JP4801933B2 - Image processing apparatus and method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and an image processing program.

When a person is photographed with a flash, a so-called red-eye phenomenon may occur in which the eyes of the person image become red. As for an image in which a red-eye phenomenon occurs, there is an image in which the red-eye image portion is corrected by using information such as whether or not the image is taken using a strobe and the focal length of an imaging lens (Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-224271

Further, it is detected whether red-eye correction has been performed, and when red-eye correction is performed, there is a technique that prohibits red-eye correction processing from being performed again (Patent Document 2).
JP 11-127371 A

  However, even when the red-eye correction processing is performed once, if the red-eye correction processing circuit (program) is upgraded or upgraded, the red-eye correction processing is more new than the red-eye correction processing performed once. Sometimes good red-eye correction can be done.

  An object of the present invention is to perform better image processing in image processing typified by red-eye correction.

  According to the present invention, in the image processing apparatus provided with the image processing means for performing the predetermined image processing, the image processing means can perform image processing newer than the predetermined image processing performed on the given image data. And determining whether the new image processing can be performed by the image processing means by the first determination means and the first determination means, and the new image processing for the given image data. Image processing control means for controlling the image processing means so as to be performed.

  The present invention also provides a method suitable for the image processing apparatus. That is, this method is an image processing apparatus having an image processing means for performing predetermined image processing. Image processing (updated or revised image) is newer than the predetermined image processing performed for given image data. Is determined by the image processing means, and when it is determined that the new image processing can be performed, the new image processing is performed on the given image data. It controls the image processing means.

  The present invention also provides a program (which may be stored in a recording medium) for executing the image processing method.

  According to the present invention, the image processing apparatus is provided with image processing means for performing predetermined image processing. Given image data, it is determined whether or not the image processing means can perform image processing that is newer than the predetermined image processing being performed on the image data (if no image processing is performed, If it is determined that new image processing can be performed), new image processing is performed in the image processing means of the image processing apparatus for the given image data.

  Since image processing is performed when image processing that is newer (updated, revised, upgraded) than image processing that has already been performed can be performed, better image processing can be performed. Further, when image processing is performed in the image processing apparatus, the image processing is not performed when the old (lower version) image processing is performed. Image processing is performed when necessary.

  The second determination means for determining whether or not the new image processing is unnecessary, and the control processing of the image processing means is stopped when the second determination means determines that the new image processing is unnecessary. The image processing control unit may further include a control unit that controls the image processing control unit. When image processing at a higher version is unnecessary, the image processing can be stopped.

  You may further provide the reading means which reads the image data currently recorded on the recording medium. In this case, the first determination unit will perform the determination process on the image data read from the reading unit. And display control means for controlling the display device to display an image represented by the image data processed by the image processing means under the control of the image processing control means, and input means for recording commands , And in response to the input of the recording command from the input means, the image data subjected to the new image processing by the image processing means is recorded on the recording medium under the control of the image processing control means. The first recording control means will be further provided.

  An image that has undergone new image processing can be displayed on the display device, and an image that has undergone new image processing can be confirmed. If the user likes the image after the new image processing, the image data representing the image after the new image processing is recorded on the recording medium. If the user does not like the image after the new image processing, the image data representing the image before the new image processing can be left on the recording medium.

  As described above, when the image data recorded on the recording medium is further provided with a reading unit, and the first determination unit performs the determination process on the image data read from the reading unit. Selection means for selecting an overwrite mode or a new storage mode, and in response to the selection of the overwrite mode by the selection means, the image processing means performs the new image processing under the control of the image processing control means. The image processing control means controls the image processing control means in response to the new storage mode being selected by the selection means, overwriting the recorded image data on the recording area where the image data read by the reading means is recorded. Secondly, image data that has been subjected to the new image processing by the image processing means is recorded in an empty area of the recording medium. It may further comprise a recording control means.

  By selecting the overwrite mode, the image data after the new image processing can be overwritten on the image data recorded on the recording medium before the new image processing is performed. By selecting the new storage mode, the image data on which the new image processing has been performed can be recorded in the empty area of the recording medium.

