in the image pickup apparatus, a title image pickup mode as a photographing mode and an image synthesizing function for synthesizing the photographed title data with the photographed image data are added to the image pickup apparatus. Can be.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup method for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data, title data and plate data in an image pickup apparatus, comprising: an image pickup mode for picking up an image; A title correction mode for selectively capturing a title to be combined; a first correction information for correcting image data captured in the image capture mode; and a title data captured in the title capture mode. And second correction information to be corrected are set, and image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes is converted to the set first correction information or second correction information. Based on the corrected title data, the plate data stored in the storage unit is combined with the corrected title data as a base, The title data synthesized with the plate data are characterized by synthesizing the corrected image data.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup method for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data, title data, and plate data in an image pickup apparatus, comprising: an image pickup mode for picking up an image; A title shooting mode for picking up a title to be combined with the image, a first correction information for correcting the image data picked up in the image shooting mode, and a title shot mode picked up in the title shooting mode. And second correction information for correcting the title data, and the image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes is replaced with the set first correction information or the second correction information. The correction is performed based on the correction information, and the corrected title data is combined with the plate data stored in the storage unit as a base. Both synthesize title data combined with the plate data to the corrected image data.

Therefore, by executing the above-described image pickup method in the image pickup apparatus, a title image pickup mode as an image pickup mode, an image synthesizing function for synthesizing the imaged title data and the stored plate data with the imaged image data, Can be added to the imaging device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data and title data in an image capturing apparatus, wherein the image capturing apparatus captures an image. A program code for selectively selecting a mode and a title shooting mode for shooting a title to be combined with the image; first correction information for correcting image data shot in the image shooting mode; A program code for setting second correction information for correcting title data picked up in a shooting mode, and image data or title data picked up in accordance with each of the selected shooting modes. A program code for correcting based on the first correction information or the second correction information; It is characterized in that the program code for synthesizing the corrected image data and title data, the storage of.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data and title data in an imaging device, wherein A program code for selectively selecting an image shooting mode to be performed and a title shooting mode for shooting a title to be combined with the image; first correction information for correcting image data shot in the image shooting mode; A program code for setting second correction information for correcting title data captured in the title shooting mode, and image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes, A program for correcting based on the set first correction information or the second correction information. And codes, thereby synthesizing the corrected image data and title data, stores.

Therefore, by reading and executing the program stored in the storage medium by the computer, the title shooting mode as the shooting mode and the image synthesizing function for synthesizing the shot title data with the shot image data are realized. It can be added to an imaging device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer readable program for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data, title data, and plate data in an image pickup apparatus, wherein an image is picked up. A program code for selectively selecting an image shooting mode to be performed and a title shooting mode for shooting a title to be combined with the image; first correction information for correcting image data shot in the image shooting mode; A program code for setting second correction information for correcting title data captured in the title shooting mode, and image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes, The correction is performed based on the set first correction information or the second correction information. A program code for combining the corrected title data with the plate data stored in the storage means as a base, and combining the plate data and the combined title data with the corrected image data. It is characterized in that it is stored.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data, title data, and plate data in an imaging device, A program code for selectively selecting an image capturing mode for capturing an image and a title capturing mode for capturing a title to be combined with the image; and a first code for correcting image data captured in the image capturing mode. Program code for setting correction information, second correction information for correcting title data captured in the title shooting mode, and image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes On the basis of the set first correction information or the second correction information. A program code for correcting, and a program code for combining the corrected title data with the plate data stored in the storage means as a base, and combining the plate data and the combined title data with the corrected image data. , Store.

Therefore, by reading and executing the program stored in the storage medium by the computer, the title photographing mode as the photographing mode and the photographed title data and the stored plate data are combined with the photographed image data. And an image synthesizing function can be added to the imaging apparatus.

[0044]

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

FIGS. 1 to 13 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a digital camera to which the image pickup apparatus, the image pickup method and the storage medium of the present invention are applied.

First, the configuration will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment.
It is an external appearance perspective view of. Digital camera 1 shown in FIG.
The imaging lens 1 is provided on the rear side of the main body casing 1a in the drawing.
1 (one-dot chain line) is provided. Further, a liquid crystal display (LCD:
Display unit 1 composed of Liquid Crystal Display)
The display unit 12 can display an image of a subject captured through the imaging lens 11 at the time of shooting, and can reproduce and display an image captured after shooting. Also, on the right side of the display unit 12, a photographing change mode, an image reproducing mode, and a photographing mode in which an image photographing mode and a title photographing mode can be set by a sliding operation up and down.
A mode switch 13 is provided for instructing switching between a title / plate combining mode, a communication mode for transmitting and receiving title data and plate data, and the like.

