JP4586457B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that performs processing on a plurality of supplied image data files.

  In recent years, a photosensitive material is exposed with light controlled based on a digital image signal supplied from a film scanner having an image pickup device such as a CCD or a memory card for a digital camera such as a compact flash (registered trademark). Exposure has been put into practical use. By adopting this digital exposure method for photographic processing equipment, it is possible to perform various image processing such as color correction, density correction, and sharpening processing with a high degree of freedom and to enable quick reprint processing. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain a better print with higher image quality with excellent color and density reproducibility and resolution.

  In such a photographic processing apparatus, when only an image suitable for printing is printed out of a plurality of images taken by using the continuous shooting function of the camera, the operator uses an image data file supplied from a scanner or a memory card. It is necessary to confirm the image displayed on the display based on the above and select a suitable image by visual judgment.

In Patent Document 1, for example, a main subject such as a human is extracted from each image, and “not blinking” or “not red-eye” stored in advance in a condition storage unit from a plurality of images. , A technique for selecting an image that satisfies a predetermined condition regarding an image state in a main subject such as “the line of sight is facing the camera” or “smiling” is disclosed.
JP 2000-350123 A

  However, in the technique of the above-described Patent Document 1, an image that does not match the operator's intention may be selected, such as an image in which the main subject is small and an image in the corner of the entire image. In that case, it is necessary to select an image by visual judgment, which increases the work burden on the operator.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus in which an image desired by an operator is selected with respect to the position and / or size of a main subject.

Means and effects for solving the problems

The image processing apparatus of the present invention includes an image storage means for storing image data file consisting of one image from each of the plurality of images according to the plurality of image data files stored in the image storage means, one in the image An extraction means for extracting one main subject, a condition relating to a position occupied by the main subject extracted by the extraction means in the image, and a condition relating to an area ratio of the main subject extracted by the extraction means in the image Selecting one or more image data files satisfying at least one of the conditions stored in the condition storage means from among the condition storage means for storing at least one of the above and the plurality of image data files A first selection unit and one or more image data files selected by the first selection unit; Second selecting means for selecting one image data file from the file. Then, the second selection means constructs an image with average coordinates of one main subject extracted by the extraction means for each of one or a plurality of image data files selected by the first selection means. An average coordinate calculating means for calculating the average value of the coordinates of the block including the main subject among the plurality of blocks, and an image data file in which the average coordinate calculated by the average coordinate calculating means is closest to a predetermined coordinate Determining means for determining which of the one or a plurality of image data files is selected by the selecting means .

According to this configuration, the condition storage unit stores the condition related to the position occupied by the main subject desired by the operator in the image and / or the condition related to the area ratio occupied by the main subject in the image, thereby being stored in the image storage unit. An image data file corresponding to an image desired by the operator with respect to the position and / or size of the main subject is selected from the plurality of image data files by the first selection means. Therefore, the work burden on the operator is greatly reduced.
Further, since the second selection unit is further provided, it is effective when only one image is formed among a plurality of images.
Further, since the second selection means includes an average coordinate calculation means and a determination means, an image in which the main subject is shown closest to a predetermined coordinate (for example, the center of the image) among a plurality of images is selected. be able to.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the extraction means compares the corresponding ones of a plurality of blocks constituting each of a plurality of images related to a plurality of image data files, to determine a main subject in the image. It may be extracted. According to this configuration, the moving body can be extracted as the main subject.