  You may make it further provide the reading means which reads the image data currently recorded on the recording medium. In this case, the third determination means for determining whether or not the image data subjected to the new image processing by the image processing means can be recorded in the empty area of the recording medium, and the third determination means, The new image processing is performed by the image processing means controlled by the image processing control means in response to determining that the image data subjected to the new image processing can be recorded in the empty area of the recording medium. Recording control means for recording image data on the recording medium is further provided. Then, when it is determined that the image data on which the new image processing has been performed by the third determination unit cannot be recorded in the empty area of the recording medium, the control of the image processing unit by the image processing control unit Would be something to stop.

  When image data after image processing can be recorded in an empty area of the recording medium, new image processing can be performed.

  Further, when the image data recorded on the recording medium as described above is further provided with a reading unit, and the first determination unit performs the determination process on the image data read from the reading unit, In response to the new storage mode being set by the new storage mode setting means for setting the new storage mode and the new storage mode setting means, the image processing means performs the new image processing in the empty area of the recording medium. It is determined by the fourth determination means for determining whether or not the recorded image data can be recorded, and the fourth determination means that the image data subjected to the new image processing can be recorded in an empty area of the recording medium. Accordingly, the image data subjected to the new image processing by the image processing means controlled under the image processing control means is improved. The image data on which the new image processing has been performed by the third recording control means for recording on the recording medium, the overwrite mode setting means for setting the overwrite mode, and the fourth determination means cannot be recorded in the empty area of the recording medium. The image data on which the new image processing has been performed by the image processing means controlled by the image processing control means in response to the setting of the overwrite mode by the overwrite mode setting means. You may make it further provide the 4th recording control means to overwrite the recording area where the image data read by the said reading means is recorded.

  When the new storage mode is set, if there is an empty area in the recording medium, the image data after the new image processing can be recorded in the empty area of the recording medium. When the new save mode is set, if there is no empty area on the recording medium, the overwrite mode is set, so that new image processing is performed in the recording area where image data to be subjected to new image processing is recorded. The broken image data is overwritten. Regardless of the presence or absence of an empty area, image data that has been subjected to new image processing can be recorded on a recording medium.

  There may be provided fifth determination means for determining whether the given image data is subject to the predetermined image processing. In this case, the first determination unit performs the given image data in response to the fact that the fifth determination unit determines that the given image data is to be subjected to the predetermined image processing. It will be judged whether or not image processing newer than the predetermined image processing can be performed by the image processing means.

  Since it is detected whether or not the predetermined image processing is new after confirming whether the image data is the image processing target, it is possible to prevent the version of the image data not subject to the image processing from being confirmed.

  The predetermined image processing is, for example, red-eye image correction processing. In this case, the fifth determination means determines whether or not the predetermined image processing is to be performed based on the flash photographing information or the luminance of the image represented by the given image data.

  The first determination unit includes, for example, an image processing detection unit that detects in which version the predetermined image processing has been performed for given image data. In this case, it will be determined that a higher version of image processing than the version of image processing detected by the image processing detection means can be performed.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital still camera.

  The digital still camera according to this embodiment can perform various image processing such as red-eye image correction, automatic gradation correction, and automatic white balance adjustment. In the digital still camera according to this embodiment, in particular, these image processing versions are stored, and whether the same image processing is performed on the image to be processed is performed. Then, it is detected whether image processing is being performed with a version lower than the version of image processing that can be performed with a digital still camera. When image processing is performed with a lower version, image processing with a higher version is performed with a digital still camera. More details will become apparent from the following description.

  The overall operation of the digital still camera is controlled by the control circuit 20.

  The control circuit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 23 that are connected to each other via a bus. The ROM 22 stores processing contents (processing name) of image processing performed in the digital still camera, the version of the image processing, other necessary data, an image processing program, and the like. The RAM 23 stores temporarily necessary data, image files read from the memory card 11, and the like.

  The digital still camera has a shutter release button, mode setting dial (various modes such as imaging mode, playback mode, and correction mode can be set with the mode setting dial), OK button, cancel button, frame button, front An operation device 13 including a button, a rear button, and the like is included. An operation signal output from the operation device 13 is input to the control circuit 20. A personal computer can be connected to the digital still camera. For this purpose, an external interface 12 is provided in the digital still camera.

