KR101107928B1 - Image processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

It is possible to collectively resize images of a plurality of image files, thereby providing an image processing apparatus that improves the convenience of the user with respect to an operation. The image processing apparatus includes a control unit for setting one set of the plurality of sets of resize conditions based on a user's instruction, and an image processing unit for resizing each of the plurality of images according to the set one set of resize conditions. Doing. In each of the plurality of sets of resizing conditions, the size of the image after the resizing process is prescribed for each of the aspect ratios of the plurality of types of images, and the image processing unit is based on the aspect ratio of each image that is the object of the resizing process. The size of the image after the resize process specified in the resize condition is specified, and the resize process is performed based on the specific size.

Description

Image Processing Unit {IMAGE PROCESSING UNIT}

The present invention relates to a resizing process of an image photographed by a digital camera or the like.

Background Art In recent years, digital cameras, which are rapidly spreading, have been proposed with various functions for improving image quality and high pixel resolution and improving user convenience.

One of the functions for improving the ease of use is the resizing function of the image. This is a function that can change the size of an image photographed with a digital camera at an arbitrary time point after photographing. For example, in order to attach a file of an image photographed at the size of 3 megapixels ("mega" is 1 million, also simply "M") to an e-mail, 300 kilos ("kilo" is 1000) by operation of a digital camera. By simply resizing to an image file of pixels), the time for resizing the image file with image editing software or the like of a personal computer can be omitted.

The image processing apparatus of patent document 1 processes the image data produced | generated by imaging, and creates a completed image. Based on this completed image, the control unit extracts the face region of the subject, performs a reduction process according to the size of the face region on the image data of the finished image, and outputs it to the image recording unit.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-318260

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, although the image processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 can reduce the size according to the size of the face area of the subject, there is no description that the plurality of image files can be collectively resized. In this way, when only a single image can be resized, the resizing operation needs to be repeated for the plurality of images, and complicated operation is forced.

This invention is made | formed in order to solve the said subject, The objective is to make it possible to resize the image of a some image file collectively, and to thereby improve the convenience of a user about operation.

Means to solve the problem

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit for setting one set of a plurality of sets of resize conditions based on a user's instruction, and a resizing process for each of the plurality of images according to the set one set of resize conditions. An image processing apparatus having an image processing unit to be executed, wherein in each of the plurality of sets of resizing conditions, the size of the image after the resizing process is defined for each of the aspect ratios of the plurality of types of images, and the image processing unit is the resizing process. Based on the aspect ratio of each image that is the target of, the size of the image after the resize process specified in the one set of resize conditions is specified, and the resize process is executed based on the specified size.

The image data of each image that is the object of the resizing process includes aspect ratio information capable of specifying the aspect ratio of each image, and the image processing unit specifies the aspect ratio of each image based on the aspect ratio information, and the set of resizes. You may specify the size of the image after the resizing process prescribed in the conditions.

Each of the plurality of sets of resizing conditions may differ from each other in the method of combining the image sizes after the resizing process corresponding to each of the aspect ratios of the plurality of types of images.

The image processing apparatus further includes a display device for displaying an image and an operation unit for accepting an operation for specifying an image displayed on the display device by a user, wherein the image processing unit includes an image designated by the operation unit. You may specify as an image made into the object of a resize process.

Image data of an image that can be subjected to the resizing process includes data of thumbnail images, and the image processing apparatus includes a display device for displaying a thumbnail image and a thumbnail displayed on the display device by a user. An operation unit for accepting an operation for specifying an image may be further provided, and the image processing unit may specify an image corresponding to a thumbnail image designated by the operation unit as an image to be subjected to the resizing process.

The image processing apparatus further includes an operation unit that accepts the operation by the user, and a storage unit that stores each image data of the plurality of images in at least one folder, wherein the image processing unit is an operation received by the operation unit. In accordance with this, the resizing process may be performed on the images of the image data stored in the previously instructed folder.