In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the extraction unit calculates a sum of differences of pixel values in the block, and whether the difference sum calculated by the difference calculation unit exceeds a threshold value. determining means for determining whether the threshold is also the combination of any two images among the plurality of images in which the difference sum value with the corresponding block what happened is according to the plurality of image data files in the two images It is preferable that the image forming apparatus further includes a recognition unit that recognizes the block determined by the determination unit as exceeding the value as a block constituting the main subject. According to this configuration, the moving body can be reliably and easily extracted as the main subject.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention relates to an image number storage means for storing the number of images to be formed and an image data file selected by the first selection means for each image data file stored in the image storage means. The number of images to be formed becomes a value of 1 or more, and the contents stored in the image number storage means are rewritten so that the number of images to be formed becomes 0 for image data files not selected by the first selection means. It is preferable to further include image number rewriting means.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent formation of an image that is not selected by the first selection unit, that is, an image that does not match the operator's will. Therefore, an operator's work load is further increased in a judgment operation for performing various corrections, necessity of image formation, setting of the number of images to be formed, etc. for a plurality of images related to a plurality of image data files stored in the image storage means. It is reduced.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention further includes an upper limit shooting interval storage unit that stores an upper limit time regarding an image shooting interval of the camera, and the extraction unit includes a plurality of pieces of image data accompanied by shooting date / time information of the image by the camera. It is preferable to extract the main subject in the image only from the files whose interval between the shooting dates and times is equal to or less than the upper limit time stored in the upper limit shooting interval storage means.

  According to this configuration, the extraction unit extracts the main subject only from a plurality of image data files obtained by continuous shooting with the camera. In other words, the extracting means does not extract the main subject meaninglessly from the image data file relating to the image that is not continuously taken by the camera.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention may further include upper limit time rewriting means for rewriting the upper limit time stored in the upper limit shooting interval storage means based on a signal from the input device. According to this configuration, the operator can appropriately change the upper limit time related to the photographing interval for allowing the main subject to be extracted by the extracting means, which is excellent in usability.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the condition storage unit includes a condition regarding a position occupied by the main subject extracted by the extraction unit in the image, and an area ratio of the main subject extracted by the extraction unit in the image. It is preferable to store both of the conditions regarding. According to this configuration, an image desired by the operator is selected for both the position and size of the main subject. Therefore, the work burden on the operator is further reduced.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the condition storage unit stores a condition that at least a part of the main subject is in the center of the image as a condition related to a position occupied by the main subject extracted by the extraction unit in the image. It is preferable. According to this configuration, it is possible to select an image data file in which the main subject is near the center of the image.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photographic processing apparatus provided with a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the photographic processing apparatus 1 includes an interface unit 10, a film scanner 20, a controller 30, and a printer processor 50.

  In the interface unit 10, information is exchanged between the photo processing apparatus 1 and an operator who operates the photo processing apparatus 1. The interface unit 10 includes a display 11 that displays various information related to the photo processing apparatus 1 and notifies the operator, and an input device including a keyboard 12 and a mouse 13 that the operator gives instructions to the photo processing apparatus 1. (See FIG. 2).

  The film scanner 20 includes a halogen lamp 21, a dimming filter 22 for adjusting the color balance of light emitted from the halogen lamp 21, a mirror tunnel 23 that uniformly mixes the light that has passed through the dimming filter 22, and a photograph A film transport mechanism 24 that sequentially makes each frame image of the film 25 and the halogen lamp 21 face each other, a CCD line sensor unit 26 for photoelectrically converting the frame image of the photographic film 25, and light transmitted through the photographic film 25 as a CCD line A lens 27 for forming an image on the sensor unit 26, a mirror 28 for bending the optical path by 90 degrees, and a processing circuit (not shown) for processing an output signal of the CCD line sensor unit 26 are provided.

  The CCD line sensor unit 26 includes three lines of CCD line sensors in which about 5000 light receiving portions are arranged in the width direction of the photographic film 25. The light receiving surface of each CCD line sensor has red, green, and blue colors, respectively. The color filter is formed, and the frame image of the photographic film 25 is color-separated and detected. The processing circuit amplifies the output analog signal of the CCD line sensor unit 26, performs A / D conversion, and outputs the result. Therefore, in the film scanner 20, when the photographic film 25 is set in the film transport mechanism 24, the frame images on the photographic film 25 transported by the transport roller pair 24a are sequentially read, and the red, green, and blue digital images are read. An image data file is transmitted to the controller 30.

  The controller 30 controls the entire photographic processing apparatus 1. In addition, the controller 30 includes a card slot 61 for reading an image data file from a digital camera memory card such as a compact flash (registered trademark), and a CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable: write once type CD that can be written only once. ) Is connected to a CD-R drive 62 for reading and writing data.