  The digital still camera includes an imaging lens 1, an aperture 2, and an imaging element 3 such as a CCD for imaging a subject. The lens position of the imaging lens 1 is controlled by the lens driving circuit 16. The aperture drive circuit 17 controls the aperture of the aperture 2. Light rays representing the subject image are collected by the imaging lens 1 and enter the imaging device 3 such as a CCD through the aperture 2. A light image representing the subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 3 controlled by the image sensor control circuit 18. The lens driving circuit 16, the aperture driving circuit 17, and the image sensor control circuit 18 are controlled by the imaging system control circuit 24.

  When the image pickup mode is set by the mode setting dial 20, the image pickup device 3 is controlled by the image pickup device control circuit 18, and a video signal representing a subject image is output from the image pickup device 3. The video signal is subjected to analog signal processing such as correlated double sampling in the analog signal processing circuit 4. The video signal output from the analog signal processing circuit 4 is converted into digital image data by the analog / digital conversion circuit 4 and input to the digital signal processing circuit 6. In the digital signal processing circuit 6, digital signal processing such as gamma correction, automatic gradation correction, and automatic white balance adjustment is performed.

  The image data output from the digital signal processing circuit 6 is given to the display device 15 via the memory 7. A subject image is displayed on the display screen of the display device 15.

  When the shutter release button is pressed, the subject is imaged again as described above, and image data representing the subject image is obtained. The image data is given from the digital signal processing circuit 6 to the memory 7 and temporarily stored. The image data is read from the memory 7 and recorded by the recording / reading control circuit 14 on the memory card 9 connected to the external memory interface 10. It goes without saying that data compression is performed on the image data as necessary, and the compressed image data is recorded in the memory card 11.

  When the playback mode is set by the mode setting dial, the recording / reading control circuit 14 reads image data representing the subject image from the memory card 9. The read image data is given to the memory 7 and temporarily stored. The image data is read from the memory 7 and given to the display device 15. An image represented by the image data recorded on the memory card 11 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 15.

  When the correction mode is set by the mode setting dial, in this embodiment, the red-eye image is corrected (of course, face image detection or other image processing may be performed). When image data (image file) is read from the memory card 11, whether the image data has undergone red-eye image correction processing, and if red-eye image correction processing has been performed, which version of red-eye image correction processing has been performed Whether or not has been performed is detected by the detection processing circuit 8.

  The detected version of the red-eye image correction processing is compared with the version of the red-eye image correction processing in the digital still camera, and the version of the red-eye image correction processing in the digital still camera is read from the memory card 11. If the version is higher than the version of the red-eye image correction process performed on the image data, the red-eye image correction process (new image process) is performed in the correction processing circuit 9 of the digital still camera. Conversely, if the version of the red-eye image correction processing in the digital still camera is lower than the version of the red-eye image correction processing performed in the image data read from the memory card 11, the digital still camera The red-eye image correction process in the correction processing circuit 9 is not performed.

  The image data that has undergone the red-eye image correction processing is given to the display device 15 and displayed on the display screen.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the data structure of the memory card 11.

  The memory card 11 includes a header area and an image data recording area.

  Image data is recorded in the image data recording area as described above. In the header area, in addition to management information about the entire memory card 11, a path of image data recorded in the image data recording area, data indicating an empty capacity (remaining capacity) of the image data recording area, and the like are stored. .

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the file structure (data structure) of an image file recorded on the memory card 11.

  The image file includes a header recording area and an image data recording area.

  Image data is stored in the image data recording area.

In the header recording area, data for managing the entire image file is stored. The header recording area stores data such as management information, correction protect, shooting information, detection process name, and correction process name.

  The management information is information for managing the entire image file. As described above, red-eye image correction may or may not be performed for image data (image file) recorded on the memory card 11 depending on the version. What sets the prohibition is correction protection. If correction protection is on, red-eye image correction is prohibited, and if correction protection is off, red-eye image correction is performed or not depending on the version. The initial value of correction protection (when red-eye image correction has never been performed) is set to off. The shooting information indicates shooting information when the image data recorded in the image data recording area is obtained. The shooting information includes strobe on / off indicating whether or not the image is obtained by emitting a strobe, subject brightness of the image represented by the image data, aperture (value), shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and the like.

