JP2006253887A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of automatically setting a function mode appropriate to a user. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus is provided with an IC tag reader for detecting information stored in an IC tag possessed by a photographer by means of radio wave. When the imaging apparatus receives a beginner signal from the IC tag at the start of the imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus is started in a beginner mode wherein full automatic photographing is carried out. When detecting a senior signal, the imaging apparatus is started in a senior mode wherein customize information entered by the photographer entered in the past such as fine-adjustment of colors and position changes of switches is reflected on the settings of the imaging apparatus. Further, when detecting a camera-shake ordinary correction signal, the imaging apparatus is started in a camera-shake ordinary correction mode wherein the camera-shake correction is ordinarily turned on in photographing. Thus, the imaging apparatus can automatically set the function mode appropriate to the photographer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus provided with a plurality of function modes.

  A device called an IC tag has been developed and attracts high attention. This IC tag is configured as a tag (information transmission device) that stores information in an IC (integrated circuit) chip and can be read out by radio waves, and various usage methods have been proposed.

  As this utilization method, for example, a technique of using an IC tag for personal identification is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to this technology, user authentication is performed using an IC tag (IC card) that stores information unique to a camera user, and information related to the authenticated user is recorded in association with captured image data. Is possible.

JP 2001-14277 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the IC tag possessed by the photographer is used for authentication of the camera user, but is not used for setting the optimum function mode for the photographer. If an appropriate function mode is automatically set, it will be convenient for the photographer. This will be described in detail.

  A complete beginner does not recognize that the camera has a full-auto mode, and if it is set to a playback mode, for example, there is a possibility that the camera cannot be photographed. For such beginners, it is convenient to set the full auto mode automatically.

  Further, when a child takes a picture, there is a concern about the deterioration of the photographed image due to camera shake. However, for example, if camera shake correction is turned off due to incorrect usage, it becomes difficult to acquire a high-quality image. For such a child, it is preferable that the mode setting in which the camera shake correction is always turned on is automatically performed.

  On the other hand, advanced users say that they want to customize a camera that is easy to use personally if, for example, the color reproducibility of the purchased camera is unsatisfactory or the buttons that are frequently used are placed at positions that are difficult to operate. There is a request. For such advanced users, for example, it is convenient to automatically set a mode in which customization information input in the past is reflected in camera settings.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an imaging apparatus capable of automatically setting an appropriate function mode for a photographer.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 is an imaging apparatus provided with a plurality of function modes, wherein (a) a setting request signal relating to the function mode is detected from an information transmission apparatus possessed by a photographer. Detecting means; and (b) mode setting means for extracting and setting the function mode requested by the setting request signal detected by the detecting means from the plurality of function modes, and the information transmitting device Information can be transmitted wirelessly.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitting device has an IC tag, and the detection means is configured to (a-1) set the setting from the IC tag. An IC tag reader that detects the request signal is included.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of function modes force at least autofocus, automatic exposure, and auto white balance at the time of shooting. The mode setting means includes (b-1) an automatic mode setting means for setting the automatic mode when a setting request signal related to the automatic mode is detected by the detection means. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, (c) display means is further provided, and in the automatic mode, guidance regarding operation of the imaging apparatus is displayed on the display means.

  The invention of claim 5 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: (d) camera shake correction means for detecting camera shake by the photographer and performing camera shake correction; The plurality of function modes include a camera shake forced correction mode for forcibly executing the camera shake correction at the time of shooting, and the mode setting means includes (b-2) the camera shake forced correction mode by the detection means. When a setting request signal regarding is detected, there is means for setting to the camera shake forced correction mode.

  The invention of claim 6 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: (e) information holding means for holding customization information input by the photographer; The plurality of function modes include a customization mode for setting the imaging apparatus based on the customization information, and the mode setting means detects (b-3) a setting request signal related to the customization mode by the detection means. In the case of the above, there is means for setting the customization mode.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, a plurality of function modes requested to be set by a setting request signal related to a function mode detected from an information transmitting device possessed by a photographer are provided. Since the function mode is extracted and set, a function mode appropriate for the photographer can be automatically set.

  In particular, in the invention of claim 2, since the IC tag reader for detecting the setting request signal from the IC tag is provided, the setting request signal can be easily detected.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a setting request signal related to an automatic mode for forcibly performing at least autofocus, automatic exposure and auto white balance is detected at the time of shooting, the automatic mode is set. The function mode appropriate for beginners can be set automatically.

  In the invention of claim 4, since guidance regarding the operation of the image pickup apparatus is displayed on the display means in the automatic mode, even a beginner can easily grasp the operation procedure.

  Further, in the invention of claim 5, when a setting request signal related to the camera shake forced correction mode for forcibly executing camera shake correction is detected at the time of shooting, a child or the like is set to set the camera shake forced correction mode. It is possible to automatically set an appropriate function mode for the user.

  Further, in the invention of claim 6, when a setting request signal related to the customization mode for setting the imaging device based on the customization information input by the photographer is detected, the expert is set to set the customization mode. It is possible to automatically set an appropriate function mode for the user.

<Principal configuration of imaging device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of an imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The imaging device 1 is configured as a digital camera, and includes an imaging sensor 11, a signal processing unit 2 connected to the imaging sensor 11, an image processing unit 3 connected to the signal processing unit 2, and a camera control unit 40. ing.

  The imaging sensor 11 is configured as an area imaging sensor in which primary color transmission filters of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) are arranged in a checkered pattern, and is an all-pixel readout type imaging device. . In the imaging sensor 11, when the charge accumulation is completed, the photoelectrically converted signal is shifted to a light-shielded transfer path, read out from the buffer through this, and imaged by the imaging optical system including the lens group 13. An image signal related to the subject image is output. An optical LPF 12 is provided in front of the image sensor 11.

  The signal processing unit 2 includes a CDS 21, an AGC 22, and an A / D conversion unit 23.

  The image signal output from the image sensor 11 is sampled by the CDS 21 and noise of the image sensor 11 is removed, and then sensitivity correction is performed by the AGC 22.

  The A / D converter 23 is configured, for example, as a 10-bit AD converter, and digitizes the analog signal normalized by the AGC 22. From the digitized image signal, an image file subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 3 is generated.

  The image processing unit 3 includes a CPU and a memory, and includes a digital processing unit 3a, an image compression unit 35, a video encoder 38, and a memory card driver 39.

  The digital processing unit 3 a includes a color balance evaluation integrator 30, a pixel interpolation unit 31, a resolution conversion unit 32, a white balance control unit 33, and a gamma correction unit 34.

  The image data input to the image processing unit 3 is written in the image memory 41 configured by SDRAM, for example, in synchronization with the reading of the imaging sensor 11. Thereafter, the image data stored in the image memory 41 is accessed, and various processes are performed by the digital processing unit 3a.

  With respect to the image data on the image memory 41, pixel integration data for each small area is calculated for each color (RGB) by the color balance evaluation integrator 30. This small area is a divided area obtained by dividing one screen into multiple areas. By performing the integration of the pixel values in such a small area, an effect equivalent to performing the averaging process can be obtained. Using the calculation result of the color balance evaluation accumulator 30, the gain data of each RGB pixel is obtained.

  Then, the white balance control unit 33 performs gain correction on each of the RGB pixels independently, and RGB white balance correction is performed. In this white balance correction, a portion that is originally considered to be white from a photographic subject is estimated from luminance, saturation data, etc., and the average, G / R ratio, and G / B ratio of each of R, G, and B are obtained. Correction control is performed using the G / R ratio and the G / B ratio as R and B correction gains.

  In the image data subjected to white balance correction, each pixel of RGB is masked by the respective filter pattern by the pixel interpolation unit 31, and for G having pixels up to a high band, a median (intermediate value) filter is used to intermediate the surrounding four pixels. Replace with the average of two values. For R and B, average interpolation is performed.

  The RGB data in the interpolated image data is subjected to non-linear conversion suitable for each output device by the gamma correction unit 34, and then Y, RY, BY data are calculated from RGB by matrix calculation, and image memory is obtained. 41.

  The Y, RY, and BY data are subjected to horizontal / vertical reduction or thinning, and the resolution conversion unit 32 performs resolution conversion to the number of pixels of the recorded image. Also, in the monitor display, the resolution conversion unit 32 performs thinning and creates a low resolution image to be displayed on the LCD monitor 43 and the electronic viewfinder 44.

  At the time of preview (live view), a low resolution image of 640 * 240 pixels read out from the image memory 41 is encoded into NTSC / PAL by the video encoder 38, and this is imaged on the electronic viewfinder 44 or LCD monitor 43 as a field image. Perform playback. Further, at the time of image recording, an image of the set recording resolution is subjected to, for example, JPEG compression processing by the image compression unit 35, and then the compressed image is recorded on the memory card 9 by the memory card driver 39.

  The camera control unit 40 includes a CPU and a memory, and processes an operation input performed by a photographer on an operation unit 49 having a shutter button, a zoom button, a main switch, and the like.

  The image pickup apparatus 1 fixes the optical aperture value of the shutter 45 to the open state by the aperture driver 46 during live view display in which the subject is displayed on the LCD monitor 43 or the like in a moving image mode before the main shooting. Regarding the charge accumulation time of the image sensor 11 in automatic exposure, the camera control unit 40 calculates exposure control data based on the light amount data measured in the photometric area selected from the image acquired by the image sensor 11. . Then, feedback control is performed by the timing generator sensor driver 47 so that the exposure time of the image sensor 11 is appropriate based on a program diagram set in advance based on the exposure control data calculated by the camera control unit 40.

  In the imaging apparatus 1, the exposure amount to the imaging sensor 11 is determined by the aperture driver 46 and the timing generator sensor driver 47 according to the program diagram set in advance based on the above-mentioned photometric light quantity data at the time of shooting with automatic exposure. Be controlled.

  The imaging apparatus 1 is configured to perform camera shake correction by driving a camera shake correction actuator driver 50 so that camera shake of a photographer detected by a camera shake sensor (not shown) that measures the amount of camera shake does not adversely affect shooting. ing. Here, the imaging sensor 11 can move two-dimensionally in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens group 13 by, for example, two actuators that perform linear drive.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus 1 includes an IC tag reader 48 that can read information stored in the IC tag around the IC tag that functions as an information transmitting apparatus capable of transmitting information wirelessly. Based on the information of the IC tag acquired using the IC tag reader 48, the function mode appropriate for the photographer can be automatically set. This mode setting will be described in detail.

<About mode setting>
The imaging apparatus 1 is provided with a plurality of function modes, and is configured to be able to selectively set the function mode from these function modes. Specifically, in addition to the normal shooting mode (hereinafter simply referred to as “normal mode”), the imaging apparatus 1 is provided with a beginner mode, an expert mode, and a constant camera shake correction mode. The mode can be selected. Each function mode other than the normal mode will be described below.

  In the beginner mode, the imaging apparatus 1 does not accept any input from the operation members other than the shutter button, the zoom button, and the main switch, performs full-auto shooting, and displays a guide display on the operation procedure on the LCD monitor 43 and the electronic viewfinder 44. Do. In other words, the beginner mode functions as an automatic mode in which at least autofocus, automatic exposure, and auto white balance are forcibly performed during shooting, and guidance regarding the operation of the imaging apparatus 1 is displayed. With this beginner mode, even a beginner can reliably perform shooting with the imaging device 1.

  In the expert mode (customization mode), the imaging apparatus 1 can be set to reflect customization information previously input by the photographer, such as fine color adjustment and switch position change. This customization information is held in the nonvolatile memory (information holding means) 42 shown in FIG. 1, and is read out to customize the imaging apparatus 1 when the expert mode is set. With this advanced user mode, it is possible to perform setting of the imaging apparatus 1 that is easy to use for advanced users.

  In the camera shake normal correction mode, camera shake correction using the camera shake correction actuator driver 50 is always turned on during shooting. In other words, the camera shake constant correction mode functions as a camera shake forced correction mode in which camera shake correction is forcibly executed during shooting. With this camera shake constant correction mode, even when a photographer (for example, a child) who is susceptible to camera shake shoots using the imaging apparatus 1, a high-quality captured image can be acquired.

  On the other hand, the imaging apparatus 1 has an IC tag 48 that can detect a receivable IC tag existing in the vicinity thereof and read information stored in the IC tag.

  Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 1, a beginner signal, an advanced person signal, and a camera shake as a signal (hereinafter referred to as a “setting request signal”) for requesting the setting of each function mode described above to the IC tag information read by the IC tag reader 48. If a constant correction signal is included, mode setting based on this signal is performed. Thus, for example, if a beginner has an IC tag storing a beginner signal, the beginner mode is automatically set, so that an appropriate function mode can be set for the photographer.

  On the other hand, when the IC tag is not detected by the IC tag reader 48, or when each of the setting request signals is not stored even if the IC tag is detected, the normal mode is set.

  The operation of the imaging apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described below.

<Operation of Imaging Device 1>
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the imaging apparatus 1. This operation is executed by the camera control unit 40.

  When the photographer operates the main switch in the operation unit 49 to turn on the power of the imaging apparatus 1, initial load is executed as an initialization process (step ST1).

  In step ST2, the IC tag reader 48 determines whether an IC tag carried by the photographer is detected. If an IC tag is detected, the process proceeds to step ST3. If not detected, the process proceeds to step ST11.

  In step ST3, information stored in the IC tag detected by the IC tag reader 48 is read.

  In step ST4, it is determined whether a beginner signal is detected from the IC tag by reading information in step ST3. That is, it is determined whether or not the IC tag reader 48 detects a setting request signal related to the beginner mode from the IC tag possessed by the photographer. If a beginner signal is detected, the process proceeds to step ST5, where the beginner mode for which setting is requested is extracted and set from the plurality of function modes described above, and the imaging apparatus 1 is activated. On the other hand, when the beginner signal is not detected, the process proceeds to step ST6.

  In step ST6, it is determined whether or not an advanced signal is detected from the IC tag by reading information in step ST3. That is, it is determined whether or not the IC tag reader 48 detects a setting request signal related to the expert mode from the IC tag possessed by the photographer. If an expert signal is detected, the process proceeds to step ST7, where the expert mode required for setting is extracted and set from the plurality of function modes described above, and the imaging apparatus 1 is activated. On the other hand, when the advanced signal is not detected, the process proceeds to step ST8.

  In step ST8, it is determined whether or not the camera shake constant correction signal is detected from the IC tag by reading the information in step ST3. That is, it is determined whether or not the IC tag reader 48 detects a setting request signal related to the camera shake constant correction mode from the IC tag possessed by the photographer. Here, if a hand-shake constant correction signal is detected, the process proceeds to step ST9, where the hand-shake constant correction mode requested to be set is extracted and set from the plurality of function modes described above, and the image pickup apparatus 1 is activated. On the other hand, when the camera shake constant correction signal is not detected, the process proceeds to step ST10.

  In step ST10 and step ST11, the imaging apparatus 1 is activated in the normal mode described above.

  By the operation of the imaging apparatus 1 described above, the function mode setting request signal read by the IC tag reader from the IC tag possessed by the photographer is reflected in the mode setting, so that the function mode appropriate for the photographer can be automatically set. .

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, it is not essential to set the beginner mode, the expert mode, and the camera shake normal correction mode based on the IC tag information, and the following modes may be set.

(1) Travel power saving mode The travel power saving mode is a mode in which the clock frequency decreases, the image processing time increases, the number of frames for live view display, the AF speed, etc. decrease. Off). When this travel power saving mode setting request signal is detected from the IC tag, the function mode is set.

(2) Competition shooting mode The competition shooting mode is a mode in which power consumption is not taken into consideration and the clock is set to the highest speed to prioritize image processing time, and the transition to APO is prohibited. This competition shooting mode enables shooting without missing a photo opportunity.

  When the setting request signal for the competition shooting mode is detected from the IC tag, the function mode is set.

(3) Beginner mode that enables switching of shooting modes such as portrait, night view, distant view, sports, text, etc. In the above-described beginner mode, full auto (full auto) is set, so exposure is automatically set. Will be.

  On the other hand, in an imaging apparatus, it is conventionally possible to switch between shooting modes that have subtle differences in exposure settings, such as portrait, night view, distant view, sports, and text.

  Therefore, the photographer is a beginner of a digital camera, but if you have experience shooting with a film camera and understand the functions of each of the above shooting modes, you can select the shooting mode from these, Optimal exposure setting is possible.

  That is, the imaging device 1 is provided with a function mode that combines the above-described beginner mode and each of the above-described shooting modes, specifically, a beginner portrait mode, a beginner night view mode, a beginner distant view mode, a beginner sports mode, and a beginner text mode. When the setting request signal is detected from the IC tag, the function mode for which setting is requested is set.

  ◎ For setting the mode in the above embodiment, it is not essential to reflect the information from the IC tag, and the information from the information transmission device such as a non-contact type IC card possessed by the photographer should be reflected. Also good.

It is a figure which shows the functional block of the imaging device 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the imaging apparatus 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 2 Signal processing part 3 Image processing part 11 Imaging sensor 40 Camera control part 48 IC tag reader 49 Operation part

Claims (6)

An imaging device provided with a plurality of function modes,
(a) detection means for detecting a setting request signal related to the function mode from an information transmission device possessed by the photographer;
(b) a mode setting means for extracting and setting the function mode requested by the setting request signal detected by the detection means from the plurality of function modes;
With
The information transmission device is capable of transmitting information wirelessly. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The information transmitting device has an IC tag,
The detection means includes
(a-1) an IC tag reader that detects the setting request signal from the IC tag;
An imaging device comprising: In the imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
The plurality of function modes include an automatic mode for forcibly performing at least autofocus, automatic exposure, and auto white balance at the time of shooting,
The mode setting means includes
(b-1) when a setting request signal related to the automatic mode is detected by the detection means, automatic mode setting means for setting the automatic mode;
An imaging device comprising: The imaging device according to claim 3.
(c) display means,
Further comprising
In the automatic mode, an guidance regarding operation of the imaging apparatus is displayed on the display unit. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
(d) camera shake correction means for detecting camera shake by the photographer and performing camera shake correction;
Further comprising
The plurality of function modes include a camera shake forced correction mode for forcibly executing the camera shake correction at the time of shooting,
The mode setting means includes
(b-2) when a setting request signal related to the camera shake forced correction mode is detected by the detection means, means for setting the camera shake forced correction mode;
An imaging device comprising: The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
(e) information holding means for holding customization information input by the photographer;
Further comprising
The plurality of function modes include a customization mode for setting the imaging device based on the customization information,
The mode setting means includes
(b-3) when a setting request signal related to the customization mode is detected by the detection means, means for setting the customization mode;
An imaging device comprising:

Images