  Here, FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a main part of the controller 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 30 includes an image storage unit 31, an upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32, an upper limit time rewriting unit 33, an extraction unit 34, a condition storage unit 35, and a first selection unit 36. The first file name storage unit 37, the second file name storage unit 38, the second selection unit 39, the optimum file name storage unit 40, the image number storage unit 41, and the image number rewrite unit 42 have.

  The image storage unit 31 stores a plurality of image data files supplied from the film scanner 20, the card slot 61, or the CD-R drive 62. In the present embodiment, the image data file stored in the image storage unit 31 includes image shooting date / time information. Here, if the image data file is supplied from the film scanner 20, the image shooting date / time information of the image is an APS film (Advanced Photo) in which information from the camera such as the shooting date / time is recorded on the film as digital information. System) is read by the file scanner 20. If the image data file is created by a digital camera, the shooting date / time information is acquired from EXIF (Exchangeable image file format) information.

  The upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32 stores an upper limit time of an image shooting interval by the camera. The upper limit time rewriting unit 33 displays the upper limit time of the shooting interval stored in the upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32 with respect to the shooting interval input box 81 of the function selection screen 80 displayed on the display 11 as shown in FIG. Then, the time is rewritten by the time that the operator inputs using the mouse 13.

  The extraction unit 34 has a plurality of image data files stored in the image storage unit 31 whose interval between shooting dates and times is equal to or less than the upper limit time of the shooting interval stored in the upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32, that is, The main subject in the image is extracted for images that are continuously shot (hereinafter referred to as “continuous shooting”) at intervals equal to or shorter than the upper limit time stored in the upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32. Here, in the present embodiment, among the images related to the plurality of image data files stored in the image storage unit 31, the continuously shot images are 5 shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (e). Assume that there are two images. The extraction unit 34 divides the five continuously shot images into 15 × 9 blocks as shown in FIG. 6, and compares the corresponding blocks of each image to thereby determine the main subject in the image. Extraction is performed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, all the blocks are squares with a length of one side.

The extraction unit 34 includes a difference calculation unit 34a, a determination unit 34b, and a certification unit 34c. The difference calculation unit 34a calculates the sum of the differences between the pixel values (brightness) of the pixels in the corresponding blocks of the two images. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, when the lower left vertex of the block is the origin and the s-axis is set in the horizontal direction and the t-axis is set in the vertical direction, the pixel value f (s, t) of each pixel in the comparison source block. And the difference sum value W between the pixel value g (s, t) of each pixel in the comparison target block is obtained by the following Equation 1.

  The determination unit 34b determines whether the difference sum calculated by the difference calculation unit 34a exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The authorization unit 34c authorizes, as a block constituting the main subject, a block that is determined by the determination unit 34b that the difference sum value exceeds a threshold value for all combinations of corresponding blocks of a plurality of images.

  Here, for example, consider the block A in FIG. The image shown in the block A in FIG. 6 (a) matches any image shown in the block A in FIGS. 6 (b) to 6 (e), and the block A in FIG. 6 (a). And the difference sum value of each of the blocks A in FIG. 6B to FIG. 6E is substantially zero. Therefore, the block A in FIG. 6A is not certified by the certification unit 34c. Consider the block B in FIG. The image shown in the block B of FIG. 6A is different from any of the images shown in the block B of FIGS. 6B to 6E, and is different from the block B of FIG. 6A. Each difference sum value with the block B in FIGS. 6B to 6E exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Therefore, the block B in FIG. 6A is recognized as a block constituting the main subject by the recognition unit 34c.

  As described above, the difference sum is calculated for all the combinations of the corresponding blocks of each continuously shot image, and whether or not the value exceeds the threshold value, the moving object is included in the image. It can be extracted as the main subject. In FIG. 7, a block that is recognized as a block constituting the main subject by the recognition unit 34 c is shown surrounded by a thick line.

  The condition storage unit 35 stores a condition relating to a position occupied by the main subject in the image extracted by the extraction unit 34 and a condition relating to an area ratio occupied by the main subject in the image. The condition relating to the position occupied by the main subject in the image in the present embodiment is the block at the center of the 15 × 9 blocks of the image (blocks indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 7: hereinafter simply referred to as “center block”). That is, at least a part of the main subject is shown. The condition regarding the area ratio of the main subject in the image is that the ratio of the main subject in the image is 30% to 70%. Note that the condition relating to the area ratio can be changed to an arbitrary value input by the operator using the input device in the area ratio input box 83 on the function selection screen displayed on the display 11 as shown in FIG.