  The detection process name stores the name of the detection process performed on the image data recorded in the image data recording area and the version of the detection process. When a plurality of types of detection processes (red-eye image detection process, face image detection process, etc.) are performed, the names of the respective detection processes are stored. When the same type of detection process is performed a plurality of times, the history of the detection process of the plurality of times may be stored. The name of the correction processing is a plurality of types of correction processing (red-eye image correction processing, automatic gradation correction) in which the name of the detection processing performed on the image data recorded in the image data recording area and the version of the detection processing are stored. When the processing, automatic white balance adjustment processing, etc.) are performed, the name of each correction processing is stored. When the same type of correction processing is performed a plurality of times, the history of the correction processing of the plurality of times may be stored. If no detection process or correction process has been performed, this field is blank.

  4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the red-eye image correction processing.

  A desired image file is read from the memory card 11 and temporarily stored in the RAM 23 of the digital still camera. The correction protection is read from the header recording area of the image file stored in the RAM 23, and it is confirmed whether or not the correction protection is on (prohibition of red-eye image correction). If correction protection is turned on (YES in step 31), red-eye image correction is considered unnecessary for the image represented by the image data stored in the image file. Processing is skipped. When the correction protection is turned off (NO in step 31), an overwrite mode (this mode) is used to overwrite the image file obtained by the red-eye image correction process to be performed on the image file before the red-eye image correction process is performed. Display various setting menus on the display screen of the display device 15, and are set in advance using the various setting menus), or after the red-eye image correction processing is performed in the empty area of the memory card. It is confirmed whether or not a new storage mode for recording image data representing an image is set (step 32). However, even when the new storage mode cannot be set, it may be considered that the new storage mode is set in response to the overwrite mode not being set.

  When the new storage mode is set (step 32), the image file after the red-eye image correction processing cannot be recorded on the memory card 11 unless the memory card 11 has sufficient free space. For this purpose, it is confirmed whether or not the memory card has enough free space to record the image file after the red-eye image correction processing (step 33). If there is not enough free space to record (NO in step 33), it is confirmed whether the mode has been changed to the overwrite mode so that the image file after the red-eye image correction processing can be recorded on the memory card 11. (Step 34). Of course, because the memory card 11 has little free space, the image file after the red-eye image correction processing cannot be recorded in the memory card 11, and an instruction to change to the overwrite mode is displayed on the display screen of the display device 15. Needless to say. By viewing the display, the user sets the digital still camera to overwrite mode if necessary. If the mode is not changed to the overwrite mode (NO in step 34), the red-eye image correction process is skipped because the image file after the red-eye image correction process cannot be recorded in the memory card 11.

  It is set to a mode that overwrites the image file obtained by the red-eye image correction process to be performed on the image file before the red-eye image correction process is performed (YES in step 32 or 34), or the red-eye image correction process If the memory card 11 has enough free space to record a later image file (YES in step 33), the shooting information recorded in the header information of the image file stored in the RAM 23 is read. Based on the read photographing information, it is determined whether the image data stored in the image file is image data to be subjected to red-eye image correction processing (step 35). For example, if the strobe is on and the subject brightness is low, it is determined that red-eye image correction processing is to be performed. If the subject brightness is high even when the flash is on, it is determined that the red-eye image correction process is not performed. If the BV value is stored, the subject brightness stored in the photographing information can be used, and the aperture (AV value), shutter speed (TV value), ISO sensitivity (SV value) can be used. (Exposure amount EV value = AV value + TV value = BV value + SV value). If it is determined that the red-eye image correction process is not performed (NO in step 35), the subsequent red-eye image correction process is skipped.

