JP2004128682A - Moving picture edit apparatus and moving picture edit system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a moving picture edit apparatus which easily edits image data representing a moving picture independently of a form of the image data. <P>SOLUTION: The moving picture edit apparatus is configured with: a format conversion means 12 for converting a format of image data received from various moving picture imaging devices into a reference format; a data server 16 for storing original image data received from the various moving picture imaging devices and the image data whose format is converted into the reference format; an edit means 18 for editing the image data with the reference format on the basis of edit instruction information attached to the image data and edit instruction information entered by an entry means 22; and a media write means 20 for writing the image data after edit and the original image data to a removable medium 26. Thus, the moving picture edit apparatus can easily edit the image data obtained by the various moving picture imaging devices. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００６４】
付帯データの、第１の項目である「ステータス」は、映像データの扱い（フレームの重要性）を表すものであり、適用内容と適用範囲から構成される。適用内容は、代表、主要、保管用、不要の４種類に小分類されており、ここに編集するための編集指示情報を含めることができる。各々の小分類には、適用範囲としてフレーム番号（フレームＮｏ．）が対応される。ステータス（代表）の項目は動画像ファイル内の代表的なフレームやフレーム範囲を示すもので、主に動画像ファイルからダイジェスト版を作成するときに参照するために用いられる。ステータス（主要）の項目は動画像ファイル内の主要な（標準的な）フレームやフレーム範囲を示すもので、主に動画像ファイルを標準的に（通常のモードで）再生するときに参照するために用いられる。ステータス（保管用）の項目は動画像ファイルを保管するときのフレームやフレーム範囲を示すもので、主に保管用とすべき動画像ファイルを全て（フルモードで）再生するときに参照するために用いられる。ステータス（不要）の項目は動画像ファイルに含まれる不要なフレームやフレーム範囲を示すもので、これを編集指示情報とすることができ、主にメディア変換時や動画ファイル送信時に削除されるべきフレームやフレーム範囲を参照するために用いられる。
【００６５】
項目は、コード情報で表される。表１の例では、第１の項目「ステータス」を表す「１」に適用内容の序列の番号０〜３が連続されて構成される。すなわち、ステータス（代表）の項目は「１０」、ステータス（主要）の項目は「１１」、ステータス（保管用）の項目は「１２」、ステータス（不要）の項目は「１３」のコード情報で表される。また、適用範囲は開始フレームと終了フレームとから構成されている（開始フレーム：終了フレーム）。
【００６６】
付帯データの、第２の項目である「インデックス」は、映像データにおける位置を表すものであり、主にインデックス作成時のフレームの位置を表している。適用内容としては、プリントインデックス、モニターインデックスの２種類に小分類されており、その適用範囲としてフレーム番号（フレームＮｏ．）が対応される。プリントインデックスは、動画像ファイルに関するインデックスをプリントするときのフレームやフレーム範囲を示すもので、モニターインデックスは、動画像ファイルをモニターなどに表示するときのフレームやフレーム範囲を示すものである。プリントインデックスは「２０」、モニターインデックスは「２１」のコード情報で表される。
【００６７】
付帯データの、第３の項目である「フレームプリント」は、映像データにおけるプリント指示の位置を表すものであり、映像データからプリントを作成時のフレームの位置を表している。適用内容としては、プリントサイズによって、Ｌサイズプリント、２Ｌサイズプリント、ポストカードプリントの３種類に小分類されており、その適用範囲としてフレーム番号（フレームＮｏ．）及び枚数が対応される。Ｌサイズプリントは「３０」、２Ｌサイズプリントは「３１」、ポストカードプリントは「３２」のコード情報で表される。
【００６８】
付帯データの、第４の項目である「メール配信」は、映像データを電送することを表すものであり、電送形態、宛先及び電送範囲が対応される。適用内容としては、電送形態により小分類され、電送形態には宛先を含んでいる。表１の例では、動画像をメール送信する場合に「４０」のコード情報で表され、静止画像をメール送信する場合に「４１」のコード情報で表される。内容には、アドレス（”△＠□．ｃｏｍ”、”×＠○．ｃｏ．ｊｐ”、”△＠○．ｃｏ．ｊｐ”）を含み、電送範囲としてフレーム番号（フレームＮｏ．）またはフレーム範囲が対応される。
【００６９】
付帯データの、第５の項目である「ＧＰＳ情報」は、撮影時点における位置を表すものである。適用内容としては、ＧＰＳから得られる緯度や経度のデータが用いられ、その位置における撮影範囲としてフレーム番号（フレームＮｏ．）が対応される。ＧＰＳ情報は「５０」のコード情報で表される。
【００７０】
付帯データの、第６の項目である「日付情報」は、撮影時点における日付を表すものである。適用内容として、年月日時曜日などのデータが用いられ、その日時における撮影範囲としてフレーム番号（フレームＮｏ．）が対応される。日付情報は「６０」のコード情報で表される。
【００７１】
付帯データの、第７の項目である「カメラ機種」は、撮影に利用したカメラすなわち映像データを得たカメラの機種を表すものである。適用内容としては、カメラの種別及び型番などで構成され、表１の例では、デジカメとして「７０」、デジタルビデオとして「７１」、カメラ内蔵の携帯端末として「７２」、カメラ内蔵時計として「７３」のコード情報で表される４種類に小分類されており、その適用範囲としてフレーム番号（フレームＮｏ．）が対応される。
