Information processing apparatus and control method

Abstract

This invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a control method. It appropriately controls access to camera functions by multiple applications. The information processing apparatus includes: a memory that temporarily stores a program of an operating system (OS); and a processor capable of supplying, based on the program of the OS, only one application operating on the OS with image data captured by a camera, and capable of performing image processing on the image data based on an image processing program operating on the OS. When image data is supplied to a first application, the processor transfers setting parameters for image processing from a second application other than the first application to the image processing program via the OS registry.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a control method. Background Technology

[0002] Personal computers and other information processing devices are generally equipped with camera functions (e.g., Patent Document 1). For example, camera functions are used for many purposes such as capturing still images and moving images, or video conferencing, person detection, and user authentication.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-196010

[0004] However, due to limitations imposed by the OS (Operating System), access to camera functionality from applications running on the OS is exclusive. When one application is using the camera function, other applications cannot access it. For example, even if adjustments are made by another application to improve the image quality displayed by the application using the camera, the camera function is already occupied by the application in use, and therefore the application cannot access it. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing apparatus and control method for appropriately controlling access to camera functions by multiple applications.

[0006] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems. The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes: a memory that temporarily stores a program of an operating system (OS); and a processor that is capable of supplying image data captured by a camera to any one of the applications operating on the OS based on the program of the OS, and is capable of performing image processing on the image data based on an image processing program operating on the OS. When the image data is supplied to a first application, the processor transfers setting parameters for the image processing from a second application other than the first application to the image processing via the registry of the OS.

[0007] In the aforementioned information processing apparatus, when the aforementioned shooting data is supplied to the aforementioned second application, the processor may transfer the aforementioned setting parameters from the aforementioned second application to the aforementioned image processing without going through the aforementioned registry.

[0008] In the aforementioned information processing apparatus, the processor may also set the setting parameters output from the second application in the registry via a service that can change the settings of the registry, and then transfer the settings parameters set in the registry to the image processing.

[0009] In the aforementioned information processing device, the aforementioned setting parameters are parameters used to adjust the image quality of the captured data.

[0010] In the aforementioned information processing device, when the aforementioned shooting data is supplied to the first application, the processor may obtain setting parameters related to the shooting conditions of the shooting unit from the second application via the registry and hand them over to the shooting unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the control method involved in the second aspect of the present invention is a control method in an information processing apparatus, which includes: a memory that temporarily stores a program of an operating system (OS); and a processor capable of supplying image data captured by a camera to any one of the applications operating on the OS based on the program of the OS, and capable of performing image processing on the image data based on an image processing program operating on the OS. The control method includes: a step in which the processor transfers setting parameters for the image processing from a second application other than the first application to the image processing via the registry of the OS; a step in which the processor performs image processing on the image data based on the setting parameters; and a step in which the processor supplies the image data after performing the image processing on the image data to the first application.

[0012] According to the above-described method of the present invention, access to camera functions by multiple applications can be appropriately controlled. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the information processing apparatus involved in the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of an information processing device involved in an implementation.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the camera function control processing involved in the implementation method.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of application 1 involved in the implementation method.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of application 2 involved in the implementation method.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the extended driver involved in the implementation.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating other examples of the structure of the camera function control processing involved in the implementation method.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of parameter transmission path switching processing involved in the implementation method.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0022] 10…Information processing device; 11…First housing; 12…Second housing; 13…Hinge mechanism; 15…Display unit; 16…Camera; 17…Communication unit; 18…Storage unit; 19…Input unit; 20…EC; 21…Power supply unit; 22…Battery; 100…System processing unit; 101…CPU; 102…GPU; 103…Memory controller; 104…I / O controller; 105…System memory; 110…Drive; 120…Extended drive; 130…Registry setting service; 140…Registry; 120…Extended drive; 121…Buffer memory; 122…Setting unit; 123…Image processing unit. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the information processing device according to this embodiment. The illustrated information processing device 10 is a clamshell-type notebook PC (Personal Computer). The information processing device 10 includes a first housing 11, a second housing 12, and a hinge mechanism 13. The first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are generally quadrilateral plate-shaped (e.g., flat) housings. One side of the first housing 11 and one side of the second housing 12 are joined (connected) via the hinge mechanism 13, and the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 can rotate relative to each other about a rotation axis formed by the hinge mechanism 13. The state in which the opening angle θ of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 about the rotation axis is approximately 0° is the state in which the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 overlap and are closed (referred to as the "closed state"). In the closed state, the surfaces of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 facing each other are respectively referred to as "inner surfaces", and the surfaces opposite to the inner surfaces are referred to as "outer surfaces". The opening angle θ can also refer to the angle formed by the inner surface of the first housing 11 and the inner surface of the second housing 12. The state in which the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are opened, relative to the closed state, is called the "open state". The open state is the state in which the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are rotated relative to each other until the opening angle θ is greater than a preset threshold (e.g., 10°).