The image processing apparatus further includes an operation unit that accepts the operation by the user, and a storage unit that stores respective image data of the plurality of images, wherein the image data of each image includes conditions at the time of photographing each image. The shooting condition information shown is included, and the image processing unit may perform a resizing process on an image of each image data matching the shooting condition information specified in advance according to the operation received by the operation unit.

The image processing apparatus further includes an operation unit that accepts the operation by the user, wherein the image processing unit is resized with respect to an image of each image data meeting a shooting period specified in advance according to the operation received by the operation unit. You may perform a process.

The storage section may include a removable recording medium.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to collectively resize a plurality of image files having different sizes from the aspect ratio selected and stored, so that the convenience of the user can be improved with respect to the operation when the image is resized.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera which is an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention;

2 is a plan view of the mode dial 120,

3 is a view showing the number of vertical pixels of an image and the number of horizontal pixels of an image in each aspect ratio of the image;

4 is a block diagram of a digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment;

5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the signal processing circuit 40;

6 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of an image file 50 conforming to the Exif format;

7 is a conceptual diagram showing the folder structure of the memory card 5b;

8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the resize process;

9 is a view showing an operation screen for selecting a menu item;

10 is a view showing an operation screen for selecting the number of processing sheets;

11 is a view showing an operation screen for selecting a preset;

12 is a view showing an operation screen for setting a resize processing target image;

13 is a flowchart showing the details of a process of setting one image (S15 in FIG. 8);

14 is a screen example in which a warning indicating that resize processing cannot be performed is shown.

15 is an operation screen example for selecting whether or not to delete an original image after resizing;

Fig. 16A shows a screen display example in which resizing processing according to aspect ratio and resizing processing according to a use can be selected, and (b) shows a screen example displayed when resizing processing according to aspect ratio is selected. (C) is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed when selecting the resize process according to a use.

Explanation of the sign

1: lens, 2: CCD, 3: AD converter, 4: image processing unit, 5: storage unit, 5a: input / output unit, 5b: memory card, 6: operation unit, 7: control unit, 40: signal processing circuit, 150: LCD

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiment of this invention is described, referring an accompanying drawing.

First, the meaning of the term mentioned in description of embodiment is as follows.

Size: includes the data amount (data size) of the image data and the size (display size) of the display area determined by the number of horizontal pixels and the number of vertical pixels of the image. In the embodiment, "size" is described as meaning "data size." In the case of meaning a display size, it expresses by "image size", a "display size", etc., for example.

In general, when the number of horizontal pixels and / or number of vertical pixels (display size) of an image changes, the data size also changes accordingly. Therefore, there is a close relationship between data size and display size. Note that "size" refers to data size, which is convenient for handling.

Aspect ratio of an image: The ratio of the number of horizontal pixels to the number of vertical pixels of an image. For example, an aspect ratio of 4: 3 means that the number of horizontal pixels: the number of vertical pixels = 4: 3 of the image.

Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, the image processing apparatus is called a digital camera. Hereinafter, the configuration of the digital camera will be described. In addition, a digital camera is an example. The other structural example of an image processing apparatus is demonstrated later.

1. Configuration

1-1. The composition of the appearance

1 shows a configuration of a digital camera which is an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. More specifically, Fig. 1 shows the back of the digital camera.

On the back of the digital camera 100, a power switch 122, a menu button 124, cross keys 125a, 125b, 125c, 125d, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 150 are provided. In addition, a mode dial 120 and a shutter button 121 are provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 100.

2 is a plan view of the mode dial 120. On the upper surface of the mode dial 120, a plurality of icons 120a to 120i indicating the shooting mode and the scene mode are displayed. The user can select a desired shooting mode or scene mode by rotating the mode dial 120. In the example of FIG. 2, the mode corresponding to the icon 120a is selected.

What mode of icons 120a to 120i on the upper surface of the mode dial 120 will be described schematically.

