Abstract: The invention provides a technique for compression processing according to JPEG 2000 or the like in an electronic camera that evaluates the quality of each of image data groups taken sequentially by an imaging section and records high-rank image data selectively, and in a related image processing program. The quality of an image is evaluated based on: an amount of data in a selection region of ROI coding; an amount of data to a predetermined position of a bit stream; a cutoff position of a bit stream; a signal level of a high-frequency-range sub-band component; or an amount of data of a predetermined tile. This quality evaluation makes it possible to achieve an image selection function that matches the compression processing of JPEG 2000 or the like very well.

Abstract: An electronic still camera embodying the invention converts images of an object into image data and records the image data onto a recording medium. A corresponding identification code is directly recorded with the image data so that the image data can be efficiently managed within the electronic still camera.

Abstract: As the target compression rate is set higher, the ratio of a DC component quantization step and an AC component quantization step (referred to as a “DC/AC quantization ratio” is adjusted to a smaller value and then a compression size adjustment is implemented while sustaining the DC/AC quantization ratio at a substantially constant value. In addition, if the compression rate is set higher than a predetermined factor, the DC/AC quantization ratio is fixed at a constant value regardless of the target compression rate setting to prevent the DC component quantization step from becoming excessively small.

Abstract: An electronic camera according to the invention is provided with an imaging unit for generating image data by taking a subject image; a lossless compression unit for generating compressed data by performing substantial lossless compression on the image data; a compression judging unit for judging whether the amount of the losslessly compressed data exceeds a threshold value; and a recording unit for recording the image data uncompressed in a recording medium when the amount of the losslessly compressed data exceeds the threshold value, and for recording the compressed data in the recording unit when the amount does not. In the electronic camera, when the amount of data after lossless compression is unexpectedly large, uncompressed data having a generally stable amount of data is recorded instead of compressed data. This can avoid accidents where shooting results cannot be recorded due to unexpectedly large amount of compressed data.

Abstract: An electronic camera is capable of recording image, voice, text, line-drawn information and the like. A release switch in the electronic camera is operated to photograph a subject image. When recording voice with the electronic camera, shutter sound effects are not output with the recorded voice. Further, the photographic operation can be indicated to the user by lighting a light-emitting diode in a finder when the release switch is operated.

Abstract: A portion of the capacity of a storage medium is set aside in advance as an adjustment capacity to be utilized in making an adjustment on the extent by which the target code volume is exceeded during a fixed-length compression. A nominal remaining frame quantity calculated by excluding the adjustment capacity from the remaining capacity is indicated as the remaining frame quantity at the storage medium to prevent any irregular change in the number of remaining frames displayed at the electronic camera. In addition, by allowing the compression code volume to exceed the target in correspondence to the excess (the estimated capacity value representing the remaining area) of the remaining capacity, a planned reduction in the remaining area is achieved.

Abstract: A frame memory device is employed in a digital camera, for example, to output raster-scanned digital color image signals at lower resolution than that of original image signals. The order of sequentially received original raster-scanned digital color image signals is rearranged, and the rearranged signals are sequentially stored in a memory having a two-dimensional address structure such that vertical addresses represent the order of entry of respective scan lines that constitute the image signals and horizontal addresses represent the order of entry of respective signals that belong to each of the scan lines. The stored rearranged signals are subsampled and read out while skipping horizontal and vertical addresses of the memory at regular intervals. The image signals may comprise YCBCR color signals having a sampling ratio of 4:2:2. Sequentially received C signals in the order of CB?CR?CB?CR, for example, are rearranged in the order of CB?CB?CR?CR.

Abstract: an image file processing method adopted in an image file processing apparatus, includes steps for: inputting from the outside an image file containing at least color information corresponding to each of pixels defined by a color space used in the image file, a color space identification tag indicating whether or not the color space used in the image file is a first color space and a color space information tag providing color space information related to the color space used in the image file; making a decision as to whether or not the color space used in the image file is the first color space based upon the color space identification tag; and referencing the color space information tag in the image file if the color space used in the image file is determined not to be in the first color space.

Abstract: An electronic camera of the present invention includes: an imaging unit capturing a subject to generate an original image; a derivative image generating unit reducing resolution or color of the original image to generate a derivative image for transfer; a recording unit recording the original image and the derivative image thereon such that the original image and the derivative image get associated with each other; and a transfer unit transferring the derivative image recorded on the recording unit to an external transfer destination. In this configuration, the recording unit finds the derivative image (original image) by referring to the association with the original image (or derivative image), thereby collectively managing the original image and the derivative image. This makes it possible to prevent a user from being confused at image management due to the original image and the derivative image being the same image.

