JP2000078379A - Image data processing method and electronic imaging apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a still image data transfer method for speeding up still image data transfer processing, and an electronic imaging device using the same. A destination of a still image is designated, a still image is generated from an image signal obtained from an image sensor, and the generated still image is subjected to image compression corresponding to the designated destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a still image data output method and an electronic image pickup apparatus using the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a still image data transfer method for performing image compression according to a transfer destination and an electronic imaging apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in addition to a camera using a silver halide film as an image pickup device, an electronic image pickup device such as a so-called electronic camera capable of photographing a subject image as a digital image using a charge-coupled device as an image pickup device has been developed. Spreading.

Further, image data picked up by such an electronic image pickup device is represented by a digital signal as a still image. Therefore, the digital signal of the still image can be transferred to another personal computer, transferred for output to a printer, or transmitted by facsimile.

[0004] Here, a still image is composed of a set of a plurality of pixels, and when each pixel is displayed in three primary colors of RGB, if each of RGB is represented by 8 bits, 24 bits are required for each pixel. It is. Further, the number of bits is required to be multiplied by the number of pixels constituting one still image.

[0005]

For this reason, it takes an enormous amount of time to transfer still image data. Therefore,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a still image data transfer method for compressing still image data corresponding to a transfer destination to speed up the transfer process, and to provide an electronic imaging apparatus using the same. is there.

[0006]

A still image data transfer method for achieving the above object of the present invention is to select a still image to be transferred from a plurality of still images, and then to select a destination of the selected still image. And for this selected image,
The image compression is performed corresponding to the selected transfer destination.

Further, another configuration of a still image data transfer method that achieves the object of the present invention is to specify a destination of a still image, generate a still image from an image signal obtained from an image sensor, and generate the still image. The image compression is performed in accordance with the designated transfer destination of the still image.

Further, in the above configuration, when the transfer destination is another personal computer or a memory card, JPEG compression is performed.

In the above configuration, when the transfer destination is a printer or a facsimile, compression is performed by thinning out data.

Further, an electronic image pickup apparatus for achieving the above object of the present invention comprises an image pickup device, image processing means for performing still image data from an image signal obtained from the image pickup device, transfer destination designating means, and transfer destination designating means. The image processing apparatus includes a CPU for performing arithmetic processing for compressing still image data output from the image processing means, corresponding to the transfer destination specified by the instruction means.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar components will be described with the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic imaging device 1 according to the present invention as viewed from the back.

In FIG. 1, an electronic image pickup device 1 is provided, and a finder 3 is provided on a back surface 2. An optical system lens is mounted on the front side (not shown), and an operator observes a subject image incident through the optical system lens through the finder 3. On the back surface 2 of the electronic imaging device, a display element 5 composed of an LCD is mounted. A touch tablet 50 is further provided on the front surface of the LCD display element 5.

Further, operation keys 4 are arranged around the LCD display element 5. The operation keys 4 are composed of a plurality of operation keys, and include a menu 40 for selecting a menu, an execution key 41 for executing processing and confirming input data, a clear key 42 for input data, and a cancel key 43 for instructing cancellation of work. Having. Further, a scroll key 44 for giving an instruction to scroll the screen of the display element 6 in the vertical direction is provided.

The electronic image pickup device 1 is further provided with an input / output connector terminal 6. As will be described later, still image data is transferred through the input / output connector 6 by the method according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a tablet 50 arranged on the front of the LCD display element 5 is made of a transparent material such as glass or resin, and an operator operates the LCD display element formed inside the touch tablet 50. 5 is configured to be observed through the touch tablet 50.

The operation keys 4 are composed of a plurality of keys corresponding to various functions, as will be described later. According to the present invention, the selection and transfer of a still image and the transfer destination of the still image are not shown according to the present invention. Selection input can be performed by touching the touch tablet 50 with a pen-type pointing device or with a fingertip.

The menu key 40 is operated when displaying a menu screen on the LCD display element 5. The execution key 41 is operated when reproducing the recording data selected by the operator or when causing the electronic image apparatus 1 to execute the transfer after confirming the transfer data or the like.

The clear key 40 is operated when deleting stored data. The cancel key 43 is operated when the reproduction process of the recorded data is interrupted, or when the transfer process is performed in the present invention, when the transfer process is interrupted. The scroll key 44 is operated to scroll the screen up and down when a list of recording data is displayed on the LCD display element 5.

It is also possible to extend the function of the electronic image pickup apparatus 1 so as to input sound by providing a microphone (not shown) for specifying sound.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the electronic image pickup apparatus 1.

In FIG. 2, the photographing optical system 30 includes a photographing lens and an aperture mechanism. The imaging optical system 30
It is arranged on the front surface side opposite to the back surface 2 shown in FIG. The subject light image incident by the imaging optical system 30 is input to the CCD 31.