Further, on the upper surface side of the main body casing 1a in the figure, a power switch 14 for instructing ON / OFF switching of the power by a slide operation to the left and right, a shutter key 15 for instructing image capture, and a memory (flash described later) A "+" key 16 and a "-" key 17 for selecting and specifying image data to be reproduced and displayed on the display unit 12 from a plurality of image data stored in the memory 31) are provided.

Further, a communication port 18 for transmitting and receiving image data, control data, and the like to and from an external device is provided on the upper surface side of the main body casing 1a in the drawing. A plug 4a provided at one end of the cable 4 is inserted.

Note that the digital camera 2 includes an imaging lens 1
1 comprises a camera unit and a main unit, wherein the camera unit is rotatably or detachably disposed with respect to the main unit, and the position of the imaging lens 11 can be variously rotated or moved with respect to the main unit. The configuration may be any.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the digital camera 2 includes a display unit 12 shown in FIG.
D converter 22, drive circuit 23, timing generator 24, signal generator 25, VRAM 26, D /
A converter 27, buffer 28, DRAM 29, compression / decompression circuit 30, flash memory 31, ROM 32, RA
M33, a key input unit 34, a CPU 35, and a communication control unit 36.

CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 20
Consists of a pixel surface in which a large number of elements (pixels) each having a transfer electrode superimposed on a light receiving unit such as a photodiode are arranged in a plane, and an output unit that converts charges accumulated in each pixel into a voltage and outputs the voltage. Is done. Light incident through the imaging lens 11 is received by the pixel surface, and charges proportional to the amount of received light are accumulated in each pixel. The stored charge of each pixel is sequentially read out as an electric signal for each pixel by the output unit in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the drive circuit 23, and is read as an image signal (analog signal) via the buffer 21 via the A / D. Output to the converter 22.

A / D (Analog to Digital) converter 22
Converts an image signal input from the CCD 20 via the buffer 21 from an analog signal to a digital signal, and supplies the digital signal to the timing generator 24.

The driving circuit 23 controls the CCD 2 based on the timing signal supplied from the timing generator 24.
The exposure and readout timing of 0 is drive-controlled. Further, the timing generator 24 generates a timing signal for controlling the drive circuit 23 based on the video capturing signal input from the CPU 36.

The signal generator 25 performs color calculation processing on the image pickup signal (digital signal) supplied via the timing generator 24, and generates an image composed of a luminance signal (Y data) and a color signal (C data). Data is generated, and this image data is output to the DRAM 29.

The signal generator 25 has a CP
A video signal (digital signal) by adding a synchronization signal to the image data supplied from the DRAM 29 by U35
Is generated and temporarily stored in the VRAM 26, and then VR
The video signal stored in the AM 26 is output to the display unit 12 via the D / A converter 27 and the buffer 28.

VRAM (Video Random Access Memory)
Reference numeral 26 denotes a video memory for temporarily storing a video signal (image data) generated by the signal generator 25.

D / A (Digital to Analog) converter 27
Converts the video signal (image data) supplied from the VRAM 26 by the signal generator 25 from a digital signal to an analog signal, and outputs the analog signal to the display unit 12 via the buffer 28.

The display section 12 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays an image on a display screen based on a video signal (image data) input via a D / A converter 27 and a buffer 28.

A DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memor)
y) 29 is a semiconductor memory for temporarily storing captured image data supplied from the signal generator 25 or image data read from the flash memory 31 by the CPU 35 and decompressed by a compression / decompression circuit 30 described later. It is.

The compression / decompression circuit 30 compresses the image data stored in the DRAM 29 by encoding. More specifically, for example, JPEG (Joint Photo-graphic Experts Group) according to a predetermined encoding method for image data, that is, a type of an image to be handled (in this case, a still image).
DCT (DiscreteCo
sine Transform: Performs compression processing (encoding processing) by quantization, Huffman coding, and outputs the compressed image data to the flash memory 31. Further, the compression / decompression circuit 30 decompresses (decodes) the compressed image data stored in the flash memory 31 and outputs it to the DRAM 29.

