U.S. patent application number 11/878879 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for digital camera.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Morihiro Takagi.
Application Number | 20080030598 11/878879 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39028730 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080030598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takagi; Morihiro |
February 7, 2008 |
Digital camera
Abstract
A digital camera, which photographs a subject, generates image
data, and records the image data on a recording medium, includes:
an image processing device that performs a plurality of image
processing to the recorded image data, in response to a user's
operation; a history creating device that creates, for each image
data, history information that indicates a history of image
processing performed by the image processing device; and a display
unit that displays the history information thus created.
Inventors: |
Takagi; Morihiro;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
39028730 |
Appl. No.: |
11/878879 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/231.7 ;
348/231.99; 348/E5.024; 348/E5.102; 348/E5.105; 386/E5.072 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/3273 20130101;
H04N 5/772 20130101; H04N 2201/0084 20130101; H04N 1/00458
20130101; H04N 9/8205 20130101; H04N 2201/3252 20130101; H04N
1/2158 20130101; H04N 2101/00 20130101; H04N 5/907 20130101; H04N
1/2112 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101; H04N 2201/3242 20130101;
H04N 21/47 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/231.7 ;
348/231.99; 348/E05.024 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/76 20060101
H04N005/76 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 4, 2006 |
JP |
2006-213439 |
Claims
1. A digital camera, which photographs a subject, generates image
data, and records the image data on a recording medium, comprising:
an image processing device that performs a plurality of image
processing to the recorded image data, in response to a user's
operation; a history creating device that creates, for each image
data, history information that indicates a history of image
processing performed by the image processing device; and a display
unit that displays the history information thus created.
2. A digital camera according to claim 1, wherein: the display unit
displays the history information created with respect to the image
data with an image based on the image data.
3. A digital camera according to claim 2, wherein: the display unit
displays the history information, superimposing upon the image
based on the image data.
4. A digital camera according to claim 1, wherein: the history
information is information that represents a content of image
processing performed to the image data, and, in case a plurality of
image processing were performed, sequence of the plurality of image
processing.
5. A digital camera, which photographs a subject, generates image
data, and records the image data on a recording medium, comprising:
an image processing device that performs image processing to the
recorded image data, in response to a user's operation; and a
display unit that displays image based on the recorded image data
and information related to the image on display, wherein: when
displaying the image, in case the image processing has been
performed to the image data, information that is indicative of a
content of the image processing is displayed, whereas in case the
image processing has not been performed, other information or no
information is displayed.
6. A digital camera according to clam 5, further comprising: a
display switching device that switches to other information to be
displayed or no information to be displayed, under a circumstance
that the image based on the image data and the information being
indicative of a content of the image processing are displayed on
the display unit.
7. A digital camera according to claim 5, wherein: the image
processing device is capable of performing a plurality type of
image processing, and the information being indicative of a content
of the image processing is a history information that indicates a
history of image processing.
8. A digital camera, which photographs a subject and generates
image data, comprising: an image processing device that performs a
plurality of image processing to the image data, in response to a
user's operation; a history creating device that creates a history
information that, for each image data, indicates a history of image
processing performed by the image processing device; and a display
unit that displays the history information thus created.
9. A digital camera according to claim 8, further comprising: an
image processing selection device that specifies image processing
to be performed to the image data and its sequence to be performed
prior to a photographing operation, wherein: the image processing
device performs image processing, following a content that is
specified with the image processing selection device.
10. A computer-readable computer program product containing a
control program for image processing, the control program
comprising: instructions for performing image processing to image
data; instructions for creating a history information that, for
each image data, indicates a content of the image processing
performed to the image data, and, in case of a plurality of image
processing having been performed, its sequence; and instructions
for displaying the history information thus created.
11. A computer-readable computer program product according to claim
10, wherein: the computer-readable computer program product is a
recording medium on which the control program is recorded.
12. A computer-readable computer program product according to claim
10, wherein: the computer-readable computer program product is a
carrier wave in which the control program is embodied as a data
signal.
