Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-030485, filed Feb. 9, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method characterized by a pixel interpolation processing (synchronization processing), and an electronic camera. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    An image pickup element (CCD, CMOS, etc.) used in a digital camera has a mosaic-like pixel layout generally called a Bayer arrangement. 
         [0006]    In a Bayer arrangement, only one color component is assigned to one pixel. Therefore, an image processing apparatus performs a synchronizing process (interpolation, de-mosaic) to give all pixels R/G/B color components. 
         [0007]    A recent image pickup element has a pixel addition (pixel mixing, binning) mode to output a charge after adding electric charges stored in each pixel in order to be adaptable to high-sensitive photographing and high-speed reading. 
         [0008]    Depending on the number of pixels to be added, the virtual center of gravity is displaced, causing a color shift and a false color. 
         [0009]    Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2004-147093 discloses a technique for correcting such a color shift. In Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2004-147093, a correction circuit to correct displacement of the center of gravity is provided preceding to a synchronizing circuit. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for obtaining color image data by performing an interpolation processing for an image signal output from a color image pickup element having color filters arranged like a mosaic, by using a filter, comprising: an interpolation processing unit which selectively modifies an interpolation processing according to a kind of layout pattern of a spatial center position of gravity of each color component signal included the image signal in an image area to be interpolated, so that the spatial center position of gravity of each color component signal after the interpolation processing becomes identical in any layout patter, if there are a plurality of kinds of layout pattern of a spatial center position of gravity of each color component signal included the image signal in an image area to be interpolated. 
         [0011]    According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic camera comprising: a color image pickup element having color filters arranged like a mosaic; and an interpolation processing unit which obtains color image data by performing an interpolation processing for an image signal output from the color image pickup element, by using a filter, wherein the interpolation processing unit selectively modifies an interpolation processing according to a kind of a layout pattern of a spatial center position of gravity of each color component signal included the image signal in an image area to be interpolated, so that the spatial center position of gravity of each color component signal after the interpolation processing becomes identical in any layout patter, if there are a plurality of kinds of layout pattern of a spatial center position of gravity of each color component signal included the image signal in an image area to be interpolated. 
         [0012]    According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an image processing method for obtaining color image data by performing an interpolation processing for an image signal output from a color image pickup element having color filters arranged like a mosaic, comprising: determining whether there are a plurality of kinds of layout pattern of position of spatial center of gravity of each color component signal included the image signal in an image area to be interpolated; and changing an interpolation processing according to a kind of a layout pattern of a spatial center position of gravity of each color component signal included the image signal in an image area to be interpolated, so that the spatial center position of gravity of each color component signal after the interpolation processing becomes identical in any layout patter, if there are a plurality of kinds of layout pattern of a spatial center position of gravity of each color component signal included the image signal in an image area to be interpolated. 
         [0013]    According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for performing image processing for an image data digitized from an image signal obtained from an image pickup element having a Bayer arrangement in a pixel addition mode to calculate and output a result of detection of pixel values of two or more same color pixels, comprising: a coefficient memory which previously stores a plurality of sets of interpolation filter coefficients; a color layout discriminator which discriminates a color layout in an image area to be interpolated in the image data; a coefficient selector which selects a set of interpolation filter coefficients from the coefficient memory, according to a color layout discriminated by the color layout discriminator; and an interpolation processing unit which performs an interpolation processing for the image data of the image area to be interpolated, by using the set of interpolation filter coefficients selected by the coefficient selector, and generates the image data consisting of pixels having all color components. 
         [0014]    Advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram showing a Bayer arrangement of primary colors of the image pickup element  13  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a diagram for explaining addition of nine pixels in a 9-pixel addition mode; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a diagram for explaining the virtual center of gravity after addition of nine pixels; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a diagram showing a Bayer arrangement of primary colors of the image pickup element  13  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a diagram for explaining addition of four pixels in a 4-pixel addition mode; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a diagram explaining the virtual center of gravity after addition of four pixels; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are diagrams for explaining a synchronizing process performed by an image processing circuit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  7 C,  7 D,  7 E and  7 F are diagrams for explaining a synchronizing process in an all-pixel mode executed by the image processing circuit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  8 C and  8 D are diagrams for explaining image data in a 4-pixel addition mode; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C,  9 D,  9 E,  9 F,  9 G and  9 H are diagrams for explaining interpolation of image data in a 4-pixel addition mode executed by a conventional technique; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a functional block diagram of the image processing circuit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  11 C,  11 D,  11 E,  11 F,  11 G and  11 H are diagrams for explaining a synchronizing process performed by the image processing circuit shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 12A ,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D,  12 E,  12 F,  12 G and  12 H are diagrams for explaining filter coefficients for addition used in the synchronizing process performed by the image processing circuit shown in  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart for explaining the synchronizing process performed by the image processing circuit shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Hereinafter, an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic camera  1  has an optical system  11 , an image pickup element  13 , an analog digital converter (ADC)  15 , an image processing circuit  17 , a joint photographic experts group (JPEG) encoder/decoder  19 , a video encoder  21 , a memory card  23 , a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)  25 , a central processing unit (CPU)  27 , a monitor  29 , and a bus  6 . 