The icon 120a indicates the fully automatic mode, the icon 120b indicates the program mode, the icon 120c indicates the aperture priority mode, the icon 120d indicates the shutter speed priority mode, and the icon 120e indicates the manual mode. Indicates. The icon 120f represents a custom mode in which the user can save a desired setting. The icon 120g displays a "shooting mode other than each scene mode" to be described later on the LCD 150 so that the menu button 124 and the arrow keys 125a, 125b, 125c and / or 125d can be selected. Indicates the mode. The icon 120h is a night view / personality mode, the icon 120i is a sport mode, the icon 120j is a macro mode for enabling macro photography, and the icon 120k is a landscape mode for landscape photography, an icon 120i. Indicates a portrait mode for portrait photography.

The digital camera 100 which concerns on this embodiment has a fully automatic mode, a program mode, an aperture priority mode, a shutter speed priority mode, a manual mode, and a custom mode as above-mentioned "photographing modes other than each scene mode." Further, by selecting the scene mode icon 120g of the mode dial 120 in addition to the night view / portrait mode, sport mode, macro mode, landscape mode, and portrait mode which can be selected directly from the mode dial 120 as the scene mode, Thereafter, it has a scene mode such as a baby mode, a party mode, etc. displayed on the LCD 150 and selectable by the menu button 124, the cross keys 125a, 125b, 125c, and 125d.

When the power switch 122 is slid to the on side, the power of the digital camera 100 is turned on. Rotate the mode dial 120 to select a desired shooting mode or scene mode. Since the subject is displayed on the LCD 150, the composition is determined while observing this. When the shutter button 121 is pressed, the image of the subject is recorded as an image file.

In the header of the image file, the photographing date and time, the photographing mode or scene mode selected by the mode dial 120, the number of horizontal pixels of the image, and the number of vertical pixels of the image are described. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

When the user presses the menu button 124, the operation screen is displayed on the LCD 150. FIG. In this operation screen, the user can select the aspect ratio of the image to be photographed, the number of horizontal pixels of the image, and the number of vertical pixels of the image by operating the menu button 124 and the cross keys 125a, 125b, 125c, and 125d. In the digital camera 100 which is an example of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, any one of 4: 3, 3: 2, and 16: 9 can be selected as the aspect ratio of the image.

3 is a diagram showing the number of vertical pixels of an image and the number of horizontal pixels of an image in each aspect ratio of the image. Fig. 3A shows the size of the selectable image, the number of vertical pixels of the image, and the number of horizontal pixels of the image when the aspect ratio of the image is 4: 3. Fig. 3B shows the size of the selectable image, the number of vertical pixels of the image, and the number of horizontal pixels of the image when the aspect ratio of the image is 3: 2. Fig. 3C shows the size of the selectable image, the number of vertical pixels of the image, and the number of horizontal pixels of the image when the aspect ratio of the image is 16: 9. For example, when the aspect ratio of an image is 4: 3, the number of horizontal pixels of an image photographed at size 10M is 3648, and the number of vertical pixels is 2736. In addition, the size 10M indicates that the total number of pixels of the photographed image is about 10 million pixels. In the above example, it is 3648x2736 = 9980928 (pixels).

1-2. Block composition

4 is a block diagram of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment.

The digital camera 100 has an imaging optical system 1, a CCD 2, an A / D converter 3, a signal processing circuit 40, and an LCD 150.

The imaging optical system 1 forms an optical image of the subject. The CCD 2 converts the optical image formed by the imaging optical system 1 into an electrical signal. The A / D converter 3 converts the electrical signal (analog signal) converted into the CCD 2 into a digital signal.

The signal processing circuit 40 receives a digital signal from the A / D converter 3 and receives instructions from a user through a button or key provided in the digital camera 100. Then, the digital signal is processed based on the instruction. For example, the signal processing circuit 40 processes the digital signal of the image, and writes the image data obtained by the process to the memory card 5b as an image file.

The LCD 150 displays an image based on the image data generated by the signal processing circuit 40, and also displays an operation menu, a selected item, and the like.

The signal processing circuit 40 includes an image processing unit 4, an input / output unit 5a, an operation unit 6, and a control unit 7.