13. A method for image processing, comprising: performing image
processing to image data; creating, for each image data, a history
information that indicates a content of the image processing
performed to the image data, and, in case of a plurality of image
processing having been performed, its sequence; and displaying the
history information thus created.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosure of the following priority application is
herein incorporated by reference:
[0002] Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-213439 filed Aug. 4,
2006
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] A present invention relates to a digital camera with which
image processing can be performed to photographed image data.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 2001-169174
discloses a digital camera with which photographed (recorded) image
data is re-recordable after it is read out from a memory card to be
subjected to image processing such as a sharpness process, a
contrast control, a chroma control, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A digital camera, which photographs a subject, generates
image data, and records the image data on a recording medium,
according to a 1st aspect of the present invention includes: an
image processing device that performs a plurality of image
processing to the recorded image data, in response to a user's
operation; a history creating device that creates, for each image
data, history information that indicates a history of image
processing performed by the image processing device; and a display
unit that displays the history information thus created.
[0008] According to a 2nd aspect of the present invention, in the
digital camera according to the 1st aspect, the display unit may
display the history information created with respect to the image
data with an image based on the image data.
[0009] According to a 3rd aspect of the present invention, in the
digital camera according to the 2nd aspect, it is preferable that
the display unit displays the history information, superimposing
upon the image based on the image data.
[0010] According to a 4th aspect of the present invention, in the
digital camera according to the 1st aspect, it is preferable that
the history information is information that represents a content of
image processing performed to the image data, and, in case a
plurality of image processing were performed, sequence of the
plurality of image processing.
[0011] A digital camera, which photographs a subject, generates
image data, and records the image data on a recording medium,
according to a 5th aspect of the present invention includes: an
image processing device that performs image processing to the
recorded image data, in response to a user's operation; and a
display unit that displays image based on the recorded image data
and information related to the image on display, wherein: when
displaying the image, in case the image processing has been
performed to the image data, information that is indicative of a
content of the image processing is displayed, whereas in case the
image processing has not been performed, other information or no
information is displayed.
[0012] According to a 6th aspect of the present invention, it is
preferable that the digital camera according to the 5th aspect
further includes a display switching device that switches to other
information to be displayed or no information to be displayed,
under a circumstance that the image based on the image data and the
information being indicative of a content of the image processing
are displayed on the display unit.
[0013] According to a 7th aspect of the present invention, in the
digital camera according to the 5th aspect, it is preferable that
the image processing device is capable of performing a plurality
type of image processing, and the information being indicative of a
content of the image processing is a history information that
indicates a history of image processing.
[0014] A digital camera, which photographs a subject and generates
image data according to a 8th aspect of the present invention
includes: an image processing device that performs a plurality of
image processing to the image data, in response to a user's
operation; a history creating device that creates a history
information that, for each image data, indicates a history of image
processing performed by the image processing device; and a display
unit that displays the history information thus created.
[0015] According to a 9th aspect of the present invention, the
digital camera according to the 8th aspect may further include an
image processing selection device that specifies image processing
to be performed to the image data and its sequence to be performed
prior to a photographing operation, and the image processing device
may perform image processing, following a content that is specified
with the image processing selection device.
[0016] A computer-readable computer program product containing a
control program for image processing according to a 10th aspect of
the present invention, the control program including: instructions
for performing image processing to image data; instructions for
creating a history information that, for each image data, indicates
a content of the image processing performed to the image data, and,
in case of a plurality of image processing having been performed,
its sequence; and instructions for displaying the history
information thus created.
[0017] According to a 11th aspect of the present invention, in the
computer-readable computer program product according to the 10th
aspect, the computer-readable computer program product may be a
recording medium on which the control program is recorded.
[0018] According to a 12th aspect of the present invention, in the
computer-readable computer program product according to the 10th
aspect, the computer-readable computer program product may be a
carrier wave in which the control program is embodied as a data
signal.
[0019] A method for image processing according to a 13th aspect of
the present invention: performs image processing to image data;
creates, for each image data, a history information that indicates
a content of the image processing performed to the image data, and,
in case of a plurality of image processing having been performed,
its sequence; and displays the history information thus
created.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a digital camera in one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a figure that illustrates a pattern diagram which
shows image data and information page created, being associated
with the image data.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a figure that illustrates a display example of
information page 1 being selected.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a figure that illustrates a display example of
information page 2 being selected.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a figure that illustrates a display example of
information page 3 being selected.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a figure that illustrates another display example
of information page 3 being selected.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a figure that illustrates a display example of a
frame-by-frame advance.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a flow chart that illustrates a processing
procedure of a reproducing mode.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a figure that illustrates a control program for
image processing being provided through a recording medium and a
data signal such as an Internet.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] An embodiment of the invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera in the
embodiment. A light flux of a subject that transmitted a lens (not
figured herein) is photoelectrically converted with an image sensor
11, which is constituted of, for example, a CCD or CMOS sensor.