Abstract: When a card detection unit of an electronic device detects that a PC card is mounted, an MPU sets an output signal Stime at one of the output ports from L level to H level after a predetermined length of time elapses following the detection. A switch drive circuit turns on a power supply switch when the signal Stime shifts to H level, and immediately turns off the power supply switch if it is detected that no PC card is mounted. As a result, the electric shock to the card-type electronic circuit can be minimized when mounting/dismounting the PC card in/from the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic camera of the present invention includes an image pickup part performing “still image pickup generating a still image signal” and “control image pickup successively generating control image signals having higher frame rate” in time division; a still image processing part applying predetermined still image signal processing to the still image signal; a control image processing part applying predetermined control signal processing to the control image signals to extract control data; and a control part performing at least one control operation out of exposure control, focus control, and white balance control, based on the control data output from the control image processing part. Particularly, in the present invention, the control image processing part and the still image processing part are configured to operate independently.

Abstract: An electronic camera according to the present invention includes: an image pickup part for picking up a subject image to produce image data; a processing part for processing the image data outputted from the image pickup part to produce a quickview image for monitor display and also produce image data for record on a recording medium; and a monitor part for displaying the quickview image. The processing part commences displaying the quickview image on the monitor part prior to the production of the image data for record. This processing allows the display of the quickview image to be commenced without waiting for completion of the production of the image data for record. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time lag occurring at displaying the quickview image, thereby improving the convenience of the electronic camera.

Abstract: An electronic camera of the present invention comprises an image pickup part, a microprocessor, and a multi-port memory that has a first port and a second port through which data can be independently accessed. The microprocessor writes the image data to the multi-port memory through the first port. The digital signal processor reads the image data from the multi-port memory through the second port, performs the software signal processing on the image data, and writes the processed data to the multi-port memory through the second port. The microprocessor reads the image data on which the software signal processing has been performed from the multi-port memory through the first port and records the read image data from the multi-port memory on a recording medium that stores data.

Abstract: A camera that records image data generated by electronically capturing an image of a subject in a removable memory, includes: a non-volatile memory that differs from the removable memory in which the image data are recorded, and a main MPU that saves management information related to recording or reproduction in the removable memory into the non-volatile before power to the camera is cut off, reads out the management information from the non-volatile memory after the power to the camera is turned on, and recovers the management information stored before the power is cut off based on the management information read out by the main MPU, the management information being generated based on information read out from the removable memory.

Abstract: An electronic still camera embodying the invention converts images of an object into image data and records the image data onto a recording medium. A corresponding identification code is directly recorded with the image data so that the image data can be efficiently managed within the electronic still camera.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique for compression processing according to JPEG 2000 or the like in an electronic camera that evaluates the quality of each of image data groups taken sequentially by an imaging section and records high-rank image data selectively, and in a related image processing program. The quality of an image is evaluated based on: an amount of data in a selection region of ROI coding; an amount of data to a predetermined position of a bit stream; a cutoff position of a bit stream; a signal level of a high-frequency-range sub-band component; or an amount of data of a predetermined tile. This quality evaluation makes it possible to achieve an image selection function that matches the compression processing of JPEG 2000 or the like very well.

Abstract: An electronic camera according to the invention is provided with an imaging unit for generating image data by taking a subject image; a lossless compression unit for generating compressed data by performing substantial lossless compression on the image data; a compression judging unit for judging whether the amount of the losslessly compressed data exceeds a threshold value; and a recording unit for recording the image data uncompressed in a recording medium when the amount of the losslessly compressed data exceeds the threshold value, and for recording the compressed data in the recording unit when the amount does not. In the electronic camera, when the amount of data after lossless compression is unexpectedly large, uncompressed data having a generally stable amount of data is recorded instead of compressed data. This can avoid accidents where shooting results cannot be recorded due to unexpectedly large amount of compressed data.

Abstract: An electronic camera is capable of recording image, voice, text, line-drawn information and the like. A release switch in the electronic camera is operated to photograph a subject image. When recording voice with the electronic camera, shutter sound effects are not output with the recorded voice. Further, the photographic operation can be indicated to the user by lighting a light-emitting diode in a finder when the release switch is operated.

Abstract: A frame memory device is employed in a digital camera, for example, to output raster-scanned digital color image signals at lower resolution than that of original image signals. The order of sequentially received original raster-scanned digital color image signals is rearranged, and the rearranged signals are sequentially stored in a memory having a two-dimensional address structure such that vertical addresses represent the order of entry of respective scan lines that constitute the image signals and horizontal addresses represent the order of entry of respective signals that belong to each of the scan lines. The stored rearranged signals are subsampled and read out while skipping horizontal and vertical addresses of the memory at regular intervals. The image signals may comprise YCBCR color signals having a sampling ratio of 4:2:2. Sequentially received C signals in the order of CB→CR→CB→CR, for example, are rearranged in the order of CB→CB→CR→CR.

Abstract: An electronic still camera is provided, which can maintain a photographing order (recording order) of frames by only partially updating information even when an arbitrary frame recorded in a memory is erased, and new data is re-recorded in the corresponding area. The camera may include a designation unit for designating arbitrary image data in a memory in which a plurality of image data and administration data for administering the image data are recorded, and an erase unit for erasing administration data corresponding to designated image data designated by the designation unit. Furthermore, the camera includes an updating unit for updating administration data corresponding to image data obtained by an image pickup operation immediately before the designated image data is obtained, or administration data corresponding to image data obtained immediately after the designated image data is obtained, in correspondence with an erase operation of the erase unit.