  If it is determined that red-eye image correction processing should be performed (YES in step 35), the version of red-eye detection processing (detection processing name) recorded in the header recording area of the image file and red-eye image correction processing (correction processing name) Are compared with the version of the red-eye detection processing performed in the red-eye detection processing circuit 8 of the digital still camera and the version of the red-eye image correction processing performed in the red-eye image correction processing circuit 9 (stored in the ROM 22). The

  If the version stored in the ROM 22 of the digital still camera is lower than the version stored in the image file, the red-eye image correction process is newer than the red-eye image correction process that can be performed in the digital still camera. Has already been performed (YES in step 36). Since it is considered that a red-eye image correction process that is better than the red-eye image correction process that has already been performed cannot be executed in the digital still camera, the red-eye image correction process in the digital still camera is skipped. If the version stored in the ROM 22 of the digital still camera is higher than the version stored in the image file (if either the red-eye image detection process or the red-eye image correction process is higher), it is already It is considered that a red-eye image correction process that is newer than the red-eye image correction process being performed can be performed in the digital still camera (NO in step 36). Since it is considered that a new red-eye image correction process better than the red-eye image correction process already performed can be executed in the digital still camera, the process shifts to the red-eye image correction process in the digital still camera.

  First, the image data stored in the image file is given to the red-eye image detection processing circuit 8, and newer red-eye image detection processing is performed (step 37). The red-eye image detection processing can be performed by matching processing between a sample image assumed to be a red-eye image and a red-eye image correction processing target image, but it goes without saying that any detection processing may be used.

  When the red-eye image is detected by the red-eye image detection processing circuit 8, the image data is given to the red-eye image correction processing circuit 9, and the latest red-eye image correction processing is performed on the detected red-eye image (step 38). The red-eye image correction processing can be realized by performing color correction, luminance correction, etc. on the detected red-eye image portion, but any correction processing may be used.

  Image data obtained by the red-eye image correction process is given to the memory 7 and temporarily stored. The image data after the red-eye image correction processing is read from the memory 7 and applied to the display device 15, whereby an image in which the red-eye image on the display screen of the display device 15 is corrected is displayed (step 39). The image data stored in the memory 7 is read out and overwritten in the image data recording area of the image file stored in the RAM 23.

  If the user does not like the image in which the red-eye image is corrected by looking at the displayed image, the cancel button is pressed by the user (NO in step 40). It is avoided that image data representing an image in which the red-eye image is corrected is newly recorded on the memory card even though the user does not like it. The image data already recorded on the memory card is saved as it is. When image data representing an image with a corrected red-eye image is recorded on the memory card, the user presses an OK button (input of a recording command) (YES in step 40).

  If the user thinks that further red-eye image correction processing is unnecessary, correction protection is input from the operating device 13 (YES in step 41). The input correction protect is given to the image file stored in the RAM 23, and the correction protection of the header recording area of the image file is turned on (step 42). Needless to say, the version of the detection processing circuit 8 and the version of the correction processing circuit 9 of the digital still camera are also recorded in the detection processing name and the correction processing name of the image file, respectively.

  A new image file in which the image data subjected to the red-eye image correction processing is recorded is read from the RAM 23 and recorded in the memory card 11 (step 43). If the overwrite mode is set, a new image file is overwritten in the area where the read image file is recorded. If the overwrite mode is not set, it is recorded in the empty area of the memory card 11. Needless to say.

  In the above-described embodiments, the red-eye image correction processing is taken up as an example of image processing. However, image processing such as face detection processing and other detection processing such as automatic gradation correction processing for the detected face image and correction processing is also applicable. Needless to say, it can be applied. In the above-described embodiment, the detection process and the correction process are handled as separate processes. However, these processes may be handled as a batch process. Further, a device for which correction protection is turned on may be turned off by the operation device 13.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether the red-eye image detection processing and the red-eye image correction processing are performed in the digital still camera for the image data recorded on the memory card 11 using the version. However, a red-eye image detection process and a red-eye image correction process that are newer than the red-eye image detection process and the red-eye image correction process performed on the image data recorded on the memory card 11 can be performed in the digital still camera. I just need to know if it is. Instead of the version, for example, update dates of operation programs of the red-eye image detection processing circuit 8 and the red-eye image correction processing circuit 9 can be used.

  6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the display processing procedure of the image with the red-eye image corrected, and FIGS. 9 to 12 show the state of the subject image displayed on the display screen of the display device 15.

