Image correction device, image correction method, image correction system, and program

Abstract

To provide an image correction device capable of correcting captured digital images while reducing the circuit scale, cost, and power consumption thereof compared to conventional.SOLUTION: A communication unit 304 receives digital images captured by a digital camera 1 and a piece of identification information of the digital camera 1. A storage unit 303 stores a correction program for correcting the images. A processing unit 301 acquires a piece of individual characteristic information representing the specific optical properties of the digital camera 1 based on the identification information and corrects the digital images using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image correction device, an image correction method, an image correction system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Imaging devices such as digital cameras may produce undesirable distortions and unevenness in captured digital images (still images) or digital moving images due to design or manufacturing variations, etc. For this reason, imaging devices may be equipped with a correction circuit or correction program that corrects images based on inherent optical characteristics measured during or after manufacturing.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a digital camera that measures backlash values ​​during manufacturing and stores them in an internal flash memory, and corrects the backlash by moving the focus lens forward before normal lens driving. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-085928 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inclusion of a correction circuit or correction program increases the circuit size and cost of an imaging device. Furthermore, correcting an image based on optical characteristics specific to a particular imaging device requires the imaging device to be equipped with a large-capacity nonvolatile memory device to store information indicating the optical characteristics, thereby increasing the circuit size and cost of the imaging device. Furthermore, operating the correction circuit or executing the correction program consumes a large amount of power each time an image is captured. Therefore, there is a need to reduce the circuit size, cost, and / or power consumption of imaging devices compared to conventional devices.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an image correction device, an image correction method, an image correction system, and a program that can correct undesirable distortions and unevenness in captured digital images while reducing the circuit size, cost, and / or power consumption of the imaging device compared to conventional methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to an image correction device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a communication unit that receives a digital image captured by an imaging device and identification information of the imaging device; a storage unit for storing a correction program for correcting an image; The image capturing device further includes a processing unit that acquires individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the image capturing device based on the identification information, and corrects the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] An image correction device according to one aspect of the present disclosure can correct undesirable distortions and unevenness in captured digital images while reducing the circuit size, cost, and / or power consumption of the imaging device compared to conventional devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image correction system 20 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera 1 of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image correction device 2 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the servers 3-1 to 3-3 and 4 to 6 in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of user terminal devices 7 and 8 in FIG. [Figure 6]1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration for acquiring individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 in FIG. 2 by measurement and providing it to the server device 3-1 in FIG. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration for acquiring individual characteristic information of the lens device 200 of FIG. 2 by measurement and providing it to the server device 3-2 of FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a sequence diagram showing the initial communication between the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 immediately after the power of the digital camera 1 in FIG. 2 is turned on. [Figure 9] 3 is a sequence diagram showing steady-state communication between the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 when an image is being captured by the digital camera 1 of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 10] 1. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a correction process in which an image captured by a digital camera 1 is corrected by an image correction device 2 in the image correction system 20 of FIG. [Figure 11] 1. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a correction process in which a preview image displayed on a digital camera 1 is corrected by an image correction device 2 in the image correction system 20 of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a correction process performed on an image temporarily stored in the server device 5 when the correction program is updated in the image correction system 20 of FIG. [Figure 13] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a table displayed on the display unit of the digital camera 1 or the user terminal device 7 when the image correction device 2 of FIG. 1 stores multiple versions of the correction program. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera 1A according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, more detailed descriptions than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0011] The inventor(s) provide the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0013] [Image correction system configuration] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image correction system 20 according to the first embodiment. The image correction system 20 includes a digital camera 1, an image correction device 2, multiple server devices 3-1 to 3-3, 4 to 6, user terminal devices 7 and 8, a communication line 11, and access point devices (AP) 12-1 to 12-3.

[0014] The image correction device 2 and the server devices 3-1 to 3-3, 4 to 6 are connected to a communication line 11. The digital camera 1 and the user terminal devices 7 and 8 are wirelessly connected to access point devices 12-1 to 12-3, respectively, and are connected to the communication line 11 via the access point devices 12-1 to 12-3. The communication line 11 may include a wired communication line, a wireless communication line, or a combination thereof. The communication line 11 includes, for example, the Internet. The access point devices 12-1 to 12-3 may be, for example, access points of a wireless LAN or base stations of a cellular telephone network.

[0015] Digital camera 1 transmits a captured digital image (hereinafter simply referred to as "image") to image correction device 2 via access point device 12-1 and communication line 11. Digital camera 1 may also transmit a captured image to server device 5 via access point device 12-1 and communication line 11. Digital camera 1 may include a camera body 100 and a lens device 200 that is detachably connected to camera body 100, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0016] The digital camera 1 is an example of an imaging device.

[0017] Image correction device 2 corrects the image received from digital camera 1 using a correction program that corrects the image based on individual characteristic information that indicates optical characteristics unique to digital camera 1. Image correction device 2 transmits the corrected image to digital camera 1 via communication line 11 and access point device 12-1, and / or transmits it to server device 6 via communication line 11.

[0018] Server device 3-1 stores individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics unique to the camera body 100. Server device 3-2 stores individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics unique to a certain lens device 200. Server device 3-3 stores individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics unique to another lens device 200. The individual characteristic information stored in each of server devices 3-1 to 3-3 may be provided by different manufacturers. Image correction device 2 receives the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 (i.e., the individual characteristic information of the digital camera 1) from server devices 3-1 to 3-3 via communication line 11.

[0019] The server device 4 stores the correction program and its updated version. The image correction device 2 receives the correction program and its updated version from the server device 4 via the communication line 11.

[0020] Server device 5 receives and stores the captured image (i.e., the uncorrected image) from digital camera 1 via access point device 12-1 and communication line 11. Server device 5 may also receive and store the captured image from image correction device 2 via communication line 11. User terminal device 7 transmits a control signal to server device 5 via access point device 12-2 and communication line 11 as desired (for example, when the correction program is updated), instructing image correction device 2 to correct the image stored in server device 5.

[0021] The server device 6 receives and stores the corrected image from the image correction device 2 via the communication line 11. The server device 6 may be configured so that the stored corrected image can be accessed from any client device via the communication line 11. In this case, for example, the user terminal device 8 receives and displays the corrected image from the server device 6 via the access point device 12-3 and the communication line 11.

[0022] [Digital camera configuration] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera 1 of Fig. 1. The digital camera 1 comprises a camera body 100 and a lens apparatus 200 that is removably connected to the camera body 100.

[0023] [Camera body] The camera body 100 includes an optical element 101, an image sensor 110, an analog / digital converter (ADC) 111, a timing generator (TG) 112, an LCD monitor 120, a release button 121, operation buttons 122, a camera controller 140, a DRAM 141, a flash memory 142, a body mount 150, a power supply 160, a card slot 170, and a communication unit 180.

[0024] The body mount 150 is removably connected mechanically and electrically to the lens mount 260 of the lens apparatus 200. The camera body 100 and the lens apparatus 200 communicate with each other via connectors provided on the body mount 150 and the lens mount 260.

[0025] Light from a subject is incident on the image sensor 110 via the lens device 200 and the optical element 101. The optical element 101 is a special glass that is placed in front of the image sensor 110 with respect to the optical axis of the digital camera 1. The optical element 101 may be, for example, a built-in glass type or an electronically variable type ND filter.

[0026] The image sensor 110 receives light from a subject incident thereon via the lens device 200 and the optical member 101 and generates image data. The image data includes still images and moving images. The image sensor 110 operates in accordance with a timing signal generated by a timing generator 112. The image data generated by the image sensor 110 is digitized by an analog-to-digital converter 111, and the digitized image data is sent to the camera controller 140.

[0027] The camera controller 140 performs predetermined image processing on the digitized image data. The image processing may include, for example, at least some of gamma correction, white balance correction, blemish correction, YC conversion, electronic zoom, and JPEG compression. The camera controller 140 also controls the overall operation of the digital camera 1 by controlling components such as the image sensor 110 in response to instructions from the release button 121 and the operation buttons 122. The camera controller 140 generates a vertical synchronization signal and transmits it to the timing generator 112, and in parallel with this, generates an exposure synchronization signal. The camera controller 140 periodically transmits the generated exposure synchronization signal to the lens controller 250 of the lens device 200 via the body mount 150 and the lens mount 260. The camera controller 140 also transmits other control signals to the lens controller 250 via the body mount 150 and the lens mount 260. Furthermore, the camera controller 140 receives identification information and status information (described later) of the lens device 200 from the lens controller 250 via the body mount 150 and the lens mount 260.