【００７２】
付帯データの、第８の項目である「ＰＷ情報」は、映像データに対する暗証番号を表すものであり、主に秘匿性を必要とするフレームの位置を表している。適用内容としては、暗証番号を含み、その適用範囲としてフレーム番号（フレームＮｏ．）が対応される。コード情報は、「８０」が対応される。
【００７３】
なお、上記の８種類の項目以外にも、焦点距離や絞り値などの撮影条件情報、その動画像ファイルのユーザを表す氏名、住所、年齢、性別などの個人情報、クレジットカードの種別や番号などの決済情報を含むことができる。
【００７４】
続いて、上述のように構成された動画像編集システムで行われるサービスの一例について説明する。
【００７５】
動画像編集システムでは、種々の撮影デバイスによって撮影することによって得られる画像データ（オリジナル画像データ）をリムーバブルメディアに書き込むメディア書き込みサービス（以下、１次サービスという）が行われる。このとき、予め定められた基準フォーマットに変換された画像データ及びオリジナル画像データがサーバコンピュータ５４に保存される。
【００７６】
そして、１次サービスが行われた画像データに対して、編集を行う編集サービス（２次サービスという）も行われる。該２次サービスでは、１次サービスでサーバコンピュータ５４に保存された基準フォーマットの画像データを用いて、利用者が指示する編集指示情報に基づく編集が行われる。利用者が指示する編集指示情報は、上述したように、再生装置４０を用いてリムーバブルメディア２６に記録された画像データに付加するようにしてよいし、別のデータとしてコンピュータ５２を用いてサーバコンピュータ５４に送信するようにしてもよいし、別のリムーバブルメディア等の記録メディアに編集指示情報を記録して、該記録メディアを編集サービス提供元に直接渡すようにしてもよいし、予め定められた注文用紙等に編集指示を記載して編集サービス提供元に渡し、編集サービス提供元のオペレータがキーボード７４を操作して編集指示に基づく編集指示情報を入力するようにしてもよい。
【００７７】
次に、動画像編集システムの動画像編集装置１０で行われる上述の１次サービス及び２次サービスを図４及び図５のフローチャートを参照して説明する。
【００７８】
なお、図４には、１次サービスの処理の流れを示すフローチャートを示し、図５には、２次サービスの処理の流れを示すフローチャートを示す。また、図４及び図５はそれぞれ編集サービスを要求するコンピュータ５２によりサーバコンピュータ５４にネットワーク６０を介してアクセスして編集サービスを要求する場合のサーバコンピュータ５４で行われる処理の例を示す。
【００７９】
まず、ステップ１００では、編集サービスを要求する利用者のコンピュータ５２から編集サービス要求がなされたか否か判定される。該判定は、例えば、サーバコンピュータ５４が公開するホームページ（ＨＰ）にコンピュータ５２からアクセスが行われ、編集サービス要求を表す操作がコンピュータ５２を介して行われてサーバコンピュータ５４に編集サービス要求情報が入力されたか否かによって判定される。
【００８０】
ステップ１００の判定が否定された場合には、肯定されるまで待機して、ステップ１０２へ移行して、１次サービス要求がなされたか否か判定される。該判定が肯定された場合には、ステップ１０４へ移行して、画像データが入力されたか否か判定される。すなわち、ネットワーク６０経由で画像データを受信したか否か判定される。
【００８１】
ステップ１０４の判定が否定された場合には、肯定されるまで待機してステップ１０６へ移行する。
【００８２】
ステップ１０６では、入力されたオリジナル画像データがサーバコンピュータ５４のＨＤＤ６８に保存され、ステップ１０８へ移行する。
【００８３】
ステップ１０８では、入力された画像データの形式が予め定めた基準フォーマットであるか否か判定される。該判定が否定された場合には、ステップ１１０へ移行して、オリジナル画像データが基準フォーマットの画像データに変換されると共に、ＲＯＭ６４に記憶されたプログラムに従って所定の画質補正が行われる。該変換は、例えば、予め定められた画像サイズやフレームレートの画像データに変換され、画質補正は、例えば、コントラスト調整や色調整等の画質補正が行われる。
【００８４】
続いて、ステップ１１２では、ステップ１１０の変換で得られる基準フォーマットの画像データがサーバコンピュータ５４のＨＤＤ６８に保存される。なお、このとき、基準フォーマットの画像データとオリジナル画像データをリンクして記憶し、後の２次サービス時に、オリジナル画像データに対応する基準フォーマットの画像データを読み出せるようにＨＤＤ６８に記憶する。
【００８５】
そして、ステップ１１４では、リムーバブルメディア２６にオリジナル画像データが記録される。すなわち、各種撮影デバイスによって得られる画像データのリムーバブルメディア２６へのバックアップが行われる。
【００８６】
一方、ステップ１０８の判定が肯定、すなわち、入力画像データが基準フォーマットである場合には、ステップ１１６へ移行する。
【００８７】
ステップ１１６では、基準フォーマットの画像データがオリジナル画像データとして入力されたので、フォーマット変換は行わずに、画質補正のみが行われて、ステップ１１８へ移行する。
【００８８】
ステップ１１８では、画質補正済みの画像データがサーバコンピュータ５４のＨＤＤ６８に保存されて、上述のステップ１１４へ移行して、オリジナル画像データがリムーバブルメディア２６に記録されて１次サービスの処理を終了する。
【００８９】
一方、ステップ１０２の判定が否定、すなわち、１次サービス要求ではない場合には、ステップ１２０へ移行して、２次サービス要求か否か判定される。該判定は例えば、ネットワーク６０を介して２次サービス要求がサーバコンピュータ５４に対してなされたか否かによって判定される。
【００９０】
ステップ１２０の判定が肯定された場合には、後述する２次サービスの処理が行われて一連の１次サービスの処理を終了し、ステップ１２０の判定が否定された場合には、そのまま一連の処理を終了する。
【００９１】
すなわち、１次サービスの処理によって、基準フォーマットの画像データとオリジナル画像データがサーバコンピュータ５４に保存され、後の２次サービス等の様々な要求を受けることができる。また、１次サービスの処理によってリムーバブルメディア２６への画像データ書き込みを行うことができ、撮影デバイスで撮影することによって得られる画像データをバックアップすることができる。
【００９２】
さらに、基準フォーマットとしてＭＰＥＧ２形式等のフォーマットを用いる場合には、複数回繰り返して編集（画像データの圧縮及び回答の繰り返し）を行うことにより画質が劣化するが、オリジナル画像データもサーバコンピュータ５４に保存されるので、繰り返し編集を行う場合には、当該オリジナル画像データを再度基準フォーマット変換してから編集を行うことも可能となり、画質の劣化を防止することもできる。
【００９３】
次に、上述の２次サービスの処理について図５のフローチャートを参照して説明する。
【００９４】
ステップ２００では、画像データが入力されたか否か判定される。すなわち、ネットワーク６０経由で画像データを受信したか否か判定される。ステップ２００の判定が否定された場合には、肯定されるまで待機してステップ２０２へ移行する。