         [0033]    The ADC  15 , image processing circuit  17 , JPEG encoder/decoder  19 , video encoder  21 , memory card  23 , DRAM  25  and CPU  27  are electrically connected through the bus  6 . 
         [0034]    The optical system  11  includes an image pickup lens. The optical system  11  forms an optical image of a subject. 
         [0035]    The image pickup element  13  has pixels. The image pickup element  13  receives light corresponding to an optical image formed by the optical system  11  by pixels, and photoelectrically converts the received light into an image signal. 
         [0036]    The ADC  15  converts the analog image signals formed by the image pickup element  13  to a digital signal (image data). The image data is once stored in the DRAM  25 . 
         [0037]    The image processing circuit  17  performs image processing such as white balance adjustment and synchronizing process for the image data read from the DRAM  25 , and writes the result into the DRAM  25 . In the synchronizing process, the image processing circuit  17  generates pixel values of all pixel positions for color components of the image data read from the DRAM  25  by interpolation. The image processing circuit  17  will be explained in detail later. 
         [0038]    When recording an image, the JPEG encoder/decoder  19  encodes the synchronized image data read from the DRAM  25 , and writes the encoded image data into the memory card  23 . When reproducing an image, the JPEG encoder/decoder  19  decodes the encoded image data read from the memory card  23 , and writes the decoded data into the DRAM  25 . 
         [0039]    The video encoder  21  performs an image-displaying process for the image data read from the DRAM  25 , and generates an analog image signal. Thereafter, the video encoder  21  displays an image corresponding to the generated analog image signal, on the monitor  29 . 
         [0040]    The CPU  27  integrally controls the operation of the electronic camera  1 . 
         [0041]    Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic camera  1  will be explained. 
         [0042]    The CPU  27  controls components of the electronic camera  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, the CPU  27  controls the operation of the image pickup element  13 , reading of the image signal obtained by the image pickup element  13 , and operations of the ADC  15 , image processing circuit  17 , JPEG encoder/decoder  19  and video encoder  21 . 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 1 , the optical image formed by the optical system  11  is received by the pixels of the image pickup element  13  comprising a CCD, for example. The image pickup element  13  converts the optical image received by the pixels into an analog image signal. The image signal obtained by the image pickup element  13  is read at a predetermined timing, and input to the ADC  15 , under the control of the CPU  27 . The ADC  15  converts the input analog image signal into image data that is a digital image signal. The image data obtained by the ADC  15  is stored in the DRAM  25  through the bus  6 . 
         [0044]    When recording an image, the image data stored in the DRAM  25  is read by the image processing circuit  17 . The image processing circuit  17  synchronizes the read image data. Namely, the image processing circuit  17  performs interpolation, so that each pixel of image data has pixel values of three R/G/B colors. Thereafter, the image processing circuit  17  performs white balance adjustment of the synchronized image data. Then, the image processing circuit  17  converts the R/G/B image data to luminance/color difference data (hereinafter called YC data). After converting the R/G/B image data to YC data, the image processing circuit  17  performs gradation correction for Y-data, and color correction for C-data (Cb, Cr). The gradation correction and color correction may be performed in the state of R/G/B data. Thereafter, the image processing circuit  17  changes (down sampling) the ratio of a sampling frequency of each image component of the YC data (hereinafter called a sampling ratio) to reduce the data size of image data. The sampling ratio of Y:Cb:Cr=4:2:2 is used for recording a still image. The sampling ration of Y:Cb:Cr=4:2:0 is used for recording a moving image. Generally, human eyes are sensitive to changes in luminance, but relatively insensitive to changes in color difference. Thus, even if sampling is performed by reducing color difference information, an image is not so unnatural to human eyes when an image is reproduced. 