[0028] The DRAM 141 is used by the camera controller 140 as a working memory for control and image processing.

[0029] The flash memory 142 stores firmware programs for the camera body 100, identification information for the camera body 100, user setting values, etc. The identification information for the camera body 100 includes, for example, the model number and manufacturing serial number of the camera body 100.

[0030] The communication unit 180 is wirelessly connected to the access point device 12-1 in Fig. 1. The communication unit 180 transmits images captured by the digital camera 1 to the image correction device 2, and also receives images corrected by the image correction device 2 from the image correction device 2.

[0031] The LCD monitor 120 displays an image captured by the digital camera 1 or an image corrected by the image correction device 2. The LCD monitor 120 can selectively display either a still image or a moving image. The moving image includes, for example, a through image that the user refers to when deciding the composition of the still image.

[0032] A memory card 171 can be inserted into the card slot 170, which controls the memory card 171 under the control of the camera controller 140. The digital camera 1 can store image data in the memory card 171 and read image data from the memory card 171.

[0033] The power supply 160 supplies power to each component within the digital camera 1. The power supply 160 also supplies power to the lens device 200 via the body mount 150 and the lens mount 260.

[0034] The camera body 100 is an example of an imaging device. The optical member 101 is an example of the optical system of the digital camera 1. The release button 121 and the operation buttons 122 are an example of an input unit of the digital camera 1. The communication unit 180 is an example of a communication unit of the digital camera 1, and may be connected to another device wirelessly or via a wire. The LCD monitor 120 is an example of a display unit of the digital camera 1.

[0035] [Lens device] The lens device 200 includes a zoom lens 210, a zoom lens driver 211, an OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) lens 220, an OIS driver 221, a position sensor 222, an OIS processor 223, a gyro sensor 224, a focus lens 230, a focus lens driver 231, an aperture device 240, an aperture driver 241, a lens controller 250, a DRAM 251, a flash memory 252, and a lens mount 260.

[0036] The zoom lens 210, the OIS lens 220, the focus lens 230, and the diaphragm device 240 are an example of an optical system of the digital camera 1.

[0037] The zoom lens 210 changes the magnification of the subject image formed on the image sensor 110 by the optical system. The zoom lens 210 is composed of one or more lenses. The zoom lens driving unit 211 moves the zoom lens 210 along the optical axis of the optical system under the control of the lens controller 250. The zoom lens driving unit 211 includes a motor such as a DC motor, a stepping motor, a servo motor, or an ultrasonic motor.

[0038] The diaphragm device 240 adjusts the amount of light incident from the subject into the lens device 200. The diaphragm device is composed of a plurality of diaphragm blades. The diaphragm driving unit 241 controls the diaphragm diameter (aperture value) of the diaphragm device 240 under the control of the lens controller 250. The diaphragm driving unit 241 includes a motor such as a DC motor, a stepping motor, a servo motor, or an ultrasonic motor.

[0039] The OIS lens 220 reduces blur in the subject image formed on the image sensor 110 by the optical system by moving in a direction that at least partially offsets shake of the digital camera 1. The OIS lens 220 is composed of one or more lenses. The position sensor 222 detects the position of the OIS lens 220 in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system and notifies the OIS processing unit 223. The position sensor 222 includes, for example, a magnet and a Hall element. The gyro sensor 224 detects the orientation and angular velocity of the lens device 200 and notifies the OIS processing unit 223. The OIS processing unit 223 controls the OIS driving unit 221 based on the position of the OIS lens 220 and the orientation and angular velocity of the lens device 200. Under the control of the OIS processing unit 223, the OIS driving unit 221 shifts the OIS lens 220 in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system. The OIS driving unit 221 may include, for example, a magnet and a flat coil, or may include other actuators such as an ultrasonic motor. The digital camera 1 includes an OIS driver 221, a position sensor 222, an OIS processor 223, and a gyro sensor 224, and by shifting the OIS lens 220, an OIS function is realized that corrects blurring of the subject image caused by shaking of the user's hand while holding the digital camera 1.

[0040] The focus lens 230 changes the focus state of the subject image formed on the image sensor 110 by the optical system. The focus lens 230 is composed of one or more lenses. The focus lens driving unit 231 moves the focus lens 230 along the optical axis of the optical system under the control of the lens controller 250. The focus lens driving unit 231 includes a motor such as a DC motor, a stepping motor, a servo motor, or an ultrasonic motor.

[0041] As described above, the lens controller 250 receives an exposure synchronization signal and other control signals from the camera controller 140 via the lens mount 260 and the body mount 150. The lens controller 250 controls the operation of the lens device 200, such as the magnification, image stabilization status, focus, and aperture, under the control of the camera controller 140. The lens controller 250 also transmits identification information and status information of the lens device 200 to the camera controller 140 via the lens mount 260 and the body mount 150. The identification information of the lens device 200 includes, for example, the model number and manufacturing serial number of the lens device 200. The status information of the lens device 200 includes, for example, the magnification (position of the zoom lens 210), image stabilization status (position of the OIS lens 220), focus (position of the focus 230 lens), and aperture (aperture value) when an image is captured by the digital camera 1.

[0042] The DRAM 251 is used by the lens controller 250 as a work memory for control.

[0043] The flash memory 252 stores the firmware program of the lens device 200, identification information of the lens device 200, user setting values, and the like.

[0044] [Configuration of image correction device] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image enhancement device 2 of FIG. 1. The image enhancement device 2 includes a bus 300, a processing unit 301, a memory 302, a storage unit 303, and a communication unit 304. The processing unit 301 controls the overall operation of the image enhancement device 2. The memory 302 temporarily stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the image enhancement device 2. The storage unit 303 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores programs necessary for the operation of the image enhancement device 2, including a correction program for correcting an image. The communication unit 304 is communicably connected to the digital camera 1 and the server devices 3-1 to 3-3 and 4 to 6 via the communication line 11. The communication unit 304 receives, for example, an image captured by the digital camera 1 and identification information of the digital camera 1 from the digital camera 1. The processing unit 301 acquires individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics unique to the digital camera 1 based on the identification information, and performs predetermined digital image processing using a correction program based on the individual characteristic information to enhance the image. The processing unit 301 , memory 302 , storage unit 303 , and communication unit 304 are connected to one another via a bus 300 .

[0045] [Server device configuration] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server devices 3-1 to 3-3, 4 to 6 in FIG. 1. Each of the server devices 3-1 to 3-3, 4 to 6 includes a bus 400, a processing unit 401, a memory 402, a storage unit 403, and a communication unit 404. The processing unit 401 controls the overall operation of the server devices 3-1 to 3-3, 4 to 6. The memory 402 temporarily stores programs and data required for the operation of the server devices 3-1 to 3-3, 4 to 6. The storage unit 403 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores programs required for the operation of the server devices 3-1 to 3-3, 4 to 6. The storage units 403 of the server devices 3-1 to 3-3 store individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200. The storage unit 403 of the server device 4 stores a correction program and an updated version thereof. The storage unit 403 of the server device 5 stores captured images (i.e., uncorrected images). The corrected image is stored in the storage unit 403 of the server device 6. The communication unit 404 is communicably connected to the image correction device 2 via the communication line 11. The processing unit 401, the memory 402, the storage unit 403, and the communication unit 404 are connected to one another via the bus 400.

[0046] [Configuration of user terminal device] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal devices 7 and 8 of FIG. 1. Each of the user terminal devices 7 and 8 includes a bus 500, a processing unit 501, a memory 502, a storage unit 503, a communication unit 504, an input unit 505, and a display unit 506. The processing unit 501 controls the overall operation of the user terminal devices 7 and 8. The memory 502 temporarily stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the user terminal devices 7 and 8. The storage unit 503 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores programs necessary for the operation of the user terminal devices 7 and 8. The communication unit 504 of the user terminal device 7 is communicatively connected to the image correction device 2 and the server device 5 via the communication line 11. The communication unit 504 of the user terminal device 8 is communicatively connected to the server device 6 via the communication line 11. The display unit 506 displays information related to the status of the user terminal devices 7 and 8. The input unit 505 receives user inputs that control the operation of the user terminal devices 7 and 8. The input unit 505 includes, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, and / or a pointing device. The processing unit 501, the memory 502, the storage unit 503, the communication unit 504, the input unit 505, and the display unit 506 are connected to one another via a bus 500.