With regard to an image signal that is an output of photoelectric
conversion of the image sensor 11, a variety of processes are
performed in an image processing circuit 12 and image data is
generated. The image data is temporarily stored in a buffer memory
13, and then stored as an image file on a recording medium 15 such
as a memory card, etc., via a recording circuit 14. The image file
is in a computer-readable format, and usually includes additional
information (such as an Exif information) other than image data.
The recording medium 15 can be inserted into and ejected from the
digital camera via a slot, which is not figured herein, of the
digital camera. Otherwise, a built-in memory embedded in the
digital camera can be used as a recording medium.
[0031] A display unit 16 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD)
monitor which is, for example, disposed at a back of the digital
camera and its drive circuit, to allow an image display and a menu
display. An operation unit 17 includes various operation members,
such as a release button and various operation buttons used on the
playback mode as to be hereinafter described, as well as switches
that are interlocked to those operations. A CPU 18 executes
operations based on programs stored in a memory 19 and
drive-controls foregoing each circuit and device based on an input
from the operation unit 17.
[0032] The digital camera has two operation modes: a shooting mode
for photographing, and a reproducing mode for reproducing
photographed image data. In a reproducing mode can read out image
data stored in the recording medium 15, and can display a subject
image based on the image data on the display unit 16. On that
occasion, a variety of information can be displayed, superimposing
on the subject image. As illustrated in FIG. 2, to each image data,
information page land 2 to be displayed are allocated
automatically. And, in case image processing described below has
been performed in response to a user's operation, information page
3 is added.
[0033] When information page 1 is selected, as FIG. 3 illustrates,
a model of a camera, a shutter speed of photographing the image, a
value of an aperture of photographing the image, and an exposure
mode of photographing the image are displayed, superimposing on a
subject image. When information page 2 is selected, as FIG. 4
illustrates, an ISO speed, a white balance setting, a size of an
image, and a quality of an image are displayed, superimposing on a
subject image. Each item of information displayed in information
page 1 and 2 is information that is recorded on the above described
additional information: for example, information of a digital
camera itself, photographing information at the time of shooting,
and so on.
[0034] Next, an image processing to a recorded image and
information page 3 is described.
[0035] As described above, the digital camera performs the
prescribed image processing to an image signal that was obtained by
photographing, and records processed image data on the recording
medium 15. Apart from that, the digital camera can read out image
data which was once recorded on the recording medium 15, perform
the image processing as a user likes, and re-record the data. In
description hereinafter, unless otherwise noted, "image processing"
refers to the processing to the recorded image data.
[0036] With regard to a selectable image processing, there are a
tone correction, a white balance control, a color conversion
(monochromatize), a trimming, a red eye correction, a distortion
correction, a noise removal, an image size reduction, and so forth.
It is also possible to perform a plurality of processing to one
single image data. However, selectable image processing will not be
limited to those mentioned above.
[0037] In case of performing a plurality of image processing to
recorded image data, there might be a concern that a user becomes
confused what kind of image processing has been performed.
Therefore, in the embodiment, it is allowed to create a history of
image processing as information page 3, and display it together
with a subject image.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of displaying a content of
information page 3, superimposing on a subject image. It is an
example of displaying with icons IC image processing that have been
performed. This illustrates that 5 types of image processing have
been performed in ABCDE order with each icon IC employing a design
that features a content of the corresponding processing.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a case of displaying a
process using text in substitution for the icons IC, and
illustrates that the process has been performed from a top to a
bottom. It is to be noted that "Image Processing A", "Image
Processing B", etc. are to be replaced with actual process names.
With regard to embodiment of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, either of these is
allowed: to employ either one of those figures, or to configure
with both of those figures so that a user can choose one according
to his or her preference.
[0040] Using a prescribed operation for information display setting
with, for example, the operation unit 17, a user can switch
information to be displayed in order from "No Information",
"Information Page 1", "Information Page 2", to "Information Page 3
(if any)", to each displayed image. Information Page 1 to 3 can be
saved as an additional information included in an image file;
otherwise, can be saved apart from the image file.
[0041] Thus, with regard to recorded image data, now that history
information of image processing is related to each image data as
Information page 3, and can be displayed with a subject image;
therefore, on an occasion of an image display, it is convenient
that an existence of the image processing, type and sequence of the
image processing to the image data are shown at a glance.
