Image processing apparatus, digital camera, and image processing method for attaching proper imaging conditions to a captured image

• US 7,742,080 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2005
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 138 East LCD Advancements Limited (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Nakajima, Yasumasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan; Jason
• Assistant Examiner(s): Calderon; Cynthia
• Application Number:
  US11/226,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20060055785A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,741 Days
• Field of Search: 348/222.1
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3214 of a date
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3216 of a job size, e.g. a number of images, pages or copies, size of file, length of message
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3252 Image capture parameters, e.g. resolution, illumination conditions, orientation of the image capture device H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3277 The additional information being stored in the same storage device as the image data

Abstract

An image processing apparatus includes an access unit, a setting unit and an image generation unit. The access unit accesses RAW data representing a tone level of one channel for each pixel and attribute data attached to the RAW data. The setting unit sets generation condition to generate an image from the RAW data. The image generation unit generates an output image from the RAW data on the basis of the generation condition, attaches attaching the attribute data to the output image for an item of which generation condition matches the attribute data, and attaches the attribute data to the output image for an item of which generation condition does not match the attribute data.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

an access unit that accesses RAW data representing a tone level of only one channel for each pixel and that accesses attribute data attached to said RAW data;

a setting unit that sets a generation condition to generate an image from said RAW data;

a specifying unit that specifies whether or not the generation condition set by the setting unit matches the attribute data accessed by the access unit; and

an image generation unit that generates an output image by developing said RAW data on the basis of said generation condition, that attaches said attribute data to said output image when the specifying unit specifies that said generation condition matches said attribute data, and that attaches invalid data to said output image when the specifying unit specifies that said generation condition does not match said attribute data,

wherein the invalid data is a combination of the attribute data and data indicating that the attribute data is invalid.

2. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a display unit for displaying a display image generated from said RAW data on a screen, said setting unit accepting a request input to said display unit to edit said display image after said display image is displayed on said screen and setting said generation condition in accordance with said input request.

3. An image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when said access unit is able to edit said RAW data corresponding to said display image based on the input request, said display unit displays on said screen a menu indicating that said output image can be generated, based on said input request, from said RAW data corresponding to said display image.

4. An image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said menu includes an object of operation, wherein said object of operation is used by a user for requesting a process of generating said output image, based on said input request to edit the display image, from said RAW data corresponding to said display image.

5. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the invalid data is in a form of

m:

x,

wherein m is the attribute data and x is the data indicating that the attribute data is invalid.

6. An image processing apparatus comprising:

an access unit that accesses an original image and that accesses attribute data attached to said original image;

a setting unit that sets a retouch condition for retouching said original image;

a specifying unit that specifies whether or not the retouch condition set by the setting unit matches the attribute data accessed by the access unit; and

a retouching unit that retouches said original image on the basis of said retouch condition to generate an output image, that attaches said attribute data to said output image when the specifying unit specifies that said retouch condition matches said attribute data, and that attaches invalid data to said output image when the specifying unit specifies that said retouch condition does not match said attribute data,

wherein the invalid data is a combination of the attribute data and data indicating that the attribute data is invalid.

7. The image processing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the invalid data is in a form of

m:

x,

wherein m is the attribute data and x is the data indicating that the attribute data is invalid.

8. An image processing method comprising the steps of:

accessing RAW data representing a tone level of one channel for each pixel and attribute data attached to said RAW data;

setting a generation condition to generate an image from said RAW data;

generating an output image from said RAW data on the basis of said generation condition; and

attaching said attribute data to said output image when said generation condition matches said attribute data, and attaching invalid data to said output image when said generation condition does not match said attribute data,

wherein the invalid data is a combination of the attribute data and data indicating that the attribute data is invalid.

9. The image processing method of claim 8, wherein the invalid data is in a form of

m:

x,

wherein m is the attribute data and x is the data indicating that the attribute data is invalid.

10. An image processing method comprising the steps of:

accessing, from a memory, an original image and attribute data attached to said original image;

setting a retouch condition for correcting said original image; and

correcting, using a processor, said original image on the basis of said retouch condition to generate an output image, attaching said attribute data to said output image when said retouch condition matches said attribute data, and attaching invalid data to said output image when said retouch condition does not match said attribute data,

wherein the invalid data is a combination of the attribute data and data indicating that the attribute data is invalid.

11. The image processing method of claim 10, wherein the invalid data is in a form of

m:

x,

wherein m is the attribute data and x is the data indicating that the attribute data is invalid.