         [0045]    The image data processed by the image processing circuit  17  is input to the JPEG encoder/decoder  19 . The JPEG encoder/decoder  19  encodes the input image data by discrete cosine transformation (DCT), for example. The image data encoded by the JPEG encoder/decoder  19  is once stored in the DRAM  25 . The image data is then stored in the memory card  23  as a JPEG file with the addition of predetermined header information. 
         [0046]    When displaying an image obtained by the image pickup element  13  as a through image, the image processing circuit  17  resizes (usually reduces) the YC data to a predetermined size to meet the specifications of the monitor  29 . Then, the image processing circuit  17  changes the sampling ratio of each image component of YC data (down sampling). The YC data is stored in the DRAM  25 . The video encoder  21  reads the YC data stored in the DRAM  25  in units of frame, and displays an image in the monitor  29  based on the read YC data. 
         [0047]    When reproducing the JPEG image data recorded on the memory card  23 , the JPEG encoder/decoder  19  reads the JPEG image data recorded on the memory card  23 , and decodes the read JPEG image data by a technique, such as inverse DCT conversion. Then, the image processing circuit  17  reduces the decoded YC data to a predetermined size for displaying. The YC data is once stored in the DRAM  25 . The video encoder  21  reads the YC data stored in the DRAM  25  in units of frame, and displays an image in the monitor  29  based on the read YC data. 
         [0048]    Hereinafter, the image pickup element  13  will be explained in detail. 
         [0049]    [Image Pickup Element  13 ] 
         [0050]    The image pickup element  13  is an image pickup device having pixels arranged in a Bayer arrangement of primary colors. The image pickup element  13  receives light corresponding to an optical image by pixels arranged like a matrix, for example. The image pickup element  13  has a pixel addition mode and an all-pixel mode for reading signals of all pixels. In this embodiment, a 9-pixel addition mode and 4-pixel addition mode are illustrated as a pixel addition mode executed by the image pickup element  13 . 
         [0051]    In the all-pixel mode, the image pickup element  13  transfers electric charge stored in each horizontal pixel to a vertical transfer register, and then sequentially transfers electric charge stored in each vertical transfer register to a horizontal transfer register. The image pickup element  13  sequentially gives a transfer pulse to the horizontal transfer register, and outputs an analog image signal corresponding to electric charge of a horizontal pixel to the ADC  15 . An analog image signal is output for each line as described here. 
         [0052]    In the pixel addition mode, the image pickup element  13  transfers electric charge, so that electric charges of the same color pixels are added (mixed) in horizontal and vertical directions. In a Bayer arrangement of primary colors, a filter of the same color is arranged at every one pixel. Therefore, the image pickup element  13  transfers electric charge, so that electric charge of each pixel is added at every-one-pixel timing. The image pickup element  13  outputs an analog image signal corresponding to the electric charge after the addition, to the ADC  15 . 
         [0053]    &lt;9-Pixel Addition&gt; 
         [0054]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram showing a Bayer arrangement of primary colors of the image pickup element  13  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2B  is a diagram for explaining a 9-pixel addition mode.  FIG. 3  is a diagram for explaining the virtual center of gravity after addition of nine pixels. 
         [0055]    In a Bayer arrangement of primary colors, a pixel corresponding to the same color filter is arranged at every one pixel. In the 9-pixel addition mode, the image pickup element  13  generates an analog image signal by adding electric charges of nine pixels of the same color arranged at every one pixel in horizontal and vertical directions. The virtual center of gravity of each color component after addition of nine pixels is a center pixel position of 9 pixels×9 pixels shown in  FIG. 2B . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the 9-pixel addition mode, the virtual center of gravity of each color component is the same as the position of each color component in the Bayer arrangement shown in  FIG. 2A . The center of gravity is not displaced in the 9-pixel addition mode. Namely, it is unnecessary to correct displacement of the center of gravity of each color component. 
         [0056]    &lt;4-Pixel Addition&gt; 
         [0057]      FIG. 4A  is a diagram showing a Bayer arrangement of primary colors of the image pickup element  13  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4B  is a diagram for explaining a 4-pixel addition mode.  FIG. 5  is a diagram explaining the virtual center of gravity after addition of four pixels. 