The image processing unit 4 performs predetermined signal processing on the digital signal converted by the A / D converter 3 to generate image data.

The input / output unit 5a writes, for example, image data generated by the image processing unit 4 to the memory card 5b. The input / output unit 5a can also read image data from the memory card 5b. The memory card 5b is detachable from the digital camera 100 and may not be a component of the digital camera 100 itself. However, in this specification, the input / output unit 5a and the memory card 5b may be referred to as the "storage unit 5". The storage unit 5 stores the image data generated by the image processing unit 4.

The operation unit 6 receives an instruction given to the digital camera 100 from the user. The operation part 6 corresponds to the menu button 124 and the cross keys 125a, 125b, 125c, and 125d in the rear view of the digital camera 100 shown in FIG.

The control unit 7 controls the image processing unit 4 in accordance with an instruction given from the operation unit 6.

In addition, the A / D converter 3 may be embedded in an AFE (Analog Flont End) LSI (not shown) that performs predetermined signal processing on the electrical signal (analog signal) converted by the CCD 2. Alternatively, it may be incorporated in the signal processing circuit 40.

The image processing unit 4 and the control unit 7 may be constituted by a single LSI.

It is also possible to realize the signal processing circuit 40 by a general computer system.

For example, FIG. 5 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the signal processing circuit 40.

The signal processing circuit 40 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, one or a plurality of buttons / keys 6, an image processing circuit 45, and a memory card controller 5a. ) These are connected to each other by the bus 46, and information can be received from each other.

The CPU 41 reads the computer program 46 stored in the ROM 43 into the RAM 42, expands it on the RAM 42, and executes it. In addition to the signal processing circuit 40, the digital camera 100 executes the processing described later in accordance with the computer program 46. In addition, the ROM 43 may be a rewritable ROM (eg, EEPROM). The computer program 46 is executed by the CPU 41 to operate the CPU 41 in, for example, the processing procedures shown in FIGS. 8 and 13 to be described later.

The image processing circuit 45 generates data of an image displayed on the LCD 150. In addition, since the memory card controller 5a is a specific component corresponding to the above-mentioned input / output part 5a, the same reference numeral is given.

1-3. Image format

The digital camera 100, which is an example of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, writes an image file on the memory card 5b according to the Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) format.

6 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of an image file 50 conforming to the Exif format. In the Exif format, a header portion (hereinafter referred to as "Exif header") 51 is added to the image data (this image) 52. In the Exif header 51, attribute information 51a and thumbnail image data 51b of the image data (this image) 52 are described. The attribute information 51a includes shooting date and time information 51a-1, mode information 51a-2 in the shooting mode or the scene mode, and pixel information 51a-3 in the number of horizontal pixels and vertical pixels in the image. . According to the pixel information 51a-3, it is possible to specify the aspect ratio of the image.

Here, the photographing mode or the scene mode corresponds to the photographing mode of the present invention. The mode information 51a-2 is a part of the information regarding the shooting conditions. The number of horizontal pixels of the image and the number of vertical pixels of the image correspond to information regarding the aspect ratio and the size of the image of the present invention.

7 is a conceptual diagram showing the folder structure of the memory card 5b. The root folder 21 is a top folder of a folder structure, and recording of all folders and image files is performed in this hierarchy. The DCIM 22 is a folder defined by the DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) standard. 100_PANA 23 and 101_PANA 25 are folders for recording image files, and are created in a hierarchy below the DCIM 22. According to the DCF standard, folder names are composed of 100 to 999 three-digit numbers and five free characters. In this folder configuration example, 100 and 101 are used as three-digit numbers, and _PANA is used as five free characters. P1000001.jpg to P1000003.jpg (24) recorded in the lower layer of 100_PANA 23 and P1010001.jpg (26) recorded in the lower layer of 101_PANA 25 are image files. According to the DCF standard, the file name of an image file is defined to consist of four free characters and a four-digit number from 0001 to 9999. In this folder configuration example, P100 and P101 are used as four free characters, and 0001 to 0003 are used as four digits.

