JP2000115631A - Camera with image reproducing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simultaneously display an image which undergoes automatic correction of exposure and an image which has not yet undergone correction of exposure and to compare both images visually by providing an image-processing means which displays plural pieces of image information obtained by photographing on the same screen of an image display means, etc. SOLUTION: A memory control circuit 9 thins the image data which are stored in both image memories 9a and 9b respectively. Then the multi-image compositing processing is applied to those two sheets of images to obtain a sheet of image data, and these composited images are stored in an image memory 9c and then displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 11 via an image output circuit 10 within the prescribed timing. A main control circuit 14 performs operations and timing control for the thinning of the image data, the address assignment of image data for generating the multi-image data, the display of images on the monitor 11, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a camera having an image reproducing function capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of images on the same screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image photographed by an automatic exposure left to a camera without exposure compensation and an image photographed by exposure compensation according to the photographer's will are displayed on the same screen. In order to compare the images at the same time, it was possible to first set the reproduction display mode of the camera to the multi-image display and then compare the images only when shooting was performed. That is, the reproduction display mode of the camera is set to the multi-image display before photographing.

[0003]

Accordingly, in a camera of the type in which a multi-image display is set before photographing, when a photographer takes a photograph without setting the multi-image display in advance, there is no exposure correction and there is an exposure correction. Could not be displayed simultaneously and compared.

On the other hand, there is also provided a camera capable of displaying a plurality of shot images on the same screen by setting a reproduction display mode to multi-image display after shooting, but a camera having different exposures is provided. When viewing the images in, the camera user needs to set the multi-image playback mode,
The operability was not excellent. Furthermore, since the images are displayed in accordance with the shooting order instead of the multi-image display in which only images having different exposures are displayed for substantially the same subject,
A completely different subject image is displayed, making it difficult to compare images with and without exposure correction.

(Object of the Invention) A first object of the present invention is to automatically set an exposure compensation without forcing a photographer to perform an operation for switching a display mode when an exposure compensation is set. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera with an image reproduction function that allows the displayed image and the image before exposure correction to be simultaneously displayed on the same screen so that the images can be compared.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a camera with an image reproducing function capable of displaying only images having different exposures for substantially the same subject and selecting a desired image. is there.

A third object of the present invention is to automatically display an exposure-corrected image and an image before exposure correction simultaneously on the same screen without forcing the photographer to perform any operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera with an image reproducing function that enables comparison.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a camera with an image reproducing function capable of recording only a desired image on a recording medium.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention according to the first to third and ninth aspects of the present invention provides a photometric means for measuring the luminance of an object and an output based on the output of the photometric means. A camera with an image reproducing function, comprising: an exposure correction operation means for intentionally correcting the calculated exposure information; an image display means capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of images on the same screen; and a photographing means for performing photographing. In the case where the operation of the exposure compensation operation means is performed, the photographing based on the exposure information calculated based on the output of the photometry means and the photographing using the exposure information corrected by the exposure compensation operation means are performed. A camera with an image reproduction function having an image processing means for causing a plurality of image information obtained by photographing to be continuously performed by the photographing means on the same screen on the image display means at the same time.

In order to achieve the second object,
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the exposure correction operation means corrects the exposure information calculated based on the output of the photometric means on at least one of the over side and the under side, the exposure correction operation means Display mode switching means for causing the photographing means to continuously perform photographing using exposure information calculated based on an output and photographing with exposure information in which at least one of the over side and the under side is corrected. Item 2. A camera with an image reproduction function according to item 2.

Further, in order to achieve the third object,
The present invention according to claims 4 to 9, wherein a camera with an image reproducing function, comprising: a photometric device for measuring the brightness of a subject; an image display device capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of images on the same screen; An exposure changing means for applying a predetermined amount of correction to the exposure information calculated based on the output of the photometric means; and, if the exposure information is changed by the exposure changing means, the The photographing means is made to continuously perform photographing based on the calculated exposure information and photographing with the exposure information changed by the exposure changing means, and a plurality of pieces of image information obtained by the photographing are identical to the image display means. This is a camera with an image reproduction function having an image processing means for simultaneously displaying the image on a screen.