[0025] A display unit 15 is provided on the inner surface of the first housing 11. The display unit 15 displays images based on the processing performed by the information processing device 10. In addition, a camera 16 (an example of a shooting unit) is provided in the area surrounding the display unit 15 on the inner surface of the first housing 11. That is, the camera 16 is positioned face-to-face with the user using the information processing device 10.

[0026] Additionally, a keyboard is provided on the inner surface of the second housing 12 as an input section 19. In the closed state, the display 15 cannot be visually checked and the keyboard cannot be operated. On the other hand, in the open state, the display 15 can be visually checked and the keyboard can be operated (i.e., the information processing device 10 can be used).

[0027] The information processing device 10 performs various functions by executing programs on the operating system (OS) and applications (application programs) running on the OS. For example, by executing programs of applications that utilize the functions of the camera 16, the information processing device 10 can perform processing of captured data using the camera 16.

[0028] (Hardware structure of information processing device 10)

[0029] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the information processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. Furthermore, in this diagram, [the following is unclear due to incomplete sentence fragments] Figure 1 The corresponding structural elements of each part are labeled with the same reference numerals. The information processing device 10 shown in the figure includes: a display unit 15, a camera 16, a communication unit 17, a storage unit 18, an input unit 19, an EC (Embedded Controller) 20, a power supply unit 21, a battery 22, and a system processing unit 100.

[0030] Display unit 15 is configured to include liquid crystal display (LCD), organic EL (electroluminescence) display, etc. Display unit 15 displays images based on display data under the control of system processing unit 100. Display data includes image and text data generated through OS processing or processing of applications operating on the OS. For example, display unit 15 displays images based on camera 16 capture data, images based on processed capture data after image processing, etc., based on application processing.

[0031] The camera 16 is configured to include a lens (not shown) and an imaging element, capture images of the subject input through the lens, and output imaging data converted into electrical signals. For example, the camera 16 captures images of a predetermined range (field of view) in a direction facing the inner surface of the first housing 11 at predetermined time intervals, and outputs the captured imaging data to the system processing unit 100. The predetermined time interval is, for example, equivalent to the frame rate of the captured data.

[0032] The communication unit 17 can be communicatively connected to other devices via a wireless or wired communication network to send and receive various types of data. For example, the communication unit 170 is configured to include a wired LAN interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and a wireless LAN interface such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0033] Storage unit 18 is configured to include storage media such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory). For example, storage unit 18 stores the operating system, various drivers, various services / utilities, applications, and various data.

[0034] Input unit 19 is an input unit that accepts user input, for example, such as Figure 1 The input unit 19 is configured to include a keyboard as shown. In response to user input via the keyboard, the input unit 19 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the user's operation to the EC20. Alternatively, the input unit 19 may replace the keyboard or include a touch panel, touchpad, or similar device in addition to a keyboard. Furthermore, the input unit 19 can be connected to external operating devices such as a mouse or external keyboard via wired or wireless connection, allowing the user to input operations from the connected external operating devices.

[0035] The EC20 is a one-chip microcomputer that monitors and controls various devices (peripherals, sensors, etc.) independently of the OS system state. Furthermore, the EC20 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM, ROM, etc. (not shown), and has multiple channels of A / D input terminals, D / A output terminals, timers, and digital input / output terminals. The EC20 is connected to an input section 19 and a power supply section 21 via these input / output terminals. The EC20 receives and transmits various signals to the connected components.

[0036] For example, EC20 acquires the operation signal output from input unit 19 and performs processing based on the acquired operation signal. For operation signals among the acquired operation signals that are related to the processing of system processing unit 100, EC20 outputs them to system processing unit 100. Furthermore, EC20 controls power supply unit 21 according to the system state of OS, etc. For example, EC20 outputs control signals, etc., for controlling the power supply corresponding to the system state, to power supply unit 21. Additionally, EC20 obtains information about the state of battery 22 (remaining capacity, etc.) from power supply unit 21 by communicating with power supply unit 21.