2. Operation

Hereinafter, the operation at the time of performing the resize process in the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

2-1. summary

According to this embodiment, it is possible to collectively resize a plurality of image files. The resize process refers to a process of changing the size (file size) of the photographed image file to the size selected by the user. Since the resizing process can be performed collectively on a plurality of photographed images, the number of operations of the user can be reduced.

2-2. Setting processing

Hereinafter, the process regarding the resize process of the digital camera 100 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated, referring FIGS. 8-11.

8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the resize process. Below, the process of step S11-step S19 is demonstrated first.

The first step S11 is executed by the control unit 7 by selecting "resize" by the user.

For example, when the user presses the menu button 124, the control unit 7 instructs the image processing unit 4 to display an operation screen for selecting menu items on the LCD 150. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen for selecting a menu item. The user selects "resize" with the cross keys 125b and 125d and the like (Fig. 1), and determines with the cross keys 125a.

If the user selects and decides "resize", the image processing unit 4 causes the LCD 150 to display an operation screen for selecting the number of processing sheets. The user selects whether to resize one image or to resize a plurality of images. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen for selecting the number of processing sheets. When the user selects "one piece setting" or "multiple setting" with the cross keys 125b and 125d and determines with the cross keys 125a, the control unit 7 accepts the operation (S11). By pressing the arrow keys 125c, the operation screen (Fig. 9) for selecting a menu item may be returned.

When selecting and determining "one piece setting" ("one piece" in S11 of FIG. 8), it advances to "preset selection" (S12) and "one piece setting of an image" (S13). Since this process is not related to the description of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

On the other hand, when selecting and determining "plurality setting" ("plurality" in S11 of FIG. 8), the image processing part 4 displays the operation screen which selects a preset on the LCD 150. FIG. "Preset" has shown the predetermined image size after the resize process, or the image size used as the reference | standard.

11 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen for selecting a preset. Four presets are displayed. Each preset may be stored in the ROM 43 or the RAM 42 (FIG. 5), or may be data embedded in the program 46 (FIG. 5).

It is provided when an image file having a different aspect ratio is included as an object of the resize process, and in each preset, the image file having a different aspect ratio is set to have the same size after the resize process.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, each preset has shown how much size each image file of aspect ratio 3: 2, 4: 3, and 16: 9 becomes after resize process. 11 shows a state in which the uppermost preset is selected among the four presets. By selecting the uppermost preset, image files shot at an aspect ratio of 4: 3 are about 7M, image files shot at an aspect ratio of 3: 2 are about 6.5M, and image files shot at an aspect ratio of 16: 9 are about 6M. do.

When the user selects one of the four presets using the arrow keys 125b and 125d and decides with the menu button 124, the control unit 7 accepts the selection (S14 in Fig. 8). By pressing the cross key 125c, the operation screen (Fig. 10) for selecting the number of sheets may be returned.

When the user selects and determines the preset, the image processing unit 4 displays an operation screen for setting the resize processing target image on the LCD 150, and the control unit 7 accepts the setting of the resize processing target image (Fig. 8). S15). It is a figure which shows the operation screen which sets the resize process target image. The icon 101 indicating that the setting is completed as the object of the resize process is displayed for the image 2 that is the object of the resize process.

Here, with reference to FIG. 13, the detail of the process which sets an image as a target of a resize process is demonstrated.

13 is a flowchart showing the details of the processing of "set one image" (S15). The control unit 7 instructs the image processing unit 4 to acquire the number of horizontal pixels of the image, the number of vertical pixels of the image, and the thumbnail image from the Exif header of the six image files stored in the storage unit 5. (S26) and control to display the thumbnail image on the LCD 150 (S27).

Next, when the image to be subjected to the resizing process is selected by the cross keys 125a and 125c among the thumbnail images 1 to 6 displayed on the LCD 150 and input using the cross keys 125d, The control unit 7 accepts the setting (S28).

