Image processing device and computer-readable computer program product containing image processing program

• US 8,928,768 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2011
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Sugihara, Mari
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, CHIA WEI A
• Application Number:
  US13/069,546
• Publication Number:
  US 20110234818A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,385 Days
• Field of Search: 3482221-261, 382155-167, 382181-231, 396/222
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/64 Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

An image processing device includes: an evaluation unit that evaluates a plurality of images by designating predetermined image characteristics as an evaluation index; an image processing unit that executes image processing, which will affect the evaluation index, on at least one image among the plurality of images; and an image selection unit that selects an image with superiority in an evaluation value calculated in correspondence to the evaluation index, among the plurality of images evaluated by the evaluation unit by factoring in application of the image processing by the image processing unit.

Claims

1. An image processing device, comprising:

an evaluation unit that evaluates a plurality of images based on predetermined image characteristics corresponding to an evaluation index;

a decision-making unit that determines a specific type of image processing, which will improve an evaluation value of at least one of the plurality of images, the evaluation value calculated in correspondence to the evaluation index;

an image processing unit that executes the specific type of image processing which is determined by the decision-making unit; and

an image selection unit that selects an image from the plurality of images having a post-image processing evaluation value with superiority, the post-image processing evaluation value being calculated by factoring in the execution of the specific type of image processing by the image processing unit.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

the image processing unit executes the specific type of image processing on a specific image, among the plurality of images, selected based upon the evaluation value; and

the image selection unit selects the specific image as the image with the superiority in the post-image processing evaluation value among images including the specific image having undergone the specific type of image processing, the images including the specific image having been designated as selection candidates.

3. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

the decision-making unit determines, in correspondence to each of the plurality of images, a specific type of the image processing through which the evaluation value will improve, and executes only the specific type of the image processing through which the evaluation value will improve.

4. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

correlation data indicating a change in the evaluation value from a pre-image processing evaluation value to the post-image processing evaluation value, which will result from the specific type of image processing executed by the image processing unit, are set in advance; and

the decision-making unit determines the specific type of the image processing through which the evaluation value will improve based upon the correlation data having been set.

5. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

the image selection unit predicts image processing results of the specific type of image processing to be executed by the image processing unit and selects the image with the superiority in the post-image processing evaluation value calculated in correspondence to the evaluation index, among the plurality of images, based upon the image processing results predicted.

6. The image processing device according to claim 5, wherein:

correlation data indicating a change in the evaluation value from a pre-image processing evaluation value to the post-image processing evaluation value, which will result from the specific type of image processing executed by the image processing unit, are set in advance; and

the image selection unit predicts the image processing results of the specific type of image processing to be executed by the image processing unit based upon the correlation data having been set.

7. The image processing device according to claim 6, further comprising:

a recording control unit that records image processing information related to a type of the image processing, through which the evaluation value can be improved, executed by the image processing unit, in relation to each image of which the valuation value is expected to improve through the image processing, wherein;

the decision-making unit determines the specific type of the image processing based upon the correlation data.

8. The image processing device according to claim 7, wherein:

the image processing unit executes the specific type of the image processing identified based upon the image processing information for each image in correspondence to which the image processing information is recorded.

9. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

the evaluation index includes at least one of;

an image composition, an image quality and a condition of a face of a human subject, pertaining to each of the plurality of images.

10. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

the evaluation unit executes integrated evaluation of a plurality of types of evaluation indices corresponding to a plurality of image characteristics, each of which is different from one another.

11. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

the specific type of image processing includes at least one of;

image processing executed for the at least one image to correct an image composition, image processing executed for the at least one image to reduce an effect of shaky camera handling, image processing executed for the at least one image to correct a focusing condition, tone correction processing executed for the at least one image, color correction processing executed for the at least one image, foreign matter removal processing executed for the at least one image, facial expression correction processing executed to correct a facial expression of a human subject in the at least one image and red-eye reduction processing executed for the at least one image.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing an image processing program, the image processing program comprising:

an evaluation instruction for a computer to evaluate a plurality of images based on predetermined image characteristics corresponding to an evaluation index;

a decision-making instruction for the computer to determine a specific type of image processing;

which will improve an evaluation value of at least one of the plurality of images, the evaluation value calculated in correspondence to the evaluation index;

an image processing instruction for the computer to execute the specific type of image processing which is determined by the decision-making instruction; and

an image selection instruction for the computer to select an image, from the plurality of images having a post-image processing evaluation value with superiority, the post-image processing evaluation value being calculated by factoring in the execution of the specific type of image processing by the image processing instruction.