[0037] The power supply unit 21 is configured, for example, to include a DC / DC converter and a charging / discharging circuit for controlling the charging or discharging of the battery 22. The power supply unit 21 converts the DC power supplied from the battery 22 or the DC power supplied from an external power source (such as an AC adapter, not shown) into multiple voltages required to operate the various parts of the information processing device 10. The power supply unit 21 supplies power to the various parts of the information processing device 10 based on the control of the EC20.

[0038] Battery 22 is a secondary battery used to supply power to various parts of the information processing device 10 when no power is supplied from an external power source (such as an AC adapter). When power is supplied from an external power source (such as an AC adapter), battery 22 is charged by the power supply unit 21 until it is fully charged. When no power is supplied from an external power source (such as an AC adapter), the power charged to battery 22 is discharged and supplied to various parts of the information processing device 10 via the power supply unit 21.

[0039] The system processing unit 100 is configured to include a CPU 101, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 102, a memory controller 103, an I / O (Input-Output) controller 104, and a system memory 105. Sometimes the CPU 101 and GPU 102 are collectively referred to as the processor.

[0040] CPU 101 performs processing based on the OS, various drivers, various services / utilities, applications, etc. As an example of the OS, the application is Windows (registered trademark). GPU 102 is connected to the display unit 15. GPU 102 performs image processing and generates display data based on the control of CPU 101. GPU 102 outputs the generated display data to the display unit 15. Furthermore, CPU 101 and GPU 102 can be integrated into a single core, or the load can be shared between CPU 101 and GPU 102, which are formed as separate cores. The number of processors is not limited to one; there can be multiple processors.

[0041] The memory controller 103 controls the reading and writing of data from the system memory 105 and the storage unit 360 based on the processing of the CPU 101 and the GPU 102.

[0042] The I / O controller 104 controls the input and output of data from the control and display unit 15, camera 16, communication unit 17, and EC20, etc.

[0043] System memory 105 is a writable memory used as a read-in area for programs executed by processors such as CPU 101 and GPU 102, or as a work area for writing processing data to the program. For example, system memory 105 is configured to include multiple DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. The program includes the OS, various drivers for controlling peripheral devices, various services / utilities, application programs, etc.

[0044] (Structure of camera function control processing)

[0045] Next, the control of multiple applications using the functions of the camera 16 in the information processing device 10 will be explained. Due to limitations of the OS, when one application uses the functions of the camera 16, the functions of the camera 16 are occupied by that application, and other applications cannot access the functions of the camera 16. For example, if an application that uses the camera 16 to take pictures (the camera application) has already been executed, even if another application (image quality adjustment application) is executed later to improve the image quality of the image data captured by the camera 16, it cannot directly access the functions of the camera 16.

[0046] Therefore, the information processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is configured to transfer image quality setting parameters to the camera 16 via the OS registry through an application that is subsequently executed, thereby enabling adjustment of the image quality of the captured data by the camera 16. Hereinafter, refer to Figure 3 Detailed explanation follows.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the camera function control processing according to this embodiment. In this diagram, the driver 110, the extended driver 120, the registry setting service 130, and the registry 140 are functional structures implemented by the CPU 11 executing the OS or by software supported as a function of the OS.

[0048] Driver 110 is the driver for camera 16. The captured data by camera 16 can be used in applications via driver 110. The captured data output from driver 110 can only be used in one application, but by setting up extension driver 120, the functions of camera 16 can be accessed from other applications and image processing of the captured data can be performed.

[0049] The illustrated application 1 is an application that uses camera 16 to take pictures (camera application), or an application that uses the captured data to conduct video conferencing (video conferencing application), etc. Application 1 acquires the captured data by camera 16 via driver 110 and displays an image (camera image) based on the acquired captured data.

[0050] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a display example of application 1 according to this embodiment. The window W10 shown illustrates a display example of the window of application 1 displayed on the display unit 15. The camera image display area R10 within the window W10 displays an image (camera image) based on the shooting data captured by the camera 16. In addition, a still image shooting button B11, operated by the user when shooting still images, and a moving image shooting button B12, operated when shooting moving images, are displayed on the right side of the camera image display area R10.

[0051] in addition, Figure 3 Application 2 shown is an application for adjusting the image quality of the data captured by camera 16 (image quality adjustment application).