In addition, the user can release the image to be subjected to the resizing process once set by the cross keys 125d again with the cross keys 125d. In addition, the thumbnail images 1 to 6 can be sequentially selected by using the arrow keys 125a and 125c. However, if the thumbnail key 6 is pressed again while the thumbnail image 6 is selected, the control unit 7 controls the image processing unit 4. ), The number of horizontal pixels of the image, the number of vertical pixels of the image, and the thumbnail image are acquired from the Exif header of the new six-image file stored in the storage unit 5, and the thumbnail image is displayed on the LCD 150. To control.

In the flowchart showing the details of the process of " set a plurality of images " (S15) shown in FIG. 13, the number of horizontal pixels of the image and the vertical pixels of the image are determined from the Exif header of a new six-image file in order to avoid the complexity of the drawing. The processing for acquiring the number of thumbnail images and displaying the thumbnail images on the LCD 150 is not described.

If an image to be subjected to the resize process is set, the control unit 7 checks whether the size of the set image is larger than the size after the resize process in the selected preset (S29). That is, the control unit 7 determines the aspect ratio of the image obtained from the horizontal pixel number of the image acquired from the Exif header, the image size obtained from the vertical pixel number of the image, and the horizontal pixel number of the image obtained from the Exif header, and the vertical pixel number of the image. It is examined whether or not it is larger than the size after the resizing process for.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the aspect ratio. For example, only the number of vertical pixels or only the number of horizontal pixels may be used for comparison.

When the size of the set image is larger than the size after the resizing process in the selected preset (YES in S29), the control unit 7 instructs the image processing unit 4 to apply the resize process to the thumbnail image of the set image. An icon 101 indicating that is set as is displayed (S30).

When the size of the set image is equal to or smaller than the size after the resizing process in the selected preset (NO in S29), the control unit 7 instructs the image processing unit 4 to warn that the resizing process cannot be performed. It displays on the LCD 150 (S31), and returns to the process of displaying a thumbnail image on the LCD 150 (S27).

14 is a screen example in which a warning indicating that resize processing cannot be performed is displayed. Although not shown in FIG. 13, the still image, the moving image, the RAW image, and the aspect ratio with audio are 4: 3, except when the size of the set image is equal to or smaller than the size after the resizing process in the selected preset. The LCD 150 may display a warning that the resizing process cannot be performed on images other than 3: 2 and 16: 9. In addition, when the size of the set image is smaller than the size after the resize process in the selected preset, an enlargement process may be performed.

When the image which is the object of the resize process is set, and the set image is not an image which cannot be resized, the control unit 7 checks whether or not the setting is completed (S16). That is, when the menu button 124 is pressed (YES in S16) on the operation screen for setting the resize processing target image (YES in S16), when the menu button 124 is not pressed (NO in S16). ) Returns to the processing of " set one image " (S15) to further set an image to be resized.

When the setting of the image targeted for resize processing is completed, the image processing unit 4 displays the operation screen on the LCD 150. 15 is an example of an operation screen for selecting whether to delete an original image after resizing. When the user selects "Yes" or "No" with the arrow keys 125b and 125d and decides by the menu button 124, the control unit 7 accepts the operation (S17).

When deleting the original image (YES in S17), the deletion flag is set in the register in the control unit 7 (S18). On the other hand, when the original image is not deleted (NO in S17), the delete flag is not set in the register in the control unit 7.

2-3. Resize processing

Next, the resizing process after step S20 of FIG. 8 will be described.

When the selection of whether or not to delete the original image is finished after the resizing process, the control unit 7 checks whether the deletion flag is set (S19). When the delete flag is set (YES in S19), the image processing unit 4 deletes the original image through the input / output unit 5a after performing the resizing process (S20), and restores the original image to the image that has been resized. The same file name as that of the image is given and stored (S21). On the other hand, when the deletion flag is not set (NO in S19), the control unit 7 gives and stores a file name different from the original image to the image which has been resized after the resize process (S23) (S24).