【００９５】
ステップ２０２では、サーバコンピュータ５４に入力された画像データに編集指示情報が付与されているか否か判定される。例えば、Ｅｘｉｆファイル等の画像データでは、画像データの他の付帯情報を付与することが可能であり、当該付帯情報として編集指示情報が付与されているか否か判定される。
【００９６】
ステップ２０２の判定が肯定された場合には、ステップ２０４へ移行して、画像データに付与された編集指示情報が画像データから抽出される。
【００９７】
一方、ステップ２０２の判定が否定された場合には、ステップ２０６へ移行して、編集指示情報が入力されたか否か判定される。該判定は、例えば、画像データとは別に編集指示情報が入力されたか否か判定される。例えば、ネットワーク６０経由で２次サービスを要求するコンピュータ５２からサーバコンピュータ５４に編集指示情報が入力されたか否か、キーボード７４から編集指示情報が入力されたか否か等が判定される。
【００９８】
ステップ２０６の判定が否定された場合には、肯定されるまで待機してステップ２０８へ移行する。
【００９９】
ステップ２０８では、上述のようして得られる編集指示情報がサーバコンピュータ５４のＨＤＤ６８に保存される。
【０１００】
続いて、ステップ２１０では、入力画像データに対応する基準フォーマット変換済み画像データがサーバコンピュータ５４のＨＤＤ６８より読み出される。すなわち、１次サービス時にサーバコンピュータ５４のＨＤＤ６８に保存された入力された画像データに対応する基準フォーマット変換済みの画像データが読出される。
【０１０１】
ステップ２１２では、読出された基準フォーマットの画像データに対して、編集指示情報に基づく編集が行われる。例えば、編集指示情報によって指示される画像データ（必要な部分）のみが抽出される。
【０１０２】
そして、ステップ２１４では、編集された基準フォーマットの画像データがリムーバブルメディア２６に記録され、２次サービスの処理を終了する。
【０１０３】
なお、編集された画像データが記録されたリムーバブルメディア２６は、編集サービスの要求元に郵送するようにしてもよいし、編集サービスの要求者が引き取りに来るようにしてもよい。
【０１０４】
このように、本実施の形態に係わる動画像編集装置１０では、共通の基準フォーマットに変換して編集を行うので、各種編集要求に容易に対応することができる。また、オリジナル画像データ、基準フォーマットに変換された画像データ、及び編集指示情報がサーバコンピュータ５４のＨＤＤ６８に保存されるので、様々な編集要求に対応することも可能となる。
【０１０５】
なお、本実施の形態では、２次サービスにおいて、編集指示情報に基づく編集を行う際に、基準フォーマット変換済みの画像データを用いて編集を行うようにしたが、上述したように、基準フォーマットとしてＭＰＥＧ２形式等のフォーマットを用いる場合には、繰り返し編集（画像データの圧縮及び解凍の繰り返し）により画質が劣化するため、１次サービス時にサーバコンピュータ５４に保存したオリジナル画像データを用いるようにしてもよい。すなわち、サーバコンピュータ５４にオリジナル画像データも保存されるので、複数回の繰り返し編集を行う際には、サーバコンピュータ５４に保存されたオリジナル画像データを再度基準フォーマット変換してから、編集を行うようにしてもよい。これによって、基準フォーマットとしてＭＰＥＧ２形式等のフォーマットを用いて繰り返し編集をしても画質の劣化を防止することができる。また、当該繰り返し編集を行う際には、サーバコンピュータ５４に保存されたオリジナル画像データを用いる他に、１次サービスでリムーバブルメディア２６に記録されたオリジナル画像データを用いるようにしてもよい。すなわち、上記同様に、リムーバブルディスク２６に記録されたオリジナル画像データを再度基準フォーマット変換してから編集を行うことにより、画質劣化を防止することが可能である。
【０１０６】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、入力される画像データを所定形式のデータに変換し、入力される編集指示情報に基づいて変換された画像データを編集するので、画像データの形式に関係なく、動画像を表す画像データの編集を容易に行うことができる、という効果がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態に係わる動画像編集装置を含む動画像編集システムの機能構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】本発明の実施の形態に係わる動画像編集システムの概略構成を示す図である。
【図３】本発明の実施の形態に係わる動画像編集システムのサーバコンピュータ及びコンピュータの構成を示すブロック図である。
【図４】本発明の実施の形態に係わる動画像編集装置で行われる１次サービスの例を示すフローチャートである。
【図５】本発明の実施の形態に係わる動画像編集装置で行われる２次サービスの例を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１０　　動画像編集装置
１２　　フォーマット変換手段
１４　　自動画像補正手段
１６　　データサーバ
１８　　編集手段
２０　　メディア書き込み手段
２２　　入力手段
２６　　リムーバブルメディア
２８　　メディア再生手段
３０Ａ　デジタルカメラ
３０Ｂ　デジタルビデオ
３０Ｃ　カメラ付き携帯端末
５２　　コンピュータ
５４　　サーバコンピュータ
６０　　ネットワーク[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a moving image editing apparatus and a moving image editing system, and more particularly to a moving image editing apparatus that edits a moving image represented by digital image data and a moving image editing system including the moving image editing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many digital cameras have been distributed as image pickup apparatuses using CCD image pickup devices that can be easily photographed. At the time of photographing, a digital camera reads a charge (photoelectric conversion) corresponding to the amount of light with a CCD image sensor or the like for each pixel and converts it into image data, and then records the photographed image as image data on a recording medium.