[0052] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates a display example of application 2 according to this embodiment. The illustrated window W20 shows a display example of the window of application 2 displayed on the display unit 15. Within the image quality setting area R21 of the window W20, an operation UI (User Interface) for adjusting the image quality of the captured data is displayed. For example, the user can adjust brightness, contrast, color, etc. Based on the user's operation of the image quality setting area R21, application 2 outputs image quality setting parameters representing the set values ​​for brightness, contrast, color, etc.

[0053] Additionally, the camera image display area R22 within window W20 is an area for displaying images (camera images) based on the capture data taken by camera 16. However, if application 1 is running and application 2 is subsequently run, the capture data is used by application 1, therefore the camera image is not displayed in the camera image display area R22 of application 2. Furthermore, if application 2 is run before application 1, application 2 can use the functions of camera 16, therefore the camera image is displayed in the camera image display area R22.

[0054] Return to Figure 3In this diagram, the state where Application 1 is executed before Application 2 and the functions of Camera 16 are used is shown. Extended driver 120 acquires shooting data from Camera 16 via driver 110, performs image processing on the acquired shooting data based on the image quality setting parameters output by Application 2, and then outputs it to Application 1.

[0055] However, since the functionality of camera 16 is occupied by application 1, application 2, which executes subsequently, cannot directly send image quality setting parameters to the extended drive 120 even if it outputs them. Therefore, application 2 outputs the image quality setting parameters to the registry setting service 130. If the registry setting service 130 obtains the image quality setting parameters from application 2, it sets the obtained image quality setting parameters in the registry 140. The extended drive 120 reads the image quality setting parameters from the registry 140 and performs image processing on the captured data based on the read image quality setting parameters.

[0056] Additionally, the extended driver 120 supplies image-processed captured data to application 1. Figure 4 The camera image display area R10 within window W10 of application 1 shown displays an image (camera image) based on the captured data after image processing.

[0057] Therefore, when the application 1 uses the function of the camera 16 to take pictures, the information processing device 10 can supply the shooting data captured by the camera 16 to the application 1, and can perform image processing on the shooting data based on the image quality setting parameters output from the application 2 before supplying it to the application 1.

[0058] Here, refer to Figure 6 The internal structure of the expansion driver 120 will be described.

[0059] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the expansion driver 120 according to this embodiment. The expansion driver 120 includes a buffer memory 121, a setting unit 122, and an image processing unit 123. The buffer memory 121 temporarily stores the shooting data output from the camera 16. The setting unit 122 sets the image quality parameters for the image processing performed by the image processing unit 123. For example, the setting unit 122 reads the image quality setting parameters from the registry 140 and transfers the read image quality setting parameters to the image processing unit 123.

[0060] The image processing unit 123 performs image processing on the captured data stored in the buffer memory 121 based on the image quality setting parameters received from the setting unit 122. Furthermore, the image processing unit 123 replaces the captured data stored in the buffer memory 121 with image-processed captured data. Alternatively, the image processing unit 123 can also be implemented using image processing programs developed and provided by software vendors.

[0061] The extended driver 120 reads the image-processed shooting data stored in the buffer memory 121 and supplies it to application 1 via driver 110. Furthermore, the extended driver 120 can also read the unprocessed shooting data from the buffer memory 121 without image processing (in application 2, without image quality adjustment) and supply it to application 1 via driver 110. In other words, the extended driver 120 can either process the shooting data output from camera 16 based on the processing in application 2 before supplying it to application 1, or it can supply it to application 1 without image processing.

[0062] Furthermore, as an example, the extended driver 120 could also be a functional architecture designed using the Device MFT, which is a Windows (registered trademark) extension feature. For instance, the Device MFT is executed in user mode as an extension feature of the driver 110 that acquires shooting data from the camera 16. In contrast, the camera 16 and the driver 110 are executed in kernel mode.

[0063] This concludes the explanation of controlling the image quality setting parameters when applying image processing to the camera 16's captured data via the registry, in the case where application 2 is executed after application 1. Conversely, when application 2 is executed before application 1, application 2 can use (occupy) the camera 16's functions, and therefore can apply the image quality setting parameters even without going through the registry. Figure 7 This section outlines the camera function control processing when application 2 uses the functions of camera 16.

[0064] Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating other examples of the structure of the camera function control processing according to this embodiment. In this figure, for... Figure 3 The corresponding structural elements of each part are labeled with the same reference numerals. In this figure, it shows the state where applications other than application 2 using the functions of camera 16 are not executed, and application 2 is using the functions of camera 16. Application 2 can directly send image quality setting parameters to the expansion driver 120. The expansion driver 120 obtains the image quality setting parameters from application 2 and performs image processing on the captured data based on the obtained image quality setting parameters.