The flash memory 31 stores the image data compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 30 in the storage order. Store multiple data in association with data,
The semiconductor memory stores a title table that stores a plurality of title data compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 30. The flash memory 31 has a CPU
In the title / plate combining process executed by the CPU 35, a plate table in which a plurality of plate data to be combined with the title data in the image data is stored in advance, and a plurality of color data set in the combined title data is stored. A pre-registered title color table and a plate color table in which a plurality of color data set in the plate data to be synthesized are pre-registered are stored.

The ROM (Read Only Memory) 32 has a CP
The U35 stores various control programs for controlling each part of the digital camera 1, and executes a shooting mode change processing program, a title shooting processing program, a title / plate combining processing program, and a title / plate communication, which will be described later, which are executed by the CPU 35. Processing programs (title transmission processing program, title reception processing program, plate transmission processing program, plate reception processing program) are stored. These various control programs are stored in the form of program codes readable by the CPU 35. In addition, the ROM 32 stores an image photographing LUT (lookup table) shown in FIG. 3 that is read out for each image photographing mode and title photographing mode when a photographing mode change process described later is executed by the CPU 35, and FIG. LUT for title shooting shown in
(Lookup table).

The image photographing LUT shown in FIG. 3 is a gamma correction table for correcting the luminance component of the photographed image when photographing a subject, and the title photographing LUT shown in FIG.
Is a γ-correction table for correcting a title to be combined with image data so as to emphasize the brightness of the luminance component of the captured title.

Further, in the ROM 32, a CPU 35
Stores a threshold table in which a plurality of threshold data (default threshold data and change threshold data) for binarizing title data for which a cut-out portion is specified in the title shooting processing executed by I have.

The RAM (Random Access Memory) 33
When various control processes are executed by the CPU 35, a work area for temporarily storing various data to be processed is formed.

The key input section 34 includes the mode changeover switch 13, the power switch 14, the shutter key 15,
It is composed of a "+" key 16 and a "-" key 17,
Various operation signals corresponding to the pressing operation and the sliding operation of each key are output to the CPU 35.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 35
Is a central processing unit that controls each part of the digital camera 1 according to various control programs stored in the ROM 33. Specifically, when the mode changeover switch 13 is slid and the shooting mode change mode is designated, the CPU 35 executes a shooting mode change process and switches to the selected shooting mode (video shooting mode or title shooting mode). LUT for image photographing stored in ROM 32 in response
Alternatively, the title photographing LUT is read out and read from the RAM 33.
Set to.

When the photographing mode is selected as the image photographing mode, the CPU 35 executes an image photographing process corresponding to the pressing operation of the shutter key 15, and outputs an image capturing signal to the timing generator 24. The timing generator 24 generates a timing signal based on the video capture signal and outputs it to the drive circuit 23. The drive circuit 23 controls the exposure and readout timing of the CCD 20 based on the timing signal, and Capture an image signal. The A / D converter 22 converts the captured image signal from an analog signal to a digital signal, and the signal generator 25 performs color arithmetic processing on the image signal to generate image data and stores the image data in the DRAM 29. . And CP
U35 performs a luminance correction process on the image data stored in the DRAM 29 according to the image photographing LUT set in the RAM 33, and transfers this image data to the compression / decompression circuit 30 to perform the compression process. The compressed image data is stored in the flash memory 31.

Further, when the shooting mode is selected to be the title shooting mode, the CPU 35 sets the shutter key 1
The title photographing process corresponding to the pressing operation of No. 5 is executed, and a video capture signal is output to the timing generator 24. The timing generator 24 generates a timing signal based on the video capture signal, and
The drive circuit 23 controls the exposure and readout timing of the CCD 20 based on the timing signal, and the CCD 20 captures a title image signal. The A / D converter 22 converts the fetched title image pickup signal from an analog signal to a digital signal, and the signal generator 25 performs color calculation processing on the title image pickup signal to generate title data,
It is stored in the RAM 29.

Then, the CPU 35 performs a brightness correction process on the title data stored in the DRAM 29 in accordance with the title photographing LUT set in the RAM 33 so as to emphasize brightness, and displays the title data on the display unit 12.
To specify a cut portion of a portion to be used as a title, and the title data with the cut portion specified is binarized by default threshold data read out from a threshold table stored in the ROM 32 to display the title data. 12, the threshold data for change stored in the ROM 32 is arbitrarily selected with respect to the binarized title display, and the threshold data for making the title data in which the optimal brightness is emphasized is changed to the threshold data of the title. Let them search while watching the display change. Next, the CPU 35 transfers the title data binarized with the optimum threshold value to the compression / decompression circuit 30 to perform a compression process, and then registers the compressed title data in the flash memory 31.