[0003]
In this way, an environment for digitizing image data easily and inexpensively has been prepared, and in today's environment for using a large-capacity storage device capable of storing a large amount of digital data, means for handling digital image data without being organized. Is desired. This situation becomes more prominent when the image data becomes a moving image.
[0004]
As a means for handling image data, a digital camera having a function of assigning shooting information representing shooting conditions to digital image data acquired by shooting is used, and image data obtained by this shooting is converted into image data. There has been proposed a technique in which image processing for enhancing image quality is performed using the given shooting information and then the image is reproduced as a display image on a print or monitor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 10-191246 A (page 4-5, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, shooting information is added to image data of a still image, and image processing for improving image quality is performed before printing or display, and image processing for moving images is difficult. . In addition, since the moving image format is different for each photographing device and there are various formats, there is a problem that a reproducing apparatus and reproducing software corresponding to each moving image format are required for reproduction.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and provides a moving image editing apparatus and a moving image editing system capable of easily editing image data representing a moving image regardless of the format of the image data. The purpose is to do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a data input means for inputting image data representing a moving image, and a conversion for converting the image data input by the data input means into data of a predetermined format. Means, input means for inputting editing instruction information for editing a moving image, editing means for editing the converted image data converted by the converting means based on the editing instruction information, and editing by the editing means Recording means for recording the converted image data on a recording medium.
[0009]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, image data representing a moving image is input to the data input means. For example, it is possible to input image data from a network represented by the Internet or the like, or to input image data recorded on a recording medium.
[0010]
In the conversion means, the input image data is converted into data of a predetermined format. For example, the image data is converted into image data in a reference format having a predetermined image size or a predetermined frame rate.
[0011]
In the input means, editing instruction information for editing a moving image is input. For example, like image data, editing instruction information can be input from a network represented by the Internet or the like, or editing instruction information recorded on a recording medium can be input. Note that the edit instruction information is, for example, information that represents a necessary portion of image data representing a moving image, and can be represented by a frame number, time, or the like that represents the necessary portion.
[0012]
In the editing unit, the converted image data converted by the converting unit is edited based on the editing instruction information input by the input unit. For example, editing such as extracting only the image data of a necessary part is performed.
[0013]
Then, the recording means records the converted image data edited by the editing means on the recording medium. For example, various forms such as smart media, PC card, micro drive, multimedia card (MMC), magnetic disk, optical disk (CD-R, DVD, etc.), magneto-optical disk, memory stick, etc. are applicable as the recording medium. It is.
[0014]
Thus, since the data is converted into data of a predetermined format and edited, the image data obtained by photographing with various photographing devices can be edited and recorded on the recording medium. In other words, image data representing a moving image can be easily edited regardless of the format of the image data.
[0015]
By the way, in a file format capable of recording supplementary information in image data, edit instruction information can be attached to the image data as supplementary information. Therefore, when the editing instruction information is given to the image data, as in the invention according to claim 2, the extracting means of the editing means sets the editing instruction information to the image data inputted by the data input means in advance. If added, the editing instruction information added may be extracted, and the converted image data may be edited based on the extracted editing instruction information.
[0016]
The invention described in claim 1 or claim 2 further includes storage means for storing the input original image data, converted image data, and editing instruction information as in the invention described in claim 3. You may make it. As described above, by further including the storage means, it is possible to respond to various editing requests. Further, when the format of the reference format converted by the converting unit is, for example, a format such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 format, the image quality deteriorates due to repeated editing, but the original storage unit By storing the image data, it is possible to perform editing after converting the reference format again using the original image data, and it is possible to prevent image quality deterioration.
[0017]
In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the converting means may include a correcting means for correcting the image quality of the image data, as in the invention according to claim 4. As a result, image quality correction can be performed simultaneously with editing.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the moving image editing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a computer having an output unit that outputs the image data and the editing instruction information, and the moving image. A network connecting the editing apparatus and the computer.
[0019]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output image data and editing instruction information for editing the image data from a computer and input them to the moving image editing apparatus via the network.
[0020]
That is, image data editing performed by the moving image editing apparatus can be provided as an editing service using the Internet or the like, and the editing service can be requested from a computer.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 5 may include a reproducing means for reading and reproducing the converted image data from the recording medium on which the converted image data is recorded by the recording means, as in the invention according to claim 6. . As a result, the edited image data can be reproduced by the reproducing means.
[0022]
At this time, the reproducing means may include editing instruction information recording means for recording the editing instruction information on the recording medium, as in the seventh aspect of the invention. Thereby, editing instruction information for requesting editing to the moving image editing apparatus can be recorded on the recording medium.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a moving image editing system including a moving image editing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, the moving image editing apparatus 10 includes various video imaging devices such as a digital camera 30A, a digital video 30B, and a camera-equipped mobile terminal 30C (hereinafter, 30A, 30B, and 30C are collectively referred to as 30. Image data representing moving images obtained by shooting 30 can be input, and editing instruction information representing contents to be edited with respect to image data input to the moving image editing apparatus 10 can be input. Yes.
[0026]
In addition, input to the moving image editing apparatus 10 from various video shooting devices is performed by recording image data on the removable medium 26 and inputting it via the removable medium 26 (reading and inputting by a reading unit that reads the removable medium 26). Alternatively, it may be directly input from various moving image photographing devices using a communication means (not shown) such as a network.