[0065] Additionally, the extended driver 120 supplies the image-processed captured data to application 2. Figure 5 The camera image display area R22 within window W20 of application 2 shown displays an image (camera image) based on the captured data after image processing.

[0066] Therefore, when the application 2 uses the function of the camera 16 to take pictures, the information processing device 10 can process the shooting data captured by the camera 16 based on the image quality setting parameters output from the application 2 and then supply it to the application 2.

[0067] Next, the parameter transmission path switching process when switching the transmission path from application 2 to extended driver 120 to send image quality setting parameters will be explained.

[0068] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the parameter transmission path switching process involved in this embodiment.

[0069] Application 2 is launched based on user actions (step S101). Application 2 is launched based on user actions (to... Figure 5 (Operation of the image quality setting area R21) and output of image quality setting parameters from application 2 (step S103).

[0070] When camera 16 is used in an application other than application 2 (step S105: Yes), the image quality setting parameters output from application 2 are set in registry 140 via registry setting service 130 (step S107). Extended drive 120 reads the image quality setting parameters from registry 140 (step S109).

[0071] On the other hand, if other applications besides application 2 do not use camera 16, that is, if application 2 uses camera 16 (step S105: No), the extended driver 120 directly obtains the image quality setting parameters output from application 2 (step S111).

[0072] The extended driver 120 performs image processing on the captured data based on the image quality setting parameters read from the registry 140 in step S109 or the image quality setting parameters obtained from the application 2 in step S111 (step S113).

[0073] As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes: a system memory 105 (an example of a memory) that temporarily stores the program of the OS; and a CPU 11 (an example of a processor) that can supply, based on the program of the OS, only one application operating on the OS with the image data captured by the camera 16 (an example of an imaging unit), and can perform image processing on the image data based on the image processing program operating on the OS. When the image data is supplied to application 1 (the first application), the CPU 11 transfers the image quality setting parameters (an example of setting parameters) for image processing from application 2 (the second application) other than application 1 to the image processing via the registry 140.

[0074] Therefore, when application 1 takes a picture using the function of camera 16, information processing device 10 can transfer the image quality setting parameters used for image processing of the captured data by camera 16 from application 2 other than application 1, thus enabling appropriate control over access to camera function by multiple applications.

[0075] For example, CPU 11 sets the image quality setting parameters output from application 2 in registry 140 via registry setting service 130 (an example of a service) which can change the settings of registry 140, and then hands them over to image processing by reading the image quality setting parameters set in registry 140.

[0076] Therefore, since application 2 does not directly access registry 140, it can be treated as an application without administrator privileges.

[0077] Image quality settings are parameters used to adjust the image quality of captured data. For example, image quality settings include parameters for adjusting brightness, contrast, color, etc.

[0078] Therefore, the information processing device 10 can use the application 2 (e.g., image quality adjustment application) to improve the image quality of the shooting data captured by the camera 16 when the application 1 uses the functions of the camera 16 to take pictures.

[0079] Furthermore, when providing shooting data to application 2, CPU 11 transfers image quality setting parameters from application 2 to image processing without going through registry 140.

[0080] Therefore, when the application 2 uses (possesses) the camera 16, the information processing device 10 can transfer the image quality setting parameters used for image processing of the captured data by the camera 16 without going through the registry 140.

[0081] Furthermore, the control method in the information processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is a control method in the information processing apparatus 10. The information processing apparatus includes: a system memory 105 (an example of a memory) that temporarily stores the program of the OS; and a CPU 11 (an example of a processor) that can supply the shooting data captured by the camera 16 (an example of an imaging unit) to any one of the applications operating on the OS based on the program of the OS, and can perform image processing on the shooting data based on the image processing program operating on the OS. The control method includes: a step in which the CPU 11 transfers the image quality setting parameters (an example of setting parameters) for image processing from an application 2 (a second application) other than application 1 (a first application) to the image processing via the registry 140; a step in which the CPU 11 performs image processing on the shooting data based on the image quality setting parameters; and a step in which the shooting data after image processing is performed on the shooting data is supplied to application 1.

[0082] Therefore, when application 1 takes a picture using the function of camera 16, information processing device 10 can transfer the image quality setting parameters used for image processing of the captured data by camera 16 from application 2 other than application 1, and can supply the image-processed captured data to application 1. Thus, it can appropriately control the access of multiple applications to camera function.