  The first selection unit 36 includes a condition and an area ratio regarding the position where the main subject extracted by the extraction unit 34 among the plurality of image data files stored in the image storage unit 31 is stored in the condition storage unit 35. Select the one that satisfies the conditions. Specifically, first, an image data file in which the main subject satisfies the position condition is selected. At this time, the file name of the selected image data file is stored in the first file name storage unit 37. Then, from among the image data files whose file names are stored in the first file name storage unit 37, the image data file in which the main subject satisfies the condition regarding the area ratio is selected. At this time, the file name of the selected image data file is stored in the second file name storage unit 38. That is, the second file name storage unit 38 stores the file names of image data files that satisfy both the conditions regarding the position and area ratio of the main subject.

  Now, consider the images in FIGS. 7A to 7E. Of the images in FIGS. 7A to 7E, the images in FIGS. 7B to 7E satisfy the condition relating to the position where the main subject is stored in the condition storage unit 35. is there. Further, among the 134 blocks constituting each image of FIGS. 7B to 7E, the number of blocks in which the main subject is shown is 26, 38, 65, and 74, respectively. . Therefore, the area ratio of the main subject in the images of FIGS. 7B to 7E is about 19%, 28%, 47%, and 54%, respectively. That is, among the images in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7E, the main subject satisfies both the position and area ratio conditions stored in the condition storage unit 35 as shown in FIG. The three images (e) are obtained. Therefore, the second file name storage unit 38 stores the file names of the image data files corresponding to the three images of FIGS. 7C to 7E.

  The second selection unit 39 selects one image data file from the three image data files whose file names are stored in the second file name storage unit 38. The second selection unit 39 includes an average coordinate calculation unit 39a and a determination unit 39b. The average coordinate calculation unit 39a calculates the average coordinates of the main subject for each of the three image data files whose file names are stored in the second file name storage unit 38. The determining unit 39a determines the average image of the main subject calculated by the average coordinate calculating unit 39a to be an optimal image for printing an image related to the image data file closest to the coordinates of the central block.

Consider a case where the center block is the origin, the x-axis is defined in the horizontal direction, and the y-axis is defined in the vertical direction. If the coordinates of the N blocks in which the main subject appears in one image are (x1, y1), (x2, y2),... (XN, yN), the average coordinates of the main subject in the image (X, y) is obtained by the following Equation 2.

  Therefore, the determination unit 39b determines an image most suitable for printing an image related to the image data file in which the average coordinates of the main subject calculated by Expression 2 are closest to the coordinates (0, 0) of the center block. Here, in FIG. 7C to FIG. 7E, the position of the center coordinate of the main subject calculated by Equation 2 is indicated by a black circle. From FIG. 7C to FIG. 7E, the image in which the center coordinates of the main subject are closest to the coordinates of the center block is the image of FIG. 7C.

  The optimum file name storage unit 40 performs printing selected by the second selection unit 39 among the three image data files whose file names are stored in the second file name storage unit 38 as described above. The file name of the image data file is best stored.

  The image number storage unit 41 stores the number of prints in the printer processor 50 for each image data file stored in the image storage unit 31. In the initial state, each image is stored so as to be printed one by one. The image number rewriting unit 42 sets the number of prints of images other than the image related to the image data file whose file name is stored in the optimum file name storage unit 40 among the plurality of continuously shot images to 0. The stored contents of the image number storage unit 41 are rewritten. The operator inputs a numerical value from the keyboard 12 into the numerical value input box 92 of the judgment screen 90 displayed on the display 11 as shown in FIG. 8, thereby storing the number of prints stored in the image number storage unit 41. Can be changed arbitrarily.

  The printer processor 50 develops, bleaches, and stabilizes the printer 51 that exposes the photographic paper 511 and the exposed photographic paper 511 based on the image processed image data file transmitted from the controller 30. And a finishing processing unit 53 that dries the photographic paper 511 discharged from the processor 52.