[0047] The user terminal devices 7, 8 may be, for example, smartphones, tablet terminal devices, or other personal computers.

[0048] [Acquisition of individual characteristic information] As described above, digital camera 1 may produce undesirable distortions and unevenness in captured images due to design or manufacturing variations. For this reason, the optical characteristics of digital camera 1 are acquired during or after manufacturing, and individual characteristic information indicating the optical characteristics unique to digital camera 1 is generated in advance. The individual characteristic information of digital camera 1 includes at least one of design information of digital camera 1 and measurement results of the optical characteristics of digital camera 1. Image correction device 2 corrects images using a correction program based on the individual characteristic information.

[0049] The individual characteristic information of the digital camera 1 includes, for example, sensor brightness unevenness, sensor color unevenness, peripheral light reduction, resolution reduction, optical chromatic aberration, and optical distortion.

[0050] The sensor brightness unevenness and sensor color unevenness are individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the camera body 100. The sensor brightness unevenness and sensor color unevenness indicate unevenness in brightness and color, respectively, in a captured image caused by design or manufacturing variations in each pixel of the image sensor 110. Furthermore, the brightness and color in a captured image may have a distribution (unevenness) known from the design information of the camera body 100. In this case, the sensor brightness unevenness and sensor color unevenness may include variations from the known distribution of brightness and color in a captured image caused by eccentricity of the optical member 101 or the image sensor 110.

[0051] Vignetting, resolution loss, optical chromatic aberration, and optical distortion are individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the lens device 200. Vignetting indicates a decrease in the amount of light at the periphery away from the center of a captured image, which occurs due to the design of the lens device 200. Resolution loss indicates a decrease in resolution in a predetermined area of ​​a captured image, which occurs due to the design of the lens device 200. The amount of light and resolution in a captured image have a known distribution based on the design information of the lens device 200. Vignetting and resolution loss may include changes from the known distribution of the amount of light and resolution in a captured image, respectively, which occur due to decentering of each lens of the lens device 200. Optical chromatic aberration and optical distortion indicate chromatic aberration and distortion, respectively, in a captured image, which occur due to design or manufacturing variations of the lens device 200.

[0052] When the digital camera 1 includes the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 , the individual characteristic information of the digital camera 1 includes the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the individual characteristic information of the lens device 200 .

[0053] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration for acquiring individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 of FIG. 2 through measurement and providing it to the server device 3-1 of FIG. 1. The measurement lens device 200A has known optical characteristics and is attached to the camera body 100 to be measured. The measurement lens device 200A has a configuration similar to that of the lens device 200 of FIG. 2. The light source panel 610 is configured to direct test light of a constant intensity and the same color onto the entire surface of the image sensor 110 of the camera body 100. The control device 601 controls the light source panel 610 to direct the test light into the camera body 100 via the measurement lens device 200A. The control device 601 acquires an image generated by the image sensor 110 from the camera body 100 via a wireless connection (the communication unit 180 of FIG. 2) or another interface (e.g., USB). The control device 601 measures the sensor luminance unevenness and sensor color unevenness of the camera body 100 based on the luminance and color of each pixel of the image generated by the image sensor 110. The control device 601 may perform gain enhancement on the image generated by the image sensor 110 in order to measure the sensor brightness unevenness caused by the optical member 101. The control device 601 transmits individual characteristic information including the sensor brightness unevenness and sensor color unevenness of the camera body 100 to the server device 3-1 together with the identification information of the camera body 100.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration for acquiring individual characteristic information of the lens device 200 shown in FIG. 2 through measurement and providing it to the server device 3-2 shown in FIG. 1. The measurement camera body 100A has known optical characteristics, and the lens device 200 to be measured is attached to the measurement camera body 100A. The measurement camera body 100A has a configuration similar to that of the camera body 100 shown in FIG. 2. The control device 602 controls the light source panel 610 to direct test light into the measurement camera body 100A via the lens device 200. The control device 602 acquires an image generated by the image sensor 110 from the measurement camera body 100A via a wireless connection or another interface. The control device 602 measures peripheral shading of the lens device 200 based on the luminance of each pixel of the image generated by the image sensor 110. The control device 602 transmits the individual characteristic information, including the peripheral shading of the lens device 200, along with identification information of the lens device 200 to the server device 3-2.

[0055] 7 may be used to measure the resolution reduction, chromatic aberration, and optical distortion of the lens device 200. In this case, the light source panel 610 is configured to direct a test pattern having a predetermined shape to the image sensor 110 of the camera body 100. The control device 602 measures the resolution reduction, chromatic aberration, and optical distortion of the lens device 200 based on the luminance and color of each pixel of the image generated by the image sensor 110. The control device 602 transmits individual characteristic information including the resolution reduction, chromatic aberration, and optical distortion of the lens device 200 to the server device 3-2 along with identification information of the lens device 200.

[0056] 2 has a variable magnification, a variable aperture, a variable image stabilization state, and a variable focus, and its optical characteristics may change depending on changes in the magnification, aperture, image stabilization state, and focus. Therefore, the control device 602 in FIG. 7 may change the magnification, aperture, image stabilization state, and focus of the lens device 200 and measure individual characteristic information of the lens device 200 for multiple magnifications, multiple apertures, multiple image stabilization states, and multiple focuses.

[0057] Individual characteristic information known from the design information of the camera body 100 and the lens apparatus 200 may be stored in advance in the server devices 3-1 to 3-3 together with their identification information. Furthermore, for optical characteristics that are thought to have little manufacturing variation (for example, optical chromatic aberration and optical distortion), only individual characteristic information based on the design information may be stored in the server devices 3-1 to 3-3 without measurement. The individual characteristic information based on the design information is applied to all camera bodies 100 or lens apparatuses 200 having the same model number.

[0058] The server device 3-1 stores individual characteristic information of the camera body 100, for example, as shown in the table below.

[0059] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model number, manufacturing serial number, individual characteristic information --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A 01 CA-01 A 02 CA-02 B 01 CB-01 … ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0060] The model numbers "A" and "B" indicate different models of camera bodies 100. The first and second rows of the table indicate different individual units of the same model. Individual camera bodies 100 are represented by a combination of a model number and a manufacturing serial number. The server device 3-1 stores individual characteristic information CA-01, CA-02, CB-01, ... for each camera body 100.

[0061] The server device 3-2 stores individual characteristic information of the lens device 200, for example, as shown in the table below.

[0062] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model number, manufacturing serial number, individual characteristic information --------------------------------------------------------------------------- X 01 CX-01 X 02 CX-02 Y 01 CY-01 … ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0063] The model numbers "X" and "Y" indicate different models of lens devices 200. The first and second rows of the table indicate different units of the same model. Each individual lens device 200 is represented by a combination of a model number and a manufacturing serial number. The server device 3-2 stores the individual characteristic information CX-01, CX-02, CY-01, ... for each lens device 200.

[0064] The model number and manufacturing serial number are not limited to being numbers only, but may be a combination of numbers, letters, and other symbols.

[0065] As described above, the individual characteristic information stored in each of the server devices 3-1 to 3-3 may be provided by different manufacturers. Generally, the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 are provided by different manufacturers, so the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 stored in the server device 3-1 and the individual characteristic information of the lens device 200 stored in the server devices 3-2 to 3-3 may be provided by different manufacturers. Furthermore, because multiple types of lens devices 200 can be attached to the camera body 100, the individual characteristic information of the lens device 200 stored in each of the server devices 3-2 to 3-3 may be provided by different manufacturers.

[0066] The correction program corrects a captured image based on individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the lens apparatus 200 to reduce undesirable distortion and unevenness in the captured image. The correction program may also correct a captured image based on status information of the lens apparatus 200 (magnification, aperture, image stabilization status, and focus). The correction program may be a function that uses the optical characteristics of the camera body 100 and the lens apparatus 200 and the magnification, aperture, image stabilization status, and focus of the lens apparatus as parameters. The correction program may also be a combination of multiple tables that are selected based on the optical characteristics of the camera body 100 and the lens apparatus 200 and the magnification, aperture, image stabilization status, and focus of the lens apparatus. The correction program may be provided by, for example, the manufacturer of the camera body 100.

[0067] The server device 4 stores correction programs, for example, as shown in the table below.

[0068] -------------------------------------------------- Model Number Correction Program -------------------------------------------------- A PA ver.1.0 A PA ver.1.1 BPB ver.1.0 … --------------------------------------------------

[0069] In this example, multiple versions of the correction program are stored for the camera body 100 having the model number "A."