         [0058]    In the 4-pixel addition mode, the image pickup element  13  generates an analog image signal by adding electric charges of the same color four pixels arranged at every one pixel in horizontal and vertical directions. The virtual center of gravity of each color component after addition of four pixels is a center pixel position of 4 pixels×4 pixels shown in  FIG. 4B . As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the 4-pixel addition mode, the virtual center of gravity of each color component is different from the position of each color component in the Bayer arrangement shown in  FIG. 2A . The center of gravity is displaced in the 4-pixel addition mode. Namely, it is necessary to correct displacement of the center of gravity of each color component. 
         [0059]    [Image Processing Circuit  17 ] 
         [0060]    The image processing circuit  17  performs a synchronizing process (interpolation) for image data read from the DRAM  25 . The synchronizing process is a process to generate image data having three R/G/B color components for one pixel position from the image data in the Bayer arrangement shown in  FIGS. 6A and 8A  by interpolation, as shown in  FIG. 6B . 
         [0061]    While the image pickup element  13  is operating in the all-pixel mode, color components of the image data read from the DRAM  25  are associated with the positions shown in  FIG. 7A . The image processing circuit  17  performs interpolation by using a filter coefficient assigned to each pixel position, as shown in  FIG. 7B . Therefore, data of each color component is interpolated at the center position of each block, as shown in  FIGS. 7C ,  7 D,  7 E and  7 F. For the G-pixel, two kinds of data, Gr and Gb, are interpolated. The image processing circuit  17  writes the interpolated data generated for each color component into the DRAM  25 , so that it is assign to all pixel positions, as shown in  FIG. 6B . 
         [0062]    In  FIG. 7B , filter coefficients of color components are 1, 3, 3 and 9. Because, the distance between a pixel position used for interpolation and an interpolation position is 1:3 in both vertical and horizontal. When actually calculating the distance between the pixel position used for interpolation and the interpolation position, a square root must be calculated. This complicates calculations. In this embodiment, the product of the vertical distance and horizontal distance of pixels used for interpolation is used as a filter coefficient, instead of actually calculating the distance. 
         [0063]    The image processing circuit  17  performs interpolation expressed by the following equations (1-1) to (1-4). By this interpolation, interpolation data of the center position of block, Rout, Grout, Gbout and Bout, are generated. Namely, as the distance is short, the 2-dimensional average is calculated with more weights. In this embodiment, Rx, Grx, Gbx and Bx (x=an integer) indicate values of the pixels assigned to R, Gr, Gb and B. 
         [0000]        R out=(1× R 1+3× R 2+3× R 3+9× R 4)/16   (1-1) 
         [0000]        Gr out=(3× Gr 1+1× Gr 2+9× Gr 3+3× Gr 4)/16   (1-2) 
         [0000]        Gb out=(3× Gb 1+9× Gb 2+1× Gb 3+3× Gb 4)/16   (1-3) 
         [0000]        B out=(9× B 1+3× B 2+3× B 3+1× B 4)/16   (1-4) 
         [0064]    For the G-pixel output Gout, the average of Grout and Gbout is used. 
         [0065]    While the image pickup element  13  is operating in the 4-pixel addition mode, the color components of the image data read from the DRAM  25  are associated with the pixel positions shown in  FIG. 8C . When the image processing circuit  17  interpolates image data by using a filter coefficient at each pixel position shown in  FIG. 8B , the interpolation position of data of each color component becomes as shown in  FIG. 8D . Namely, the interpolation position differs for each color component. Thus, the center of gravity of each color component is displaced. 
         [0066]    When the filter coefficients shown in  FIG. 9E  are used for a color layout pattern in the 4-pixel addition mode shown in  FIG. 8C , all color component data can be interpolated at the center position of block. However, block data of image data input from the image pickup element  13  is available in four patterns as shown in  FIGS. 9A to 9D . Thus, if the same filter coefficients as those in the pattern shown in  FIG. 9A  are used for interpolation of block corresponding to the patterns of  FIGS. 9B to 9D , a data interpolation position of each color component becomes as shown in  FIGS. 9F to 9H . In  FIGS. 9F to 9H , the data interpolation position of each color component is displaced from the center position of block. 
         [0067]    To solve this problem, the image processing circuit  17  performs the following processing. Therefore, even if a block to be synchronized is any one of the color layout patters shown in  FIGS. 9A to 9D , data of all color components can be interpolated at the center position of block. 