  In the above-described processing, an image in which the red-eye image is corrected is simply displayed (step 39 in FIG. 5). In the following processing, the corrected red-eye image portion and the red-eye image portion to be corrected are framed. (It goes without saying that it is not necessary to use a frame). You can see at a glance which part was modified and which part was modified.

  As described above, when the red-eye image detection process (step 37 in FIG. 5) and the red-eye image correction process (step 38 in FIG. 5) are performed, the corrected red-eye image portion is surrounded by a frame as shown in FIG. The subject image thus displayed is displayed on the display screen of the display device 15 (step 51).

  Referring to FIG. 9, the subject image 62 displayed on the display screen 60 includes a portion 63 in which red eyes are corrected. The portion 63 in which the red eye is corrected is surrounded by a frame 64. Since the red-eye corrected portion 63 is surrounded by a frame 64, it can be seen at a glance which portion has been corrected for red-eye.

  An operation window 71 is displayed on the upper right of the display screen 60. In the operation window 71, characters “frame: no frame” and “previous: before correction” are displayed. From this operation window 71, when the subject image 62 from which the frame 64 has been deleted is displayed on the display screen 60, it is sufficient to press the frame button, and when displaying the subject image 62 before red eye correction, You can see that you can press the button. By pressing the OK button, image data representing the subject image 62 that has been subjected to the red-eye image processing is recorded in the memory card 11. When the cancel button is pressed, the image data representing the subject image 62 on which the red-eye image processing has been newly performed is not recorded on the memory card 11.

  Referring to FIG. 6, it is confirmed which button has been pressed in a state where the subject image 62 on which the red-eye image correction processing has been performed is displayed on the display screen 60 (step 52). When the OK button is pressed, as described above (steps 41 to 43 in FIG. 5), input of correction protection is confirmed, correction protection is turned on, and image data representing the subject image after correction of the red-eye image is transferred to the memory card 11. Recording processing is performed (image data representing the image of the frame 63 itself is not recorded).

  When the front button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 10, the subject image 62 before the red-eye image portion 63 is corrected for red-eye is displayed on the display screen 60 with the frame 63 attached (step 53).

  Referring to FIG. 10, the subject image 62 displayed on the display screen 60 includes a portion 65 where the red-eye is not corrected. A portion 65 where the red-eye is not corrected is surrounded by a frame 64. Since the portion 65 of the red-eye image is surrounded by a frame 64, it can be seen at a glance which portion is red-eye corrected.

  In a state where the image before red-eye correction is displayed with a frame, it is confirmed again which button has been pressed (step 54). If the OK button is pressed, it is considered that the user has determined that the subject image before the correction of the red-eye image is sufficient. Therefore, image data representing a new image after the correction of the red-eye is not recorded in the memory card 11. The memory card 11 still has image data representing a new red-eye corrected image. If the back button is pressed, the red-eye corrected image is displayed again on the display screen 60 with a frame (step 51). When the frame button is pressed, the image before the red-eye image correction is displayed without a frame as shown in FIG. 11 (step 55).

When the frame button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 11, the subject image 66 before correction of the red-eye image portion 65 is displayed on the display screen 60 without a frame (step 55). On the upper right of the display screen 60, an operation window 73 is displayed. In the operation window 73, characters “frame: with frame” and “after: after correction” are displayed. When displaying a frame around the red-eye image portion 65 by looking at the characters in the operation window 73, it is sufficient to press the frame button. When displaying a corrected subject image of the red-eye image, the back button You can see that you can press.

  When the subject image 66 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed, if any button is pressed, it is determined again which button is pressed (step 56). When the OK button is pressed, it is considered that there is no intention to record image data representing a new subject image after red eye correction on the memory card 11, so that the image data representing the subject image after red eye correction is stored in the memory card 11. The process of recording in is skipped. When the frame button is pressed, the subject image before red eye correction is displayed on the display screen 60 again with a frame.

  When the subject image 66 before red-eye correction is displayed on the display screen 60 without a frame as shown in FIG. 11, when the back button is pressed, or the subject image after red-eye correction as shown in FIG. When the frame button is pressed when 62 is displayed with a frame 64, the subject image after red-eye correction is displayed on the display screen 60 without a frame as shown in FIG. 12 (step 57).