In order to achieve the second object,
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exposure changing means for applying a predetermined amount of correction to at least one of the over side and the under side with respect to the exposure information calculated based on the output of the photometric means. This is a camera with an image reproduction function.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object,
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image selecting means for selecting a desired image from a plurality of images displayed on an image displaying means, and only the image selected by the image selecting means is recorded on a recording medium. 5. An image recording means comprising:
It is a camera with the image reproduction function described.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a digital still camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the digital still camera described in this embodiment, a video output signal is sent to a built-in liquid crystal monitor, and an image captured on a screen on the liquid crystal monitor is reproduced.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing lens, and reference numeral 2 denotes a CCD which is a photographing element. A subject image is formed on the CCD 2 through the photographing lens 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a photometric lens, and reference numeral 4 denotes a photometric sensor such as an SPC for measuring the luminance of a subject. Reference numeral 5 denotes an aperture, and reference numeral 6 denotes a shutter. The exposure of the CCD 2 is determined by the operations of the shutter and the shutter. Reference numeral 7 denotes a photographing circuit;
Sample and amplify the output signal. Reference numeral 8 denotes an image processing circuit for controlling white balance, exposure adjustment, gamma correction, and the like.
This circuit performs a predetermined process on the R, G, and B color image signals output from the CCD 2.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a memory control circuit which stores the image-processed image in the image memories 9a, 9b and 9c, or thins out the image data stored in the image memory 9a (image reduction). ) And the address control of the image data after the thinning-out processing, the multi-image synthesizing processing is performed, and further, the image after the synthesizing processing is stored in the image memory 9b. Reference numeral 10 denotes an image output circuit which converts a digital signal of an image obtained through the memory control circuit 9 into an analog signal and an output buffer to the liquid crystal monitor 11. Reference numeral 12 denotes an image recording circuit, and the recording medium 1
3 is a data output buffer for recording image data from the image memories 9a, 9b and the like.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a main control circuit including a microcomputer and the like for controlling the entire sequence, and controls the driving of components related to photographing and image reproduction / recording. An operation unit 15 is a unit for inputting various commands to the camera by the user. Reference numeral 15a denotes an exposure correction setting unit, which is an input for setting in which direction and how much an appropriate exposure value is calculated according to the output value of the photometric sensor 4 before exposure in a known manner. It is a member. 15b is a main power switch for activating the camera, 15c is a release button for starting a photographing operation, and 15d is an image selection unit for selecting an image to be recorded on the recording medium 13.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main part of the digital still camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which will be described below.

When the main power switch 15b of the digital still camera is turned on, a photographing state is set, that is, a standby state for the next operation is performed.
To step # 2 via.

In step # 2, the main control circuit 14 detects a change in the switch of the exposure compensation setting section 15a and monitors whether or not the exposure compensation has been set. Here, if the photographer has not set the exposure compensation, that is, if the photographing is to be performed with the proper exposure value calculated according to the output of the photometric sensor 4, the process proceeds to step # 3, and the single image display mode is set. Is automatically selected, and only one frame is displayed on the LCD monitor 11 immediately after shooting.
Note that the subsequent flow in the single image display mode is not directly related to the present invention, and will not be described.

On the other hand, the photographer sets the exposure compensation setting section 15a.
Exposure compensation direction (under side or over side)
When it is detected that the image and the amount (the number of exposure correction steps) have been set, the process proceeds to step # 4, where the multi-image display mode is automatically selected. Then, in the next step # 5,
It waits until the release button 15c is half-pressed and the switch SW1 (not shown) is turned on. Thereafter, when it is determined that the switch SW1 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step # 6, in which the photometric sensor 4 is driven to detect the light amount of the subject, and the obtained photometric value data is taken. Then, in the next step # 7, an appropriate exposure amount is calculated based on the photometric value data.

In the next step # 8, the release button 15c is fully pressed, and the switch SW2 (not shown) is turned on.
Wait for N. Thereafter, the switch SW2 is set to O
When it is determined that N has been performed, the process proceeds to step # 9, and the aperture 5 and the shutter 6 are operated by reflecting the exposure correction intended by the photographer on the appropriate exposure calculated in step # 7, and the CCD 2 The first exposure operation (exposure operation 1) is performed.

In the next step 10, the main control circuit 14 drives the photographing circuit 7, the image processing circuit 8, and the memory control circuit 9 to store the image data in the image memory 9a. Specifically, the photographing circuit 7 sets C
The output signal from the CD 2 is sampled and amplified, the image processing circuit 8 forms predetermined image data, and the memory control circuit 9 stores the image data in the image memory 9a. In the following step # 11, the aperture 5 and the shutter 6 are operated in accordance with the appropriate exposure amount, and the second exposure operation (exposure operation 2) to the CCD 2 is performed. Then, in the next step # 12, similarly to the above-described step # 10, the image data on the photographing according to the appropriate exposure amount is stored in the image memory 9b.

In the next step # 13, the memory control circuit 9 performs a thinning process of the image data on each of the image data stored in the image memory 9a and the image data stored in the image memory 9b. The multi-image combining process is performed using one image as one image data, and the image after the combining process is stored in the image memory 9c. Then, in the next step # 14, the liquid crystal monitor 11 via the image output circuit 10 at a predetermined timing.
To display the image.