         [0068]    Hereinafter, an explanation will be given on the synchronizing process performed by the image processing circuit  17  in the 4-pixel addition mode. 
         [0069]      FIG. 10  is a functional block diagram of the image processing circuit  17  shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the image processing circuit  17  has a block dividing part  31 , a beginning color discriminator  33 , a coefficient memory  35 , a filter coefficient selector  37 , and a synchronizing processor  39 , for example. A part or all of the functions of the block dividing part  31 , beginning color discriminator  33 , filter coefficient selector  37  and synchronizing processor  39  may be realized by an exclusive electronic circuit, or by executing a program in a processing circuit. 
         [0070]    The synchronizing processor  39  is an example of an interpolation unit. The filter coefficient selector  37  is an example of a filter coefficient selector. The beginning color discriminator  33  is an example of a color layout discriminator. 
         [0071]    The block dividing part  31  reads the image data (Bayer data of primary colors) generated by the image pickup element  13 , from the DRAM  25 . The block dividing part  31  converts the read image data to block data of N×N blocks, and outputs the block data to the synchronizing processor  39 . In this embodiment, N is four. 
         [0072]    The beginning color discriminator  33  receives an H-trigger (horizontal synchronizing) signal HT and a V-trigger (vertical synchronizing) signal VT input from the image pickup element  13 . The beginning color discriminator  33  discriminates a beginning color component of the block data input to the block dividing part  31 , based on these input signals. Then, the beginning color discriminator  33  outputs a beginning color discrimination data TC indicating the discrimination result, to the filter coefficient selector  37 . 
         [0073]    In this embodiment, a color layout pattern in block data is available in four patterns P 1  to P 4  as shown in  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  11 C and  11 D. The color layout patterns P 1  to P 4  are different in the center of gravity of each color component in a block. Beginning colors of block data of color layout patters P 1 , P 2 , P 3  and P 4  are R, Gr, Gb and B, respectively. The beginning color discriminator  33  outputs a beginning color discrimination data TC indicating one of the color components R, Gr, Gb and B, to the filter coefficient selector  37 . 
         [0074]    The coefficient memory  35  stores a filter coefficient set FCX for all pixels used in the all-pixel mode. The coefficient memory  35  further stores filter coefficient sets FC 1 , FC 2 , FC 3  and FC 4  for addition corresponding to four color layout patterns P 1 , P 2 , P 3  and P 4  used in the 4-pixel addition mode. The filter coefficient sets FC 1 , FC 2 , FC 3  and FC 4  for addition are filter coefficient sets adaptable to the 4-pixel addition mode. As shown in  FIGS. 11E ,  11 F,  11 G,  11 H and  FIGS. 12E ,  12 F,  12 G,  12 H, filter coefficients in the filter coefficient sets are different. Because, each filter coefficient is determined depending on the distance between a position of each pixel used for interpolation and an interpolation position for each color component. Therefore, as a color layout pattern differs, filter coefficients forming the filter coefficient set corresponding to the pattern also differs. 
         [0075]    The filter coefficient set FCX for all pixels comprises filter coefficients previously defined to interpolate all color components at the center position of block, when block data to be synchronized has a color layout pattern shown in  FIG. 7A . The filter coefficients are shown in  FIG. 7B . 
         [0076]    The filter coefficient set FC 1  for addition comprises filter coefficients previously defined to interpolate all color components at the center position of block, when block data to be synchronized has a color layout pattern P 1 . The filter coefficients are shown in  FIG. 11E  or  12 E. 
         [0077]    The filter coefficient set FC 2  for addition comprises filter coefficients previously defined to interpolate all color components at the center position of block, when block data to be synchronized has a color layout pattern P 2 . The filter coefficients are shown in  FIG. 11F  or  12 F. 
         [0078]    The filter coefficient set FC 3  for addition comprises filter coefficients previously defined to interpolate all color components at the center position of block, when block data to be synchronized has a color layout pattern P 3 . The filter coefficients are shown in  FIG. 11G  or  12 G. 
         [0079]    The filter coefficient set FC 4  for addition comprises filter coefficients previously defined to interpolate all color components at the center position of block, when block data to be synchronized has a color layout pattern P 4 . The filter coefficients are shown in  FIG. 11H  or  12 H. 