  The printer 51 includes a paper magazine 512 that stores the photographic paper 511, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 513 that convey the photographic paper 511 while being pulled out of the paper magazine 512, a cutter 514 that cuts the photographic paper 511 into a print size, and a conveyance path. And an exposure head 515 that forms a latent image corresponding to an image data file that has been subjected to image processing by the controller 30 on the photographic paper 511 that is conveyed in the direction of the arrow A. As the exposure head 515, for example, an appropriate one such as a laser exposure method, a PLZT method, or a CRT method can be adopted. Then, the photographic paper 511 exposed in the printer 51 is conveyed to the finishing processing unit 53 through the processor 52 and is discharged as a finished photographic print.

  Next, referring to FIG. 3, among a plurality of image data files supplied from the film scanner 20, the card slot 61, or the CD-R drive 62 stored in the image storage unit 31, it is most suitable for printing. A procedure for selecting the object will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the controller 30.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, the operator selects an image data file captured continuously from among a plurality of image data files stored in the image storage unit 31 on the function selection screen 80 displayed on the display 11. A keyboard 12, a mouse 13, etc. in the shooting interval input box 81 that can input the upper limit time of the shooting interval for determining the image area, and the area ratio input box 83 that can input the area ratio that the main subject occupies in the image. The desired numerical value is input using the input device.

  In the present embodiment, the operator sets the upper limit photographing interval to 1 second and the appropriate area ratio of the main subject to 50 ± 20%. If the operator clicks the left or right button of the mouse 13 while the cursor of the mouse 13 points to the cancel button 85, the function selection screen 80 is deleted from the display 11. When the operations on the shooting interval input box 81 and the area ratio input box 83 are completed, the operator clicks the left or right button of the mouse 13 with the cursor of the mouse 13 pointing to the function determination button 84, and the upper limit shooting is performed. Determine the spacing and the appropriate area ratio of the subject. Therefore, it is determined whether the upper limit shooting interval and the appropriate area ratio of the subject have been determined by the operator (step S101).

  If it is determined that the upper limit shooting interval and the appropriate area ratio of the subject have not been established (step S101: NO), the determination in step S101 is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the upper limit shooting interval and the appropriate area ratio of the subject have been determined (step S101: YES), the extraction unit 34 selects a plurality of image data files stored in the image storage unit 31. For the continuous shots (image data files corresponding to the five images shown in FIG. 5), the main subject in the image is extracted (step S102). At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the main subjects of the five images are extracted.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the main subject extracted in step S102 meets the condition relating to the position stored in the condition storage unit 35, that is, whether or not at least a part of the main subject is shown in the central block (step). S103). If it is determined that the condition regarding the position is not met (step S103: NO), step S104 described later is omitted and the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if it is determined that the position condition is met (step S103: YES), the file name of the image data file corresponding to the image is stored in the first file name storage unit 37 (step S104).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the determination in step S103 has been completed for all image data files that have been continuously shot out of the plurality of image data files stored in the image storage unit 31 (step S105). If it is determined that the determination in step S103 for all the image data files related to the continuous shot image has not been completed (step S105: NO), the process returns to step S103, and the image data file for which determination has not been performed yet. Judgment is made.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the determination in step S103 for the image data files relating to all the continuous shot images has been completed (step S105: YES), the file names are stored in the first file name storage unit 37. Whether or not the main subject of the image related to the image data file meets the condition relating to the area ratio stored in the condition storage unit 35, that is, whether or not the proportion of the main subject in the image is 30% to 70%. Determination is made (step S106). At this time, the first file name storage unit 37 stores file names of image data files corresponding to the four images shown in FIGS. 7B to 7E.