[0027]
In addition, the edit instruction information may be input to the moving image editing apparatus 10 separately from the image data, or the edit instruction information may be added to the image data. Then, it may be input to the moving image editing apparatus 10 together with the image data. When the editing instruction information is input to the moving image editing apparatus 10 separately from the image data, the contents representing the editing instruction information are passed to the operator who operates the moving image editing apparatus 10 as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. The operator may input data to the moving image editing apparatus 10 by operating the input means 22 such as a keyboard, or the recording may be performed on the recording medium using a recording medium such as a removable medium in which editing instruction information is recorded. The edited editing instruction information may be input.
[0028]
Image data input from the various moving image capturing devices 30 is input to the format conversion means 12 and the data server 16 of the moving image editing apparatus 10.
[0029]
The format conversion means 12 converts input image data so that a format including a moving image size, a frame rate, and the like becomes a predetermined reference format. The format conversion means 12 includes an automatic image correction means 14 so that image quality correction such as contrast adjustment and color adjustment is performed. At the time of format conversion, format conversion for converting the image size to a predetermined size using template data such as a frame image stored in advance in the template server 24 may be performed.
[0030]
The image data format-converted by the format conversion means 12 and the image data input from various moving image photographing devices are stored in the data server 16 connected to the format conversion means 12, respectively.
[0031]
An editing unit 18 is connected to the data server 16, and the editing unit 18 converts the image data converted by the format conversion unit 12 into editing instruction information or image data input to the input unit 22. The assigned editing instruction information is extracted, and editing based on the editing instruction information is performed. In editing, editing using template data stored in advance in the template server 24 may be performed. As the template data, for example, template data representing a predetermined frame image or the like can be applied.
[0032]
Then, the image data edited by the editing unit 18 based on the editing instruction information is output to the media writing unit 20 connected to the editing unit 18, and the edited image data is written to the removable medium 26. ing. Here, the image data before editing may be written in the removable medium 26 as a backup.
[0033]
As the removable medium 26, various forms such as smart media, PC card, micro drive, multimedia card (MMC), magnetic disk, optical disk (CD-R, DVD, etc.), magneto-optical disk, memory stick, etc. are applied. Is possible.
[0034]
The removable medium 26 on which the image data that has been subjected to format conversion by the format conversion means 12 and edited is recorded can be played back by the media playback means 28. As the media playback means 28, for example, media playback means such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc / Digital Video Disc) player or a CD-R can be applied.
[0035]
The media playback unit 28 may have a function of adding editing instruction information to image data in addition to playback. That is, when the next editing is performed, if the image data with the editing instruction information added to the image data is input to the moving image editing apparatus 10, the editing based on the editing instruction information added to the image data is performed as a moving image. This can be performed by the image editing apparatus 10. For example, as the editing instruction information, an editing instruction such as marking indicating the start part and the end part of the necessary image data is given to the image data, so that the editing unit 18 can extract and edit only the necessary part. .
[0036]
In addition, the media reproducing means 28 may include editing instruction information recording means for recording the editing instruction information on the removable medium 26 or other recording media. That is, edit instruction information may be recorded on a recording medium separately from image data.
[0037]
Next, an example of a more detailed configuration of the above-described moving image editing system will be described with reference to FIG.
[0038]
A moving image editing system 50 shown in FIG. 2 includes a plurality of computers 52 (52A, 52B, and 52C) owned by the same or different users, and a server computer 54 that provides a moving image editing service. It is configured to be connected to a network (for example, the Internet) 60 represented by a LAN (Local Area Network) as the Internet or other small-scale network through a connection device 56 such as a TA (Terminal Adapter). Yes. The plurality of computers 52 and the server computer 54 can exchange information by mutual communication via the network 60. The server computer 54 corresponds to the moving image editing apparatus 10 described above, and the server computer 54 is arranged in a service provider that provides services such as editing and backup of moving images.
[0039]
Each of the plurality of computers functions as a client computer. The client computer 52 is connected to the digital camera 30A so as to be able to communicate with each other. The client computer 52 can transmit image data representing a moving image obtained by photographing with the digital camera 30A to the server computer 54. ing.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, a case where the Internet is applied as the network 60 will be described. In this case, at least one computer can function as a WWW (World Wide Web) server, and other machines can function as a WWW client.
[0041]
Specifically, a WWW browser is installed in each computer, and by starting the WWW browser, a server computer 54 that provides a moving image editing service can be arbitrarily accessed via the network 60. At this time, the access position (data constituted by the position of the computer to be accessed and the position of information in the computer) is specified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
[0042]
When there is an access request from another computer, these computers transmit the data at the position specified by the URL to the access source computer via the network 60. At this time, data is generally transferred in accordance with HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).
[0043]
Note that an IP (Internet Protocol) address is used to identify these computers.
[0044]
That is, the moving image editing service can be received by accessing the server computer 54 that provides the moving image editing service using the computer 52.
[0045]
Next, the detailed configuration of each computer 52 and server computer 54 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 3, the server computer includes a general computer in which a CPU 62, a ROM 64, a RAM 66, and a hard disk (HDD) 68 are connected to a bus 70. The bus 70 includes a keyboard 74, a display. 72, a media interface (I / F) 76, a communication interface (I / F) 80, and the like. The HDD 68 on the server computer 54 side corresponds to the above-described data server 16 and template server 24. In the server computer 54, each of the above-described format converting means 12, editing means 18, input means 22, media writing means 20, and the like. Realize the function.
[0047]
The communication I / F 80 of the server computer 54 is connected to the network 60 typified by the Internet and the like, and can communicate with other computers connected to the network 60.
[0048]
A disk device 78 capable of reading and writing data to and from the removable medium 26 is connected to the media I / F 76 of the server computer 54, and edited image data and image data before editing are recorded on the removable medium 26. It is possible to do.
[0049]
The ROM 64 of the server computer 54 stores a program for editing image data, a program for automatically performing image correction (contrast adjustment, color adjustment, etc.) at the time of editing, and the like under the control of the CPU 62. Image data representing a moving image is edited. The HDD 68 of the server computer 54 stores template data representing a predetermined frame image used for editing.