The CCD 31 has a function of photoelectrically converting a light image of a subject incident through the imaging optical system 30 into a corresponding electric signal (hereinafter referred to as an image signal) and outputting the electric signal. C
The image signal photoelectrically converted by the CD 31 is supplied to the image processing unit 32.

The image processing section 32 is composed of a correlated double sampling circuit (hereinafter referred to as CDS), an AGC (automatic gain control circuit), and the like. The CDS samples the image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 31 at a predetermined timing.

The AGC functions to control the gain (GAIN) of the signal sampled by the CDS. An analog / digital conversion circuit (hereinafter, referred to as an A / D conversion circuit) 33 is configured to digitize an image signal sampled by the CDS of the image processing unit 32 and supply the digitalized image signal to the DSP 12.

The DSP 12 once supplies the digitized image data to the buffer memory 13 and stores it. Next, the image data stored in the buffer memory 13 is read, and for example, a JPEG (Joint Photo
After the data is compressed by the Graphic Experts Group) or the like, the data is supplied to the memory card 14 via the data bus BUS and is recorded in a predetermined area (image recording area).

A buffer memory 13 and a frame memory 15 are connected to the CPU 12 via a bus BUS. The LCD display element 5 is connected to the frame memory 15. An image corresponding to the image data stored in the buffer memory 13 is stored in the L through the frame memory 15.
The information is displayed on the CD display element 5.

Here, the image data which has been subjected to the compression processing is once expanded by the DSP 12 and then supplied to the buffer memory 13 through the bus BUS.

The CPU 12 further includes a touch tablet 50
And an input signal from the operation key 4 are input, and a predetermined process is performed. The execution of this predetermined process is controlled by a program stored in the ROM 11.

Further, referring to FIG.
0 is connected to a printer 61 and another personal computer 62.

The operation of the electronic imaging device having the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2 will be further described. A light image from a subject observed by the viewfinder 3 is formed on the CCD 31 by the imaging optical system 30. The optical image of the subject formed on the CCD 31 having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements is photoelectrically converted into an image signal, and is sampled by the CDS of the image processing unit 32 at a rate of 30 times per second.

At this time, the CDS thins out, for example, those corresponding to 8/9 pixels out of the image electric signals corresponding to all the pixels from the CCD 31. An image signal sampled by the CDS (1/9 of all pixels of the CCD 31)
Are supplied to the A / D conversion circuit 33,
There, it is digitized and supplied to the DSP 12.

The DSP 12 once supplies the digitized image data to the buffer memory 13 for storage. Further, the DSP 12 reads the image data supplied to the buffer memory 13 and compresses the image data according to the JPEG method.
The digitized and compressed image data is supplied to the memory card 14 via the data bus BUS and is recorded in the image recording area of the memory card 14.

Image data recorded in the image storage area of the memory card 14 is still image data. Therefore, D
The still image data compressed by the JPEG method by the SP 12 is recorded in the image area of the memory card 14.

In the present invention, when the still image data is printed on the printer 61, or when the still image data is transferred to another personal computer 62, or a fax (not shown) There are cases where facsimile transmission is performed through a modem.

As described above, the still image data is digitally converted by the A / D conversion circuit 33.
It is a digital signal composed of predetermined bits for each pixel. Therefore, the amount of digital signals corresponding to the number of pixels constituting one still image becomes enormous.

Therefore, as described above, when still image data is recorded on the memory card 14, the DSP 12
In this case, the data is compressed and recorded by the JPEG method.

Further, when still image data is sent to another personal computer 62 via the interface 4, it can be sent as still image data in a format compressed by the JPEG system.

On the other hand, when still image data is sent to the printer 61 via the interface 40 and printed out there, even if the data compressed by the JPEG system is transferred to the printer 61, the printer 61 cannot handle the data. .

In such a case, it is necessary to convert the data into data corresponding to the printer 61. The still image data is color-converted so that it can be handled by a printer, and performs image processing such as thinning-out, that is, thinning-out at a fixed interval. As described above, the image processing is performed so as to be compatible with the printer 61, and the still image data is transferred to the printer 61 through the interface 40.

Similarly, when facsimile transmission is performed through a fax modem (not shown),
A binarization process and a thinning process for converting the data into value data are performed. In addition, compression is performed in the same way as line image information is compressed using run-length coding.

That is, the line drawing information is a method that enables the bit information to be transferred to be compressed by encoding the continuous length of the same information. Therefore, even when still image data is sent to the fax modem, it is possible to encode and compress the same information on each scanning line.

The image data subjected to the image processing as described above is transferred to a fax modem.

Similarly, image processing for generating still image data to the printer 61 and for sending still image data to the fax modem are also performed by the DSP 12 by the CPU 10.
Under the control of.