  Referring to FIG. 12, an operation window 74 is displayed on the upper right of display screen 60. In the operation window 74, characters “frame: with frame” and “previous: before correction” are displayed. When the user presses the frame button, a frame is displayed around the red-eye image portion 63 after correction. When the user presses the pre-correction button, the subject image before red-eye correction is displayed on the display screen 60. I understand.

  It is again determined which button has been pressed (step 58). When the OK button is pressed, there is an intention to record the image data representing the subject image after red-eye correction in the memory card 11, so that the above-described correction protection input is confirmed (steps 40 to 42). . If the pre-correction button is pressed, the subject image before correction of the red-eye image is displayed on the display screen 60 (step 55). When the frame button is pressed, the corrected subject image of the red-eye image is displayed on the display screen 60 with a frame.

  FIG. 13 shows another embodiment and is an example of a subject image displayed on the display screen 60.

  In the above-described embodiment, the subject image obtained by correcting the red-eye image and the subject image before red-eye image correction are not displayed on the same screen at the same time. However, in the following embodiment, the subject before correction of the red-eye image is displayed. The image and the corrected subject image are simultaneously displayed on the same display screen.

  A corrected image display area 92 is defined on the right side of the display screen 60 of the display device 15. On the display screen 60, the entire subject image 92 of the red-eye image 91 before correction is displayed in an area excluding the corrected image display area 92.

  In the corrected image display area 92, an image 93 of a part of the subject image including the image portion 94 in which the red-eye image is corrected is displayed. The image 93 which is a part of the subject image can be considered to be the image portion around the portion of the red-eye image 94 obtained by the detection processing of the red-eye image 91 as the center.

  Since the subject image 90 before the correction of the red-eye image 91 and the corrected portion 94 of the red-eye image 91 can be simultaneously displayed on the display screen 60, it is easy to compare before and after the correction of the red-eye image.

  In order to generate the corrected image display area 92 on the display screen 60, it is needless to say that an image synthesis process that can be performed in the digital signal processing circuit 6 of the digital still camera may be used.

  FIG. 14 shows still another embodiment, which is an example of a subject image displayed on the display screen 60.

  The display screen 60 defines a first display area 101 and a second display area 104 that are substantially the same size on the left and right.

  In the first display area 101, a subject image 102 before the red-eye image 103 is corrected is displayed. In the second display area 104, a subject image 105 having an image portion 106 in which the red-eye image is corrected is displayed.

  In this way, the subject images 102 and 105 before and after the correction of the red-eye image can be simultaneously displayed on the same display screen 60, and the subject images 102 and 105 before and after the correction of the red-eye image can be directly compared.

  Such a display method can also be realized by using the image composition processing in the digital signal processing circuit 6 of the digital still camera.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a digital still camera. The structure of a memory card is shown. The structure of the image file is shown. It is a flowchart which shows a red-eye image correction process procedure. It is a flowchart which shows a red-eye image correction process procedure. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which displays the to-be-photographed image with which the red-eye image was corrected. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which displays the to-be-photographed image with which the red-eye image was corrected. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which displays the to-be-photographed image with which the red eye image was corrected. It is an example of the to-be-photographed image displayed on a display screen. It is an example of the to-be-photographed image displayed on a display screen. It is an example of the to-be-photographed image displayed on a display screen. It is an example of the to-be-photographed image displayed on a display screen. It is an example of the to-be-photographed image displayed on a display screen. It is an example of the to-be-photographed image displayed on a display screen.

Explanation of symbols

6 Digital signal processing circuit 8 Red-eye image detection processing circuit 9 Red-eye image correction processing circuit
11 Memory card
13 Controller
14 Recording / reading circuit
20 Control circuit
21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM

Claims (10)