[0050]
As the editing instruction information, the server computer 54 may receive information transmitted from the client side computer, or the items described by the user in a predetermined order form or the like may be received from the keyboard 74 of the server computer 54. You may make it input using.
[0051]
In addition, as the editing instruction information, a playback device 40 that can play the removable media 26 is connected to the media I / F 94 of the computer 52 that requests the editing service, and the playback image of the playback device 40 is viewed. The editing instruction information can be created using the playback device 40 or the computer 52, and the created editing instruction information may be transmitted together with the image data to the server computer 54, or edited to the image data. Instruction information may be attached and transmitted. For example, in the case of a file in an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) format, it is possible to attach auxiliary information in the image data, and it is possible to add editing instruction information as the auxiliary information. Yes, an Exif format file can be applied to a moving image file.
[0052]
On the other hand, each computer 52 that requests an editing service is constituted by a general computer in which a CPU 82, a ROM 84, a RAM 86, and a hard disk (HDD) 88 are connected to a bus 90, like the server computer 54. A keyboard 96, a display 98, a media interface (I / F) 94, a communication interface (I / F) 92, and the like are connected to the bus 90.
[0053]
The communication I / F 92 of each computer 52 is also connected to the above-described network 60 typified by the Internet or the like, and can communicate with other computers 52 and server computers 54 connected to the network 60. .
[0054]
The media I / F 94 of each computer 50 has a playback device 40 as the above-described media playback means 28 capable of reading a removable disk or the like on which image data representing moving images obtained by shooting with the digital camera 30A is recorded. A digital camera 30 </ b> A as various photographing devices 30 can be connected, and image data can be input to the computer 52 from the digital camera 30 </ b> A. That is, image data can be input from the digital camera 30 </ b> A to the computer 52 and transmitted to the server computer 54.
[0055]
As the playback device 40, for example, a DVD player or the like can be applied. Further, by adding a function for adding editing instruction information to image data to the DVD player, the editing instruction information can be added to the image data. For example, as described above, in the image data in the Exif file format, additional information can be added, so that edit instruction information can be added to the image data as the additional information. Further, as the edit instruction information, for example, edit instruction information such as marking the start position and end position of the necessary image data portion can be given.
[0056]
The ROM 84 of each computer 52 stores various programs and the like, and the RAM 86 stores various programs for receiving editing services and information for accessing a server computer that provides editing services.
[0057]
Here, a file structure when the above-described Exif format file is applied to a moving image will be described.
[0058]
An image provided as a still image photographed by a digital camera or the like is a so-called Exif format that includes attribute data such as a file name and photographing conditions in addition to image data of the photographed image itself in order to make it easy to grasp the photographed image. It is distributed as a file.
[0059]
In this Exif format file, for each captured image, as the attribute data other than the image data, the file name, the model of the digital camera used for shooting, the shooting date and time, and the shooting conditions (digital camera settings) are set. Various information (for example, shutter speed, aperture value, image quality mode (image data compression rate), sensitivity, exposure program mode, metering method, white balance mode, focus mode, sharpness mode, focal length, exposure Correction information, strobe on / off, strobe correction value, macro mode on / off, etc.).
[0060]
A moving image is a group of still images in which still images are continuous in time series, and one still image included in the group of still images can be handled as one frame in the moving image. Therefore, the time and position of a moving image can be specified in units of frames (units of still images). Therefore, the incidental data for the moving image that is the still image group is handled as a moving image file added to the video data (image file group of the still image group). This incidental data is data for specifying a use form of a moving image and designating a range. The editing instruction information described above can be added here.
[0061]
Specifically, the moving image file is composed of video data and incidental data. The video data can be composed of the above-described Exif format image files that are continuous in time series. The attribute data by the file in the Exif format may be attributed to each of the still image data, but may be attributed to each predetermined number, and when there is a change in the contents, the still image data that is the frame is assigned to the attribute data. You may make it belong.
[0062]
Attached data is in units of moving images, and in addition to video data, there are 8 items of status, index, frame print, mail delivery, GPS information, date information, camera model, and PW information shown in Table 1 below. Contains classified content.
[0063]
[Table 1]

[0064]
The “status”, which is the first item of the accompanying data, represents the handling of the video data (the importance of the frame) and is composed of the application content and the application range. The application contents are subdivided into four types: representative, main, storage, and unnecessary, and edit instruction information for editing can be included here. Each small classification corresponds to a frame number (frame number) as an applicable range. The status (representative) item indicates a representative frame or frame range in the moving image file, and is mainly used for reference when creating a digest version from the moving image file. The status (main) item indicates the main (standard) frame or frame range in the moving image file, and is mainly used for reference when playing the moving image file in the standard mode (in normal mode). Used for. The status (for storage) item indicates the frame and frame range when the moving image file is stored, and is mainly used for reference when playing back all the moving image files that should be stored (in full mode). Used. The status (unnecessary) item indicates an unnecessary frame or frame range included in the moving image file, which can be used as editing instruction information, and is a frame that should be deleted mainly when converting media or sending a video file. Used to refer to the frame range.
[0065]
An item is represented by code information. In the example of Table 1, “1” representing the first item “status” is configured by consecutive numbers 0 to 3 of the application contents. That is, the status (representative) item is “10”, the status (main) item is “11”, the status (storage) item is “12”, and the status (unnecessary) item is “13” code information. expressed. The application range is composed of a start frame and an end frame (start frame: end frame).
[0066]
The “index”, which is the second item of the accompanying data, represents the position in the video data, and mainly represents the position of the frame at the time of index creation. The application contents are subdivided into two types, print index and monitor index, and the frame number (frame No.) corresponds to the application range. The print index indicates a frame and a frame range when an index relating to a moving image file is printed, and the monitor index indicates a frame and a frame range when the moving image file is displayed on a monitor or the like. The print index is represented by code information “20” and the monitor index is represented by code information “21”.