FIG. 3 is an example of a selection screen of the LCD display element 5 for selecting still image data to be transferred according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, the image is divided into 1 to 9 selection areas, and thumbnail images of still image data of different files are displayed respectively.

In this case, the still image has a resolution displayed on the entire screen of the LCD display element 5, but is divided into small areas and a plurality of still image thumbnail images are arranged in the frame memory 15 for one screen. By doing so, images of a plurality of files are displayed on the LCD display element 5 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the process of compressing the still image data into the thumbnail image can be executed by the DSP 12 shown in FIGS. Further, the CPU 10 confirms the selection input by touching the position of the touch tablet 50 corresponding to one still image in the selection screen shown in FIG. 3 with a pen-type pointing device (not shown) or a fingertip.

FIG. 4 shows a selection confirmation screen displayed on the screen LCD display element 5 in which one still image to be transferred is selected from the selection screen shown in FIG.

That is, in FIG. 4, one of the plurality of still images in FIG. 3 is selected, and the selected still image is enlarged and displayed on the entire screen of the LCD display element 5. At this time, the displayed still image data has the original resolution and data amount.

As shown in FIG. 4, a confirmation OK or NO confirmation button is displayed over the selected still image. Therefore, the operator looks at the still image selection confirmation screen in FIG. 4 and touches the OK button with a pen-type pointing device (not shown) or a fingertip on the touch tablet 50 if this is the still image selected for transfer. Thus, a confirmation input is performed.

On the other hand, if the displayed still image is not the still image to be transferred which the user desires, the user touches the NO confirmation button. In this case, the data display screen once selected is canceled, and the screen returns to the selection screen for a still image to be transferred shown in FIG.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show transfer destination confirmation screens. When the still image to be transferred shown in FIG. 4 is confirmed, a transfer destination input screen is displayed on the LCD display element 5.

The transfer destination display screen shown in FIG. 5 includes a personal computer (PC), a printer, and a fax (FA).
X) These names are displayed to select one of them. On the other hand, what is shown in FIG. 6 is a case where not only the data transfer to the outside but also the function of transferring the still image data to the memory card 14 (MC) provided inside as described with reference to FIG. 6 is an example of a screen displayed on the LCD display element 5.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen indicating that the still image data is being transferred, which is displayed on the LCD display element 5 after the transfer destination is selected and then the execution key 41 in FIG. 1 is pressed. The display example shown in FIG. 7 shows a state in which up to 80% of the transfer being completed has been completed.

FIG. 8 shows an image displayed on the LCD display element 5 at the end of the transfer, continuing from the transfer state of FIG. In this case, since the transfer has been completed, the entire still image to be transferred is displayed, so that the operator can easily confirm that the transfer has been completed.

FIG. 9 is an operation flow of the first embodiment of the transfer method according to the present invention, which is performed by controlling the execution of a control program stored in the ROM 11 by the CPU 10.

In FIG. 9, first, a list of still images recorded in the memory card 14 (MC) is displayed as shown in FIG. 3 (step S1). In this list display, nine still images are displayed in the case of FIG. 3, but if there are more still images, the still images are not further displayed by operating the scroll key 44 shown in FIG. Thumbnail images (reduced images) of still images can be sequentially displayed.

Next, it is determined from the list display whether or not an image has been selected by the operator (step S2). When an image is selected, the selected image is read from the memory card 14 (MC) under the control of the CPU 10 (Step S3). If no image is selected, step S2 is repeated. Then, the selected image is displayed on the LCD display element 5 to confirm the still image to be transferred (step S4). An example of the image display at this time is as shown in FIG.

On the transfer image confirmation screen shown in FIG.
K? Is instructed (step S5),
When "OK?" Is instructed, a transfer destination list screen is displayed on the LCD display element 5 (step S6). A display example of the transfer destination list screen at this time is as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG.

In step S5, if "OK?" Is not instructed, it is determined whether it is "NO?" (Step S50), and if "NO?", It returns to step S1. If the instruction is not "NO?", Step S5 is repeated until there is an "OK?" Instruction.

From the transfer destination list screen shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the operator can designate the position corresponding to the transfer destination desired by the operator using the touch tablet 50 (step S7).

It is determined whether or not a personal computer (PC) has been designated as the transfer destination (step S8).
The EG compression is performed in the DSP 12 under the control of the CPU 10 (step S9).

In step S8, if the transfer destination is not a personal computer, it is determined whether the transfer is to a printer (step S15). If it is a still image transfer to the printer, the above-described image processing for the printer suitable for the printer is performed (step S1).
6).