[0042] FIG. 7 is an example of a display with frame-by-frame
advance. Displayed images are switched in sequence with each
prescribed operation of frame-by-frame advance, using, for example,
the operation unit 17. It is allowed to switch images sequentially
from a new image to an old image with, for example, a forward
operation; meanwhile, switch them backward with a backward
operation. In case of image data having information page 3, with
regard to frame-by-frame advance, information page 3 is always
displayed together with the image, regardless of an information
display setting at the time. That is to say, a subject image to
which image processing has been performed in response to a user's
operation after it was recorded on the recording medium 15 is
always displayed together with history information of the image
processing on frame-by-frame advance. Thereafter, information to be
displayed can be switched, using the foregoing operation for
information display setting.
[0043] However, it is allowed to display information, following an
information display setting at the time, in substitution for the
control of displaying information page 3 regardless of an
information display setting. For example, in case of a setting to
display information page 1, information page 1 is displayed even
though image data which has information page 3 is selected on
frame-by-frame advance. On this occasion, if a user prefers to
display information page 3, the user can perform the foregoing
operation for information display setting. In addition, the user
can be allowed to select either setting: the setting of displaying
information page 3 regardless of an information display setting, or
the setting of displaying information following an information
display setting. The selection can be made on, for example, a
custom setting screen.
[0044] In the example of FIG. 7, one to three types of the image
processing are performed to image 2 to 4 respectively; meanwhile,
any image processing is not performed to image 1 and 5. Image 2 is
an image on which image processing A (for example, a tone
correction) is performed to image 1 that is an original subject
image. Image 3 is an image on which image processing B (for
example, a color tuning) is performed to image 2. Image 4 is an
image on which image processing C (for example, a trimming) is
performed to image 3. Thus, in the embodiment, every time one
single image processing is performed, new image data is recorded
separately; therefore, a user can compare images of before and
after the processing, can recognize clearly an effect of the image
processing, and can undo and redo as the user likes. Also, the
image data can be overwritten in substitution for being recorded
separately.
[0045] FIG. 8 shows a flow chart which illustrates a procedure of
processing for executing the foregoing image processing and its
history display. This processing is executed in a CPU 18, following
a program stored in the memory 19.
[0046] Once a reproducing mode is set, then the CPU 18 runs the
program and it is decided which image data is to be displayed
initially at a step S1. For example, among image data recorded on
the recording medium 15, most recently photographed image data is
designated as a first image data to be displayed. At a step S2, it
is determined whether or not information page 3 already exists with
respect to the image data to be displayed. In case information page
3 exists, then the operation proceeds to a step S3 and displays a
subject image based on the image data to be displayed, together
with information page 3. In case information page 3 does not exist,
then the operation proceeds to a step S4 and displays an image
based on an information display setting at the time (either "No
Information", "Information Page 1", or "Information Page 2").
[0047] At a step S5, it is confirmed whether the above described
operation for information display setting has been performed or
not. If the operation for information display setting has been made
with respect to the image data that is currently displayed, then
the information display setting is changed at a step S6 depending
upon the operation. At a step S7, it is determined whether a
frame-by-frame advance operation has been performed or not. In case
the frame-by-frame advance operation has been made, then the
operation proceeds to a step S8 in which next image data to be
displayed is decided before returning to a step S2. In case any
frame-by-frame advance operation has not been performed, then the
operation proceeds to a step S9 to confirm an operation for
finishing reproduction. In case the operation for finishing
reproduction is confirmed, then the processing of FIG. 8 ends,
whereas in case the operation for finishing reproduction is not
confirmed, then the operation proceeds to a step S10.
[0048] At the step S10, it is determined whether or not image
processing will be performed to the currently displayed image data.
When a user performs an operation for commanding an image
processing to be performed, then the operation proceeds to a step
S11 to display an image processing selection menu. On the image
processing selection menu displays a list of the foregoing
selectable image processing. And, the user can select any image
processing by a prescribed selection operation using the operation
unit 17. In case the user does not select any image processing at a
step S12, the operation proceeds to step 21. If the user performs a
cancellation operation at step 21, then the operation returns to
the step S2, whereas in case the user does not perform the
cancellation operation, then the operation returns to the step S11.
If the user selects any image processing at the step S12, the
operation proceeds to a step S13. At the step S13, the selected
image processing is performed to the currently displayed image data
with the image processing circuit 12.