Further, when the mode changeover switch 13 is slid and the title / plate combining mode is designated, the CPU 35 executes a title / plate combining process, and performs the title data, title color data, plate data, Plate color data and image data are selected, and a combining position is selected, and the selected title data, title color data, plate data, and plate color data are combined with the selected image data combining position, After transferring the synthesized image data to the compression / expansion circuit 30 to perform a compression process, the compressed synthesized image data is registered in the flash memory 31 and the uncompressed synthesized image data is displayed on the display unit 12. Let it.

When the mode changeover switch 13 is slid and the communication mode is designated, and further the title transmission mode is designated, the CPU 35 executes a title transmission process, selects transmission title data, and selects the transmission title data. The title data read out from the flash memory 31 is transmitted to the external personal computer or the like via the communication port 18 and the communication cable 4 by causing the communication control unit 36 to execute a communication process. When the title receiving mode is designated in this communication mode, the CPU 3
5 executes a title receiving process for receiving title data from an external personal computer or the like, transfers the title data received from the external personal computer or the like to the compression / decompression circuit 30, and performs a compression process. The compressed title data is registered in a title table in the flash memory 31.

Further, when the plate transmission mode is designated in the communication mode, the CPU 35 executes a plate transmission process, selects transmission plate data, reads out the selected plate data from the flash memory 31, and reads the selected plate data from the communication control unit. The communication processing is executed by 36 and transmitted to an external personal computer or the like via the communication port 18 and the communication cable 4. When the plate receiving mode is designated in this communication mode, the CPU 3
5 executes a plate receiving process for receiving plate data from an external personal computer or the like, and transfers the plate data received from the external personal computer or the like to the compression / decompression circuit 30 to perform a compression process. The compressed plate data is registered in a plate table in the flash memory 31.

The communication control unit 36 controls the digital camera 1
A communication interface for controlling communication of serial data (image data, control data, title data, plate data, etc.) transmitted and received between an external personal computer connected via the communication port 18 and the communication cable 4 to the external personal computer. .

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, the photographing mode change processing executed by the CPU 35 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

It is confirmed whether or not the user of the digital camera 1 has slid the mode changeover switch 13 to designate the shooting mode change mode (step S).
1) When the shooting mode change mode is specified, it is determined whether the specified shooting mode is the "image shooting mode" or the "title shooting mode" (step S2). When the “image photographing mode” is designated, the image photographing LUT shown in FIG.
4 is set in the AM 33 (step S3), and when the "title shooting mode" is designated, the title shooting LUT shown in FIG. 4 stored in the ROM 32 is read out and set in the RAM 33 (step S4). The main shooting mode change processing ends.

When the “image photographing mode” is designated by the photographing mode changing process, the CPU 35 executes an image photographing process corresponding to the pressing operation of the shutter key 15 and outputs a video capture signal to the timing generator 24. . The timing generator 24 generates a timing signal based on the video capture signal and outputs it to the drive circuit 23. The drive circuit 23 controls the exposure and readout timing of the CCD 20 based on the timing signal, and An imaging signal is captured. In the A / D converter 22, the captured image signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal,
In the signal generator 25, color calculation processing is performed on the image pickup signal to generate image data, and the
It is stored in M29. Then, in the CPU 35, the DRA
ROM 29 for the image data stored in M29.
The luminance correction processing is performed in accordance with the image photographing LUT shown in FIG. 3 set in FIG. 3, and this image data is transferred to the compression / decompression circuit 30 to perform the compression processing. Store.

In the image taking LUT shown in FIG.
The brightness correction level is set such that the brightness level to be output simply increases with respect to the brightness level of the input title data.

When the “title shooting mode” is designated by the shooting mode change processing, the CPU 35 executes a title shooting processing corresponding to the pressing operation of the shutter key 15. The title shooting process executed by the CPU 35 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the user of the digital camera 1 confirms that the mode changeover switch 13 has been slid and the shooting mode has been designated as the title shooting mode (step S11), the RAM is changed by the shooting mode change processing.
A title photographing process based on the title photographing LUT set in 33 is executed (step S12).