[0083] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to the above description, and various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example described is that application 2 is an application that performs image quality adjustments to improve the image quality of the captured data and outputs image quality setting parameters related to the image quality adjustments, but it is not limited to this. For example, application 2 could also be an application that performs image processing on the captured data, such as background processing (e.g., background blurring), skin smoothing, etc., and outputs setting parameters related to background processing and skin smoothing. When the captured data is supplied to application 1, the expansion driver 120 can obtain the setting parameters related to background processing and skin smoothing from application 2 via the registry 140. In this case, the image processing unit 123 of the expansion driver 120 performs background processing and skin smoothing on the captured data based on the setting parameters related to background processing and skin smoothing.

[0085] Additionally, application 2 can also output setting parameters related to the shooting conditions of camera 16. Shooting conditions include, for example, exposure, shutter speed, sensitivity, frame rate, etc. When providing shooting data to application 1, the extended driver 120 can also obtain setting parameters related to the shooting conditions of camera 16 from application 2 via registry 140 and hand them over to camera 16.

[0086] Therefore, when application 1 uses the camera 16 to take a picture, the information processing device 10 can transfer setting parameters related to the shooting conditions of the camera 16 from application 2 (other than application 1) and change the shooting conditions of the camera 16. Thus, it is possible to appropriately control access to the camera function based on multiple applications.

[0087] Furthermore, the aforementioned information processing apparatus 10 has an internal computer system. Moreover, programs for implementing the functions of each structure of the information processing apparatus 10 can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the computer system can read and execute the programs recorded on the recording medium to perform processing in each structure of the information processing apparatus 10. Here, "reading and executing the programs recorded on the recording medium by the computer system" includes installing programs on the computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. Additionally, the "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as floppy disks, optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program can be a non-temporary recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0088] Furthermore, the recording medium also includes internal or external recording media that can be accessed from a distribution server for distributing the program. Additionally, the program can be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then assembled by various structures within the information processing device 10, with each part distributed via a different distribution server. Moreover, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes media that retains the program for a certain period, such as a server in the case of sending the program via a network, or volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system acting as a client. Furthermore, the program described above can also be a structure used to implement the aforementioned functions. Further, it can also be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can be implemented by combining the aforementioned functions with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0089] Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 in the above embodiments can be implemented as integrated circuits such as LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each function can be processed independently, or some or all of them can be integrated for processing. Furthermore, the method of integrated circuit implementation is not limited to LSI; it can also be implemented using dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. In addition, if an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI emerges with the advancement of semiconductor technology, integrated circuits based on this technology can also be used.

[0090] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the information processing device 10 was described as an example of a notebook PC, but it could also be a desktop or tablet PC. Additionally, the camera 16 is not limited to a device built into the information processing device 10, but could also be an external device connected via USB (Universal Serial Bus) or similar means.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a memory that temporarily stores a program of an OS (Operating System); and a processor that is capable of supplying captured data captured by a capturing section to only an arbitrary one of applications that operate on the OS based on the program of the OS, and is capable of executing image processing on the captured data based on an image processing program that operates on the OS, in a case where the captured data is supplied to a first application, the processor hands over a setting parameter for the image processing from a second application other than the first application to the image processing via a registry of the OS.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case where the captured data is supplied to the second application, the processor hands over the setting parameter from the second application to the image processing without going through the registry.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor sets the setting parameter output from the second application in the registry via a service that is capable of changing a setting of the registry, and hands over the setting parameter set in the registry to the image processing by reading in the setting parameter set in the registry.

4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the setting parameter is a parameter for adjusting quality of captured data.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case where the captured data is supplied to the first application, the processor acquires a setting parameter related to a capturing condition of the capturing section from the second application via the registry and hands over the setting parameter to the capturing section.

6. A control method that is a control method in an information processing apparatus that comprises: a memory that temporarily stores a program of an OS (Operating System); and a processor that is capable of supplying captured data captured by a capturing section to only an arbitrary one of applications that operate on the OS based on the program of the OS, and is capable of executing image processing on the captured data based on an image processing program that operates on the OS, the control method comprising: a step in which, in a case where the captured data is supplied to a first application, the processor hands over a setting parameter for the image processing from a second application other than the first application to the image processing via a registry of the OS; a step in which the processor executes image processing on the captured data based on the setting parameter; and a step in which the processor supplies captured data after the image processing on the captured data to the first application.

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