As described above, the image data thinning process,
The main control circuit 14 performs calculations and timing control relating to address assignment of image data and image display on a monitor for generating a multi-image.

After that, in step # 15, the process waits until the photographer selects only the desired image from the images having different exposure amounts displayed on one screen by the image selecting section 15d. When selected, the process proceeds to step # 16, and only this is recorded as image data on the recording medium 13 via the image recording circuit 12.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made of the order in which, after performing exposure-compensated photographing and then performing exposure compensation without performing exposure compensation, the order may be reversed.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the display of a multi-image on the liquid crystal monitor 11. The multi-image shown in FIG. 3 is calculated by the main control circuit 14 with an image F11 photographed after exposure correction. The image of two frames of the image F12 taken according to the appropriate exposure amount is synthesized and displayed side by side.

The multi-image shown in FIG. 4 was photographed by exposing both sides of the minus side and the plus side of the exposure (the operation of adding the exposure operation 3 and the data storage 3 to the flow of FIG. 2 is performed). In this case, three frames of the images F21 and F23 and the image F22 taken in accordance with the appropriate exposure calculated by the main control circuit 14 are combined and displayed side by side.

It goes without saying that the order in which the images are taken and the displayed positions may be irrelevant.

As described above, when an image is shot with exposure compensation set, the image reproduction on the LCD monitor 11 immediately after that is automatically switched to the multi-image display state. In this case, the photographer does not need to set the display mode, and the user can immediately compare a plurality of images with different exposures.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the case where the photographer has intentionally set the exposure correction has been described. However, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the photographer has Regardless of the intention, the camera automatically sets the exposure compensation according to the obtained subject information and automatically sets the display mode on the liquid crystal monitor.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a digital still camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 differs from FIG. 1 only in that a subject information detecting section 20 is further provided in addition to the exposure correction setting section 15a.

The subject information detecting section 20 is a part for assuming the situation of the subject from photometric data detected by the photometric sensor 4, for example. That is, as is well known, the direction and amount of exposure correction are automatically set in anticipation of shooting in a backlit state or the like based on the light amount difference between the center and the periphery of the shooting range. Then, the display mode of the liquid crystal monitor 11 is automatically switched to the multi-image display, and a single release operation by the photographer is performed in a time series for photographing when no exposure compensation is performed and photographing when exposure compensation is performed. Then, the display on the liquid crystal monitor 11 immediately after that is made a multi-image and both images are simultaneously displayed.

As the subject information detecting section 20, a situation where a subject is placed based on information from various sensors mounted on the camera, for example, a calendar, a clock, a temperature, a GPS (positioning data receiver), a compass, and the like. Is assumed.

Therefore, it is possible to perform the following processing separately or in addition to the above operation.

That is, when photographing at a predetermined date and time at a predetermined location detected by each of the sensors, at a predetermined direction facing the camera, and at a predetermined temperature, an appropriate exposure value detected by the photometric sensor 4 The camera automatically determines that it is more likely that a better image will be obtained when taking a picture with exposure compensation performed, and sets the direction and amount of exposure compensation. Then, the display mode of the liquid crystal monitor 11 is automatically switched to multi-image display in the same manner as described above, and a photographed image without exposure correction and a photographed image with exposure correction after the release operation by the photographer are displayed as a multi-image. Are displayed simultaneously on the monitor.

Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the user is allowed to select only desired images from images having different exposure amounts displayed on one screen by the image selecting section 15d.
Only this is recorded on the recording medium 13 via the image recording circuit 12.

Therefore, even if the photographer does not intentionally set the exposure correction, the camera automatically changes the amount of exposure for photographing, so that a better image can be obtained by a simple operation without any special operation. Will be.

According to each of the above embodiments, when an image is shot with the exposure compensation set, the image reproduction on the liquid crystal monitor 11 immediately after that is automatically switched to the multi-image display state. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to set the display mode before and after the photographing, and a camera with good operability that can immediately compare a plurality of images with different exposures can be provided.

When a desired image is selected from a plurality of images having different exposures, only the selected image is recorded on a recording medium. Only can be recorded.

Further, since the exposure is automatically changed in accordance with the subject information that can be obtained by the camera, the photographer does not need to intentionally set the exposure correction, and special A better image can be obtained by a simple operation without performing a complicated operation.

(Correspondence between the Invention and the Embodiment) In each of the above embodiments, the photometric sensor 4 corresponds to the photometric unit of the present invention, the exposure correction setting unit 15a corresponds to the exposure correcting operation unit of the present invention, and the liquid crystal monitor 11 corresponds to the main unit. The image display means of the present invention includes a CCD 2, a photographing circuit 7, an image processing circuit 8, and a main control circuit 14. The photographing means of the present invention includes a memory control circuit 9, image memories 9a to 9a.
9c, the main control circuit 14, the image output circuit 10 as the image processing means of the present invention, the main control circuit 14 as the exposure changing means of the present invention, the subject information detecting section 20 as the photographing related information detecting means of the present invention, The recording circuit 12 corresponds to the recording unit of the present invention.