That is, a video capturing signal is output to the timing generator 24 in response to the pressing operation of the shutter key 15. In the timing generator 24,
A timing signal is generated based on the video capture signal and output to the drive circuit 23. The drive circuit 23 controls the exposure and readout timing of the CCD 20 based on the timing signal, and captures a title image signal by the CCD 20. It is. The A / D converter 22 converts the captured title image pickup signal from an analog signal to a digital signal, and
Then, a color operation process is performed on the title image pickup signal to generate title data, and the title data is stored in the DRAM 29.

Then, the CPU 35 performs a luminance correction process on the title data stored in the DRAM 29 in accordance with the title photographing LUT set in the ROM 32 so as to emphasize brightness, and displays the title data on the display unit 12.
Is displayed, and a cut-out portion of a portion to be used as a title is designated (step S13). For example, if the "Hello" as shown in FIG. 7 are designated as a title extracting range, the title data is developed on the RAM 33, and binarized by default threshold data set to the stored threshold table in the ROM32 (Step S
14), the binarized title data is displayed on the display unit 12 (step S15).

In order to prompt the user to change the threshold for the displayed title, the changed threshold data set in the threshold table is displayed in a list on a sub-window screen or the like. When the threshold is changed, the changed threshold is displayed. The display state of the binarized title is changed in accordance with the threshold value, and a threshold value of the binarized title that is optimal for the composite image is searched for (step S).
16).

That is, the title data generated by the color calculation processing when the title is imaged is subjected to the luminance correction processing by the title photographing LUT shown in FIG. 4, but the title photographing LUT shown in FIG. The brightness correction level is set so that the brightness level of the title data is a black level below a certain value and a white level above the certain value, so that the brightness of the title characters is emphasized and displayed. I have. By binarizing the luminance-corrected title data using the default threshold data, the title data for which the capture range is specified is displayed on the display unit 12 in black and white.

However, the shooting conditions at the time of shooting the title are, for example, a bright place, a dark place, and a case where the contrast between the title and the background is clear as a whole.
When the brightness is not clear, for example, it is not possible to obtain practical data as a title only by binarizing with a fixed threshold value. , So that the title data with the optimal brightness can be obtained by changing the threshold data for change.
We need to find the optimal threshold.

When the optimum threshold is selected, the title data is binarized with the optimum threshold and registered in the title table in the flash memory 31 (step S17), and the title photographing process ends.

As described above, the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with the title photographing mode in addition to the normal image photographing mode, so that not only the ready-made title characters but also characters and the like existing around the user can be freely used. Shooting registration can be performed as title data.

Next, the title / plate combining process executed by the CPU 35 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the user of the digital camera 1 slides the mode changeover switch 13 to designate the title / plate combining mode (step S21).
A title selection screen for selecting title data stored in a title table in the flash memory 31 is displayed on the display unit 12 to urge the selection of title data (step S22). When title data is selected,
The display of the display unit 12 is switched to a title color selection screen for selecting the title color data stored in the title color table in the flash memory 31, and the selection of the title color data is prompted (step S23).

When the title color data is selected, the display of the display section 12 is switched to a plate selection screen for selecting the plate data as the background of the title stored in the plate table in the flash memory 31, and the plate data is changed. (Step S24). When the plate data is selected, the display of the display unit 12 is switched to a plate color selection screen for selecting the plate color data stored in the plate color table in the flash memory 31 to prompt the selection of the plate color data ( Step S
25).

When the plate color data is selected, the display of the display section 12 is switched to an image data selection screen for selecting image data to be synthesized from a plurality of image data stored in the flash memory 31. Then, the user is prompted to select image data (step S25). When the image data to be synthesized is selected, the image data is read out from the flash memory 31, transferred to the compression / expansion circuit 30 and subjected to expansion processing (decoding processing), and then expanded in the work area in the RAM 33. The image is displayed on the display unit 12, and the combining position of the title and the plate is selected on this image (step S27).

When the combination position is selected, the selected title data, title color data, plate data,
And plate color data from the title table, title color table, plate table, and plate color table in the flash memory 31, respectively.
When the title data and the plate data are compressed in the work area in the RAM 33 and are compressed, the data is transferred to the compression / decompression circuit 30 and decompressed (decoded).
After that, the data is expanded again in the work area in the RAM 33. Then, at the selected combining position of the image data expanded in the work area in the RAM 33, the title data, title color data,
An image synthesizing process for synthesizing the plate data and the plate color data is executed (step S28).