[0070] [Digital camera operation] 8 is a sequence diagram showing initial communication between the camera body 100 and the lens apparatus 200 immediately after the digital camera 1 of FIG. 2 is powered on. In step S1, the camera body 100 is powered on, and power supply M1 from the camera body 100 to the lens apparatus 200 begins. After power supply M1 begins, the camera body 100 transmits a model number request signal M2 to the lens apparatus 200. In response to the model number request signal M2, the lens apparatus 200 transmits a model number response signal M3 including the model number of the lens apparatus 200 to the camera body 100. Upon receiving the model number of the lens apparatus 200, the camera body 100 authenticates the lens apparatus 200. Next, the camera body 100 transmits an initialization request signal M4 to the lens apparatus 200. When the lens device 200 receives the initialization request signal M4, it initializes the lens device 200 by moving the zoom lens 210, the OIS lens 220, the focus lens 230, and the diaphragm device 240 to predetermined initial positions or to the positions they were in when the camera body 100 was last powered off, and then transmits an initialization response signal M5 to the camera body 100. Next, the camera body 100 transmits a manufacturing serial number request signal M6 to the lens device 200. In response to the manufacturing serial number request signal M6, the lens device 200 transmits a manufacturing serial number response signal M7 to the camera body 100, which includes the manufacturing serial number of the lens device 200. When the camera body 100 acquires the model number and manufacturing serial number of the lens device 200 (i.e., identification information of the lens device 200), initial communication between the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 is completed.

[0071] 9 is a sequence diagram showing steady-state communication between the camera body 100 and the lens apparatus 200 when an image is being captured by the digital camera 1 of FIG. 2. The camera body 100 periodically transmits a status information request signal M11 to the lens apparatus 200. In response to the status information request signal M11, the lens apparatus 200 transmits a status information response signal M12 to the camera body 100, which includes current status information of the lens apparatus 200 (i.e., the current magnification, aperture, image stabilization status, and focus of the lens apparatus 200).

[0072] When the camera body corrects an image as in the conventional case, it is necessary to store individual characteristic information of the lens device in advance in a nonvolatile storage device inside the lens device and transmit the individual characteristic information of the lens device to the camera body. On the other hand, according to the image correction system 20 according to the embodiment, the individual characteristic information of the lens device 200 is stored in the server device 3-2 or 3-3 and transmitted from the server device 3-2 or 3-3 to the image correction device 2. Therefore, according to the image correction system 20 according to the embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the lens device 200 with a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and therefore the circuit scale and cost of the lens device 200 can be reduced compared to the conventional case. Furthermore, according to the image correction system 20 according to the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication between the camera body 100 and the lens device 200.

[0073] [Image correction processing] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a correction process in which an image captured by the digital camera 1 is corrected by the image correction device 2 in the image correction system 20 of FIG.

[0074] 8 and 9, in digital camera 1, signals M3 and M7 including identification information of lens device 200 are transmitted from lens device 200 to camera body 100 as initial communication, and signal M12 including status information of lens device 200 is transmitted from lens device 200 to camera body 100 as steady-state communication. Next, in step S11, the user presses release button 121, causing digital camera 1 to capture an image. When digital camera 1 has captured an image, communication unit 180 of digital camera 1 transmits one or more signals M21 including the identification information of camera body 100, the identification information of lens device 200, status information of lens device 200, and the captured image to image correction device 2.

[0075] The identification information of the camera body 100, the identification information of the lens device 200, the status information of the lens device 200, and the captured image may be transmitted from the digital camera 1 to the image correction device 2, for example, as a file having the following format:

[0076] <header> Image size (number of horizontal and vertical pixels) Still image file format Data length Identification information of the lens device 200 (model number and manufacturing serial number) Identification information of the camera body 100 (model number and manufacturing serial number) Status information of the lens device 200 (magnification, aperture, image stabilization status, and focus) <Data body> -Photos taken

[0077] Instead of being embedded in the header, the identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 may be transmitted separately from the captured image. In this case, the header of the file containing the captured image includes a unique identifier associated with the captured image instead of the identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200. The identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 is transmitted from the digital camera 1 to the image correction device 2 together with the same identifier.

[0078] The communication unit 180 of the digital camera 1 may transmit the identification information of the camera body 100, the identification information of the lens device 200, the status information of the lens device 200, and the captured images to the server device 5. In this case, the communication unit 404 of the server device 5 receives the identification information of the camera body 100, the identification information of the lens device 200, the status information of the lens device 200, and the captured images. The storage unit 403 of the server device 5 stores the identification information of the camera body 100, the identification information of the lens device 200, the status information of the lens device 200, and the captured images.

[0079] The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 receives from the digital camera 1 one or more signals M21 including the identification information of the camera body 100, the identification information of the lens device 200, the status information of the lens device 200, and the captured image.

[0080] The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 transmits to the server device 3-1 a data request signal M22 including the identification information of the camera body 100. In response to the data request signal M22, the communication unit 404 of the server device 3-1 transmits to the image correction device 2 a data response signal M23 including individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 identified by the identification information.

[0081] The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 transmits to the server device 3-2 a data request signal M24 including the identification information of the lens device 200. In response to the data request signal M24, the communication unit 404 of the server device 3-2 transmits to the image correction device 2 a data response signal M25 including the individual characteristic information of the lens device 200 identified by the identification information.

[0082] The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 receives signals M23 and M25 containing individual identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 from the servers 3-1 and 3-2, respectively. In step S12, the processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 corrects the image received from the digital camera 1 using a correction program based on the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200. The processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 may also correct the image received from the digital camera 1 using a correction program based on the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 and status information of the lens device 200. Thereafter, the communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 transmits signals M26 and M27 containing the corrected image to the digital camera 1 and the server 6, respectively.

[0083] The communication unit 180 of the digital camera 1 receives the signal M26 containing the corrected image. In step S13, the LCD monitor 120 of the digital camera 1 displays the corrected image.

[0084] Furthermore, communication unit 404 of server device 6 receives signal M27 including the corrected image. In step S14, memory unit 403 of server device 6 stores the corrected image. The image stored in server device 6 may be read by user terminal device 8 and displayed on display unit 506 of user terminal device 8, for example.

[0085] According to the first embodiment, there is no need to provide a correction circuit or correction program in the digital camera 1, which makes it possible to reduce the circuit scale and cost of the digital camera 1 compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, there is no need for power to operate the correction circuit or power to execute the correction program in the digital camera 1, which makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the digital camera 1 compared to conventional methods.

[0086] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the individual characteristic information of the digital camera 1 is stored in the server devices 3-1 to 3-3 rather than inside the digital camera 1, so there is no need to provide the digital camera 1 with a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and the circuit scale and cost of the digital camera can be reduced compared to conventional cases.

[0087] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to correct undesirable distortions and unevenness in a captured image while reducing the circuit scale, cost, and / or power consumption of the digital camera 1 compared to conventional methods.

[0088] In addition, in the past, once a digital camera was manufactured and shipped, its correction circuit could not be replaced with a circuit with higher performance. Furthermore, even if a digital camera had a correction program, it was difficult to install and execute an updated correction program of any size or with any processing load in the digital camera due to hardware limitations of the digital camera. In contrast, according to the first embodiment, the image correction device 2 executes the correction program, so that an updated correction program of any size or with any processing load can be executed without being restricted by the hardware of the digital camera 1. According to the first embodiment, the circuit size, cost, and / or power consumption of the digital camera 1 can be reduced compared to conventional methods, while the latest correction program can be easily used to correct undesirable distortions and unevenness in captured images.

[0089] According to the first embodiment, it is possible to correct an image captured by the digital camera 1 and improve the quality of the image.

[0090] [Preview image correction processing] The image correction process described above can also be applied to correcting each frame of a digital video (hereinafter simply referred to as a "video"). Therefore, for example, the image correction system 20 may display an image corrected by the image correction device 2 as a preview image displayed on the LCD monitor 120 of the digital camera 1, instead of the captured image (i.e., the uncorrected image).

[0091] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a correction process in which the preview image displayed on the digital camera 1 is corrected by the image correction device 2 in the image correction system 20 of FIG.

[0092] 11 is executed after the image correction device 2 acquires the identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 from the digital camera 1, and acquires the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 from the server devices 3-1 and 3-2 based on the identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200, similar to the process of Fig. 10. The process of Fig. 11 is executed for each frame of a moving image at 60 frames per second, for example.