  If it is determined that the condition regarding the area ratio is not met (step S106: NO), step S107 described later is omitted and the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if it is determined that the condition relating to the area ratio is satisfied (step S106: YES), the file name of the image data file corresponding to the image is stored in the second file name storage unit 38 (step S107). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the determination in step S106 has been completed for all image data files whose file names are stored in the first file name storage unit 37 (step S108). If it is determined that the determination in step S106 for all image data files has not been completed (step S108: NO), the process returns to step S106, and a determination is made for an image data file that has not been determined yet.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the determination in step S106 for all the image data files has been completed (step S108: YES), the second selection unit 39 stores the file names in the second file name storage unit 38. From the image data files that have been selected, the one that is most suitable for printing, that is, the one having the average coordinates of the main subject closest to the coordinates of the central block is selected (step S109). At this time, the second file name storage unit 38 stores the file names of the image data files corresponding to the three images shown in FIGS. 7C to 7E.

  Subsequently, the file name of the image data file selected in step S109 is stored in the optimum file name storage unit 40 (step S110). Here, among the images of FIGS. 7C to 7E, the image in which the average coordinates of the main subject indicated by the black circles are closest to the coordinates of the central block is the image of FIG. 7C. Therefore, the file name of the image data file corresponding to the image shown in FIG.

  Finally, by the image number rewriting unit 42, images other than the image related to the image data file whose file name is stored in the optimum file name storage unit 40 among the continuous shot images (FIGS. 7A and 7B). The contents stored in the image number storage unit 41 are rewritten so that the number of prints (images (d) and (e)) becomes zero (step S111).

  As described above, when an image most suitable for printing is selected, a judgment screen 90 as shown in FIG. The judge screen 90 has six images 91a to 91f, a numerical value input box 92 for inputting the number of prints of each image, and colors corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), respectively. Color correction buttons 93 to 95 for correction and a density correction button 96 for correcting the density are displayed. The operator uses the input device such as the keyboard 12 and the mouse 13 for the displayed six images 91a to 91f on the judge screen 90 to correct the image and set the number of prints.

  Here, the images 91a to 91e in FIG. 8 are continuous shot images. Since the images 91a, 91b, 91d, and 91e other than the image 91c selected as the most suitable image for printing among the images 91a to 91e are not printed by the above-described processing procedure, “pass” is displayed in the numerical value input box 92. Is displayed.

  As described above, in the controller 30 according to the present embodiment, the first selection unit 36 sets conditions regarding the position and size of the main subject stored in the condition storage unit 35 from among a plurality of image data files. Choose one that satisfies both. Therefore, an image desired by the operator with respect to the position and size of the main subject is selected.

  Further, in the controller 30 of the present embodiment, the extraction unit 34 extracts a main subject in the image based on comparing corresponding blocks of the image divided into a plurality of blocks. Therefore, the moving body can be extracted as the main subject.

  Furthermore, in the controller 30 of the present embodiment, the difference calculation unit 34a calculates the sum of the differences of the pixel values in the block, and the determination unit 34b calculates the difference sum calculated by the difference calculation unit 34a as a predetermined threshold value. The recognition unit 34c configures the main subject as the block determined by the determination unit 34b that the difference sum value exceeds the threshold value for all the combinations of the corresponding blocks of the plurality of images. Authorize as a block. Therefore, the moving body can be extracted as the main subject reliably and easily.

  In addition, in the controller 30 according to the present embodiment, the image number rewriting unit 42 stores images other than the image related to the image data file in which the file name is stored in the optimum file storage unit 40 among the plurality of continuously shot images. The content stored in the image number storage unit 41 is rewritten so that the number of prints becomes zero. Therefore, the work burden on the operator on the judge screen 90 is further reduced.

  Further, in the controller 30 of the present embodiment, the extraction unit 34 stores the interval between shooting dates and times among the plurality of image data files stored in the image storage unit 31 in the upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32. The main subject in the image is extracted for those that are equal to or shorter than the upper limit time of the shooting interval. Therefore, main subjects of images other than the continuously shot images are not extracted meaninglessly.

  Further, in the controller 30 of the present embodiment, the upper limit time rewriting unit 33 inputs the upper limit time of the shooting interval stored in the upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32 on the function selection screen 80 by the operator using the input device. Can be rewritten on time. Therefore, since the operator can appropriately change the upper limit time regarding the shooting interval for determining whether or not each image data file stored in the image storage unit 31 is continuously shot, it is easy to use. It will be.

