JP2012124608A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of display control that makes various uses of image effects possible.SOLUTION: The camera includes: a menu display control part 11b for displaying an effect menu (first menu) for arraying and displaying items indicating image effects so as to select the plurality of image effects or a slide menu (second menu) for which a screen that makes it possible to adjust the effect level of the selected image effect is added further to the effect menu, as a menu for selecting one or more image effects to be used from the plurality of prepared image effects; and an image display control part 11a for superimposing and displaying the effect menu or the slide menu on a live view image comprising a photographed image which is image-processed in an image processing part 17 by the image effect selected by the effect menu or the slide menu.

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera capable of shooting with an image effect added.

  In digital cameras, various systems have been proposed that can perform imaging with peace of mind by processing image data acquired by an imaging unit and confirming the effect of changing imaging conditions before imaging. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a camera that can confirm a white balance of a captured image on a screen in advance so that an image having a desired color can be obtained.

  Also, recently, it is possible not only to adjust the shooting conditions such as exposure and AF, but also to add image effects (effects) during shooting so that you can easily shoot artistic works even if you are not a high amateur. A camera is also provided. Even in the case of a camera that adds an image effect, it is convenient if the image effect can be confirmed before shooting. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a camera that can display images before and after a set color conversion side by side and easily compare the quality of the conversion.

JP 2001-251635 A JP 2006-211103 A

  In the case of adding an image effect, the image effect increases not only by adding one image effect but also by adding a plurality of image effects at the same time or making the effect level of the added image effect variable. In this case, it is convenient to be able to use the image effects in various ways on the live view screen, such as easily and surely setting the type and level of the effect. However, the above-mentioned patent documents and the like are not suitable for using these image effects in various ways.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a camera capable of display control that can make full use of image effects.

  In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to a first aspect of the present invention is a camera that performs image capturing with an image effect, an image processing unit that performs image processing according to the image effect on a captured image, and the image processed image capturing As an image recording unit for recording an image and a menu for selecting one or more image effects to be used from a plurality of prepared image effects, items indicating the image effects are arranged so that a plurality of the image effects can be selected. A menu display control unit for displaying a first menu to be displayed, or a second menu obtained by adding a screen capable of adjusting the effect level of the selected image effect to the first menu, and the first or second menu. The first or second menu is superimposed and displayed on a live view image that is a captured image that has been image-processed by the image processing unit with the image effect selected in the menu. Comprising an image display control unit that, the.

  The camera according to a second aspect is the camera according to the first aspect, wherein the menu display control unit performs image processing on the selected item when the item is selected in the first or second menu. Items that conflict with setting together are displayed in an identifiable manner on the first or second menu.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera according to the first aspect, wherein the image processing unit is controlled to execute image processing corresponding to the image effect selected in the first or second menu, and the image An effect control unit that controls the image recording unit to record the processed image, and the effect control unit makes the image effect level of the selected image effect constant during shooting when shooting a movie. Control is performed so as to switch between the two according to the instruction.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera according to the third aspect, further comprising an image memory capable of temporarily storing images for a predetermined time or more, and the effect control unit changes the image effect at the end of shooting. In this case, at least the latest image for the time to be changed is stored in the image memory during shooting, and after the shooting end instruction, image processing is performed on the image for the time to be changed stored in the image memory. The image processing unit is controlled to control the image processing unit, and the recording unit is controlled to record the image-processed captured image.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera that shoots a moving image by adding an image effect, an image processing unit that performs image processing according to the image effect of the moving image, and an image that records the image processed moving image. A recording unit, an image memory that temporarily stores an image, an effect control unit that controls the image processing unit, the image recording unit, and the image memory to record moving image shooting with the image effect added thereto, and the image effect An image display control unit that displays a moving image image-processed by the image processing unit as a live view image, and the effect control unit is in an ending period that is a period until the end of shooting. In order to obtain an image in which the above-mentioned image effect changes, the latest image for at least the time to be changed is stored in the image memory during shooting, and after the shooting end instruction is given, The image processing unit is controlled to perform image processing on the image for the time to be changed stored in the image memory, the recording unit is controlled to record the image-processed captured image, and the image display is performed. The control unit displays a moving image that is not stored during the ending period as a live view image before the end of shooting, and displays an image with an image effect applied for the ending period after the end of shooting.

  According to the first and fifth aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide a camera capable of display control that can make full use of image effects.

  In addition, according to the second invention, since conflicting items can be distinguished and displayed, there is no fear of being disturbed during operation. According to the third aspect, since it is possible to change the image effect, it is possible to obtain a sharper captured image. According to the fourth aspect of the invention, an image effect can be added at the end of shooting in a shooting scene without performing processing during playback.

It is a block diagram which mainly shows the structure of the electric circuit of the camera concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the effect menu is superimposed and displayed in the live view image in the camera concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation of an effect menu in the camera concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the case where the conflict item is selected by the effect menu in the camera concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation of a slider menu in the camera concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining operation which adds the image effect in animation mode in the camera in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the action time of each moving image effect in the camera in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the action time of each moving image effect in the camera in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the action time of each moving image effect in the camera in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in the imaging | photography mode in the camera concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the effect menu process in the camera concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the slider menu process in the camera concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the imaging | photography process in the camera concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the imaging | photography process in the camera concerning one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment will be described using a camera to which the present invention is applied according to the drawings. A camera according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a digital camera, includes an imaging unit, converts a subject image into image data by the imaging unit, and converts the subject image into a main body based on the converted image data. Live view is displayed on the display unit placed on the back of the camera. The photographer determines the composition and shutter timing by observing the live view display. By operating the release button, still image data is recorded on the recording medium. When the moving image shooting mode is set, moving image shooting is started by operating the release button, and moving image shooting is ended by operating the release button again. The effect menu screen is displayed by setting the art shot mode, various effects (image effects) are set, the effects (effects) are checked before shooting, and based on the set effects when shooting movies and still images Image data subjected to image processing is recorded. The moving image or still image data recorded on the recording medium can be reproduced and displayed on the display unit as an effected image when the reproduction mode is selected.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 11 operates according to a control program stored in the program / data storage unit 12 and performs overall control of the digital camera. In the control unit 11, an image display control unit 11a, a menu display control unit 11b, and an effect control unit 11c are provided. Since 11a to 11c in the control unit 11 are a part of processing executed by the control program, they will be described as functional units included in the control unit 11.

  The image display control unit 11a performs display control of a live view image for subject confirmation during still image shooting or moving image shooting. Also, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9, in this embodiment, various effects (image effects) can be set on the screen of the effect menu or slide menu, and the image display control unit 11a can set the set effects. Control is performed so as to display the moving image on which the image has been given on the display unit 19 as a live view image. Further, the image display control unit 11a displays the moving image as a live view image in real time until the end of shooting of the moving image, and displays again only the image on which the image effect is applied for the ending period after the end of shooting. Details of the display of the ending period will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The menu display control unit 11b performs display control of an effect menu screen for setting various effects (image effects) on the display unit 19. In controlling the display of the effect menu screen, in the present embodiment, a plurality of effects are prepared, and a first item that arranges and displays items indicating image effects is selected so that a plurality of effects can be selected from a plurality of image effects. A menu (effect menu) or a second menu (slide menu) in which a screen capable of adjusting the effect level of the selected image effect is added to the first menu is displayed.

  In addition, when an effect (image effect) item is selected in the first menu or the second menu, the menu display control unit 11b can set the selected item together in image processing. The conflicting items are displayed in an identifiable manner on the first or second menu. Details of the display in the case of conflicting items will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The effect control unit 11c controls the image processing unit 17 to execute the effect (image effect) selected by the photographer in the first or second menu described above, and this image processing is performed. Control is performed so as to record the image in the image storage unit 22. Further, the effect control unit 11c controls the effect (image effect) level of the selected item according to an instruction whether to make the level constant during shooting or to change during shooting. Further, the effect control unit 11c changes the captured image temporarily stored in the image memory (SDRAM 16 described later) so that the image processed with the effect change level in accordance with the end of shooting is recorded after the end of shooting. Control is performed to cause the image processing unit 17 to perform image processing with a delay of more than the time, and to record the delayed captured image in the image storage unit 22. Details of the matters related to effect level adjustment during moving image shooting will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  A program / data storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, and a bus 25 are connected to the control unit 11. The program / data storage unit 12 is a non-volatile memory, and stores a program executed in the control unit 11 and various data as described above. Various data for applying effects (image effects) are also stored.

  The operation unit 13 includes various operation members for the user to give instructions to the camera. The various operation members include a power button, a release button, a cross button, an OK button, a playback button, a shooting mode dial, an effect button, a menu button, and the like, and output detection results of operation states of the various operation members to the control unit 11. To do. In addition, a shooting mode dial is provided, and the shooting mode dial is operated to set the moving image shooting. When the effect button is operated, the art shot mode described later is set. The art shot mode may be set on the menu screen, or other methods may be used. The operation unit 13 includes a touch panel. When the user touches the display unit 19, the operation unit 13 detects the touch position, the touch direction, and the like and outputs the detected position to the control unit 11.

  In addition to the control unit 11 described above, the imaging unit 15, SDRAM 16, image processing unit 17, display driver unit 18, compression / decompression unit 20, and image recording / reproducing unit 21 are connected to the bus 25. The imaging unit 15 includes a photographing lens for forming a subject image, an imaging element for converting the subject image into image data, a processing circuit thereof, a diaphragm and a shutter interposed in the optical path of the photographing lens, and the like. Including. The image data generated by the imaging unit 15 is output to the bus 25.

  An SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 16 is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile temporary storage memory, and is used for temporary storage of image data output from the imaging unit 15. In the present embodiment, an art shot for applying image effects (effects) in various endings is provided at the end of moving image shooting. However, this image processing cannot be performed unless the end of shooting is confirmed. Therefore, in the case of moving image shooting, the shot image data for the ending processing time is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 16.

  The image processing unit 17 performs various kinds of images such as digital amplification (digital gain adjustment processing) of digital image data, white balance, color correction, gamma (γ) correction, contrast correction, live view display image generation, and moving image generation. Perform processing. When the art shot mode is selected and an effect (image effect) is set, image processing (also referred to as image effect or art shot processing) is performed according to the image effect set for the photographed image. This type of image processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The compression / decompression unit 20 is a circuit for compressing image data of a moving image or a still image temporarily stored in the SDRAM 16 by a compression method such as JPEG, TIFF, or MPEG, and decompressing the data for display or the like. Note that image compression is not limited to MPEG, JPEG, and TIFF, and other compression methods may be used.

  The display driver unit 18 causes the display unit 19 to display a live view display during shooting and a playback image during playback. In particular, when the art shot mode is set, a live view image subjected to image processing is displayed on the display unit 19. The display unit 19 is connected to the display driver unit 18 and has a display such as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL arranged on the back of the main body. A predetermined image is displayed on the screen by the control of the display driver unit 18. The

  The image recording / playback unit 22 stores the moving image or still image image data compressed by the compression / decompression unit 20 in the image storage unit 22, and stores the moving image or still image image data stored in the image storage unit 22. read out. The read image data is expanded by the compression / expansion unit 20, and an image is reproduced and displayed on the display unit 19 based on the expanded image data.

  The image storage unit 22 is connected to the image recording / reproducing unit 21 and is a recording medium for image data that can be built in or loaded into the camera body. Also, shooting information such as shooting date and time is recorded in the tag (header) of the image data.

  Next, the effect (image effect) in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A shows a live view image displayed on the display unit 19. Below the live view image, an effect menu screen 19a is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, effects (also referred to as image effects and art shots) from ART1 to ART6 are displayed.

  In the present embodiment, ART1 (art 1) is a pop art that expresses in vivid colors, ART2 (art 2) is an advanced soft-focus fantasy focus, and ART3 (art 3) is a monochrome image with a rough feeling. The rough monochrome is provided. Furthermore, ART4 is a toy photo that lowers the brightness from the center to the periphery of the screen, ART5 is a diorama that reduces the focus of the upper and lower areas of the screen, and ART6 is a sepia-tone gentle sepia tone with blue and red. Is provided.

  Next, the effect menu screen when the effect level (effect level) is fixed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A shows a normal live view display. In this display state, when the art shot mode is set by operating an effect button or the like, an effect menu (second display) as shown in FIG. 1 menu). In this display state, as described with reference to FIG. 2A, the effect menu screen 19a is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

  The photographer can set an effect by touching a favorite art shot from among the displayed art shots ART1 to ART6. When art shot ART4 is touched in FIG. 3 (b), as shown in FIG. 3 (c), an effect name 19b (in this example, “toy photo”) is displayed on the upper left of the screen of the display unit 19, and the screen is displayed. Live view image with image effect by toy photo is displayed.

  In addition, an effect abbreviation menu 19c is displayed at the bottom of the screen in FIG. In the effect abbreviation menu 19c, the effect menu 19a is further displayed with an abbreviation of the effect name, for example, “PA” for ART1 pop art and “FF” for ART2 fantastic focus in addition to the ART number.

  A live view icon (LV icon) 19d is displayed on the right side of the effect abbreviation menu 19c displayed in a horizontal row. When this LV icon 19d is touched, as shown in FIG. 3D, the effect abbreviation menu 19c and the effect name 19b are deleted. On the screen of the display unit 19, only the live view image on which the image effect is applied and the execution effect name 19e indicating the effect being executed are displayed. By touching the LV icon 19d in this way, the effect abbreviation menu 19c and the like are deleted, so that it is possible to prevent the photographer from becoming troublesome when determining the composition.

  In the screen of FIG. 3C, the toy photo TP of the art shot ART4 is selected. In this display state, when the photographer further selects the fantasy focus FF of the art shot ART2, effects of both toy photo and fantasy focus are added as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3E, when the LV icon 19d is touched while two effects are applied and displayed, the effect abbreviation menu 19c and the effect name 19b are deleted as shown in FIG. Then, the execution effect name 19e is displayed. In this case, since two image effects are applied, two execution effect names 19e are also displayed (ART2 and ART4 in the example shown in FIG. 3F).

  Next, display in the case of a conflict item will be described with reference to FIG. As described with reference to FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, two or more effects (image effect, art shot) can be set. However, depending on the image effect, there are combinations that conflict with each other. For example, the pop art PA and the gentle sepia GS shown in the example shown in FIG. 4 both perform image processing on the color, and image processing that satisfies both at the same time is contradictory and executed. I can't.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the case of an effect having a conflicting combination with the previously set image effect, the icon indicating the effect name in the effect abbreviation menu 19c can be distinguished from other icons. The display has been changed. In the example shown in FIG. 4, since pop art (PA) is set first, gentle sepia (GS) opposite to this is indicated by a broken line. In addition, the display method of the conflicting icon is not limited to this, and for example, the color may be changed. In any case, any display that can be distinguished from other effects is acceptable.

  Next, the slider menu (second menu) will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of FIGS. 3 and 4, the effect level in the set effect is fixed. However, depending on the subject, there are cases where it is desired to increase the effect level or to decrease it. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the effect level (effect level) can be changed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5A, a toy photo (TP) is set as an art shot. In this state, when the photographer slides the finger up on the screen at the position of the toy photo icon, the menu display control unit 11c displays the slider 19f on the display unit 19 as shown in FIG. Display on the screen.

  When the slider 19f is displayed on the display unit 19, the photographer can adjust the effect level by sliding on the slider 19f with a finger. For example, if the finger is slid further upward, the effect level becomes stronger, while the effect level that slides downward becomes weaker. In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the slider 19f is slid upward to increase the effect level, and the effect of enhancing the toy photo effect is set.

  In the state where one art shot is selected (for example, the display state shown in FIG. 5C), when another art shot is set (in the example shown in FIG. 5D, the fantasy focus FF), The slider 19f corresponding to the selected art shot (toy photo TP) is deleted. Then, the slider 19f is displayed corresponding to the newly selected art shot (Fantastic Focus FF), and the effect level 19g is displayed on the previously selected art shot (Toy Photo TP). The effect level 19g displays the degree of the effect level set immediately before selecting a new art shot.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the effect level at the time of applying the image effect can be adjusted by adjusting the slider 19f. A plurality of effects (art shots) can be selected. In this case, the effect level of the newly selected image effect can be adjusted, and the effect level of the previously selected image effect can be adjusted by the effect level 19g. Can be confirmed.

  Next, image effect setting in the moving image shooting mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6A shows a case where the moving image shooting mode is set. In this case, a moving image shooting mode icon 19h is displayed on the upper right of the screen. In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the toy photo TP is selected as the image effect (effect, art shot), and a slider 19f is displayed to set the effect level. An effect mode icon 19j is displayed adjacent to the upper side of the slider 19f.

  In the case of moving image shooting, effects (image effects) are applied in this embodiment as follows: (1) Effect lock in which the effect continues at a certain level during moving image shooting; (2) First shooting of moving image There are prepared three types: an effect variable 1 that applies an image effect only at the end, and (3) an effect variable 2 that applies an image effect other than at the beginning and end of a moving image. In order to display the set effect, as shown in FIG. 6D, the effect lock icon 19ja, the effect variable icon 19jb indicating the effect variable 1, the effect variable icon 19jc indicating the effect variable 2, and the effect mode icon 19j Are displayed adjacent to the upper side of the slider 19f.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the effect lock icon 19ja is displayed as the effect mode icon 19j. However, when the photographer touches the effect mode icon 19j, as shown in FIG. The icon changes to the effect 19 and changes to the effect variable 1. In this embodiment, every time the effect mode icon 19j is touched, the effect is sequentially switched in the order of effect lock → effect variable 1 → effect variable 2 → effect lock. However, in addition to touching, of course, it may be switched every time the operating member is operated.

  Also in the moving image shooting mode, it is possible to select a plurality of effects (art shots). In this case, the mode of the image effect may be different for each selected effect. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6C, the effect lock is selected in the fantastic focus FF, and the effect variable 1 is selected in the toy photo TP.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the operation time of the effect (image effect) when effect lock or effect variable 1 or 2 is selected in the moving image shooting mode will be described. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis indicates the time from the start of moving image shooting, and the vertical axis indicates the effect level. L1 in FIG. 7 indicates an effect level when effect lock is selected. When the effect lock is selected, as shown in the figure, the effect is applied at a constant intensity during the shooting of the moving image.

  L2 to L4 in FIG. 7 are cases where the effect variable 1 is selected, and L2 is a case where the image effect gradually decreases, whereas L4 decreases rapidly. That is, L2 has a long action time, L4 has a short action time, and L3 has an intermediate action time. When the effect variable 1 is set, even after the operation time has passed, the effect level is maintained at the minimum level (level 1 in the drawing) and is not set to 0. Since an effect is set with great effort, an image effect is applied at a minimum level. Even when the effect variable 2 is set, the duration of the action time may be changed similarly. In addition, the action time in the effect variables 1 and 2 is appropriately set in advance on the menu screen or the like.

  Next, when effect variable 1 is selected, a method of applying an effect (image effect) at the start and end of moving image shooting will be described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 8, two art shots of toy photo TP and fantastic focus FF are selected, and effect variable 1 is set for toy photo TP, while effect lock is set for fantastic focus FF. ing. 8A shows an image recorded in the image storage unit 22, and FIG. 8B shows a live view image displayed on the display unit 19 during moving image shooting. However, in FIG. 8 (b), the effect of the fantastic focus FF is constant and is omitted, and only the change in the effect level of the toy photo TP is shown.

  Since the effect variable 1 is set for the live view image displayed on the display unit 19 during moving image shooting, the toy photo TP effect is greatly applied at the start of shooting, as indicated by L13 in FIG. 8B. Is done. When a predetermined time (5 seconds in the example of FIG. 8B) elapses from the start of photographing at time t11, the level becomes the minimum level and is maintained until t13 which is the photographing end time. In addition, an image photographed in the SDRAM 16 from the start of photographing is temporarily stored.

  When the photographer instructs the end of photographing at time t13, image processing and recording after t12 are started from this point, so that images from t12 to t13 temporarily stored in the SDRAM 16 are sequentially read out. The ending effect for Toy Photo TP is applied and recorded. In addition, for confirmation, an image of the ending period in which the ending effect is applied is displayed on the display unit 19. Since it is for confirmation, the display time of the ending image effect may be shortened and displayed as L13a as a matter of course. That is, the live view image from t12 to t13 is displayed twice, including the image that has been subjected to the effect processing during shooting and the image that has been subjected to the ending effect processing.

  The effect variable 1 applies an effect at the start of shooting and at the end of shooting (ending), but the effect can only be applied at the ending after a shooting end instruction is detected. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an image that is not subjected to an effect for a predetermined time (3 seconds in the example of FIG. 8B) for performing the ending process is always temporarily stored in the SDRAM 16 until shooting is finished. Then, after the photographing end instruction, this image is read out, effected and recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the image recorded in the image storage unit 22 is subjected to the effect of Toy Photo TP as shown at L12 for a predetermined time (5 seconds) from the start of shooting to time t11. It is applied so as to gradually decrease, and the minimum effect is maintained thereafter. In addition, since the effect lock is set in the fantastic focus FF, as shown in L11, an effect of a certain level is applied.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the image data is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 16, and after a predetermined time has elapsed (after 5 seconds in the example of FIG. 8), the image data is read from the SDRAM 16. The image processing is performed according to the effect, and the image data subjected to the image processing is recorded in the image storage unit 22. That is, since the start of the effect process can be delayed by the ending process time, the ending process can be dealt with even after the end of shooting is instructed. In this embodiment, the effect of the toy photo TP is applied so as to gradually increase from time t12 a predetermined time before the end of shooting (3 seconds in FIG. 8A) as shown in L12a. The image ends at t13.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when recording an image in the image storage unit 22, the effect control unit 11c does not record the live view image as shown in FIG. Record after editing. Therefore, when the moving image recorded in the image storage unit 22 is reproduced, the effect is increased from the ending period of a predetermined time before the end of shooting.

  Next, when effect variable 2 is selected, a method of applying an effect at the start and end of moving image shooting will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the example shown in FIG. 9, two art shots of toy photo TP and fantastic focus FF are selected as in the example of FIG. 8, and effect variable 2 is set for toy photo TP, while fantastic focus FF is selected. The effect lock is set. FIG. 9A shows an image recorded in the image storage unit 22, and FIG. 9B shows a live view image displayed on the display unit 19 during moving image shooting. Also in FIG. 9B, as in FIG. 8B, the image effect of the fantastic focus FF is omitted, and only the change in the image effect of the toy photo TP is shown.

  Since the effect variable 2 is set in the live view image displayed on the display unit 19 during moving image shooting, the effect of the toy photo TP is small at the start of shooting, as indicated by L23 in FIG. It is given to gradually increase. When a predetermined time (5 seconds in the example of FIG. 9B) elapses from the start of photographing at time t21, the level becomes a constant level, and this level is maintained until the photographing end time t23. In addition, an image photographed in the SDRAM 16 from the start of photographing is temporarily stored.

  When the photographer instructs the end of shooting at time 23, the images (t22 to t23) temporarily stored in the SDRAM 16 are read in order from the oldest, and the ending effect (toy photo TP) is gradually applied to the temporarily stored images. Applied to lower. The images from t22 to t23 to which the predetermined effect is applied are displayed on the display unit 19 again. Of course, the display time of the ending image effect may be shortened and displayed as in L23a. Similarly to the description in FIG. 8, the live view image from t22 to t23 is displayed twice, including the image that has been subjected to the effect processing during shooting and the image that has been subjected to the ending effect processing.

  As with the effect variable 1, the effect variable 2 is also applied at the start of shooting and at the end of shooting (ending). However, the effect can only be applied at the ending after the end of shooting is determined. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, an image without effect for a predetermined time (3 seconds in the example of FIG. 9B) for performing the ending process is always temporarily stored in the SDRAM 16 until the end of shooting. Then, after the photographing end instruction, this image is read out, effected and recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the image recorded in the image storage unit 22 is an image effect obtained by Toy Photo TP as indicated by L22 for a predetermined time (5 seconds) from the start of photographing to time t21. Is gradually increased, and a certain level of effect is maintained thereafter. In addition, since the effect lock is set in the fantastic focus FF, as shown in L22, a certain level of image effect is given.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, image data is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 16, and after a predetermined time has elapsed (after 5 seconds in the example of FIG. 9), the image data is read from the SDRAM 16, and the read image data The image processing is performed according to the effect, and the image data subjected to the image processing is recorded in the image storage unit 22. That is, since the start of the effect process is delayed by the ending process time, the ending process can be dealt with even after the end of shooting is instructed. In the present embodiment, the effect of the toy photo TP is applied so that the effect of the toy photo TP gradually decreases from a time t22 a predetermined time before the end of shooting (3 seconds in FIG. 9A) as shown in L22a. The image ends at t23.

  In this way, when recording an image in the image storage unit 22, the live view image as shown in FIG. 9B is not recorded as it is, but the effect control unit 11c performs the ending portion as in the case of the effect variable 1. Record after editing. Therefore, when a moving image recorded in the image storage unit 22 is reproduced, the effect is reduced from the ending period of a predetermined time before the end of shooting.

  Next, the operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. These flowcharts are executed by the control unit 11 in accordance with a program stored in the program / data storage unit 12. When the shooting mode flow shown in FIG. 10 is entered, it is first determined whether or not the art shot mode is set (S11). Since the art shot mode is set by an effect button which is one of the operation units 13, this step is determined based on the operation state of the effect button.

  If the result of determination in step S11 is not art shot mode, only live view is displayed (S13). Here, normal live view display is performed. That is, after processing the image data acquired by the imaging unit 15, the subject image is displayed as a moving image on the display unit 19. Thus, the photographer determines the composition and determines the photo opportunity.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S11 is that it is in art shot mode, processing for applying the image effect described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9 is executed. First, it is determined whether or not the effect menu is being displayed (S15). Here, it is determined whether or not the effect menu screen 19a shown in FIG. 2A or FIG.

  If the result of determination in step S15 is that the effect menu is not being displayed, it is next determined whether or not the slider menu is being displayed (S19). Here, it is determined whether or not the effect abbreviation menu 19c shown in FIGS. 3C and 3E and FIG. Since the slider 19f can be displayed by touching and sliding the screen of the display unit 19 while the effect abbreviation menu 19c is displayed, the display state of the effect abbreviation menu 19c is determined in this step. .

  If the result of determination in step S19 is that there is no slider menu display, effect menu processing is executed (S23). Here, an effect menu screen 19a as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3B is displayed, and items (effects, art shots, images) in the effect menu screen 19a are displayed during the effect menu processing. When any one of (effects) is selected, an effect abbreviation menu 19c as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3E is displayed, and if there are conflicting items as described in FIG. Is displayed in an identifiable manner. Details of the effect menu processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the result of determination in step S15 is that the effect menu is being displayed, it is next determined whether or not there has been a slide operation (S17). When the photographer wants to adjust the level of the effect (image effect, art shot), he touches the area near the corresponding item and slides up and down. Therefore, in this step, the determination is made based on the operation state of the touch panel of the display unit 19.

  If the result of determination in step S17 is that there has been a slide operation, or if slider menu display is in progress in step S19, slider menu processing is executed (S21). Here, the slider 19f and the effect level 19g as shown in FIGS. 4B, 4D and 6 are displayed, and when a plurality of items (effect, art shot, image effect) are selected. If there are conflicting items, these items are displayed in an identifiable manner. Details of the slider menu processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the slider menu process is executed in step S21 or if the effect menu process is executed in step S23, then an effect processed live view display is performed (S25). Here, the image display control unit 11a controls the image processing unit 17 so as to perform image processing with the selected effect, and if there is an effect level set by the slider 19f, it is set when image processing is performed. The image processing unit 17 is controlled to process at the effect level. The image display control unit 11 a causes the display unit 19 to display the live view image to which the image effect is given by the image processing unit 17.

  Once the effect-processed live view display is performed, it is next determined whether or not an operation has been performed on the live icon (S27). Here, as described with reference to FIGS. 3C to 3F, it is determined whether or not the LV icon 19d is touched.

  If the result of determination in step S27 is that there has been an operation on a live icon, then live view display with an effect icon is performed (S29). Here, as described in FIGS. 3D and 3F, the effect name 19b and the effect abbreviation menu 19c are deleted to make it easy to see the live view image itself. Even in this case, the execution effect name 19e is displayed so that it can be easily understood what the selected effect is.

  If live view display with an effect icon is performed, it is next determined whether or not a release operation has been performed (S31). Since the photographer operates the release button in the operation unit 13 when the composition is determined and the shutter timing is reached, determination is made based on the operation state of these operation members in this step.

  If the result of determination in step S <b> 31 is that there was a release operation, then imaging processing is executed (S <b> 33). When the release button is operated for still image shooting, the image data acquired from the imaging unit 15 is processed for still images, compressed for still images, and then recorded in the image storage unit 22. When the release button is operated in the moving image shooting mode, the image data acquired from the imaging unit 15 is image-processed for moving images, and after being compressed for moving images, recorded in the image storage unit 22. Movie shooting continues until the release button is operated again. When the art shot mode is set when shooting a still image and a moving image, the image effect is applied according to the set effect, and the image data subjected to the image effect is recorded in the image storage unit 22. Detailed operation of the photographing process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the shooting process is executed in step S33, or if there is no release operation as a result of determination in step S31, or if there is no operation on the live icon as a result of determination in step S27, or only live view is performed in step S13. Once displayed, it is next determined whether or not a power-off operation has been performed (S35). Here, the determination is made based on the operation state of the power button, which is one of the operation units 13.

  If the result of determination in step S35 is that there has been no power off operation, processing returns to step S11 and the aforementioned operation is executed. On the other hand, when the power-off operation is performed, the photographing mode process is terminated.

  Next, the effect menu process in step S23 will be described with reference to FIG. When the flow of the effect menu process is entered, first, the effect menu is displayed (S41). Here, the effect menu screen 19a in FIGS. 2A and 3A is displayed. The effect menu process is also executed when the determination at step S15 is Yes and the determination at step S17 is No. In this case, the display of the effect menu screen 19a is continued.

  Once the effect menu is displayed, it is next determined whether or not an item has been selected in the effect menu (S43). When an item (effect, art shot) is selected in the effect menu, the display is switched to the slider menu display. If an item of the effect menu is selected during the effect menu processing, the determination is made here.

  If the result of determination in step S43 is that an item (effect, art shot) has been selected in the effect menu, it is next determined whether or not there is an item that conflicts with the selected item (S43). Here, as described with reference to FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not there is a combination of image effects that makes it difficult to apply both simultaneously as image effects, such as pop art and gentle sepia.

  If the result of determination in step S45 is that there is an item that conflicts with the selected item, then the conflicting item is set to be unselectable (S47), and the effect menu display content is changed (S49). Here, the menu display control unit 11b prevents the conflicting items (effects and art shots) from being set inside the control unit 11, and can identify the conflicting items as shown in FIG. Change the display.

  If the effect menu display content is changed in step S49, or if there is no item that conflicts with the selected item as a result of the determination in step S45, or if no item is selected in the effect menu as a result of the determination in step S43. Next, it is determined whether or not there is an already selected item (S51).

  If the result of determination in step S51 is that there is no item already selected, the effect is set with the item selected at the default level (S53). Since the effect level is not set by the slider menu process, the level of the item (effect, art shot) selected in step S43 is set as a default level here.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S51 is that there is already an item selected, an effect is set by superimposing the current item on the previous item by default (S55). Here, since a plurality of items (effect, art shot) are selected in the effect menu, image processing is overlaid at the default level for each selected item. When an effect is set in step S53 or S55, the flow returns to the original flow.

  Next, the slider menu process in step S21 will be described with reference to FIG. If the slider menu processing flow is entered, first, a slider is displayed on the item operated by the slider (S61). The slider menu (second menu) screen refers to a screen on which the effect abbreviation menu 19c in FIGS. 3C, 3E, and 5A is displayed. As a result of the determination in step S17, the slide operation is performed. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D and FIGS. 6A to 6C, the slider 19f is displayed in addition to the effect abbreviation menu 19c.

  If slider display is performed in step S61, it is next determined whether or not there is an item that conflicts with the selected item (S63). When at least one item is selected on the effect menu screen 19a, the effect menu display is switched to the slider menu display. In this step, it is determined whether there is an item that conflicts with the item selected in the effect abbreviation menu 19c. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not there is a combination of image effects that makes it difficult to apply both simultaneously as image effects, such as pop art and gentle sepia.

  If the result of determination in step S63 is that there is an item that conflicts with the selected item, then the conflicting item is set to be unselectable (S65), and the slider menu display content is changed (S67). Here, the menu display control unit 11b changes the display so that conflicting items (effects, art shots) cannot be set and the conflicting items can be identified as shown in FIG.

  If the slider menu display content is changed in step S67 or if the result of determination in step S63 is that there is no item that conflicts with the selected item, it is next determined whether or not there has been an operation on the slider (S69). Here, as described with reference to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the determination is made based on whether or not the photographer has slid the slider 19f.

  If the result of determination in step S69 is that there has been an operation on the slider, then the slider display is changed (S71). Here, the display of the slider 19f is changed according to the slide amount when the photographer slides.

  Once the slider display has been changed, it is next determined whether or not there is an already selected item (S75). If the result of this determination is that there is no item already selected, the effect is set for the selected item at the slider level (S75). Here, since there is only one selected item, a setting for applying an effect is performed on the selected item based on the effect level set by the slider 19f.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S73 is that there is already an item selected, the effect of the previous item is superimposed on the selected current item at the slider level (S77). Here, since two or more items are selected, a setting for applying an image effect is performed on the selected items based on the set level of each effect.

  If the setting for applying the image effect is performed in step S75 or S77, or if there is no operation on the slider as a result of the determination in step S69, the flow of the slider menu processing is terminated and the original flow is returned.

  Next, the operation of the photographing process in step S33 will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. When the shooting process is started, it is first determined whether or not the movie is shot (S81). In the present embodiment, either still image shooting or moving image shooting can be selected with a shooting mode dial or the like.

  If the result of determination in step S81 is not movie shooting, that is, if still image shooting is performed, effect settings are made (S141 in FIG. 14). Here, as described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and the like, settings for applying an image effect are performed according to the selected item (effect, art shot).

  Once effect setting has been performed, shooting is next performed (S143). Here, the image processing unit 17 performs image processing for a still image on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 15. Once shooting, effect processing is performed (S145). Here, the image processing unit 17 applies the image effect to the image acquired by the imaging unit 15 according to the effect set in step S141. Once effect processing has been performed, recording is performed next (S147). Here, the still image that has been subjected to the image effect processing in step S145 is compressed and recorded in the image storage unit 22. When recording is completed, the original flow is restored.

  If the result of determination in step S81 (see FIG. 13) is movie shooting, it is next determined whether or not the effect is locked (S83). As described with reference to FIG. 6D, in the case of moving image shooting, three types of effect lock, effect variable 1 and effect variable 2 are prepared as image effects (effects). In this step, it is determined whether one of the three types of effect lock is set.

  If the result of determination in step S83 is that effect lock has been set, effect setting is performed (S121 in FIG. 14). Here, as described with reference to FIG. 7, during the moving image shooting period, the image processing unit 17 is set to apply an image effect at a constant effect level.

  Once effect setting has been performed, shooting is next performed (S123). Here, the image processing unit 17 performs image processing for moving images on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 15. Once shooting, effect processing is performed (S125). Here, the image processing unit 17 applies an image effect to the image acquired by the imaging unit 15 according to the effect set in step S121. Once effect processing has been performed, recording is next performed (S127). Here, the moving image that has been subjected to the image effect processing in step S125 is compressed and recorded in the image storage unit 22.

  Once the moving image has been recorded, live view display of the effect image is performed (S129). Here, the moving image that has been subjected to the image effect processing is displayed in live view on the display unit 19. Once live view display has been performed, it is next determined whether or not there has been a stop operation (S131). When the release button is operated when the movie shooting mode is set, the movie shooting starts, and when the release button is operated again, the movie shooting ends, so whether or not the release button is operated again in this step. Judgment based on. If the result of this determination is that stop operation has not been performed, processing returns to step S123, and moving image shooting is continued while effect processing is being performed. On the other hand, when the stop operation is performed, the process returns to the original flow.

  If the result of determination in step S83 (see FIG. 13) is that effect lock has not been set, effect setting is next carried out (S85). In this case, one of the effect variable 1 and the effect variable 2 is set.

  Once the effect has been set in step S85, shooting is next performed (S87). Here, the image processing unit 17 performs image processing for moving images on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 15. Subsequently, it is stored in the memory (S89). As described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the SDRAM 16 temporarily stores an image for a period corresponding to the ending period.

  Once stored in the memory in step S89, the image data after a predetermined time is read from the memory (S91). Here, image data after a predetermined time has been read from the image data temporarily stored in the SDRAM 16. In the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, image data after 5 seconds has been read.

  Subsequently, an effect level is set according to the elapsed time (S93). Here, for example, the effect level corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of photographing is set along the effect level of levels L12 and L12a shown in FIG. 8A or the effect level of L22 and L22a shown in FIG. Set.

  When the effect level corresponding to the elapsed time is set, effect processing is performed (S95). Here, the image processing unit 17 applies an image effect (effect) to the image acquired by the imaging unit 15 according to the effect level set in step S93. Next, the image to which the image effect is given is recorded in the image storage unit 22 (S97).

  Next, image processing is performed on the real-time image (S99). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 9A, image processing for recording in the image storage unit 22 is performed, and in parallel, FIGS. 8B and 9B are performed. As shown in FIG. 4, image processing for live view display during moving image shooting is also performed. In step S99, the image processing unit 17 performs image processing on the real-time image acquired in step S87, based on the image effect set in step S85, instead of the image temporarily stored in the SDRAM 16 and read out with delay. Perform image processing to add effects.

  After the real-time image is processed, the effect-processed real-time image is displayed in live view (S101). Here, the image processed in step S99 is displayed on the display unit 19 in live view.

  Once the real-time image is displayed in live view, it is next determined whether or not a stop operation has been performed (S103). Here, the determination is again made based on whether or not the release button has been operated. If the result of this determination is that stop operation has not been performed, processing returns to step S87, and moving image shooting continues while effect variable 1 or effect variable 2 effect processing is being carried out.

  If the result of determination in step S103 is that there has been a stop operation, next, effect processing of the ending image is performed (S105), and ending image recording is performed (S107). Here, since the ending period is finalized when the photographing is completed, image processing for applying an image effect at the effect level for the ending period is performed on the image data of the ending period stored in the SDRAM 16 for temporary storage. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8A, image processing is performed in accordance with the level 12a, and in the example shown in FIG. 9A, image processing is performed in which the image effect is applied according to the level 22a. When image processing is performed, the image processed image data is recorded in the image storage unit 22.

  When the ending image is recorded, live view display is performed again for the ending image subjected to the effect processing at the same time or after the end of recording (S109). Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B and FIG. 9B, an image with an image effect applied for ending is displayed on the display unit 19 for confirmation during t13 to t14 or t23 to t24. Is displayed. Note that, as described above, since the effect level is for confirmation of the effect, such as the effect levels L13a and L23a, the display time may be shortened. Moreover, since it is for confirmation, a second live view may be omitted.

  Once live view display of the ending image has been performed, it is next determined whether or not the ending process has been completed (S111). Here, it is determined whether the ending period has elapsed and the display of the ending image has ended. If the result of this determination is that the ending process has not ended, the flow returns to step S105 to continue the ending process. On the other hand, if the ending process has ended, the shooting process flow ends and the original flow Return to.

  As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, an image effect is selected so that a plurality of image effects can be selected as a menu for selecting one or more image effects to be used from a plurality of prepared image effects. Menu display control for displaying an effect menu (first menu) that arranges and displays the items to be displayed, or a slide menu (second menu) that includes a screen that can adjust the effect level of the selected image effect on the effect menu. An image display control unit 11a that superimposes and displays the effect menu or slide menu on the live view image composed of the captured image that has been image processed by the image processing unit 17 with the image effect selected by the effect menu or slide menu. have. For this reason, it is possible to perform display control that makes full use of image effects.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the selection and setting of image effects (effects, art shots) to be added to a photographed image can be easily set at the default level, and the image effect level can be changed and set. Easy to do. In one embodiment of the present invention, the image effect in the ending period can be confirmed after the photographing is completed. Since the ending is usually a short time of about several seconds, the photographer does not feel bothered even if the display period is extended.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of effects (art shots, image effects) can be selected, but a single effect may be selected. Further, although the effect level can be adjusted for each selected effect, the adjustment function may be omitted if only the default value is acceptable.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, image data is temporarily stored during a shooting period, the temporarily stored image data is read with a delay, an image effect is applied to the read image data (effect processing), This image processed image data was recorded. However, an image effect may be applied in real time to the image data acquired from the imaging unit and stored as it is. In this case, in order to apply the image effect to the ending, the image data without the image effect is temporarily stored, the image effect is applied to the image data for the ending period after the photographing is finished, and the image data in the ending period is rewritten. It may be.

  Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the image for the ending period is always stored in the SDRAM, but a system that does not require this is also possible. For example, an image is recorded in real time as in normal recording, and only the image in the ending period is read out from the images already recorded in the image storage unit immediately after the shooting is finished, and this is read by the image processing unit. A predetermined ending effect process may be performed and re-recorded in the image storage unit. In this case, as for the display of the ending effect image after the end of shooting, the image that has been subjected to the ending effect process and recorded in the image storage unit may be displayed.

  The second menu is not limited to a linear slider as long as it is a means for adjusting the effect level. For example, a method of inputting a numerical value of the effect level or a method of selecting a numerical value may be used. Further, the effect level may be indicated in the form of a sample image prepared in advance, and an appropriate level image may be selected from the sample image.

  In addition, since the control processing in the embodiment of the present invention is performed by the control unit 11 reading out and executing the operation control program stored in the program data storage unit 12, the control processing related to such software processing is performed. The program is also the present invention. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each control process has been described as a software process. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a combination of a software process and a hardware process or a process only with hardware may be used.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the digital camera is used as the photographing device. However, the camera may be a digital single lens reflex camera or a compact digital camera, such as a video camera or a movie camera. It may be a camera for moving images, or may be a camera built in a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a game device, or the like.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, you may delete some components of all the components shown by embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Control part, 11a ... Image display control part, 11b ... Menu display control part, 11c ... Effect control part, 12 ... Program / data storage part, 13 ... Operation part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Imaging part, 16 ... SDRAM, 17 ... Image processing part, 18 ... Display driver, 19 ... Display part, 19a ... Effect menu screen, 19b ... Effect name, 19c ... Effect abbreviation menu, 19d ... LV icon, 19e ... Execution effect name, 19f ... Slider, 19g ... Effect level, 20 ... Compression / decompression unit, 21 ... Image recording・ Reproducing unit, 22 ... Image storage unit, 25 ... Bus

Claims (5)

In cameras that shoot with image effects,
An image processing unit that performs image processing according to the image effect on the captured image;
An image recording unit for recording the image-processed captured image;
As a menu for selecting one or more image effects to be used from a plurality of prepared image effects, a first menu for arranging and displaying items indicating the image effects so that a plurality of the image effects can be selected; Or a menu display control unit for displaying a second menu in which a screen capable of adjusting the effect level of the selected image effect is further added to the first menu;
Image display control for superimposing and displaying the first or second menu on a live view image composed of a captured image that has been image-processed by the image processing unit with the image effect selected in the first or second menu. And
A camera comprising:   When an item is selected in the first or second menu, the menu display control unit selects an item that conflicts with setting the selected item together in image processing. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is displayed in an identifiable manner on the second menu. The image processing unit is controlled to execute image processing corresponding to the image effect selected in the first or second menu, and the image recording unit is controlled to record the image subjected to the image processing. Has an effect control unit,
2. The effect control unit according to claim 1, wherein, during moving image shooting, the image effect level of the selected image effect is controlled so as to be switched according to an instruction to be constant or changed during shooting. The listed camera. Equipped with an image memory that can temporarily store more than a predetermined amount of images,
When changing the image effect level in accordance with the end of shooting, the effect control unit stores at least the latest image for the time to be changed in the image memory during shooting, and after the shooting ends, the image memory The image processing unit is controlled to perform image processing on the image for the changing time stored in the image, and the recording unit is controlled to record the captured image that has been subjected to the image processing. Item 4. The camera according to item 3. In cameras that shoot movies with image effects,
An image processing unit that performs image processing according to the image effect of the moving image;
An image recording unit for recording the image-processed moving image;
An image memory for temporarily storing images;
An effect control unit for controlling the image processing unit, the image recording unit, and the image memory to record the moving image shooting with the image effect added thereto;
An image display control unit that displays a moving image image-processed by the image processing unit according to the image effect as a live view image;
With
In order to obtain an image in which the image effect changes during the ending period, which is a period until the end of shooting, the effect control unit is configured to capture the image during shooting the latest image for at least the time to be changed. The image processing unit is controlled to cause the image processing to be performed on the image corresponding to the change time stored in the image memory after being stored in the memory and instructed to end the image capturing, and the captured image subjected to the image processing is controlled. Control the recording unit to record
The image display control unit displays a moving image that is not stored during the ending period as a live view image until the end of shooting, and displays an image with an image effect for the ending period after the shooting ends.
A camera characterized by that.