[0093] The camera body 100 receives a signal M12 from the lens device 200, which includes status information of the lens device 200. The image sensor 110 of the digital camera 1 receives incident light via the optical system and generates a moving image (i.e., a series of frames). The communication unit 180 of the digital camera 1 transmits a signal M31 to the image correction device 2, which includes the image currently being generated by the image sensor 110 (i.e., one frame of the moving image), together with identification information of the camera body 100, identification information of the lens device 200, and status information of the lens device 200.

[0094] The identification information of the camera body 100, the identification information of the lens device 200, the status information of the lens device 200, and the captured image may be transmitted from the digital camera 1 to the image correction device 2, for example, as a file having the following format:

[0095] <header> Image size (number of horizontal and vertical pixels) Video file formats Frame rate Identification information of the lens device 200 (model number and manufacturing serial number) Identification information of the camera body 100 (model number and manufacturing serial number) <First frame data> Data length Status information of the lens device 200 (magnification, aperture, image stabilization status, and focus) -Photos taken <Second frame data> (Omitted) … <Nth frame data> Data length Status information of the lens device 200 (magnification, aperture, image stabilization status, and focus) -Photos taken

[0096] Instead of being embedded in the header, the identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 may be transmitted separately from the captured image. In this case, the header of the file containing the captured image includes a unique identifier associated with the captured image instead of the identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200. The identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 is transmitted from the digital camera 1 to the image correction device 2 together with the same identifier.

[0097] As described above, when correcting a single still image, the status information of the lens device 200 may be embedded in the header of the file containing the image. On the other hand, when correcting each frame of a moving image, the status information of the lens device 200 is embedded for each frame. If the magnification, aperture, image stabilization status, or focus of the lens device 200 changes while capturing a moving image, the status information including the changed values ​​is embedded in the current frame.

[0098] The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 receives a signal M31 from the digital camera 1, which includes the identification information of the camera body 100, the identification information of the lens device 200, status information of the lens device 200, and a captured image. In step S21, the processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 corrects the image of the current frame using a correction program based on the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200. The processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 may also correct the image of the current frame using a correction program based on the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 and status information of the lens device 200. The processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 can correct a moving image by correcting a series of frames using the correction program. Then, the communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 transmits a signal M32 including the corrected image to the digital camera 1.

[0099] The communication unit 180 of the digital camera 1 receives a signal M32 containing the corrected image from the image correction device 2. In step S22, the LCD monitor 120 of the digital camera 1 displays the corrected image. The camera controller 140 may also output the corrected image from the communication unit 180 to an external display monitor via a wireless or wired connection.

[0100] Thereafter, the image correction system 20 repeats the above-described process for each frame. The user presses the release button 121 to capture the desired image.

[0101] According to the processing of FIG. 11, as with still images, it is possible to correct undesirable distortions and unevenness in captured moving images while reducing the circuit size, cost, and / or power consumption of the digital camera 1 compared to conventional methods.

[0102] According to the process of FIG. 11, a captured image is corrected and displayed in real time, so that a corrected preview image can be presented in real time.

[0103] [Correction processing of stored images] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the correction process performed on an image temporarily stored in server device 5 when the correction program is updated in image correction system 20 of FIG.

[0104] In step S31, as described above, the server device 5 stores the image captured by the digital camera 1 (i.e., the uncorrected image) in the memory unit 403 together with the identification information of the camera body 100, the identification information of the lens device 200, and the status information of the lens device 200.

[0105] In step S32, the server device 4 obtains an updated version of the correction program for a certain digital camera 1 and stores it in the storage unit 403. When the updated version of the correction program is obtained, the communication unit 404 of the server device 4 transmits a signal M41 including the updated version of the correction program to the image correction device 2. Furthermore, if the user of the digital camera 1 has registered the user terminal device 7 (or an email address usable by the user terminal device 7, for example) as the user's contact information in the server device 4, the communication unit 404 of the server device 4 transmits an update notification signal M42 to the user terminal device 7 indicating that an updated version of the correction program has been obtained.

[0106] The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 receives the signal M41 including the updated version of the correction program from the server device 4. The storage unit 303 of the image correction device 2 stores the updated version of the correction program.

[0107] Communication unit 504 of user terminal device 7 receives update notification signal M42. Upon receiving update notification signal M42, the user of user terminal device 7 decides whether or not to have the image stored in server device 5 corrected by image correction device 2. In response to the user's decision, communication unit 504 of user terminal device 7 transmits to server device 5 a correction request signal M43 instructing that the image stored in server device 5 be corrected by image correction device 2.

[0108] When the communication unit 404 of the server device 5 receives the correction request signal M43, it transmits a signal M44 to the image correction device 2, which includes the captured image stored in the memory unit 403, along with identification information of the camera body 100, identification information of the lens device 200, and status information of the lens device 200.

[0109] The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 receives a signal M41 including an updated version of the correction program from the server device 4, and then receives a signal M44 including the identification information of the camera body 100, the identification information of the lens device 200, status information of the lens device 200, and a captured image from the server device 5. The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 acquires individual identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 from the server devices 3-1 and 3-2, respectively, based on the identification information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200. In step S33, the processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 corrects the image received from the server device 5 using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200. The processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 may also correct the image received from the server device 5 using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200 and the status information of the lens device 200. Thereafter, the communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 transmits to the server device 6 a signal M45 including the corrected image.

[0110] The communication unit 404 of the server device 6 receives the signal M45 including the corrected image. In step S34, the storage unit 403 of the server device 6 stores the corrected image.

[0111] As described above, server device 6 may be configured to allow any client device to access the stored corrected image via communication line 11. In this case, communication unit 504 of user terminal device 8 transmits a data request signal M46 to server device 6. In response to data request signal M46, communication unit 404 of server device 6 transmits signal M47 including the stored corrected image to user terminal device 8. Communication unit 504 of user terminal device 8 receives signal M47 including the corrected image. In step S35, display unit 506 of user terminal device 8 displays the corrected image.

[0112] 12, a case has been described in which, when the server device 4 acquires an updated version of the correction program, the server device 4 transmits the updated version of the correction program to the image correction device 2. Alternatively, the image correction device 2 may periodically inquire of the server device 4 about whether or not an updated version of the correction program is available.

[0113] According to the process of Figure 12, for example, if user terminal device 7 is used by a video distributor and user terminal device 8 is used by a viewer, when an updated version of the correction program is provided, corrected moving images with improved quality can be quickly provided to the viewer.

[0114] [Selection of correction program version] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table displayed on the display unit of the digital camera 1 or the user terminal device 7 when the image correction device 2 of FIG. 1 stores multiple versions of the correction program.

[0115] 13 shows a case where separate correction programs each having multiple plates are used to correct multiple optical characteristics of the digital camera 1, namely, sensor brightness variation, sensor color variation, peripheral light falloff, resolution loss, optical chromatic aberration, and optical distortion. Whether or not correction of each optical characteristic is necessary (i.e., whether or not to apply it to an image) can be set individually.

[0116] The storage unit 303 of the image correction device 2 stores multiple versions of the correction program for one or multiple optical characteristics. The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 transmits to the digital camera 1 a list of multiple versions of the correction program that can be used by the image correction device 2.

[0117] The communication unit 180 of the digital camera 1 receives a list of multiple versions of the correction program from the image correction device 2. The LCD monitor 120 of the digital camera 1 displays the list of multiple versions of the correction program. The operation buttons 122 of the digital camera 1 acquire a user input to select one of the multiple versions of the correction program. The communication unit 180 of the digital camera 1 transmits a control signal to the image correction device 2 to select one of the multiple versions of the correction program.

[0118] The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 receives a control signal for selecting one of the multiple versions of the correction program. The processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 corrects the image using the correction program of the version selected in accordance with the control signal.

[0119] Instead of the digital camera 1, the user terminal device 7 or 8 may receive a list of multiple versions of the correction program and send a control signal to the image correction device 2 to select one of the multiple versions of the correction program.

[0120] Using the user interface shown in FIG. 13, a user can correct an image using a desired correction program. If the user does not specify a correction program version in advance, the latest correction program will be used for all optical characteristics. If "latest" is specified as the correction program version, the most recent correction program will always be used. The user may also intentionally specify an older version of the correction program.