         [0080]    The filter coefficient elector  37  selects one of the filter coefficient sets FCX, and oFC 1  to FC 4  stored in the coefficient memory  35 , and outputs them to the synchronizing processor  39 , based on the mode specification data MOD from the image pickup element  13  and the beginning color discrimination data TC from the beginning color discriminator  33 . Specifically, when mode specification data MOD specifies the all-pixel mode, the filter coefficient selector  37  selects the filter coefficient set FCX for all pixels, and outputs it to the synchronizing processor  39 . When mode specification data MOD specifies the 4-pixel addition mode and the beginning color discrimination data TC indicates R, the filter coefficient selector  37  selects the filter coefficient set FC 1  for addition, and outputs it to the synchronizing processor  39 . When mode specification data MOD specifies the 4-pixel addition mode and the beginning color discrimination data TC indicates Gr, the filter coefficient selector  37  selects the filter coefficient set FC 2  for addition, and outputs it to the synchronizing processor  39 . When mode specification data MOD specifies the 4-pixel addition mode and the beginning color discrimination data TC indicates Gb, the filter coefficient selector  37  selects the filter coefficient set FC 3  for addition, and outputs it to the synchronizing processor  39 . When mode specification data MOD specifies the 4-pixel addition mode and the beginning color discrimination data TC indicates B, the filter coefficient selector  37  selects the filter coefficient set FC 4  for addition, and outputs it to the synchronizing processor  39 . 
         [0081]    In the all-pixel mode, the synchronizing processor  39  performs interpolation indicated by the aforementioned equations (1-1) to (1-4) for the block data input from the block dividing part  31 , by using the filter coefficient set FCX for all pixels input from the filter coefficient selector  37 . Therefore, the synchronizing processor  39  generates interpolation data, Rout, Grout, Gbout and Bout of the center position of block for each color component. 
         [0082]    In the 4-pixel addition mode, the synchronizing processor  39  performs interpolation for the block data input from the block dividing part  31 , by using one of the filter coefficient sets FC 1  to FC 4  for addition input from the filter coefficient selector  37 . Then, the synchronizing processor  39  generates interpolation data, Rout, Grout, Gbout and Bout of the center position of block for each color component. Specifically, the synchronizing processor  39  performs interpolation expressed by the following equations (2-1) to (2-4) for block data of the color layout pattern P 1  shown in  FIG. 11A  or  12 A, for each color component, by using the filter coefficient set FC 1  for addition shown in  FIG. 11E  or  FIG. 12E . Therefore, the synchronizing processor  39  generates interpolation data, Rout, Grout, Gbout and Bout of the center of block. 
         [0000]        R out=(9× R 1+15× R 2+15× R 3+25× R 4)/64   (2-1) 
         [0000]        Gr out=(15× Gr 1+9× Gr 2+25× Gr 3+15× Gr 4)/64   (2-2) 
         [0000]        Gb out=(15× Gb 1+25× Gb 2+9× Gb 3+15× Gb 4)/64   (2-3) 
         [0000]        B out=(25× B 1+15× B 2+15× B 3+9× B 4)/64   (2-4) 
         [0083]    The synchronizing processor  39  performs interpolation expressed by the following equations (3-1) to (3-4) for block data of the color layout pattern P 2  shown in  FIG. 11B  or  12 B, for each color component, by using the filter coefficient set FC 2  for addition shown in  FIG. 11F  or  FIG. 12F . Therefore, the synchronizing processor  39  generates interpolation data, Rout, Grout, Gbout and Bout of the center position of block. 
         [0000]        R out=(21× R 1+3× R 2+35× R 3+5× R 4)/64   (3-1) 
         [0000]        Gr out=(3× Gr 1+21× Gr 2+5× Gr 3+35× Gr 4)/64   (3-2) 
         [0000]        Gb out=(35× Gb 1+5× Gb 2+21× Gb 3+3× Gb 4)/64   (3-3) 
         [0000]        B out=(5× B 1+35× B 2+3× B 3+21× B 4)/64   (3-4) 
         [0084]    The synchronizing processor  39  performs interpolation expressed by the following equations (4-1) to (4-4) for block data of the color layout pattern P 3  shown in  FIG. 11C  or  12 C, for each color component, by using the filter coefficient set FC 3  for addition shown in  FIG. 11G  or  FIG. 12G . Therefore, the synchronizing processor  39  generates interpolation data, Rout, Grout, Gbout and Bout of the center position of block. 