[0067]
“Frame print”, which is the third item of the accompanying data, represents the position of the print instruction in the video data, and represents the position of the frame when the print is created from the video data. The application contents are subdivided into three types of L size print, 2L size print, and postcard print depending on the print size, and the frame number (frame number) and the number of sheets correspond to the applicable range. The L size print is represented by code information “30”, the 2L size print is represented by “31”, and the postcard print is represented by “32” code information.
[0068]
“Mail delivery”, which is the fourth item of incidental data, represents that video data is transmitted, and corresponds to a transmission form, a destination, and a transmission range. The application contents are subdivided according to the transmission form, and the transmission form includes a destination. In the example of Table 1, it is represented by code information “40” when a moving image is transmitted by mail, and is represented by code information “41” when a still image is transmitted by mail. The contents include an address (“Δ@□.com”, “×@○.co.jp”, “Δ@○.co.jp”), and a frame number (frame No.) or a frame range as a transmission range. Is supported.
[0069]
“GPS information”, which is the fifth item of the accompanying data, represents a position at the time of shooting. As application contents, latitude and longitude data obtained from GPS is used, and a frame number (frame No.) is associated as a shooting range at that position. The GPS information is represented by code information “50”.
[0070]
“Date information”, which is the sixth item of the accompanying data, represents the date at the time of shooting. As application contents, data such as year, month, day, day of the week, etc. are used, and a frame number (frame No.) is associated with the shooting range at that date. The date information is represented by code information “60”.
[0071]
The “camera model” which is the seventh item of the incidental data represents the model of the camera used for shooting, that is, the camera from which the video data was obtained. The application contents include the type and model number of the camera. In the example of Table 1, “70” as a digital camera, “71” as a digital video, “72” as a portable terminal with a built-in camera, and “73” as a camera built-in clock. ”Is subdivided into four types represented by the code information, and a frame number (frame number) corresponds to the applicable range.
[0072]
“PW information”, which is the eighth item of the accompanying data, represents a personal identification number for the video data, and mainly represents the position of a frame that requires confidentiality. The application content includes a password, and a frame number (frame No.) corresponds to the application range. The code information corresponds to “80”.
[0073]
In addition to the above eight types of items, shooting condition information such as focal length and aperture value, personal information such as name, address, age, and gender representing the user of the moving image file, credit card type and number, etc. Payment information.
[0074]
Next, an example of a service performed in the moving image editing system configured as described above will be described.
[0075]
In the moving image editing system, a media writing service (hereinafter referred to as a primary service) for writing image data (original image data) obtained by shooting with various shooting devices to a removable medium is performed. At this time, the image data converted into a predetermined reference format and the original image data are stored in the server computer 54.
[0076]
An editing service (referred to as a secondary service) for editing image data that has undergone the primary service is also performed. In the secondary service, editing based on editing instruction information instructed by the user is performed using the image data in the reference format stored in the server computer 54 in the primary service. As described above, the editing instruction information instructed by the user may be added to the image data recorded on the removable medium 26 using the playback device 40, or a server computer using the computer 52 as other data. May be transmitted to the recording medium 54, or the editing instruction information may be recorded on another recording medium such as a removable medium, and the recording medium may be directly transferred to the editing service provider. An editing instruction may be written on an order form and transferred to an editing service provider, and an operator of the editing service provider may operate the keyboard 74 to input editing instruction information based on the editing instruction.
[0077]
Next, the above-described primary service and secondary service performed by the moving image editing apparatus 10 of the moving image editing system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0078]
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the primary service, and FIG. 5 shows a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the secondary service. 4 and 5 show examples of processing performed by the server computer 54 when the computer 52 requesting the editing service accesses the server computer 54 via the network 60 to request the editing service.
[0079]
First, in step 100, it is determined whether an editing service request has been made from the computer 52 of the user requesting the editing service. The determination is made, for example, when a home page (HP) published by the server computer 54 is accessed from the computer 52, an operation representing an editing service request is performed via the computer 52, and editing service request information is input to the server computer 54. It is determined depending on whether or not
[0080]
If the determination in step 100 is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed, and then proceeds to step 102 to determine whether or not a primary service request has been made. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 104 to determine whether image data has been input. That is, it is determined whether image data has been received via the network 60.
[0081]
If the determination in step 104 is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmative and proceeds to step 106.
[0082]
In step 106, the input original image data is stored in the HDD 68 of the server computer 54, and the process proceeds to step 108.
[0083]
In step 108, it is determined whether or not the format of the input image data is a predetermined reference format. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 110, where the original image data is converted into the image data of the reference format, and predetermined image quality correction is performed according to the program stored in the ROM 64. The conversion is converted into image data of a predetermined image size or frame rate, for example, and the image quality correction is performed, for example, image quality correction such as contrast adjustment or color adjustment.
[0084]
Subsequently, in step 112, the image data in the reference format obtained by the conversion in step 110 is stored in the HDD 68 of the server computer 54. At this time, the image data in the reference format and the original image data are linked and stored, and stored in the HDD 68 so that the image data in the reference format corresponding to the original image data can be read at the time of the subsequent secondary service.
[0085]
In step 114, the original image data is recorded on the removable medium 26. That is, backup of image data obtained by various photographing devices to the removable medium 26 is performed.
[0086]
On the other hand, if the determination in step 108 is affirmative, that is, if the input image data is in the reference format, the process proceeds to step 116.
[0087]
In step 116, since the image data of the standard format is input as the original image data, only the image quality correction is performed without performing format conversion, and the process proceeds to step 118.
[0088]
In step 118, the image data whose image quality has been corrected is stored in the HDD 68 of the server computer 54, the process proceeds to the above-described step 114, the original image data is recorded in the removable medium 26, and the processing of the primary service is completed.