[0121] [Advantages of the first embodiment] The digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment includes an image sensor 110 that generates a digital image by receiving incident light via an optical system including at least one lens. The digital camera 1 further includes a communication unit 180 that communicates with an image correction device 2 that corrects the digital image using a correction program that corrects the image based on individual characteristic information that indicates optical characteristics unique to the digital camera 1. The communication unit 180 transmits the digital image generated by the image sensor 110 and identification information of the digital camera 1 to the image correction device 2.

[0122] The image correction device 2 according to the first embodiment includes a communication unit 304 that receives a digital image captured by the digital camera 1 and identification information of the digital camera 1, a memory unit 303 that stores a correction program for correcting the image, and a processing unit 301 that acquires individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics unique to the digital camera 1 based on the identification information and corrects the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information.

[0123] This configuration makes it possible to correct undesirable distortions and unevenness in captured images while reducing the circuit scale, cost, and / or power consumption of the digital camera 1 compared to conventional methods.

[0124] According to a first embodiment, the identification information may include at least one of a model number and a manufacturing serial number, and may also include an identifier associated with at least one of the model number and the manufacturing serial number.

[0125] According to this configuration, it is possible to identify individual digital cameras 1 based on the identification information and appropriately acquire their individual characteristic information.

[0126] According to the first embodiment, the individual characteristic information may include at least one of design information of the digital camera 1 and measurement results of the optical characteristics of the digital camera 1.

[0127] This configuration makes it possible to provide the digital camera 1 with its own unique optical characteristics.

[0128] According to the first embodiment, the digital camera 1 may include a camera body 100 and a lens apparatus 200 that is detachably connected to the camera body 100. In this case, the identification information includes first identification information that identifies the camera body 100 and second identification information that identifies the lens apparatus 200. The individual characteristic information includes first individual characteristic information that indicates optical characteristics unique to the camera body 100 and second individual characteristic information that indicates optical characteristics unique to the lens apparatus 200.

[0129] According to this configuration, the image can be appropriately corrected depending on the combination of the camera body 100 and the lens apparatus 200.

[0130] According to the first embodiment, the camera body 100 may receive second identification information from the lens device 200 connected to the digital camera 1 .

[0131] According to this configuration, the camera body 100 can provide the second identification information received from the lens device 200 to the image correction device 2.

[0132] According to the first embodiment, the communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 may receive first individual characteristic information from one or more first server devices 3-1 each storing first individual characteristic information about the camera body 100 provided by one or more camera manufacturers. The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 may receive second individual characteristic information from one or more second server devices 3-2 to 3-3 each storing second individual characteristic information about the lens device 200 provided by one or more lens manufacturers.

[0133] According to this configuration, the image correction device 2 can acquire appropriate individual characteristic information according to the combination of the camera body 100 and the lens device 200.

[0134] According to the first embodiment, digital camera 1 may include an optical system having at least one of variable magnification, variable aperture, variable image stabilization state, and variable focus. In this case, communication unit 180 of digital camera 1 transmits status information indicating at least one of the magnification, aperture, image stabilization state, and focus of the optical system when a digital image was generated by image sensor 110 to image enhancement device 2. Communication unit 304 of image enhancement device 2 receives status information indicating at least one of the magnification, aperture, image stabilization state, and focus of the optical system when a digital image was captured by digital camera 1. Processing unit 301 of image enhancement device 2 enhances the digital image using a correction program based on the individual characteristic information and the status information.

[0135] According to this configuration, the image can be appropriately corrected according to the magnification, aperture, image stabilization state, and focus state.

[0136] According to the first embodiment, the camera body 100 may receive status information from the lens device 200 connected to the camera body 100 indicating at least one of the magnification of the optical system, the aperture, the image stabilization status, and the focus.

[0137] According to this configuration, the camera body 100 can provide the image correction device 2 with the status information received from the lens device 200 .

[0138] According to the first embodiment, the communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 may receive, from the digital camera 1, a digital image captured by the digital camera 1. The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 may transmit, to the digital camera 1, a digital image corrected by the processing unit 301. The communication unit 180 of the digital camera 1 may receive, from the image correction device 2, a digital image corrected by the image correction device 2. The digital camera 1 may further include a display unit 120 that displays the digital image corrected by the image correction device 2.

[0139] According to this configuration, the user of the digital camera 1 can view the image corrected by the image correction device 2 on the display unit of the digital camera 1.

[0140] According to the first embodiment, the communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 may receive an updated version of the correction program from the third server device 4 that stores the updated version of the correction program. In this case, the storage unit 303 of the image correction device 2 stores the updated version of the correction program.

[0141] According to this configuration, the image correction device 2 can provide a higher quality corrected image by using an updated version of the correction program.

[0142] According to the first embodiment, when the communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 receives an updated version of the correction program, the communication unit 304 may receive digital images from the fourth server device 5 that stores digital images taken by the digital camera 1. The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 may transmit the digital images corrected by the processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 to the fifth server device 6.

[0143] According to this configuration, for example, video distributors and their viewers can be provided with corrected moving images with improved quality quickly.

[0144] According to the first embodiment, the storage unit 303 of the image correction device 2 may store multiple versions of the correction program. The communication unit 180 of the digital camera 1 may receive a list of multiple versions of the correction program from the image correction device 2. In this case, the digital camera 1 further includes an LCD monitor 120 that displays a list of multiple versions of the correction program usable by the image correction device 2, and an operation button 122 that receives a user input to select one of the multiple versions of the correction program. The wireless communication unit 180 of the digital camera 1 transmits a control signal for selecting one of the multiple versions of the correction program to the image correction device 2. The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 receives the control signal for selecting one of the multiple versions of the correction program. The processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 corrects the image using the version of the correction program selected in accordance with the control signal.

[0145] According to this configuration, the user can correct the image using a desired correction program.

[0146] According to the first embodiment, the image sensor 110 of the digital camera 1 may generate a moving image by receiving incident light via an optical system. In this case, the communication unit 180 of the digital camera 1 transmits the moving image generated by the image sensor 110 and identification information of the digital camera 1 to the image correction device 2. The communication unit 304 of the image correction device 2 receives the moving image captured by the digital camera 1. The processing unit 301 of the image correction device 2 corrects the moving image using a correction program.

[0147] According to this configuration, for example, by correcting and displaying the captured data in real time, it is possible to present a corrected preview image in real time.

[0148] [Second embodiment] The correction process according to the embodiment is not limited to images captured by a digital camera 1 including a camera body 100 and a lens apparatus 200 detachably connected to the camera body 100, but can also be applied to images captured by an all-in-one digital camera. A second embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described.

[0149] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera 1A according to a second embodiment. The digital camera 1A includes the components of the camera body 100 and lens apparatus 200 in FIG. 2, except for the body mount 150 and lens mount 260. The camera controller 140 and power supply 160 are directly connected to the lens controller 250, without the intervention of the body mount 150 and lens mount 260. The flash memory 142 stores identification information for the digital camera 1A instead of identification information for the camera body 100. The flash memory 252 stores firmware programs and user settings for the lens apparatus 200. The lens controller 250, DRAM 251, and flash memory 252 may be integrated with the corresponding camera controller 140, DRAM 141, and flash memory 142.

[0150] The digital camera 1A is an example of an imaging device.

[0151] Like the digital camera 1 in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1A is wirelessly connected to an access point device and connected to a communication line 11 via the access point device. The image correction system according to the second embodiment also includes a server device that stores individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics unique to the digital camera 1A. The image correction device 2 receives the individual characteristic information of the digital camera 1A from the server device via the communication line 11. The image correction device 2 corrects the image received from the digital camera 1A using a correction program that corrects the image based on the individual characteristic information indicating the optical characteristics unique to the digital camera 1A. The image correction device 2 transmits the corrected image to the digital camera 1A via the communication line 11 and the access point device.

[0152] According to the second embodiment, as with the first embodiment, it is possible to correct undesirable distortions and unevenness in captured images while reducing the circuit size, cost, and / or power consumption of the digital camera 1A compared to conventional methods.

[0153] [Advantages of the second embodiment] A digital camera 1A according to the second embodiment includes an image sensor 110 that generates a digital image by receiving incident light through an optical system including at least one lens. The digital camera 1A further includes a communication unit 180 that communicates with an image correction device 2 that corrects the digital image using a correction program that corrects the image based on individual characteristic information that indicates optical characteristics unique to the digital camera 1A. The communication unit 180 transmits the digital image generated by the image sensor 110 and identification information of the digital camera 1A to the image correction device 2.