         [0000]        R out=(21× R 1+35× R 2+3× R 3+5× R 4)/64   (4-1) 
         [0000]        Gr out=(35× Gr 1+21× Gr 2+5× Gr 3+3× Gr 4)/64   (4-2) 
         [0000]        Gb out=(3× Gb 1+5× Gb 2+21× Gb 3+35× Gb 4)/64   (4-3) 
         [0000]        B out=(5× B 1+3× B 2+35× B 3+21× B 4)/64   (4-4) 
         [0085]    The synchronizing processor  39  performs interpolation of the following equations (5-1) to (5-4) for block data of the color layout pattern P 4  shown in  FIG. 11D  or  12 D, for each color component, by using the filter coefficient set FC 4  for addition shown in  FIG. 11H  or  FIG. 12H . Therefore, the synchronizing processor  39  generates interpolation data, Rout, Grout, Gbout and Bout of the center position of block. 
         [0000]        R out=(49× R 1+7× R 2+7× R 3+1× R 4)/64   (5-1) 
         [0000]        Gr out=(7× Gr 1+49× Gr 2+1× Gr 3+7× Gr 4)/64   (5-2) 
         [0000]        Gb out=(7× Gb 1+1× Gb 2+49× Gb 3+7× Gb 4)/64   (5-3) 
         [0000]        B out=(1× B 1+7× B 2+7× B 3+49× B 4)/64   (5-4) 
         [0086]    The synchronizing processor  39  generates the average of Grout and Gbout as a G-output Gout. The synchronizing processor  39  writes the interpolation data, Rout, Gout and Bout generated for each block data into the DRAM  25 . Therefore, pixel values of all pixel positions for all of R, G and B components are written into the DRAM  25 . 
         [0087]    Hereinafter, an explanation will be given on an operation example of the synchronizing process performed by the image processing circuit  17  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 13  is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the synchronizing process performed by the image processing circuit  17  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0088]    Step S 1 : 
         [0089]    The block dividing part  31  converts the image data (Bayer data of primary colors) read from the DRAM  25  to block data of 4×4 blocks, and outputs the block data to the synchronizing processor  39 . 
         [0090]    Step S 2 : 
         [0091]    The image processing circuit  17  judges whether the mode specification data MOD input from the image pickup element specifies the all-pixel mode. When the mode specification data MOD specifies the all-pixel mode, the processing goes to step S 3 . When the mode specification data MOD specifies the 4-pixel addition mode, the processing goes to step S 5 . 
         [0092]    Step S 3 : 
         [0093]    The synchronizing processor  39  performs interpolation for block data input from the block dividing part  31 , by using the filter coefficient set FCX for all pixels input from the filter coefficient selector  37 . Therefore, the synchronizing processor  39  generates the interpolation data, Rout, Grout, Gbout and Bout of the center position of block, for each color component. The synchronizing processor  39  generates the average of Grout and Gbout, as a G-output Gout. 
         [0094]    Step S 4 : 
         [0095]    The synchronizing processor  39  writes the interpolation data Rout, Gout and Bout generated in the step S 3  into the DRAM  25  as pixel data of all pixel positions of 4×4 block. Therefore, pixel values of all pixel position are written into the DRAM  25 , for all of R, G and B components. 
         [0096]    Step S 5 : 
         [0097]    The beginning color discriminator  33  counts an H-trigger (horizontal synchronizing) signal HT and a V-trigger (vertical synchronizing) signal VT input from the image pickup element  13 , and discriminates the beginning color component of each block data converted to blocks by the block dividing part  31 , according to the counting result. The beginning color discriminator  33  outputs the beginning color discrimination data TC indicating the discrimination result, to the filter coefficient selector  37 . 
         [0098]    Step S 6 : 
         [0099]    The filter coefficient selector  37  selects one of the filter coefficient sets FC 1  to FC 4  for addition stored in the coefficient memory  35 , and outputs it to the synchronizing processor  39 , based on the mode specification data MOD from the image pickup element  13  and the beginning color discrimination data TC from the beginning color discriminator  33 . 
         [0100]    Step S 7 : 
         [0101]    The synchronizing processor  39  performs interpolation for the block data input from the block dividing part  31 , by using the filter coefficient set for addition selected by the filter coefficient selector  37 . Therefore, the synchronizing processor  39  generates the interpolation data, Rout, Grout and Bout of the center position of block, for each color component. 