  Further, in the controller 30 of the present embodiment, the second selection unit 39 selects one image data file from the image data files whose file names are stored in the second file name storage unit 38. Therefore, it is effective when printing one image from a plurality of continuously shot images.

  In the controller 30 of the present embodiment, the average coordinates of the main subject calculated by the average coordinate calculation unit 39a are centered from the image data files whose file names are stored in the second file name storage unit 38. The determination unit 39b determines the image data file closest to the block coordinates. Therefore, it is possible to select an image in which the main subject is closest to the center of the image.

  Further, in the controller 30 of the present embodiment, the condition storage unit 35 includes a condition relating to the position of the main subject that at least a part of the main subject is reflected in the central block, and the ratio of the main subject in the image is 30%. The condition relating to the area ratio in the image of the main subject of ˜70% is stored. Therefore, an image data file in which the main subject is in the vicinity of the center of the image can be selected according to the condition regarding the position of the main subject. Further, it is possible to select an image in which the main subject occupies an area ratio of 30% to 70% in the image depending on the condition regarding the area ratio.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. It is a thing.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the extraction unit 34 extracts a main subject in an image based on comparing corresponding blocks of images divided into a plurality of blocks. The method of extracting the main subject is not limited to this. When the main subject is a human, a human characteristic may be stored in advance, and a part that matches the characteristic may be extracted as a human.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the difference calculation unit 34a calculates the sum of the pixel value differences in the block, and the determination unit 34b exceeds the predetermined difference threshold value calculated by the difference calculation unit 34a. The block that constitutes the main subject is the block that is determined by the determination unit 34b that the recognition unit 34c determines that the difference sum exceeds the threshold value for all combinations of corresponding blocks of the plurality of images. However, the method of identifying the blocks constituting the main subject is not limited to this. For example, an average value of pixel values in each block is calculated, and a block whose average value difference exceeds a threshold value for all combinations of corresponding blocks of a plurality of images is recognized as a block constituting the main subject. You may make it do.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image number rewriting unit 42 prints an image other than the image related to the image data file in which the file name is stored in the optimum file storage unit 40 among a plurality of images taken continuously. Although the case where the stored contents of the image number storage unit 41 are rewritten so that the number of sheets becomes 0 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. The image number rewriting unit 42 makes the number of prints of images other than the image related to the image data file whose file name is stored in the second file name storage unit 38 out of a plurality of consecutively photographed images become zero. In addition, the stored contents of the image number storage unit 41 may be rewritten. In this case, all the images desired by the operator regarding the position and size of the main subject are printed. In addition, the image number rewriting unit 42 may rewrite the stored contents of the image number storage unit 41 only when the operator gives an instruction to change the number of prints on the judge screen 90.

  In the above-described embodiment, the controller 30 includes the upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32 that stores the upper limit time of the image shooting interval, and the extraction unit 34 includes a plurality of images stored in the image storage unit 31. In the data file, the case where the main subject in the image is extracted with respect to the data file whose interval between the shooting dates and times is equal to or shorter than the upper limit time stored in the upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32 has been described, but is not limited thereto. For example, the controller 30 may not be provided with the upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32, and the extraction unit 34 may extract the main subject from all the image data files stored in the image storage unit 31.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the time when the upper limit time rewriting unit 33 inputs the upper limit time of the shooting interval stored in the upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32 on the function selection screen 80 by the operator using the input device. However, the upper limit time stored in the upper limit shooting interval storage unit 32 may not be rewritten.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the second selection unit 39 selects one image data file from the image data files whose file names are stored in the second file name storage unit 38 will be described. However, the second selection unit 39 may not be provided.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the average coordinates of the main subject calculated by the average coordinate calculation unit 39a from the image data files whose file names are stored in the second file name storage unit 38 are the central block. Although the case where the determination unit 39b determines the image data file closest to the coordinates has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the determination unit 39b may determine an image data file in which the average coordinate of the main subject calculated by the average coordinate calculation unit 39a is closest to a predetermined coordinate desired by the operator.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the condition storage unit 35 stores both the condition relating to the position of the main subject and the condition relating to the area ratio has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The condition storage unit 35 may store only one of the condition related to the position of the main subject and the condition related to the area ratio.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the condition storage unit 35 stores a condition that at least a part of the main subject appears in the central block as a condition related to the position of the main subject. Is not limited. For example, a condition that at least a part of the main subject is reflected in a predetermined block desired by the operator may be stored as a condition regarding the position of the main subject.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a photographic processing apparatus including a controller that is an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the controller shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the controller shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the function selection screen displayed on the display of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a plurality of continuous shot images supplied to the controller of FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the state which divided | segmented each image shown in FIG. 5 into several blocks. It is a figure which shows the state which extracted the main to-be-photographed object from each image shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the judge screen displayed on the display of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Photo Processing Device 30 Controller 31 Image Storage Unit (Image Storage Unit)
32 Upper limit shooting interval storage unit (upper limit shooting interval storage means)
33 Upper limit time rewriting part (Upper limit time rewriting means)
34 Extraction unit (extraction means)
34a Difference calculation unit (difference calculation means)
34b Judgment part (judgment means)
34c Certification Department (Certification Method)
35 Condition storage unit (condition storage means)
36 1st selection part (1st selection means)
37 First file name storage unit 38 Second file name storage unit 39 Second selection unit (second selection means)
39a Average coordinate calculation unit (average coordinate calculation means)
39b Determination unit (determination means)
40 Appropriate file name storage unit 41 Image number storage unit (image number storage means)
42 Image Number Rewriting Unit (Image Number Rewriting Unit)