[0154] This configuration makes it possible to correct undesirable distortions and unevenness in captured images while reducing the circuit scale, cost, and / or power consumption of the digital camera 1A compared to conventional methods.

[0155] According to the second embodiment, the digital camera 1A further comprises an optical system including at least one lens.

[0156] This configuration makes it possible to correct undesirable distortions and unevenness in images captured by an integrated digital camera.

[0157] According to the second embodiment, the optical system may have at least one of variable magnification, variable aperture, variable image stabilization state, and variable focus. In this case, the communication unit 180 transmits status information indicating at least one of the magnification, aperture, image stabilization state, and focus of the optical system when the digital image was generated by the image sensor 110 to the image correction device 2. The image correction device 2 corrects the digital image using a correction program based on the individual characteristic information and the status information.

[0158] According to this configuration, the image can be appropriately corrected according to the magnification, aperture, image stabilization state, and focus state.

[0159] [Other embodiments] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which appropriate modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0160] If the optical system of camera body 100 has a variable state, image correction device 2 may correct the image using a correction program based on state information of camera body 100, not just state information of lens device 200.

[0161] The image correction device 2 is not limited to receiving individual characteristic information from one server device 3-1, but may receive individual characteristic information from a plurality of server devices that respectively store individual characteristic information relating to the camera body 100 provided by a plurality of camera manufacturers.

[0162] The image correction device may acquire the contents of the server devices 3-1 to 3-3 in advance and store them in the memory unit 303, instead of inquiring of the server devices 3-1 to 3-3 after receiving the image captured by the digital camera 1 as shown in FIG. 10.

[0163] The digital camera 1 may display the captured image (i.e., the uncorrected image) on the LCD monitor 120, while displaying the corrected image on an external monitor connected to the digital camera 1.

[0164] The individual characteristic information of the digital camera 1 is not limited to sensor brightness unevenness, sensor color unevenness, peripheral light falloff, resolution loss, optical chromatic aberration, and optical distortion. The individual characteristic information of the digital camera 1 may also include optical characteristics related to, for example, the focus state of the lens device 200, image quality enhancement of the signal processing circuit of the camera body 100, etc.

[0165] The imaging device according to the embodiment may be a digital camera 1 including a camera body 100 and a lens apparatus 200 detachably connected to the camera body 100. The imaging device according to the embodiment may also be a camera body 100 detachably connected to a lens apparatus 200 including an optical system including at least one lens. The imaging device according to the embodiment may also be a digital camera 1A including an optical system including at least one lens. In either case, the "identification information of the imaging device" refers to information transmitted from the imaging device to the image correction device 2, and is information that enables the image correction device 2 to identify devices involved in capturing a digital image. Therefore, the identification information of the imaging device may be a combination of the identification information of the camera body 100 and the identification information of the lens apparatus 200 (first embodiment), or may be the identification information of the digital camera 1A (second embodiment). Furthermore, the "individual characteristic information of the imaging device" refers to the optical characteristics of devices involved in capturing a digital image. Therefore, the identification information of the imaging device may be a combination of the individual characteristic information of the camera body 100 and the individual characteristic information of the lens apparatus 200 (first embodiment), or may be the individual characteristic information of the digital camera 1A (second embodiment).

[0166] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure, and for that purpose, the accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided.

[0167] Therefore, the components shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only essential components for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are shown in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that these non-essential components are essential.

[0168] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0169] [Summary of the embodiment] The digital camera, the image correction device, and the image correction system according to the embodiment may be expressed as follows.

[0170] An image correction device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a communication unit that receives a digital image captured by an imaging device and identification information of the imaging device; a storage unit for storing a correction program for correcting an image; The image capturing device further includes a processing unit that acquires individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the image capturing device based on the identification information, and corrects the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information.

[0171] According to the image correction device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to the first aspect, The identification information includes at least one of a model number and a manufacturing serial number.

[0172] According to the image correction device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to the first aspect, The identification information includes an identifier associated with at least one of a model number and a manufacturing serial number.

[0173] According to the image correction device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to one of the first to third aspects, The individual characteristic information includes at least one of design information of the imaging device and measurement results of optical characteristics of the imaging device.

[0174] According to the image correction device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to one of the first to fourth aspects, the imaging device includes a camera body and a lens device detachably connected to the camera body; the identification information includes first identification information for identifying the camera body and second identification information for identifying the lens device; The individual characteristic information includes first individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the camera body, and second individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the lens device.

[0175] According to the image correction device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to the fifth aspect, The communication unit receiving the first individual characteristic information from one or more first server devices that respectively store the first individual characteristic information regarding camera bodies provided by one or more camera manufacturers; The second individual characteristic information is received from one or more second server devices that respectively store the second individual characteristic information regarding lens devices provided by one or more lens manufacturers.

[0176] According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to one of the first to sixth aspects, the imaging device comprises an optical system having at least one of a variable magnification, a variable aperture, a variable image stabilization state, and a variable focus; the communication unit receives status information indicating at least one of a magnification of the optical system, an aperture, an image stabilization state, and a focus when the digital image is captured by the imaging device; The processing unit corrects the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information and the state information.

[0177] According to an image correction device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to one of the first to seventh aspects, The communication unit receiving, from the imaging device, a digital image captured by the imaging device; The digital image corrected by the processing unit is sent to the imaging device.

[0178] According to the image correction device according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to one of the first to eighth aspects, the communication unit receives an updated version of the correction program from a third server device that stores an updated version of the correction program; The storage unit stores an updated version of the correction program.

[0179] According to the image correction device according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to the ninth aspect, When the communication unit receives an updated version of the correction program, receiving the digital images from a fourth server device that stores the digital images captured by the imaging device; The digital image corrected by the processing unit is transmitted to a fifth server device.

[0180] According to an image correction device according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the storage unit stores a plurality of versions of the correction program; the communication unit receives a control signal that selects one of a plurality of versions of the correction program; The processing unit corrects the digital image using the correction program of the version selected in accordance with the control signal.

[0181] According to the image correction device according to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, in the image correction device according to one of the first to eleventh aspects, the communication unit receives digital moving images captured by the imaging device; The processing unit corrects the digital moving image using the correction program.

[0182] An image correction system according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes: A digital camera, and an image correction device according to one of the first to twelfth aspects.

[0183] An image correction method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes: receiving a digital image captured by an imaging device and identification information for the imaging device; reading out a correction program for correcting an image from a storage unit; acquiring individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the imaging device based on the identification information; and correcting the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information.

[0184] A program according to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes: 1. A program comprising instructions for execution by a processing circuit of a computing device, the instructions causing the processing circuit to: receiving a digital image captured by an imaging device and identification information for the imaging device; reading out a correction program for correcting an image from a storage unit; acquiring individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the imaging device based on the identification information; and correcting the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information.

[0185] According to the imaging device according to the sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, An imaging device including an imaging element that receives incident light through an optical system including at least one lens and generates a digital image, the imaging device further includes a communication unit that communicates with an image correction device that corrects the digital image using a correction program that corrects an image based on individual characteristic information that indicates optical characteristics unique to the imaging device; The communication unit transmits the digital image generated by the imaging element and identification information of the imaging device to the image correction device.

[0186] According to the imaging device according to the seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to the sixteenth aspect, The identification information includes at least one of a model number and a manufacturing serial number.

[0187] According to an imaging device according to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to the sixteenth aspect, The identification information includes an identifier associated with at least one of a model number and a manufacturing serial number.

[0188] According to the imaging device according to the nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to one of the sixteenth to eighteenth aspects, The individual characteristic information includes at least one of design information of the imaging device and measurement results of optical characteristics of the imaging device.

[0189] According to the imaging device according to the twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to one of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects, the imaging device is a camera body that is detachably connected to a lens device that includes an optical system that includes the at least one lens; the identification information includes first identification information for identifying the camera body and second identification information for identifying the lens device; The individual characteristic information includes first individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the camera body, and second individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the lens device.

[0190] According to the imaging device according to the twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to the twentieth aspect, The imaging device receives the second identification information from the lens device connected to the imaging device.

[0191] According to the imaging device according to the twenty-second aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to the twentieth or twenty-first aspect, the optical system has at least one of a variable magnification, a variable aperture, a variable image stabilization state, and a variable focus; the imaging device receives status information indicating at least one of a magnification, an aperture, an image stabilization state, and a focus of the optical system from the lens device connected to the imaging device; the communication unit transmits to the image correction device status information indicating at least one of a magnification of the optical system, an aperture, an image stabilization status, and a focus when the digital image was generated by the imaging element; The image correction device corrects the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information and the state information.