(Modification) In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital still camera is described. However, a video camera may be applied.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the exposure correction is set, the operation for switching the display mode is performed by the photographer. It is possible to provide a camera with an image reproduction function that automatically displays an image that has been subjected to exposure correction and an image that has not been subjected to exposure correction simultaneously on the same screen without compromising the image reproduction function.

According to the third or fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera with an image reproducing function capable of displaying only images having substantially different exposures for substantially the same subject and selecting a desired image. It can be provided.

According to the present invention, the image whose exposure has been automatically corrected and the image before exposure correction can be simultaneously displayed on the same screen without forcing the photographer to perform any operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera with an image reproducing function that can display and compare these images.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera with an image reproducing function capable of recording only a desired image on a recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a digital still camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of a main part of the digital still camera of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a multi-image in which two images are displayed in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a multi-image in which three images are displayed in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of the digital still camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 imaging element 4 photometric sensor 7 imaging circuit 8 image processing circuit 9 memory control circuit 9a, 9b, 9c image memory 10 image output circuit 11 liquid crystal monitor 12 image recording circuit 13 recording medium 14 main control circuit 15 operation unit 15a exposure correction setting unit 15c Release button 15d Image selection unit 20 Subject information detection unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A photometric device for measuring subject brightness, an exposure correction operation device for intentionally correcting exposure information calculated based on an output of the photometric device, and a plurality of images simultaneously on the same screen. In a camera with an image reproducing function having an image display means capable of displaying and a photographing means for executing photographing, when an operation of the exposure correction operation means is performed, exposure information calculated based on an output of the photometry means And the photographing means continuously performs photographing with the exposure information corrected by the exposure compensation operation means, and a plurality of pieces of image information obtained by the photographing are simultaneously displayed on the same screen by the image display means. A camera with an image reproduction function, comprising an image processing means for displaying. 2. The exposure correction operation means according to claim 1, wherein said exposure correction operation means is means for setting an amount by which at least one of an over side and an under side is corrected with respect to exposure information calculated based on an output of said photometric means. The camera with an image reproducing function according to claim 1. 3. The image processing unit according to claim 2, wherein the exposure correction operation unit corrects the exposure information calculated based on the output of the photometry unit on at least one of an over side and an under side, and The photographing unit continuously performs photographing with exposure information calculated based on the output of the photometric unit and photographing with exposure information in which at least one of the over side and the under side is corrected. The camera with an image reproducing function according to claim 2. 4. Photometric means for measuring subject brightness, image display means capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of images on the same screen,
A camera with an image reproducing function having a photographing means for performing photographing; an exposure changing means for applying a predetermined amount of correction to exposure information calculated based on an output of the photometric means; When the information is changed, the photographing unit is made to continuously perform photographing with the exposure information calculated based on the output of the photometric unit and photographing with the exposure information changed by the exposure changing unit. A camera with an image reproduction function, comprising: an image processing means for simultaneously displaying a plurality of pieces of image information obtained by the above on the same screen on the image display means. 5. The exposure change unit according to claim 1, wherein the exposure information is a unit that corrects at least one of an over side and an under side by a predetermined amount with respect to exposure information calculated based on an output of the photometric unit. The camera with an image reproducing function according to claim 4. 6. The exposure change unit according to claim 1, wherein the exposure change unit calculates an exposure value calculated based on an output of the photometry unit based on information from a shooting-related information detection unit that detects information related to imaging provided in the camera. The camera with an image reproducing function according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the camera is a means for applying a predetermined amount of correction. 7. The photographing-related information detecting means is means for detecting a luminance difference between a central part and a peripheral part of a photographing range obtained by the photometric means, and the exposure changing means is configured to detect a luminance difference based on the luminance difference. 7. The camera with an image reproducing function according to claim 6, wherein a predetermined amount of correction is applied to the exposure information calculated based on the output of the photometric unit. 8. The photographing-related information detecting means is means for detecting one or more of date information, temperature information, positioning information, and azimuth information. 7. The camera with an image reproducing function according to claim 6, wherein a predetermined amount of correction is applied to the exposure information calculated based on the output of the photometric means based on a plurality of pieces of information. 9. An image selection unit for selecting a desired image from a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit,
5. The camera with an image reproducing function according to claim 1, further comprising: an image recording unit that records only an image selected by the image selecting unit on a recording medium.