In the conceptual diagram showing the folder structure of the memory card 5b shown in FIG. 7, when resizing is performed on P1000001.jpg recorded in the lower layer of the 100_PANA 23 to give and save a different file name from the original image, the resizing process is performed. The file name of the image which has been executed is, for example, P1000004.jpg.

The image processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs the resizing process of generating and interpolating a new pixel with the remaining neighboring pixels after extraction of the pixels (S20, S23). This makes it possible to prevent the destruction of the image. By a process combining the extraction process and the interpolation process, a resizing process for finally reducing the size of the image may be performed or other resizing process may be performed.

Regardless of whether the delete flag is set or not, the image processing unit 4 performs the resizing processing (S20, S23) and the preservation processing (S21, S24) until all the resizing processing of the image set as the target image of the resizing processing is completed. Repeat (S22, S25). The resize process ends when all the resize processes of the image set as the target image of the resize process are finished.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of image files having different aspect ratios and sizes can be collectively resized, the user's convenience can be improved with respect to an operation when the image is resized.

3. Another embodiment

Hereinafter, an example of the process different from the process which concerns on embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated.

3-1. Resize processing in folder unit

In the conceptual diagram showing the folder structure of the memory card 5b shown in FIG. 7, the digital camera 100 may enable the image to be resized to be set in units of folders. For example, if 100_PANA 23 is set, P1000001.jpg to P1000003.jpg (24) recorded in the lower layer of 100_PANA 23 may be set as the object of the resizing process. Since a plurality of image files having different aspect ratios and sizes can be resized in units of folders, the user's convenience can be further improved with respect to an operation when the image is resized.

3-2. Resize in shooting mode or scene mode units

In the conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the image file of the Exif format shown in FIG. 6, the digital camera 100 may be able to set an image to be subjected to resize processing in units of a shooting mode or a scene mode described in the Exif header. . For example, if the user sets the portrait mode, the digital camera 100 may set all the images photographed in the portrait mode as the object of the resize process. Since a plurality of image files having different aspect ratios and sizes can be resized in units of a shooting mode or scene mode, the user's convenience can be further improved with respect to an operation when the image is resized.

3-3. Resize in shooting period unit

In the conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the image file of the Exif format shown in Fig. 6, the digital camera 100 can set an image including the shooting date and time described in the Exif header in a predetermined period as a target of the resize process. good. For example, if a period between August 21, 2007 and September 7, 2007 is set, all images photographed in that period are subject to resize processing.

3-4. Resize according to use of image

The digital camera 100 may be set as the object of the resizing process for each image according to the use of the image after the resizing.

Fig. 16A shows a screen display example in which resize processing according to aspect ratio and resize processing according to a use can be selected.

When the resizing process according to the aspect ratio is selected, the screen shown in Fig. 16B is displayed, and the processes as described so far are performed.

On the other hand, when the resizing process according to the use is selected, the screen shown in Fig. 16C is displayed. In this example, the size of the image is changed so that the image after resizing becomes a size suitable for printing. That is, the resize process according to this example is mainly performed for the purpose of changing the display size of the image, not the data size.

In Fig. 16 (c), the size for A3 (or 11 x 17 ") printing, the size for A4 (or 8.5 x 11") printing, the size for L / 2L printing (10 x 15 cm) printing, the size for e-mail attachment, HDTV The example which can be resized by the display size is shown.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of image files having different aspect ratios and sizes can be resized in units of shooting periods, the user's convenience can be further improved with respect to an operation when the image is resized.

In addition, the memory | storage part 5 may be comprised by the memory card 5b which can be attached and detached from the input / output part 5a, and may be a memory IC built in the digital camera 100, or a hard disk. The present invention is also useful as an image processing program when using a personal computer or the like as an image processing apparatus.

In the above description, the resize process is performed on the image file stored in the storage unit 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is good also as a structure which performs a resizing process with respect to the image data before the memory | storage is stored in the memory | storage part 5 after photography. Since the information to be described in the Exif header of the image file is known after shooting, the resizing process of the present invention can be performed also on the image data before being stored in the storage unit 5.