[0192] According to the imaging device according to the twenty-third aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to one of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects, The imaging device further comprises an optical system including the at least one lens.

[0193] According to the imaging device according to the 24th aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to the 23rd aspect, the optical system has at least one of a variable magnification, a variable aperture, a variable image stabilization state, and a variable focus; the communication unit transmits to the image correction device status information indicating at least one of a magnification of the optical system, an aperture, an image stabilization status, and a focus when the digital image was generated by the imaging element; The image correction device corrects the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information and the state information.

[0194] According to the imaging device according to the 25th aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to one of the 16th to 24th aspects, the communication unit receives, from the image correction device, a digital image corrected by the image correction device; The imaging device further includes a display unit that displays the digital image corrected by the image correction device.

[0195] According to the imaging device according to the 26th aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to one of the 16th to 25th aspects, The imaging device is a display unit that displays a list of multiple versions of the correction program that can be used by the image correction device; an input unit for receiving a user input for selecting one of the multiple versions of the correction program; The communication unit receiving a list of multiple versions of the correction program from the image correction device; A control signal is sent to the image correction device to select one of the multiple versions of the correction program.

[0196] According to the imaging device according to the 27th aspect of the present disclosure, in the imaging device according to one of the 16th to 26th aspects, the imaging element receives light incident via the optical system and generates a digital moving image; The communication unit transmits the digital moving image generated by the imaging element and identification information of the imaging device to the image correction device.

[0197] According to the imaging method according to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, 1. An imaging method for an imaging device having an imaging element that receives incident light through an optical system including at least one lens and generates a digital image, comprising: The imaging method includes a step of communicating with an image correction device that corrects the digital image using a correction program that corrects the image based on individual characteristic information that indicates optical characteristics unique to the imaging device; The communicating step includes transmitting a digital image generated by the image capture device and identification information of the image capture device to the image correction device.

[0198] According to the program according to the twenty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a program including instructions executed by a processing circuit of an imaging device, the instructions causing the processing circuit to execute a step of communicating with an image correction device that corrects the digital image using a correction program that corrects the image based on individual characteristic information indicative of optical characteristics unique to the imaging device; The communicating step includes transmitting a digital image generated by the image capture device and identification information of the image capture device to the image correction device. [Industrial Applicability]

[0199] The present disclosure is applicable to digital cameras that produce still or moving images. [Explanation of symbols]

[0200] 1,1A Digital Camera 2. Image correction device 3-1 Server device (individual characteristics of the camera body) 3-2 Server device (individual characteristics of lens device) 3-3 Server device (individual characteristics of lens device) 4 Server device (updated version of correction program) 5. Server device (photographed images) 6 Server device (corrected image) 7,8 User terminal equipment 11. Communication lines 12-1~12-3 Access point device (AP) 20 Image Correction System 100 camera body 100A Measurement Camera Body 110 Image sensor 111 Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) 112 Timing Generator (TG) 120 LCD monitor 121 Release button 122 Operation buttons 140 Camera Controller 141 DRAM 142 Flash Memory 150 Body Mount 160 Power supply 170 card slots 171 Memory Card 180 Communications Department 200 Lens Device 200A Measuring lens device 210 zoom lens 211 Zoom lens drive unit 220 OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) lens 221 OIS drive unit 222 Position Sensor 223 OIS processing section 224 Gyro Sensor 230 focus lens 231 Focus lens drive unit 240 aperture device 241 Aperture drive unit 250 Lens Controller 251 DRAM 252 flash memory 260 lens mount 300 Bus 301 Processing section 302 memory 303 Storage section 304 Communications Department 400 Bus 401 Processing section 402 memory 403 Storage section 404 Communications Department 500 Bus 501 Processing section 502 memory 503 Storage section 504 Communications Department 505 Input section 506 Display section 601,602 Control device 610 Light Source Panel

Claims

1. a communication unit that receives a digital image captured by an imaging device and identification information of the imaging device; a storage unit for storing a correction program for correcting an image; a processing unit that acquires individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the imaging device based on the identification information, and corrects the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information, the communication unit receives an updated version of the correction program from a first server device that stores an updated version of the correction program; the storage unit stores an updated version of the correction program; When the communication unit receives an updated version of the correction program, the communication unit receives the digital images from a second server device that stores digital images captured by the imaging device, and transmits the digital images received from the second server device and corrected by the processing unit to a third server device. Image correction device.

2. The identification information includes at least one of a model number and a manufacturing serial number.

2. The image correction device according to claim 1.

3. the identification information includes an identifier associated with at least one of a model number and a manufacturing serial number; 2. The image correction device according to claim 1.

4. the individual characteristic information includes at least one of design information of the imaging device and measurement results of optical characteristics of the imaging device; 2. The image correction device according to claim 1.

5. the imaging device includes a camera body and a lens device detachably connected to the camera body; the identification information includes first identification information for identifying the camera body and second identification information for identifying the lens device; the individual characteristic information includes first individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the camera body and second individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the lens device; 2. The image correction device according to claim 1.

6. The communication unit receiving the first individual characteristic information from one or more fourth server devices that respectively store the first individual characteristic information regarding camera bodies provided by one or more camera manufacturers; receiving the second individual characteristic information from one or more fifth server devices, each storing the second individual characteristic information regarding lens devices provided by one or more lens manufacturers; 6. The image correction device according to claim 5.

7. the imaging device comprises an optical system having at least one of a variable magnification, a variable aperture, a variable image stabilization state, and a variable focus; the communication unit receives status information indicating at least one of a magnification of the optical system, an aperture, an image stabilization state, and a focus when the digital image is captured by the imaging device; the processing unit corrects the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information and the state information.

2. The image correction device according to claim 1.

8. The communication unit receiving, from the imaging device, a digital image captured by the imaging device; transmitting the digital image corrected by the processing unit to the imaging device; 2. The image correction device according to claim 1.

9. the storage unit stores a plurality of versions of the correction program; the communication unit receives a control signal for selecting one of a plurality of versions of the correction program; the processing unit corrects the digital image using the correction program of the version selected in accordance with the control signal; 2. The image correction device according to claim 1.

10. the communication unit receives digital moving images captured by the imaging device; the processing unit corrects the digital video using the correction program; 2. The image correction device according to claim 1.

11. An imaging device; and an image correction device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Image correction system.

12. receiving a digital image captured by an imaging device and identification information for the imaging device; reading out a correction program for correcting an image from a storage unit; acquiring individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the imaging device based on the identification information; correcting the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information; receiving an updated version of the correction program from a first server device that stores the updated version of the correction program, and storing the updated version of the correction program in the storage unit; and when an updated version of the correction program is received, receiving the digital images from a second server device that stores digital images captured by the imaging device, correcting the digital images received from the second server device, and transmitting the corrected digital images received from the second server device to a third server device. Image correction methods.

13. 1. A program comprising instructions for execution by a processing circuit of a computing device, the instructions causing the processing circuit to: receiving a digital image captured by an imaging device and identification information for the imaging device; reading out a correction program for correcting an image from a storage unit; acquiring individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the imaging device based on the identification information; correcting the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information; receiving an updated version of the correction program from a first server device that stores the updated version of the correction program, and storing the updated version of the correction program in the storage unit; when an updated version of the correction program is received, receiving the digital images from a second server device that stores digital images captured by the imaging device, correcting the digital images received from the second server device, and transmitting the corrected digital images received from the second server device to a third server device. program.

14. A receiving unit that receives a digital image captured by an imaging device and identification information of the imaging device; a first storage unit that stores a correction program for correcting an image; a processing unit that acquires individual characteristic information indicating optical characteristics specific to the imaging device based on the identification information, and corrects the digital image using the correction program based on the individual characteristic information; a second storage unit that stores at least one of the original digital image captured by the imaging device and the digital image corrected by the processing unit; a transmitting unit that communicates with a user terminal device operated by a user; a control unit that controls the receiving unit, the first storage unit, the processing unit, the second storage unit, and the transmitting unit, the control unit transmits the original digital control signal and the corrected digital control signal stored in the second storage unit to the user terminal device via the transmission unit, and causes the original digital control signal and the corrected digital control signal to be copied or displayed. Image correction device.

15. The user terminal device is a device separate from the imaging device.

15. The image correction device according to claim 14.

Images