In the image synthesizing process, an edge of about several dots is added around the character of the title data.
The appearance of the title when the synthesized image is displayed may be improved.

Next, the synthesized image data is registered in the flash memory 31 (step S2).
9) The combined image data is displayed on the display unit 12 (step S30), and the title / plate combining process ends.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show an example of an image synthesized by the title / plate synthesizing process. FIG. 12A shows an example in which a title and a plate are combined at a selected combining position of an image, and FIG. 13B shows an example in which only a title is combined at a selected combining position of an image. Therefore, in the title / plate combining process, it is possible to select and combine both the title and the plate, and to select and combine only the title. Also, in each of the composite images shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, an arbitrary color can be set for the composite title and plate, and diversification of the composite image can be easily realized. Can be.

As described above, in the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, an arbitrary title data registered in the above-described title photographing mode and an arbitrary plate data registered in advance are selected, and an arbitrary image data is selected. By providing a title / plate combining mode that allows combining at the combining position of the image, the digital camera 1 alone can combine the image and the title, and the captured image can be easily decorated.

Next, the title transmission processing executed by the CPU 35 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the user of the digital camera 1 slides the mode changeover switch 13 to designate the communication mode and further designates the title transmission mode (step S31), the mode is stored in the title table in the flash memory 31. A title selection screen for selecting title data is displayed on the display unit 12 to urge selection of title data to be transmitted (step S32).
When the title data to be transmitted is selected, the title data to be transmitted stored in the title table in the flash memory 31 is read out and the communication control unit 36 reads out the title data.
And the selected title data is transmitted to an external personal computer or the like (not shown) via the communication port 18 and the communication cable 4 (step S33). This title transmission processing ends.

Next, the title receiving process executed by the CPU 35 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the user of the digital camera 1 slides the mode changeover switch 13 to designate the communication mode and further designates the title receiving mode (step S41), it is transmitted from an external personal computer or the like (not shown). When the reception of the title data by the communication control unit 36 is awaited (step S42), the reception of the title data is confirmed by the communication control of the communication control unit 36 via the communication cable 4 and the communication port 18 from an external personal computer or the like. The received title data is registered in the title table in the flash memory 31 (step S43), and the title receiving process ends.

Next, the plate transmission process executed by the CPU 35 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the user of the digital camera 1 slides the mode changeover switch 13 to designate the communication mode and further designates the plate transmission mode (step S51), the data is stored in the plate table in the flash memory 31. A plate selection screen for selecting plate data is displayed on the display unit 12 to urge selection of plate data to be transmitted (step S52).
When the plate data to be transmitted is selected, the plate data to be transmitted stored in the plate table in the flash memory 31 is read, and the communication control unit 36
The selected plate data is transmitted to an external personal computer or the like (not shown) via the communication port 18 and the communication cable 4 (step S53). This plate transmission processing ends.

Next, the plate receiving process executed by the CPU 35 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the user of the digital camera 1 slides the mode changeover switch 13 to designate the communication mode and further designates the plate receiving mode (step S61), the data is transmitted from an external personal computer or the like (not shown). Upon waiting for reception of the plate data by the communication control unit 36 (step S62), and confirming the reception of the plate data by communication control of the communication control unit 36 from the external personal computer or the like via the communication cable 4 and the communication port 18, The received plate data is registered in the plate table in the flash memory 31 (step S63), and the plate receiving process ends.

As described above, the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes the title transmission mode, the title reception mode, the plate reception mode, and the plate transmission mode. Data and registered plate data can be transmitted to an external personal computer, title data and plate data can be received from the personal computer, and title data and plate data received by graphic software etc. installed in the personal computer Data is available,
Use range of title data and plate data is expanded.

In the digital camera 1, various image synthesizing processes can be easily realized by using the title data and plate data received from the personal computer 1 for the above-described image synthesizing process.

As described above, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is provided with the title photographing mode in addition to the normal image photographing mode, so that not only the ready-made title characters but also the characters present around the user can be freely used. It can be taken and registered as title data, and any title data registered in the title shooting mode and any pre-registered plate data can be selected and combined at any combination position of image data. By providing a title / plate combining mode, it is not necessary to prepare an information processing device for combining images such as a personal computer in addition to a digital camera as in the related art, and the digital camera can combine titles and images at low cost. Function can be realized.

The digital camera 1 of the present embodiment has a title transmission mode, a title reception mode, a plate reception mode, and a plate transmission mode. The transmitted plate data can be transmitted to an external personal computer, or the title data and the plate data can be received from the personal computer. The plate data can be effectively used.