In the above description, the embodiment of the digital camera has been described, but this is an example. Even if the device does not have the imaging optical system 1 (FIG. 4), it is the image processing apparatus of the present invention as long as the device is capable of processing the completed image data as described above. For example, the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 5 is equivalent to a general PC. Therefore, the PC which can perform the resizing process mentioned above with respect to the data of the image | photographed image is the image processing apparatus of this invention.

Since the present invention can resize a plurality of image files having different aspect ratios and sizes in units of folders, an imaging device such as a digital camera or a mobile phone having a camera, a storage device capable of recording or reading image files, or a memory card. It can be applied to a television having a slot or the like. Moreover, it can apply to the image processing program at the time of using a personal computer etc. as an image processing apparatus.

Claims (11)

An image processing apparatus having a control unit for setting one set of the plurality of sets of resizing conditions based on a user's instruction, and an image processing unit for resizing each of the plurality of images according to the set one set of resizing conditions. as, In each of the plurality of sets of resizing conditions, the size of the image after the resizing process is prescribed for each of the aspect ratios of the plurality of types of images, The image processing unit specifies the size of the image after the resizing processing defined in the one set of resizing conditions based on the aspect ratio of each image that is the object of the resizing process, and performs the resizing process based on the specified size. Image processing apparatus. The method of claim 1, The image data of each image that is the object of the resizing process includes aspect ratio information capable of specifying the aspect ratio of each image, The image processing unit specifies the aspect ratio of each image based on the aspect ratio information, and specifies the size of the image after the resize process specified in the one set of resize conditions. Image processing apparatus. The method of claim 1, Each of the plurality of sets of resize conditions differs in the size combining method of the image after the resize process corresponding to each of the aspect ratios of the plurality of kinds of images. The method of claim 1, A display device for displaying an image, An operation unit that accepts an operation of specifying an image displayed on the display device by a user Further provided, The image processing unit specifies an image designated by the operation unit as an image to be the object of the resizing process. Image processing apparatus. The method of claim 1, Image data of an image that can be the object of the resizing process includes data of thumbnail images, respectively. A display device for displaying thumbnail images, An operation unit that accepts an operation of specifying a thumbnail image displayed on the display device by a user Further provided, The image processing unit specifies an image corresponding to a thumbnail image designated by the operation unit as an image to be subjected to the resizing process. Image processing apparatus. The method of claim 1, An operation unit which accepts the operation by the user; A storage unit storing each image data of the plurality of images in at least one folder Further provided, The image processing unit performs resizing on an image of each image data stored in a folder previously instructed in accordance with an operation received by the operation unit. Image processing apparatus. The method of claim 1, An operation unit which accepts the operation by the user; A storage unit that stores respective image data of the plurality of images Further provided, The image data of each image includes shooting condition information indicating a shooting mode or a scene mode set at the time of shooting the respective images, The image processing unit performs resizing on an image of each image data that matches the shooting condition information specified in advance according to the operation received by the operation unit. Image processing apparatus. The method of claim 1, It is further provided with an operation unit for accepting the operation by the user, The image processing unit performs a resizing process on an image of each image data that coincides with a shooting period specified in advance in accordance with an operation received by the operation unit. Image processing apparatus. The method of claim 6, And the storage section includes a removable recording medium. The method of claim 7, wherein And the storage section includes a removable recording medium. A computer readable recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon, The computer program is a computer running the computer program, Setting one set of the plurality of sets of resize conditions based on a user's instruction, and performing a resizing process for each of the plurality of images in accordance with the set one set of resize conditions; In each of the plurality of sets of resize conditions, the size of the image after the resize process is defined for each of the aspect ratios of the plurality of types of images, In the step of performing the resizing process, the size of the image after the resizing process defined in the one set of resizing conditions is specified based on the aspect ratio of each image that is the object of the resizing process, and the resizing process is performed based on the specified size. Computer-readable recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon.

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