Claims (8)

Image storage means for storing an image data file comprising one image ;
Extraction means for extracting one main subject in an image from each of a plurality of images related to a plurality of image data files stored in the image storage means;
Condition storage for storing at least one of a condition relating to a position occupied by the main subject extracted by the extracting means in the image and a condition relating to an area ratio occupied by the main subject extracted by the extracting means in the image Means,
First selection means for selecting one or more image data files satisfying at least one of the conditions stored in the condition storage means from among the plurality of image data files ;
Second selection means for selecting one image data file from one or a plurality of image data files selected by the first selection means,
The second selection means comprises:
For each of one or a plurality of image data files selected by the first selection means, the average coordinates of one main subject extracted by the extraction means include the main subject among a plurality of blocks constituting the image. Average coordinate calculation means for calculating the average value of the coordinates of the block;
A determination unit that determines whether the image data file whose average coordinate calculated by the average coordinate calculation unit is closest to a predetermined coordinate is one or a plurality of image data files selected by the first selection unit. the image processing apparatus characterized by comprising and.   The extraction means extracts a main subject in an image based on comparing corresponding ones of a plurality of blocks constituting each of a plurality of images related to a plurality of image data files. Item 8. The image processing apparatus according to Item 1. The extraction means comprises:
Difference calculating means for calculating a sum of differences of pixel values in the block;
Determining means for determining whether or not the difference sum calculated by the difference calculating means exceeds a threshold;
Two of said plurality of any two of said determining means and also exceeds the threshold value for the combination of images in the image difference sum with the corresponding block What happened is according to the plurality of image data files in the image The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an certifying unit that certifies the block determined by the step as a block constituting the main subject. For each image data file stored in the image storage means, an image number storage means for storing the number of images to be formed;
For the image data file selected by the first selection means, the number of images to be formed is 1 or more, and for the image data file not selected by the first selection means, the number of images to be formed is 0. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image number rewriting unit that rewrites the stored contents of the image number storage unit. It further comprises an upper limit shooting interval storage means for storing an upper limit time relating to an image shooting interval by the camera,
The extracting means includes only a plurality of image data files accompanied by shooting date / time information of an image by a camera whose interval between shooting dates / times is equal to or less than the upper limit time stored in the upper limit shooting interval storage means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a main subject is extracted.   6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising upper limit time rewriting means for rewriting the upper limit time stored in the upper limit photographing interval storage means based on a signal from an input device. The condition storage means stores both a condition relating to a position occupied by the main subject extracted by the extracting means in the image and a condition relating to an area ratio occupied by the main subject extracted by the extracting means in the image. the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that there. The condition storage means stores a condition that at least a part of the main subject is in the center of the image as a condition related to a position occupied by the main subject extracted by the extraction means in the image. the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7.

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