[0089]
On the other hand, if the determination in step 102 is negative, that is, if it is not a primary service request, the process proceeds to step 120 to determine whether or not it is a secondary service request. This determination is made based on, for example, whether or not a secondary service request has been made to the server computer 54 via the network 60.
[0090]
If the determination in step 120 is affirmed, the secondary service process described later is performed to end the series of primary service processes. If the determination in step 120 is negative, the series of processes is performed as it is. Exit.
[0091]
That is, the image data in the standard format and the original image data are stored in the server computer 54 by the processing of the primary service, and various requests such as the secondary service can be received later. Further, the image data can be written to the removable medium 26 by the processing of the primary service, and the image data obtained by photographing with the photographing device can be backed up.
[0092]
Furthermore, when a format such as the MPEG2 format is used as the reference format, the image quality deteriorates by performing editing (compression of image data and repetition of responses) repeatedly, but the original image data is also stored in the server computer 54. Therefore, when editing repeatedly, it is possible to edit the original image data after converting the original image data again to the reference format, and it is possible to prevent deterioration in image quality.
[0093]
Next, processing of the above-described secondary service will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0094]
In step 200, it is determined whether image data has been input. That is, it is determined whether image data has been received via the network 60. If the determination in step 200 is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 202.
[0095]
In step 202, it is determined whether or not editing instruction information is given to the image data input to the server computer 54. For example, in image data such as an Exif file, it is possible to add other accompanying information of the image data, and it is determined whether or not editing instruction information is given as the accompanying information.
[0096]
If the determination in step 202 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 204, and the editing instruction information given to the image data is extracted from the image data.
[0097]
On the other hand, if the determination in step 202 is negative, the process proceeds to step 206 to determine whether edit instruction information has been input. The determination is made, for example, as to whether or not editing instruction information is input separately from the image data. For example, it is determined whether editing instruction information is input from the computer 52 requesting the secondary service via the network 60 to the server computer 54, whether editing instruction information is input from the keyboard 74, and the like.
[0098]
If the determination in step 206 is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 208.
[0099]
In step 208, the editing instruction information obtained as described above is stored in the HDD 68 of the server computer 54.
[0100]
Subsequently, in step 210, the reference format converted image data corresponding to the input image data is read from the HDD 68 of the server computer 54. That is, the image data that has been converted into the standard format corresponding to the input image data stored in the HDD 68 of the server computer 54 at the time of the primary service is read.
[0101]
In step 212, editing based on the editing instruction information is performed on the read image data in the reference format. For example, only image data (necessary part) indicated by the edit instruction information is extracted.
[0102]
In step 214, the edited image data in the reference format is recorded on the removable medium 26, and the secondary service processing is terminated.
[0103]
Note that the removable medium 26 on which the edited image data is recorded may be mailed to the editing service requester or the editing service requester may pick it up.
[0104]
As described above, the moving image editing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment performs editing by converting to a common reference format, so that various editing requests can be easily handled. Further, since the original image data, the image data converted into the reference format, and the editing instruction information are stored in the HDD 68 of the server computer 54, various editing requests can be handled.
[0105]
In the present embodiment, when editing based on the editing instruction information in the secondary service, editing is performed using the image data that has been converted to the reference format. However, as described above, as the reference format, When a format such as the MPEG2 format is used, the image quality deteriorates due to repeated editing (repetition of compression and decompression of image data), so that the original image data stored in the server computer 54 at the time of the primary service may be used. . In other words, since the original image data is also stored in the server computer 54, when performing a plurality of repeated edits, the original image data stored in the server computer 54 is again converted into a reference format and then edited. May be. As a result, it is possible to prevent deterioration in image quality even when editing is repeatedly performed using a format such as the MPEG2 format as the reference format. Further, when performing the repetitive editing, in addition to using the original image data stored in the server computer 54, the original image data recorded on the removable medium 26 by the primary service may be used. That is, as described above, the original image data recorded on the removable disk 26 can be edited again after being converted into the standard format, thereby preventing image quality deterioration.
[0106]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, input image data is converted into data in a predetermined format, and the converted image data is edited based on input edit instruction information. Therefore, there is an effect that image data representing a moving image can be easily edited.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a moving image editing system including a moving image editing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a moving image editing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a server computer and a computer configuration of the moving image editing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a primary service performed by the moving image editing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a secondary service performed by the moving image editing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Moving image editing device
12 Format conversion means
14 Automatic image correction means
16 Data server
18 Editing means
20 Media writing means
22 Input means
26 Removable media
28 Media playback means
30A digital camera
30B digital video
Mobile terminal with 30C camera
52 computer
54 Server computer
60 network

Claims (7)

Data input means for inputting image data representing a moving image;
Conversion means for converting the image data input by the data input means into data of a predetermined format;
An input means for inputting editing instruction information for editing a moving image;
Editing means for editing the converted image data converted by the converting means based on the editing instruction information;
Recording means for recording the converted image data edited by the editing means on a recording medium;
A moving image editing apparatus. The editing means has an extracting means for extracting the editing instruction information added to the image data, and when the editing instruction information is added in advance to the image data input by the data input means, The moving image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing instruction information is extracted by the extraction unit, and the converted image data is edited based on the extracted editing instruction information. The image processing apparatus further includes a storage unit that stores the image data input by the data input unit, the converted image data converted by the conversion unit, and the editing instruction information input by the input unit. The moving image editing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The moving image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit includes a correction unit that corrects an image quality of the image data. The moving image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A computer having output means for outputting the image data and the editing instruction information;
A network for communication connection between the video editing device and the computer;
A moving image editing system. 6. The moving image editing system according to claim 5, further comprising reproducing means for reading and reproducing the converted image data from a recording medium on which the converted image data is recorded by the recording means. 7. The moving image editing system according to claim 6, wherein the reproduction means includes editing instruction information recording means for recording the editing instruction information on a recording medium.

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