         [0102]    Step S 8 : 
         [0103]    The synchronizing processor  39  writes the interpolation data, Rout, Gout and Bout generated in the step S 7  into the DRAM  25  as pixel data of all pixel positions of 4×4 blocks. 
         [0104]    The synchronizing processor  39  performs the above-mentioned processing of steps S 1  to S 8  for all block data. 
         [0105]    Hereinafter, an explanation will be given on the operation of the electronic camera  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0106]    [Photographing] 
         [0107]    Light corresponding to an optical image of a subject formed by the optical system  11  is received by each pixel of the image pickup element  13 . 
         [0108]    The image pickup element  13  is operated in the aforementioned all-pixel mode or 4-pixel addition mode. The image pickup element  13  generates an analog image signal by photoelectrically converting electric charge stored in each pixel. Then, the image pickup element  13  outputs the image signal to the ADC  15 . The ADC  15  converts the analog image signal generated by the image pickup element  13  to a digital signal (image data), and writes it into the DRAM  25 . 
         [0109]    The image processing circuit  17  performs the synchronizing process already explained in  FIG. 13  for the image data read from the DRAM  25 . Then, the image processing circuit  17  writes the result of the processing into the DRAM  25 . In the synchronizing process, pixel values of all pixel positions are generated by interpolation for each color component of the image data read from the DRAM  25 . 
         [0110]    The JPEG encoder/decoder  19  reads the image data processed by the image processing circuit  17  from the DRAM  25 , encodes the image data, and writes the encoded image data into the memory card  23 , for example. 
         [0111]    [Reproducing] 
         [0112]    Encoded image data to be reproduced is read from the memory card into the DRAM  25 . 
         [0113]    The JPEG encoder/decoder  19  decodes the encoded image data read from the DRAM  25 , and outputs the decoded image data to the video encoder  21 . The video encoder  21  performs a reproducing process for the image data input from the JPEG encoder/decoder  19 , and generates a reproducing image signal. The video encoder  21  displays an image in the monitor  29 , based on the reproducing image signal. 
         [0114]    As explained hereinbefore, in this embodiment, when image data is generated in the 4-pixel addition mode, specific filter coefficient sets for addition FC 1  to FC 4  is selected and used for a synchronizing process, based on a color layout pattern of block data to be synchronized. Therefore, even if the virtual center of gravity is displaced in each color component of the image data supplied from the image pickup element  13 , a synchronizing process with consideration given to displacement of the virtual center of gravity is possible. Therefore, interpolation data of each color component can be interpolated at the center position of block, without providing a specific correction circuit. 
         [0115]    The invention is not to be limited to the aforementioned embodiment. Those skilled in the art may add modifications, combinations or sub-combinations, or may make substitution of the components of the embodiment without departing from the technical scope or the equivalent of the invention. For example, in the embodiment described herein, image data generated in the 4-pixel addition mode in the image pickup element  13  is processed by the synchronizing processor  39 . In addition, in the image pickup element  13 , image data may be generated in an optional addition mode in which the center of gravity of each color component is displaced. Even in this case, the synchronizing processor  39  interpolates all color components at the same interpolation positions in a block, by interpolating related image data by selectively using sets of filter coefficients. 
         [0116]    Further, in the embodiment described herein, interpolation is performed at the center position of a block, but interpolation may be performed at a position other than the center of a block, as long as the interpolation position is the same in any color component. 
         [0117]    Further, in the embodiment described herein, the image pickup element  13  adds electric charge of the same pixel in both horizontal and vertical directions, in the pixel addition mode. Electric charge of the same color pixel may be added only in one of the horizontal and vertical directions. 
         [0118]    Further, in the embodiment described herein, a pixel layout is 4×4 in the image pickup element  13 . A pixel layout is optional, as long as N×M (N and M are integers not less than 3). 
         [0119]    Further, pixels forming the image pickup element  13  are not to be limited to be arranged like a square grid, but may be arranged like a honeycomb. 
         [0120]    Further, in the embodiment described herein, a color component is fixedly assigned to each pixel. But, it may be permitted to use a technique to randomly determine a pattern of assigning a color component to each pixel upon photographing. In this case, an analog signal is generated by adding electric charges of the same color pixels, based on a randomly determined pattern of assigning a color component, and interpolation is performed by the image processing circuit  17  by dynamically generating a filter coefficient corresponding to that assignment pattern.

Technology Category: 5