In the above embodiment, the case where the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to the digital camera 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the digital camera. And so on.

Further, the present invention relates to a PCMCIA (Personal Co-mputer Memory Card) equipped with a CCD camera, for example.
The present invention can be applied to an electronic device such as a personal computer having an imaging function (image input function) when a PC camera card of International Association) standard is mounted.

Further, in the digital camera 1 according to the above-described embodiment, various control programs are stored in the RO
M, but the storage medium is not limited to a semiconductor memory typified by a ROM.
An optical recording medium or the like may be used. Further, the storage medium may be a medium that can be detachably attached to the digital camera.

[0115]

According to the image pickup apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, an arbitrary title character picked up on a picked-up image is synthesized only by the image pickup apparatus without preparing another information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. An image combining function can be realized.

According to the imaging apparatus of the second aspect,
Even without preparing another information processing device such as a personal computer, it is possible to realize an image synthesizing function of synthesizing an arbitrary title character captured in a captured image only with the imaging device and a plate as a base of the title.

According to the image pickup apparatus of the third aspect,
The image synthesizing function added to the imaging device can be enhanced.

According to the image pickup apparatus of the fourth aspect,
The luminance level of the title data at the time of imaging can be corrected so that the brightness of the title data to be synthesized with the image data is optimized.

According to the imaging apparatus of the invention described in claim 5,
An arbitrary color can be set to the title data to be combined with the image data, the title combined with the image can be easily viewed, and the captured image can be easily decorated.

According to the imaging apparatus of the invention described in claim 6,
An arbitrary color can be set for the plate data to be combined with the base of the title data to be combined with the image data, the title combined with the image can be decorated, and the decoration of the captured image can be diversified.

According to the image pickup apparatus of the invention described in claim 7,
The appearance of the title data to be combined with the image data can be improved.

According to the imaging apparatus of the invention described in claim 8,
If graphic software or the like is installed in an external device, the received title data and plate data can be used, and the use range of the title data and plate data is expanded. Further, in the imaging apparatus, various image synthesizing processes can be easily realized by using the title data and plate data received from an external device in the above-described image synthesizing process.

According to the imaging method of the ninth aspect,
By executing the above-described imaging method in the imaging apparatus, it is possible to add a title imaging mode as an imaging mode and an image combining function of combining the captured title data with the captured image data to the imaging apparatus.

According to the imaging method of the present invention, by executing the imaging method in the imaging device,
A title photographing mode as a photographing mode and an image combining function of combining the photographed title data and the stored plate data with photographed image data can be added to the photographing apparatus.

According to the storage medium of the eleventh aspect, by reading and executing the program stored in the storage medium by the computer, the title shooting mode as the shooting mode and the shot title data are shot. An image combining function for combining with image data can be added to the imaging device.

According to the storage medium of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, by reading and executing the program stored in the storage medium by the computer, the title shooting mode as the shooting mode and the shot title data are stored. An image synthesizing function of synthesizing the captured plate data with the captured image data can be added to the imaging apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment to which an imaging device, an imaging method, and a storage medium of the present invention are applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration inside the digital camera 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image photographing LUT stored in a ROM of FIG. 2;

4 is a title shooting LU stored in a ROM of FIG. 2;
It is a figure showing an example of T.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a shooting mode changing process executed by a CPU 35 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a title photographing process executed by a CPU 35 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of title data in which a capture range is specified in the title photographing process of FIG. 6;

8 is a diagram showing a title executed by the CPU 35 of FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows a plate synthesis process.