In an image processing apparatus provided with image processing means for performing predetermined image processing,
Image processing detection means for detecting in which version the predetermined image processing has been performed for a given image file;
First determination means for determining whether or not image processing of a version higher than the version of image processing detected by the image processing detection means can be performed;
When the first determination unit determines that the high version image processing can be performed by the image processing unit, the image processing is performed so that the high version image processing is performed on the given image file. Image processing control means for controlling the means, and means for storing a history of a plurality of times when the predetermined image processing has been performed in the image file,
An image processing apparatus. Second determining means for determining whether or not image processing in the image processing means is unnecessary, and the image processing means in response to determining that image processing in the image processing means is unnecessary by the second determining means; Control means for controlling the image processing control means to stop the control processing of
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A reading means for reading the image file recorded on the recording medium;
The first determination unit performs the determination process on the image file read from the reading unit,
Display control means for controlling a display device to display an image represented by image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means under the control of the image processing control means;
Recording command input means, and image data that has been subjected to the higher version image processing by the image processing means under the control of the image processing control means in response to the recording command being input from the input means. First recording control means for recording the information on the recording medium,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A reading means for reading the image file recorded on the recording medium;
The first determination unit performs the determination process on the image file read from the reading unit,
A selection means to select overwrite mode or new save mode,
In response to the selection of the overwrite mode by the selection means, the image data that has been subjected to the higher version image processing by the image processing means under the control of the image processing control means is read by the reading means. The recorded image file is overwritten on the recording area, and when the new storage mode is selected by the selection means, the image processing means controls the high version by the image processing control means. Second recording control means for recording the image file subjected to the image processing in an empty area of the recording medium;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A reading means for reading the image file recorded on the recording medium;
The image processing is performed by the third determining means for determining whether or not the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing means can be recorded in the empty area of the recording medium, and the third determining means. When it is determined that the recorded image file can be recorded in an empty area of the recording medium, the image file subjected to image processing by the image processing means controlled by the image processing control means is recorded on the recording medium. Recording control means for
Control of the image processing means by the image processing control means in response to determining that the image file on which the high version image processing has been performed by the third determination means cannot be recorded in an empty area of the recording medium. Is to stop,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. A reading means for reading the image file recorded on the recording medium;
The first determination unit performs the determination process on the image file read from the reading unit,
New save mode setting means for setting a new save mode,
In response to the new storage mode being set by the new storage mode setting means, a fourth determination is made as to whether or not the image file subjected to the image processing by the image processing means can be recorded in an empty area of the recording medium. The image processing control means in response to the determination that the image file subjected to the image processing by the image processing means can be recorded in an empty area of the recording medium. Third recording control means for recording on the recording medium an image file that has been subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing means controlled under the control;
Overwrite mode setting means for setting an overwrite mode, and overwriting by the overwrite mode setting means when it is determined that the image file subjected to image processing by the fourth determination means cannot be recorded in an empty area of the recording medium. A recording area in which an image file subjected to image processing by the image processing means controlled by the image processing control means in accordance with the setting of the mode is recorded in the image data read by the reading means A fourth recording control means for overwriting,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A fifth determination means for determining whether the given image file is a target for performing the high version image processing;
The first determination means is performed on the given image file when the fifth judgment means determines that the given image file is to perform the predetermined image processing. A determination is made as to whether a higher version of image processing than the predetermined image processing can be performed by the image processing means.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The predetermined image processing is red-eye image correction processing,
The fifth determination means determines whether or not to perform image processing in the image processing means based on the flash photographing information or the luminance of the image represented by the given image data;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 7. In an image processing method of an image processing apparatus provided with image processing means for performing predetermined image processing,
The image processing detection means detects in which version the predetermined image processing has been performed for the given image file,
The determination means determines whether or not the image processing version higher than the version of the image processing detected by the image processing detection means can be performed,
When the image processing means determines that the image processing means can perform the high version image processing by the first determination means, the image processing means performs the high version image processing for the given image file. Controlling the above image processing means,
A storage means stores the history of a plurality of times when the predetermined image processing is performed in the image file.
Image processing method. A program for controlling an image processing apparatus including image processing means for performing predetermined image processing;
Which version of the given image processing was performed for the given image file,
Determine whether a higher version of image processing than the detected version of image processing can be performed,
By determining that the image processing means can perform the high version image processing, the image processing means is controlled to perform the high version image processing for the given image file,
An image processing program for controlling an image processing apparatus so that a history of a plurality of times when the predetermined image processing is performed is stored in the image file.

Images