Here, when the data is thinned out for each predetermined pixel by the image processing for the printer, data exchange is performed in order to give continuity to the level between the pixels (step S17).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that the still image data is not to be transferred to the printer, the above-described fax image processing is performed (step S1).
8). Also in this case, since the data level between the pixels is increased by the thinning process, data exchange is performed to smooth the data level (step S19).

In FIG. 9, JPE is executed in step S9.
After the G compression, and in steps S16 and S17, image processing for a printer or steps S18 and S1
The image data that has been subjected to the fax image processing by 9 is connected to the selected transfer destination through the interface 40, and the data transfer is started (step S10,
S20).

During the transfer (steps S11 and S21), FIG.
The transfer indication is displayed as shown in, and the printer,
In order to confirm the image output by facsimile, the image subjected to the thinning process or the like is displayed (steps S12 and S2).
2). When the transfer of the compressed still image data is completed by 100%, the display screen is displayed on the LCD display element 5 as shown in FIG. 8 and the transfer ends (steps S13 and S2).
3). In the case of the transfer end display in step S13,
The transfer data is erased (step S14).

FIG. 10 is an operation flow of still another transfer method according to the present invention.

In FIG. 9, a plurality of still images have already been generated and stored in the memory card 14 (MC), and the stored still images are displayed in a list to specify the still images to be transferred. .

On the other hand, in the example of FIG.
The light image of the object incident through the 0 is converted into an electric signal by the CCD 31 and is displayed on the LCD display element 5 to confirm whether or not the displayed still image is to be transferred. That is, in this example, the captured still image is transferred before being stored in the memory card 14 (MC).

In FIG. 10, photographing is performed (step S
01), the photographed still image is displayed as an image on the LCD display element 5 (step S02). Therefore, the operator sees the image displayed on the LCD display element 5 and checks whether it is an image to be transferred (step S).
5).

When the still image displayed on the LCD display element 5 is an image to be transferred, an OK key (see FIG. 4) is instructed and the transferred image is confirmed. In FIG. 10, after the transfer image is confirmed, the processing from step S6 to step S13 and from step S15 to step S23 are the same as those in the example of FIG.

In FIG. 10, if the transfer destination is not a printer in step S15, the transfer destination is a fax (FA).
X) is determined (step S150).
If the transfer destination is not a fax, JPEG compression is performed (step S151).

Next, the memory card (MC) 14 is set as a transfer destination, connected to the memory card (MC) 14, and the transfer is performed (step S152). At this time, like the transfer destination other than the memory card (MC) 14, the transfer-in-progress display of FIG. 7 is performed (step S22), and when the transfer is completed, the transfer completion of FIG. 8 is displayed (step S23).

In this embodiment, after photographing,
Although the example in which the image data is transferred to the transfer destination without being stored in the memory card has been described, the image processing may be performed according to the transfer destination and stored in the memory card before the transfer. By doing so, at the time of transfer, data can be read from the memory card and transferred immediately, and there is no deterioration of the image.

[0076]

As described above according to the embodiment,
In the present invention, by selecting and specifying a transfer image from among captured images and specifying a transfer destination, an image corresponding to the transfer destination can be automatically compressed. Therefore, an electronic imaging device having a transfer function that is easy to operate is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic imaging apparatus to which a data transfer method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the electronic imaging device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a selection screen of a transfer still image file displayed on the LCD display element 5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an example of a confirmation screen of a still image selected on the selection screen of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an example of a transfer destination instruction screen.

FIG. 6 is another example of a transfer destination instruction screen.

FIG. 7 is an example of a screen display during a still image data transfer process.

FIG. 8 is an example of a still image data transfer processing end screen.

FIG. 9 is a transfer processing operation flow corresponding to FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a transfer processing operation flow corresponding to FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 electronic imaging device 2 back surface of electronic imaging device 3 viewfinder 4 operation keys 5 speaker 6 LCD display element 7 microphone 8 earphone jack 9 input / output connector 60 touch tablet 10 CPU 11 ROM 12 DSP 13 buffer memory 14 memory card 15 frame memory 16 A / D / D / A converter 30 Imaging optical system 31 CCD 32 Image processing unit 33 A / D converter 90 Output interface 91 Printer 92 Personal computer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A transfer destination of a still image is designated, a still image is generated from an image signal obtained from an image sensor, and the generated still image is subjected to image compression in accordance with the designated transfer destination. An image data processing method comprising: 2. The image data processing method according to claim 1, wherein when the transfer destination is another personal computer or a memory card, JPEG compression is performed. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer destination is a printer or a facsimile.
An image data processing method, wherein compression is performed by thinning data. 4. An image pickup device, image processing means for performing still image data from an image signal obtained from the image pickup device, transfer destination instructing means, and corresponding to a transfer destination indicated by the transfer destination instructing means,
An electronic image pickup apparatus comprising: a CPU for performing arithmetic processing for compressing still image data output from said image processing means.