[0049] At a step S14, a subject image based on the image data after
the image processing is displayed. At a step S15, the user is asked
whether or not the user wishes to save the image data after the
image processing. In case the image data is not to be saved, then
the operation proceeds to a step S22. If the user performs a
cancellation operation at the step S22, then the operation returns
to the step S11; meanwhile, in case the user does not perform the
cancellation operation, then the operation returns to the step S15.
If the user orders to save the image data at the step S15, then the
operation proceeds to a step S16. At the step S16, it is confirmed
whether information page 3 to the image data already exists or not.
In case information page 3 does not exist, the operation proceeds
to a step S17 and creates information page 3 to write a content of
the image processing performed this time (a name of the image
processing) as history information. In case information page 3
already exists, the operation proceeds to a step S18 and adds the
content of the image processing of this time on information page 3
to update the history information.
[0050] At a step S19, the image data after the image processing is
recorded together with information page 3, on the recording medium
15, apart from the image data before the image processing. At a
step S20, the recorded image data is displayed together with
information page 3, and then the operation returns to the step
S11.
[0051] Although it is not explained in the flow chart of FIG. 8,
however, there is an image selection method of selecting an image
to be displayed from a plurality of thumbnail images. To image data
that is selected by the method, too, the process of foregoing step
S3 to S6, the step S10 and those after the step S10 can be applied
likewise.
[0052] Thus, with performing the image processing and the
processing of history display, it becomes easy to recognize a
content of the image processing afterward, in case the image
processing has been performed to the image data. In particular, it
is effective in case a plurality of image processing have been
performed to a certain image data. In case a plurality of image
processing different from each other have been performed to the
certain image data, there can be a case of which different sequence
of a plurality of image processing result in different image
processing consequence. There can be the case of which the image
data that is obtained after the image processing is different from
each other; for example, between in case of performing the image
processing in sequence from image processing A, image processing B,
to image processing C, and in case of performing the image
processing in sequence from the image processing A, the image
processing C, to the image processing B. Whereat, by displaying
type and sequence of the image processing, the user is enabled to
recognize easily what type of image processing have been performed
in what sequence.
[0053] Although an example of displaying a history information
(information page 3) with superimposing on a subject image has been
described thus far, but it is also allowed to display the history
information in a display area other than that of the subject image
in a display screen of the display unit 16. And, even without
displaying the subject image itself, it is also possible to display
only the foregoing history information when its image data is
selected.
[0054] And, although image processing to recorded image data has
been described thus far, but it is also allowed to perform image
processing which a user likes, to image data before being recorded
on the recording medium 15. To embody what described above, the
foregoing image processing selection menu is displayed prior to a
photography operation (an operation of pushing the release button),
in order to allow the user to select image processing. In an image
processing selection, a plurality of image processing are allowed
to be selected, and sequence of performing the image processing are
allowed to be specified as well. Once a photography operation is
performed, the digital camera captures an image, performs the
foregoing selected image processing to an image signal in specified
sequence, and generates and records the image data. Also in this
case, information page 3, as the history information of the image
processing, is created, and can be displayed together with the
subject image, in a reproducing mode.
[0055] And, in case of applying to a personal computer, a program
which is related to control of the foregoing image processing and
the history display can be provided through a recording medium such
as a CD-ROM or a data signal such as an Internet. It is explained
with reference to FIG. 9. A personal computer 300 is provided with
a program via a CD-ROM 304. And, the personal computer 300 has a
function to connect with a communication line 301. A computer 302
is a server computer that provides the foregoing program, and
stores the program on a recording medium such as a hard disk 303,
etc. The communication line 301 includes the Internet,
communication lines like a PC communication, a dedicated
communication line, etc. The computer 302 reads out the program
from the hard disk 303, and send the program to the personal
computer 300 via the communication line 301. That is to say, the
computer 302 embodies the program on a carrier wave as the data
signal, and sends the program via the communication line 301. Thus,
the program can be provided as a computer-readable computer program
product with various forms such as the recording medium and the
data signal embodied in the carrier.
[0056] And, with a personal computer, the foregoing image
processing and the history display process can be performed to
image data other than the subject image photographed with a digital
camera.
[0057] The above described control that is related to image
processing can be embodied in electronics devices that deal with
image data other than a digital camera, such as a photo storage,
etc., in which images are stored.
[0058] The above-described embodiments are examples, and various
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *