JP2002010133A - Camera apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera apparatus allowing photographing conditions more appropriate for an object to be easily set. SOLUTION: A plurality of parameters for specifying photographing conditions of the apparatus corresponding to a plurality of photographing modes and sample images 103 providing sample of objects suited to the photographing modes are stored. In setting of the photographing mode, the sample images 103 are selected appropriately to an object to be photographed, and the photographing conditions are set, based on parameters corresponding to the sample images 103. If there are many kinds of photographing modes, anyone can easily set more appropriate photographing conditions for the object and also simply obtain photographed results according to the taste of the photographer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an electronic still camera, various photographing conditions such as a shutter speed and an aperture value on the apparatus side can be automatically set or manually set according to a photographer's preference. It has become. Furthermore, a plurality of shooting modes for automatically setting shooting conditions suitable for the type of the subject such as portrait, landscape, and night view are prepared, and the shooting mode is selected in advance by the photographer, so that the shutter is released. In many cases, even beginners who do not have specialized knowledge such as speed and aperture value can set more appropriate shooting conditions.

[0003]

However, in the case of automatically setting the photographing conditions according to the plurality of photographing modes described above, since the number of photographing modes is generally small, the photographing conditions prepared in advance for each type of the subject are required. Becomes the greatest common denominator. Therefore, it is impossible to set photographing conditions that match all subjects, and photographing results are not always obtained according to the photographer's preference. For this reason, it is conceivable to prepare more shooting modes, but in such a case, it becomes difficult to understand the differences between the shooting modes, and this may cause confusion in setting the shooting modes, especially for beginners. There was a problem.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and has as its object to provide a camera device that can easily set more appropriate photographing conditions according to a subject.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera device capable of setting a plurality of photographing modes according to the type of a subject. Control means for controlling the photographing conditions of the apparatus at the time of photographing, sample image storage means for storing a plurality of sample images serving as samples of a subject corresponding to the photographing mode, and image data stored in the sample image storage means. Display means for displaying a sample image, selecting means for selecting any of the sample images displayed on the display means, and setting means for setting a photographing mode corresponding to the sample image selected by the selecting means And was provided.

In this configuration, when any one of the sample images displayed on the display means is selected, a shooting mode corresponding to the type of the subject represented by the sample image is automatically set. Therefore, the user can select a shooting mode according to the type of the subject via the sample image that allows the type of the subject to be intuitively understood.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in accordance with a user's request, display control for controlling the display order of the plurality of sample images on the display means in the order of history selected in the past by the selection means. Means. In such a configuration, the user can change the display order of the plurality of sample images in the order of history as necessary.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of explanation information for explaining the contents of the photographing conditions corresponding to the photographing mode, and the storage means for storing the explanation information corresponding to the sample image. And control means for reading the sample image from the means and displaying the sample image on the display means. In such a configuration, at the time of selecting a sample image, explanation information describing the contents of the photographing conditions is displayed, so that the photographing result corresponding to the subject can be easily known.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage unit for storing advice information for instructing a photographing operation suitable for photographing a subject represented by each sample image stored in the sample image storage unit; Control means for reading the advice information corresponding to the sample image from the storage means and displaying the advice information on the display means. In such a configuration, the user can obtain an ideal photographing result under the photographing condition controlled by the selected photographing mode by performing the photographing operation according to the advice information displayed on the display means.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, there is further provided an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, a display means for displaying a through image picked up by the image pickup means in a photographing standby state, and a selecting means for selecting by the selecting means. Control means for displaying a frame image showing a screen configuration suitable for photographing a subject corresponding to the sample image selected by the selection means, in the through image, when the sample image obtained is a predetermined sample image. It was assumed. In such a configuration, the user can obtain an ideal photographing result under the photographing conditions controlled by the selected photographing mode by performing the framing according to the frame image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auto-focus function, wherein the control means sets a focus position in a predetermined area of the through image indicated by the frame image, and sets the set focus position. Is displayed on the through image. In such a configuration, by performing framing according to the frame image, the user can obtain an imaging result in an ideal focus state under imaging conditions controlled by the selected imaging mode.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an automatic exposure control function for performing spot metering at a metering position set in the subject and performing exposure control based on the metering result. The photometric position is set within a predetermined area of the through image indicated by the frame image. In such a configuration, by performing framing in accordance with the frame image, the user can obtain a shooting result in an ideal exposure state under shooting conditions controlled in the selected shooting mode.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are views showing the appearance of an electronic still camera 1 according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A is a rear view, FIG. 1B is a plan view, and FIG. 1C is a front view.

The electronic still camera 1 has a fixed lens 4 on the front side, a TFT liquid crystal monitor 18 on the back side, and further has an optical finder 51 and a strobe 19. A power switch 52, a shutter key 53, a zoom operation switch 54, a recording mode (REC mode), and a playback mode (P mode) are provided on the back and top of the electronic still camera 1.
(LAY mode), an operation mode changeover switch 55, a liquid crystal monitor switch 56, a flash key 57, a self-timer key 58, a menu key 59.
Are provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the electronic still camera 1. The electronic still camera 1 converts an image captured by a CCD 2 serving as an image capturing means into a JPEG format. M with processing function
It is configured around PU3. An optical image of the subject is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 2 through the fixed lens 4, the focus lens 5, and the aperture 6. Focus lens 5
Is held by a driving mechanism 7 composed of an AF motor or the like,
When a driving signal output from the AF driver 8 is supplied to the driving mechanism 7 according to a control signal from the MPU 3, a focusing operation of moving back and forth on the optical axis is performed. Aperture 6 is MPU
Driven by a drive signal generated by the diaphragm drive unit 9 based on the control signal from the control unit 3, the light amount of the subject image incident on the CCD 2 is adjusted.

The MPU 3 has a TG (Timing Generator) 1 for generating a timing signal.
0 is connected, the V driver 11 (vertical driver) drives the CCD 2 based on the timing signal generated by the TG 10, and the CCD 2 outputs an analog image signal corresponding to the luminance of the subject image, thereby outputting the unit circuit 12. Sent to The unit circuit 12 converts a CDS holding an image signal output from the CCD 2, a gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) that is an analog amplifier supplied with the image signal from the CDS, and an image signal amplified and adjusted by the gain adjustment amplifier. An A / D converter (AD) for converting the image data into image data. The output signal of the CCD 2 is sampled with the black level adjusted here and sent to the MPU 3 as a digital signal. The sent digital signal (imaging signal) is temporarily stored in the DRAM 13 and the MPU
After various image processings are performed by the flash memory 3 (FLAS)
H) Stored at 14. The stored video signal is read by the MPU 3 as necessary, and is generated into a digital video signal or an analog video signal through processing such as expansion processing, addition of a luminance signal and a color signal, and the like.

Further, the MPU 3 is connected to an MROM 15, a power supply circuit 16, an operation key unit 17 including various switch groups shown in FIG. 1, the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18, and the strobe light 19. The MROM 15 is a program ROM in which an operation program of the MPU 3 is recorded.
Further, the MROM 9 stores program AE data forming a program diagram showing a combination of an aperture value (F) corresponding to an appropriate exposure value (EV) at the time of shooting and a shutter speed. The MPU 3 functions as a setting unit, a limiting unit, and a display control unit of the present invention by operating according to the operation program using a built-in RAM as a working memory. Further, according to the program diagram, the charge accumulation time of the CCD 2, the opening degree of the aperture 6, and the gain adjustment amplifier (AG) of the unit circuit 12
Perform the gain setting in C). The charge accumulation time set by the MPU 3 is used as a shutter pulse as V
Is supplied to the driver 11 and the V driver 1
1 drives the CCD 2 to control the charge accumulation time, that is, the exposure time. That is, the CCD 2 functions as an electronic shutter. The operation program stored in the MROM 9 includes a program relating to autofocus control.
U3 drives the focus lens 5 to perform focusing (autofocus).

The TFT liquid crystal monitor 18 displays sequentially captured images as a through image in a recording mode, and displays an image based on an analog video signal generated from image data recorded in the flash memory 14 in a reproduction mode. indicate. The strobe light 19 is driven as necessary to emit an auxiliary light when operating the image capturing key (at the time of photographing).

The MROM 15 is a sample image storing means and a storing means of the present invention. Apart from the above-mentioned data, the MROM 15 has the photographing condition data 101 shown in FIGS.
And the image data constituting a plurality of sample images 103 as illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C. Although each sample image 103 is shown as a schematic image in this drawing, it is actually an actually photographed image or an image similar thereto. The photographing condition data 101 is a photographing condition of the electronic still camera 1 set in advance corresponding to each of a plurality of scene photographing modes (29 types in the present embodiment) selectable when setting a scene select mode described later. And more specifically, is constituted by the following data as shown in the figure. That is, focus control, shutter speed, aperture, EV shift amount, sensitivity,
The electronic camera 1 includes parameters indicating the control contents of a plurality of control items that can be controlled in the electronic still camera 1.

The additional information data 102 (FIG. 5) is additional information data stored together with the photographing condition data corresponding to the scene photographing mode.
Scene description such as "Picture of landscape and person", advice information such as "The background is beautifully blurred when using zoom", and control description such as "The macro mode is set and the saturation is set higher." It is composed of three types of comment data. The plurality of sample images 103 shown in FIG. 6 are images that correspond to each scene shooting mode together with the shooting condition data and the additional information data, and serve as sample samples of subjects suitable for shooting in each scene shooting mode. Note that FIG. 6A is a sample image corresponding to “1” (person and landscape 1) in the scene shooting mode, and FIG.
Is a sample image corresponding to “2” (People and landscape 2) in the scene shooting mode, and FIG.
It is an example of a sample image corresponding to (up).

The program data and the like stored in the above-described MROM 15 may be provided separately or fixedly, or may be a removable IC card such as an IC card if the recorded contents can be retained. It may be configured to be recorded on a recording medium, and further may be configured to be able to supply the program data or the like from another device such as a personal computer.
In the DRAM 13, an area for storing the selection history order data 104 shown in FIG. 7 is secured separately from the above-described digital signal storage area at the time of imaging. The selection history table 104 is a table indicating the display order of the above-described sample image 103 and the additional information data 102 (each comment data) at the time of setting a scene select mode to be described later, and includes display order data (1 in this embodiment).
No. to No. 29), and the scene number of the shooting mode corresponding to the order. At the beginning of using the electronic still camera 1 or immediately after battery replacement, the display order data and the scene number match.

Next, the operation of the electronic still camera 1 having the above configuration after the mode selection is designated by operating the menu key 59 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, in the electronic still camera 1, when the photographing mode setting mode is selected, first, the TFT
A mode selection screen 201 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 18 (step S1). Mode selection screen 2
01 designates three photographing modes of “normal (full auto)”, “portrait”, “landscape”, and “night scene” and a photographing mode according to the present invention to the photographer as described in the related art. Screen for selecting one of a scene select mode and a predetermined function setting mode for displaying a selection candidate of these, and assigned to a predetermined operation while the screen is displayed. The explanation of the key that is currently displayed is displayed at the same time.

Next, it is determined whether or not the function setting mode has been selected and the display order switching operation has been performed by a predetermined key operation (step S2). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the scene select mode has been selected (step S3). Here, if the scene select mode is not selected (NO in step S3), the process returns to step S1, and if another mode is selected, the operation shifts to the operation in that mode. On the other hand, when the scene select mode has been selected, the TFT
The display on the liquid crystal monitor 18 is switched to the scene select selection screen 202 shown in FIG. 10 (step S4).

FIG. 10 shows the scene select selection screen 202 in the initial setting state. The scene select selection screen 202 displayed here includes the scene number "1" of the photographing mode and the corresponding scene number "1". Sample image 10
3. Display additional information, that is, a scene description ("Landscape and people are captured.") And advice information ("Frame is displayed."). When the sample image 103 of the scene number having the corresponding control description is displayed, the control description is also displayed. Further, the description of the keys assigned to the predetermined operation is also continuously displayed on the scene select selection screen 202. Thereafter, in response to the operation of the selection button (in this embodiment, [+] and [-] of the zoom button 54), the scene number “1” constituting the scene selection selection screen 202, the sample image 103, and the additional information Are changed while changing the order of scene numbers in ascending order or descending order, that is, feed display is performed (step S5).

On the other hand, any one of the sample images 10
In a state where 3 or the like is displayed, that is, in a state where one of the photographing modes is selected, the shutter key 53 (enter key)
Is pressed (YES in step S6), first, the order of the scene number data in the selection history table 104 described above is changed so that the scene number corresponding to the sample image 103 selected here corresponds to the first display order. The selection history table 1 moves up to the next position and sequentially moves down other scene numbers while maintaining the previous arrangement order.
04 is performed (step S7). Next, the photographing conditions at the time of photographing in the electronic still camera 1 are set based on the parameters set according to the scene number corresponding to the selected sample image 103, and the mode shifts to the REC mode, where the TFT liquid crystal monitor 18 is displayed. A through image is displayed (step S8). In other words, a shooting standby state is set.

That is, when the photographer selects the sample image 103 corresponding to the subject to be photographed, the photographing conditions suitable for photographing the subject are automatically set. Therefore, even if there are a large number of shooting modes in which shooting conditions are set more finely than before, as shown in FIGS. It is possible to easily set appropriate photographing conditions. At the same time, it is possible to easily obtain a photographing result according to the photographer's preference.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the focus mode set in accordance with the selected scene number is area identification (step S9). If the result of the determination is NO, there is no movement of the focus area. As shown in FIG.
Is displayed at the center of. On the other hand, for example, when the number of the selected scene is “1” to “6” and a scene in which a subject is included in the subject is selected (step S9)
YES), as shown in FIG. 12, the frame image 204 indicating the arrangement of persons suitable for the scene is changed to the through image 30.
1, the focus area is moved to a predetermined area corresponding to the frame image 204, and the focus mark 203 is displayed in the area (step S10). Therefore, the photographer obtains an ideal photographing result under appropriate photographing conditions corresponding to a scene selected by himself / herself simply by performing framing for arranging a person or the like at a position corresponding to the frame image 204. It becomes possible. Note that the example of the through image 301 illustrated in FIG. 12 is a case where the selected scene number is “2” and the scene is “person and landscape 2”.

When the result of the determination in step S9 is NO, and after the processing in step S10 is completed, the light metering method set in correspondence with the selected scene number is spot light metering (multiple light metering). ) Is determined (step S11). When the selected scene number is “1” or the like and the result of the determination is YES, the spot metering position in the through image 301 is set to the position set corresponding to the selected scene. Move (step S12). For example, when the selected scene number is “1”, the spot metering position is moved to a predetermined area corresponding to the frame image 204. Therefore, for the photographer, the frame image 20
By simply framing the person at the position corresponding to No. 4, it is possible to obtain a shooting result in an ideal exposure state under appropriate shooting conditions corresponding to the scene selected by the user.

The display state of the through image 301 is maintained until the shutter key 53 is pressed (NO in step S13), and if the shutter key 53 is pressed during this time (YES in step S13), The imaging is performed under the imaging conditions set in step S8, and the captured image is recorded (step S1).
4). Thereafter, until the scene select mode is released (NO in step S15), the operations from step S4 are repeated, and when the scene select mode is released, the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, during the above operation, at any time when the scene select mode is selected, if the function setting mode is selected and the display order is switched by a predetermined key operation (step S2). NO), the display history of the sample image 103 and the additional information corresponding to the sample image 103 in step S5 after the scene select mode is selected, from the scene number order (default order) to the selection history table sequentially seized in step S7 described above. Switching in the history order indicated by 104 (step S1
6). Therefore, the photographer can switch the display order of the sample images 103 and the like in the selected state of the scene select mode in the history order as needed, and thereby, when selecting the photographing mode in the scene select mode, Frequently used photographing modes can be immediately selected, which is convenient.

In this embodiment, when the photographing mode is selected in the scene select mode, the frame image 204 is displayed according to the selected photographing mode, and the focus area is set to the frame image 2.
A case has been described in which the focus mark 203 is displayed within the predetermined area corresponding to the area 04, and the focus mark 203 is displayed in that area. For example, in the mode selection screen 201 shown in FIG. Similar processing may be performed even when a certain “portrait” is selected. Even in such a case, it is possible to obtain a shooting result in an ideal exposure state in such a shooting mode.

Also, in the present embodiment, the case where the above-described photographing condition data 101, additional information data 102, and image data constituting a plurality of sample images 103 are stored in the MROM 15 has been described. The corresponding data may be received from another device such as a personal computer and stored in the storage device, or may be received from another device via a communication device such as the Internet and stored in the storage device. With such a configuration, the shooting modes that can be used in the scene select mode can be easily updated. In particular, when communication means such as the Internet is used, a shooting method that is popular at each time is used. A photographing mode in which photographing can be performed can be promptly used by the apparatus.

[0034]

As described above, in the present invention,
The user can select a shooting mode according to the type of the subject via a sample image that allows the type of the subject to be intuitively understood. Therefore, even when there are many types of shooting modes, anyone can easily set appropriate shooting conditions for the subject without causing confusion in the setting of the shooting mode. At the same time, the photographing result can be easily obtained according to the photographer's preference.

Further, since the display order of the plurality of sample images can be changed by the user in the order of history as necessary,
By changing the display order of the sample images in the order of the history, the user can immediately select the shooting mode corresponding to the type of the frequently used subject, and the usability can be improved.

In selecting a sample image, when selecting a sample image, explanation information for explaining the contents of the photographing conditions is displayed, so that the photographing result corresponding to the subject can be easily known. Therefore, more shooting modes can be provided without causing confusion in the settings.

Further, by performing a photographing operation in accordance with the advice information displayed on the display means, the user can obtain an ideal photographing result under the photographing conditions controlled in the selected photographing mode.

Further, by performing framing according to the frame image, the user can obtain a photographing result in an ideal focus state or exposure state under photographing conditions controlled in the selected photographing mode.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an electronic still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic still camera.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing photographing condition data recorded in a program ROM.

FIG. 4 is a view following FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing additional information data recorded in a program ROM.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sample image recorded in a program ROM.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a selection history table recorded in a DRAM.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electronic still camera at the time of shooting using the scene select mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a mode selection screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a scene select selection screen and changes thereof.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration of a through image in a normal state.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration of a through image after a specific scene is selected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 electronic still camera 2 CCD 3 MPU 13 DRAM 15 MROM 101 shooting condition data 102 additional information data 103 sample image 104 selection history table 202 scene select selection screen 204 frame image 301 through image

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A camera device capable of setting a plurality of photographing modes according to a type of a subject, comprising: control means for controlling photographing conditions of the device at the time of photographing according to each photographing mode; Sample image storage means for storing a plurality of sample images serving as samples of a corresponding subject; display means for displaying the sample images stored in the sample image storage means; and any one of the samples displayed on the display means A camera device comprising: a selection unit that selects an image; and a setting unit that sets a shooting mode corresponding to a sample image selected by the selection unit. 2. A display control means for controlling a display order of the plurality of sample images on the display means in the order of history selected in the past by the selection means in response to a request from a user. The camera device according to claim 1. 3. A storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of explanation information for explaining the contents of shooting conditions corresponding to the shooting mode, and reading the explanation information corresponding to the sample image from the storage means together with the sample image. 3. A camera device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for displaying the information on the camera. 4. A storage unit for storing advice information for instructing a shooting operation suitable for shooting a subject represented by each sample image stored in the sample image storage unit, and the storage unit stores the advice information corresponding to the sample image. 4. The camera device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for reading from the means and displaying the information on the display means. 5. An image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject; a display means for displaying a through image picked up by the image pickup means in a shooting standby state; and a sample image selected by the selection means being a predetermined sample image. A control unit for displaying a frame image indicating a screen configuration suitable for photographing a subject corresponding to the sample image selected by the selection unit, in the through image. 5. The camera device according to any one of 4. 6. An auto-focus function, wherein the control means sets a focus position in a predetermined area of the through image indicated by the frame image, and displays a focus mark indicating the set focus position on the through image. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein the camera device is operated. 7. An automatic exposure control function for spot metering a photometry position set in a subject and performing exposure control based on the photometry result, wherein the control unit is configured to control a predetermined area of a through image indicated by the frame image. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein the photometry position is set in the camera.