9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example of combining a title plate combined with image data by the title and plate combining process of FIG. 8 (FIG. 9A) and an example of combining only titles (FIG. 9B). is there.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a title transmission process executed by a CPU 35 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a title receiving process executed by a CPU 35 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a plate transmission process executed by a CPU 35 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a plate receiving process executed by the CPU 35 of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 4 Communication cable 11 Imaging lens 12 Display unit 13 Mode switch 14 Power switch 15 Shutter key 16 “+” key 17 “−” key 18 Communication port 20 CCD 21 Buffer 22 A / D converter 23 Drive circuit 24 Timing Generator 25 Signal generator 26 VRAM 27 D / A converter 28 Buffer 29 DRAM 30 Compression / expansion circuit 31 Flash memory 32 ROM 33 RAM 34 Key input unit 35 CPU 36 Communication control unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] A photographing mode selecting means for selectively selecting an image photographing mode for photographing an image and a title photographing mode for photographing a title to be combined with the image; and an image photographed in the image photographing mode. Correction information setting means for setting first correction information for correcting data, and second correction information for correcting title data picked up in the title shooting mode; and the correction information setting means selected by the shooting mode selection means. Image correction means for correcting image data or title data captured according to each shooting mode based on first correction information or second correction information set in the correction information setting means; An image capturing apparatus, comprising: image combining means for combining the image data corrected by the above and the title data. 2. A photographing mode selecting means for selectively selecting an image photographing mode for photographing an image and a title photographing mode for photographing a title to be combined with the image, and an image photographed in the image photographing mode. Correction information setting means for setting first correction information for correcting data and second correction information for correcting title data captured in the title shooting mode; and plate data serving as a base of the title data. Storage means for storing image data or title data imaged in accordance with each of the photographing modes selected by the photographing mode selecting means, with first correction information or second correction information set in the correction information setting means; Image correction means for correcting based on correction information, and storage means for storing title data corrected by the image correction means An image synthesizing means for synthesizing the plate data stored in the image data as a base, and synthesizing the plate data and the synthesized title data with the corrected image data. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a combining position designating unit that designates a combining position relationship between the title data and the plate data to be combined with the image data, wherein the image combining unit includes a combining position designated by the combining position designating unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the corrected title data and plate data are combined with the corrected image data based on the relationship. 4. A correction level setting means for arbitrarily specifying a correction level for correcting a luminance level of title data picked up in the title shooting mode, wherein the correction information setting means specifies the correction level by the correction level specifying means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determined correction level is set as the second correction information. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising color data designating means for arbitrarily designating color data to be set in said title data, wherein said image composition means combines the image data corrected by said image correction means with title data. And setting the color data designated by the color data designation means to the title data and synthesizing the title data.
Alternatively, the imaging device according to 2. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising color data designating means for arbitrarily designating color data to be set in the plate data stored in said storage means, 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when combining the plate data stored in the storage means as a base, the color data designated by the color data designating means is set to the plate data and combined. 7. The image synthesizing means, when synthesizing the image data corrected by the image correcting means and the title data, adds an edge having a predetermined dot width around the title data and synthesizes the title data. Claim 1 or 2
An imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims. 8. A communication device having a communication control function for performing data communication with a device having an external communication function, the communication device comprising: the title data corrected by the image correcting device; 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plate data stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the external device, and the title data or the plate data is received from the external device. 9. An imaging method for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data and title data in an imaging device, comprising: an image capturing mode for capturing an image; and a title capturing mode for capturing a title to be combined with the image. And first correction information for correcting the image data captured in the image capturing mode, second correction information for correcting the title data captured in the title capturing mode, And correcting image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes based on the set first correction information or second correction information. An imaging method comprising combining image data and title data. 10. An image pickup method for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data, title data and plate data in an image pickup apparatus, wherein an image pickup mode for picking up an image and a title to be combined with the image are picked up. First correction information for selectively selecting a title shooting mode, and second correction for correcting title data shot in the title shooting mode, and first correction information for correcting image data shot in the image shooting mode. And correcting the image data or the title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes based on the set first correction information or second correction information. The corrected title data is combined with the plate data stored in the storage means as a base, and combined with the plate data. An imaging method comprising combining generated title data with the corrected image data. 11. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data and title data in an imaging device, comprising: an image capturing mode for capturing an image; A program code for selectively selecting a title shooting mode for picking up a title to be combined; first correction information for correcting image data shot in the image shooting mode; and an image picked up in the title shooting mode. A program code for setting second correction information for correcting title data; and image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes, the first correction information or Program code for correcting based on the second correction information, and the corrected image And a program code for synthesizing data and title data. 12. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for realizing an image synthesizing function of image data, title data, and plate data in an imaging apparatus, comprising: an image capturing mode for capturing an image; A program code for selectively selecting a title shooting mode for capturing a title to be combined with the image; first correction information for correcting image data captured in the image shooting mode; A program code for setting second correction information for correcting the captured title data; and image data or title data captured according to each of the selected shooting modes, the first set A program code for correcting based on the correction information or the second correction information; A program code for combining the corrected title data with the plate data stored in the storage means as a base, and combining the plate data and the combined title data with the corrected image data. A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned.