JP2013172312A - Photographing support system and photographing support program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of easily selecting photographic equipment necessary for photographing a desired image even in a place where a user has not visited.SOLUTION: A photographing support system includes a server and an electronic device. The server comprises: a communication unit which can communicate with the electronic device with each other; a database unit which stores a plurality of images to which photographic information is added; and a control unit which selects an image on the basis of an instruction input from the electronic device and transmits photographic information of the selected image to the electronic device as photographic history data. The electronic device comprises: an input unit which receives an instruction input from the outside; a transmitting/receiving unit which transmits the instruction input to the server and receives the photographic history data from the server; a selection unit which selects photographic equipment suitable for photographing a user's desired image on the basis of the photographic history data; and a display unit which displays photographic equipment information selected together with the photographic history data.

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing support system and a photographing support program for capturing a desired image.

  Conventionally, an image can be taken under various photographing conditions by appropriately selecting photographing equipment such as an interchangeable lens and a lighting device and attaching the photographing equipment to the camera. However, it is a difficult task to select an optimal shooting condition for shooting a desired image from various shooting conditions. Thus, for example, a technique has been developed that can realize optimum shooting by referring to past shooting conditions (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-108915 A

  However, in the prior art, when going to a first place, it is difficult to determine which photographing equipment to possess to take in order to take a desired image.

  In view of the problems of the above-described conventional technology, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that allows easy selection of photographing equipment necessary for photographing a desired image even in a place that has never been performed. is there.

  In order to solve the above problems, a shooting support system of the present invention is a shooting support system including a server and an electronic device, and the server is added with a communication unit capable of communicating with the electronic device and shooting information. A database unit that records a plurality of images, and a control unit that selects an image to which shooting information is added based on an instruction input from the electronic device, and transmits the shooting information of the selected image to the electronic device as shooting history data The electronic device includes an input unit that receives an instruction input from the outside, a transmission / reception unit that transmits the instruction input to the server and receives shooting history data based on the instruction input from the server, and based on the shooting history data. A selection unit for selecting an imaging device suitable for capturing a desired image by the user, and the shooting history data are displayed so as to be visually confirmed, and the shooting unit selected by the selection unit is displayed. And a display unit for displaying the information equipment.

  Further, the electronic device includes a storage unit that stores map data, the display unit displays a map based on the map data, and the input unit inputs a designated position on the map displayed on the display unit. May be accepted.

  Further, the control unit may transmit the selected image together with the shooting history data to the electronic device, and the display unit may display the selected image together with the shooting history data.

  The server also includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image captured by another user and added with shooting information via a network, and the control unit records the acquired image added with the shooting information in a database unit. It may be updated.

  In addition, when the input unit receives an instruction input indicating a narrowing condition at the time of selection by the selection unit, the selection unit may select the photographing equipment according to the narrowing condition.

  An imaging support program according to the present invention includes an input procedure for receiving an instruction input from an external device, a transmission procedure for transmitting the instruction input to a server that records and holds a plurality of images to which shooting information is added, and an imaging history based on the input instruction. Based on the reception procedure for receiving data from the server and the shooting history data, the selection procedure for selecting a shooting equipment suitable for shooting the image desired by the user, and the shooting history data are displayed in a visually checkable manner. A display procedure for displaying information on the photographic equipment selected by the selection procedure is executed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily select photographing equipment necessary for photographing a desired image even in a place that has not been performed.

The figure which shows the structure of the imaging | photography assistance system 100 which concerns on one Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal 1 and the server 2 which concern on this embodiment. A figure showing an example of shooting history data The figure which shows an example of the histogram of the focal distance in an interchangeable lens The figure which shows an example of the histogram of the aperture value in an interchangeable lens The figure which shows an example of the histogram of the emitted light amount in an illuminating device Diagram explaining the selection frame The figure which shows an example which displays a photography history with a histogram for every photography equipment Figure showing an example of recommended interchangeable lens display

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a photographing support system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a photographing support system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a terminal 1 and a server 2 and is connected to each other via a network 3 so as to communicate with each other.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the terminal 1 and the server 2 that constitute the imaging support system 100.

  The terminal 1 can use a general computer, and includes a CPU 10, a transmission / reception unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an input / output interface (IF) 13 as shown in FIG. The CPU 10, the transmission / reception unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the input / output interface (IF) 13 are connected via a bus 14 so that information can be transmitted. Further, an input device 15 such as a keyboard and a pointing device and an output device 16 such as a monitor are connected to the terminal 1 via an input / output IF 13. The input / output IF 13 outputs an instruction input from the user received via the input device 15 to the CPU 10 and outputs display data to the output device 16.

  The CPU 10 is a processor that comprehensively controls each unit of the terminal 1. The CPU 10 performs a processing operation with the server 2 based on an instruction input from the user received via the input device 15 based on, for example, a shooting support program stored in the storage unit 12 described later. Selection of suitable photography equipment for photographing a desired image is performed.

  Based on the control instruction of the CPU 10, the transmission / reception unit 11 transmits a user instruction input received via the input device 15 to the server 2 and receives a response from the server 2 to the transmitted instruction input.

  The storage unit 12 is formed from a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like, and stores a photographing support program executed by the CPU 10. The storage unit 12 of the present embodiment records map data that is read by a shooting support program and used for specifying a shooting location. Furthermore, it is assumed that the storage unit 12 stores in advance equipment data that lists camera equipment, a replacement lens attached to the camera, and photographing equipment such as a lighting device.

  On the other hand, the server 2 of this embodiment can use a general computer, and includes a CPU 20, a communication unit 21, and a storage unit 22, as shown in FIG. The CPU 20, the communication unit 21, and the storage unit 22 are connected via the bus 23 so that information can be transmitted. The server 2 may be connected to an input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device and an output device such as a monitor via an input / output IF (not shown).

  The CPU 20 is a processor that comprehensively controls each unit of the server 2. Based on a control program stored in the storage unit 22, the CPU 20 performs a processing operation based on an instruction input from the terminal 1 or the like received via the network 3 via the communication unit 21, and inputs the processing result as an instruction. To the sender of The CPU 20 of this embodiment operates as an image acquisition unit based on a control program. That is, the CPU 20 searches for and acquires an image file captured by a user of another terminal (not shown) other than the user of the terminal 1 via the network 3. The CPU 20 records the acquired image file in the storage unit 22. At the same time, the CPU 20 adds the imaging information of the acquired image file to the database stored in the storage unit 22 by listing the imaging information added to the image file and updates it. The CPU 20 selects one or more images based on the instruction input received from the terminal 1 and the database. The CPU 20 extracts shooting information corresponding to the selected image from the database and generates shooting history data. The CPU 20 transmits the shooting history data to the terminal 1.

  The storage unit 22 is formed from a hard disk or the like, and stores a plurality of image files and databases photographed by other users, together with a photographing support program executed by the CPU 20.

Here, it is assumed that the image file acquired by the server 2 is a file conforming to an Exif (Exchangeable image file format for digital still cameras) standard, a TIFF / EP standard, or the like. The information added to the image file includes shooting information when the image is shot. The shooting information of the image file includes the following information.
(A) Information about shooting date and shooting location ・ Camera model ・ Shooting date and time ・ Latitude and longitude of shooting location ・ Direction of shooting (B) Information about interchangeable lens ・ Interchangeable lens connection ・ Type of interchangeable lens (maker, model number, etc. )
・ Focal length ・ Aperture ・ Presence / absence of anti-vibration function ・ ON / OFF of anti-vibration function
・ Image size (FX / DX)
(C) Information about the lighting device-Whether or not the lighting device is connected-Types of lighting device (manufacturer, model number, etc.)
・ Presence or absence of light emission ・ Light emission amount ・ Light emission mode (including light control mode)
Presence / absence of FP light emission Here, FX of the photographed image size is an image size photographed by an image sensor having an imaging size according to the screen size of a 35 mm film. On the other hand, DX is an image size captured by an imaging device having an imaging size conforming to a screen size of 23.4 mm × 16.7 mm (so-called APS-C size). In addition, FP light emission is a light emission method of an illuminating device that starts light emission just before the shutter of a camera is opened and continues light emission for a long time when shooting at a high shutter speed.

  In generating the shooting history data based on the instruction input and the database, the CPU 20 performs the shooting date / time and shooting location in (A), the type of interchangeable lens in (B), and the type of lighting device in (C). In addition, it is preferable to generate and record shooting history data. Further, the database and the shooting history data may further record information related to the camera, and the information related to the camera preferably includes the following information.

・ Shooting posture ・ Shooting mode ・ ON / OFF of continuous shooting mode
The database and the shooting history data recorded in this way are used in “display of shooting history” and “display of recommended shooting equipment” described later.

  Next, the operation of the photographing support system 100 will be described for each of (1) display of photographing history and (2) display of recommended photographing equipment.

(1) Display of Shooting History The CPU 10 of the terminal 1 stores it in the storage unit 12 based on a user operation received via the input device 15 (such as double-clicking a shooting support program icon displayed on the output device 16). Load and start the shooting support program. The CPU 10 reads the map data stored in the storage unit 12 and displays the map on the output device 16. At the same time, the CPU 10 sets the transmission / reception unit 11 to be communicable with the server 2.

  In order to determine what kind of image can be taken at a shooting place that has not been taken and what kind of photographing equipment is necessary to take a desired image, the user can, for example, input via the input device 15. The pointer of the pointing device is placed at the position of the shooting location on the map displayed on the output device 16 and clicked. The CPU 10 receives the coordinates of the designated position and converts it into position information such as latitude and longitude based on the map data. The CPU 10 transmits the position information to the server 2 as an instruction input.

  The CPU 10 accepts the narrowing conditions such as the shooting date and time, the search range, and the shooting direction for narrowing down the selection of the image file by the server 2 through the input device 15 together with the position information, and sends it to the server 2 as an instruction input. You may make it transmit. In addition, the camera model used by another user may be used as the narrowing-down condition. Further, instead of clicking on the map and specifying the position of the shooting location, the shooting location may be specified by a place name, latitude and longitude, or the like.

  When receiving the instruction input from the terminal 1, the CPU 20 of the server 2 reads the database stored in the storage unit 22 and searches the database based on the received position information of the instruction input and the narrowing condition. The CPU 20 selects an image file to which shooting information that matches the narrowing conditions is added. The CPU 20 extracts shooting information of the selected image file from the database, generates shooting history data, and transmits it to the terminal 1.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of shooting history data extracted from the database. The shooting history data in the present embodiment includes items of shooting date and time, shooting location, shooting direction, camera name, focal length, shooting scene, aperture (F value), original image size, and original image address of each image file. It shall have. Note that the database stored in the storage unit 22 preferably includes all of the image file shooting information described above. The items included in the shooting history data may be determined according to the user's request, or all items may be included as in the database.

  Here, the shooting date and time and the position of the shooting location are detected based on, for example, a GPS signal received by a GPS receiver mounted on the camera used for shooting. The shooting direction is detected using an electronic compass mounted on the camera. Further, the shooting scene may be determined based on the above-described shooting mode, or may be determined based on known image processing by the CPU 20. In addition, CPU20 shall refer to what was converted into 35 mm as a focal distance.

  The CPU 10 of the terminal 1 receives the shooting history data from the server 2 and displays it on the output device 16 as a shooting history. The shooting history in this embodiment is displayed in the form of a table or a histogram. Clicking on the table or histogram displays sample images taken under that condition. By performing such a display, the user can visually confirm what kind of image can be captured even at a shooting location that has never been performed. Furthermore, the user can visually determine what kind of photographing equipment is necessary to capture a desired image.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the focal length histogram in the interchangeable lens, FIG. 5 shows an example of the aperture value histogram in the interchangeable lens, and FIG. 6 shows an example of the light emission amount in the illumination device. In the example of FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the focal length of the shooting history data, and the vertical axis indicates the frequency. In the example of FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the aperture (F value) of the shooting history data, and the vertical axis indicates the frequency. In the example of FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the light emission amount (guide number: GN) of the shooting history data, and the vertical axis indicates the frequency.

  It should be noted that, among the displays as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, which display is to be performed for which item is configured to be designated by a user operation via the input device 15. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a user instruction via the input device 15 is received during shooting history display and the display is changed according to the instruction.

  For example, the received shooting history data as shown in FIG. 3 may be displayed first, and then the histograms shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 may be displayed as the shooting history showing details according to a user instruction. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, it is good also as a structure which displays a selection frame (refer FIG. 7 area | region a), and displays a part of histogram more in detail. Further, when a histogram relating to an item is being displayed and a part of the histogram is specified by the selection frame described above, a histogram of another item may be displayed for a portion corresponding to the selection frame. For example, when a focal length histogram shown in FIG. 4 is displayed and a part of the histogram is designated by the selection frame described above, the aperture histogram may be displayed for the portion corresponding to the selection frame. . Further, for example, the pointer of the input device 15 is arranged on the histogram of FIG. 4 or a selection section as shown in FIG. 7 is used to select a focal length section, and imaging is performed at the focal length of the selected section. The displayed image may be displayed as a sample. With such a configuration, the user can determine what kind of image can be taken at a shooting place that has not been performed, and what kind of photographing equipment is necessary to take a desired image. In addition, it is good also as a structure which designates a numerical value instead of designation | designated with a selection frame.

  In addition, when the shooting history is displayed based on the use of a plurality of shooting equipment, it is preferable that the display can be easily switched. For example, when displaying based on use for each camera model (A camera to C camera), as shown in FIG. 8, a selection button (see area b in FIG. 8) is displayed, and the entire display (corresponding to “TOTAL”) is displayed. ) And display for each camera (corresponding to “A camera” to “C camera”) may be switchable. In addition, it is possible to switch between the entire display and the display for each shooting scene (for example, “landscape”, “portrait”, “night view”, etc.). In addition, the entire display and the display for each season or date / time may be switched. As a result, a histogram desirable for the user can be obtained, and photographing equipment necessary for photographing can be selected more accurately.

  Further, based on the equipment data, for example, in the histogram shown in FIG. 4, the focal length of the interchangeable lens owned by the user is displayed in a color such as red, or the range of the focal length that can be covered by the interchangeable lens owned by the user. It may be displayed with an arrow or the like. As a result, the user can easily select the photographing equipment.

(2) Display of Recommended Shooting Equipment When the CPU 10 of the terminal 1 receives a user instruction via the input device 15 while displaying the above-described shooting history, the CPU 10 of the terminal 1 displays information on the recommended shooting equipment on the output device 16. . For example, the information regarding the recommended photographing equipment is displayed on the output device 16 and selected from the menu.

  When the CPU 10 accepts the recommended photographing equipment display instruction by the user, the CPU 10 selects the recommended photographing equipment based on the photographing history being displayed on the output device 16. For example, “recommended on the assumption of purchase” may be considered as the selection of recommended photography equipment. In other words, “recommendation on the assumption of buying” is based on the shooting history and equipment data being displayed on the output device 16, but the user himself / herself does not own, but other users at shooting locations that have not been visited. This is a case where the CPU 10 selects a photographing device that is frequently used and suitable for use.

  For example, when the display of the recommended photographing equipment for the interchangeable lens is selected and the histogram relating to the focal length is distributed over a wide range, the CPU 10 can cover with one and the focal length range is wide. Select a zoom lens with a magnification as a recommended interchangeable lens. When the user owns an interchangeable lens that covers a part of the above range, the CPU 10 may select a zoom lens that covers a range that is not covered as a recommended interchangeable lens.

  Further, the CPU 10 may be configured to select a recommended interchangeable lens by taking into account the aperture based on a histogram relating to the aperture, or taking into consideration a screen size or an image stabilization function that can be photographed / impossible. When there is no interchangeable lens corresponding to the range in the shooting history being displayed on the output device 16, the closest interchangeable lens may be selected as the recommended interchangeable lens. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 10 may be configured to accept the histogram section selected in the selection frame via the input device 15 and select a zoom lens that covers the focal length range of the selected section. Good.

  Next, the CPU 10 displays information on the selected recommended photographing equipment on the output device 16. FIG. 9 shows an example of a display when a recommended interchangeable lens is displayed as a recommended photographic equipment. As shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 10 displays information on the selected photographing equipment on the output device 16. The CPU 10 may be configured to further display details (see area c in FIG. 9) and sample images (see area d in FIG. 9). That is, for any interchangeable lens, when the user selects the item “details” via the input device 15, the CPU 10 displays detailed information on the selected interchangeable lens on the output device 16.

  When any one of the interchangeable lenses is selected by the user via the input device 15, the CPU 10 selects an image photographed using the selected interchangeable lens based on the photographing history data. Is displayed on the output device 16 as a sample image. The detailed information is linked to the web page of the manufacturer of the photographic equipment, and when the “details” item is selected, the web page is displayed.

  Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a user instruction is received via the input device 15 while the recommended photographing equipment is being displayed, and the display is changed according to the instruction. For example, when the displayed photographic equipment does not meet the user's request, it is possible to return to the above-mentioned “display of shooting history” and re-specify the shooting history to be selected for the recommended photographic equipment. It is good. With this configuration, when the recommended shooting equipment is expensive for the user, the user can narrow the selection range in the shooting history or specify the narrowing-down conditions, You can search for shooting equipment. For example, if the shooting history includes a bright single-focus lens and a bright aperture, a large-aperture zoom lens is selected as a recommended interchangeable lens that should be purchased. Such an interchangeable lens is generally very expensive. Therefore, the user can obtain information on the photographing equipment corresponding to the budget by performing the designation of removing the bright aperture in the aperture histogram. It should be noted that “budget” may be provided as a narrowing condition that can be specified while displaying recommended photography equipment.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even in a place where the user has never performed, the terminal 1 causes the server 2 to select an image photographed by another user based on an input instruction from the user. By displaying the shooting history based on the shooting information of the captured image, it is possible to easily select the shooting equipment necessary for shooting the desired image.

In addition, since the photographing equipment selected based on the equipment data is recommended, the user can easily determine whether or not the selected photographing equipment is owned, and the photographing selected based on the sample image. It is also easy to determine whether or not to purchase equipment.
<Supplementary items of the embodiment>
(1) In the above embodiment, the terminal 1 such as a computer is an electronic device that transmits and receives data to and from the server 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a transmission and reception unit that transmits and receives data to and from the server 2. A camera having a support program may be used.

  The present invention is also applicable to a recording medium that stores a shooting support program.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the shooting history is displayed as a table or a histogram. However, if the user can visually confirm, the display may be performed using various graphs or illustrations.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the narrowing-down conditions in the display of the shooting history are the shooting date / time, shooting direction, shooting scene, etc., but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the shooting information added to the captured image includes the name of another user, the other user's gender can be estimated based on the name, and therefore the other user's gender can be used as a narrowing condition. it can. Thereby, it is possible to confirm and select the tendency of the photographing equipment used for the photographed image according to the sex.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the case of “recommendation assuming purchase” is described as the display of recommended shooting equipment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case of “recommendation assuming replacement” Is also applicable. Here, “recommendation assuming replacement by purchase” means that the user owns the image based on the shooting history and the device data being displayed on the output device 16, and other shooting sites that the user has never visited. This is a case where the CPU 10 selects a photographing device that is frequently used by the user and is suitable for use.

  (5) In the above embodiment, specific photographic equipment information is displayed in the display of recommended photographic equipment. However, information that can be used as a hint for the user to select a photographic equipment, for example, “an interchangeable lens having a wide zoom range” Information such as “Recommended” or “Recommended lighting device with high light emission” may be displayed.

  Further, regarding the selection of the recommended photographing equipment, the CPU 10 may analyze the histogram and select the recommended photographing equipment without depending on the user range selection. Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to photographing equipment other than an interchangeable lens and a lighting device.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the map data is recorded in the storage unit 12 of the terminal 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the map data is recorded in the storage unit 22 of the server 2. Map data may be received and displayed on the output device 16. Alternatively, the map data is recorded on a server (not shown) different from the server 2 for a purpose different from that of the present photographing support system, and the terminal 1 may receive it from there.

  From the above detailed description, features and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent. It is intended that the scope of the claims extend to the features and advantages of the embodiments as described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the right. Further, any person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field should be able to easily come up with any improvements and modifications, and there is no intention to limit the scope of the embodiments having the invention to those described above. It is also possible to use appropriate improvements and equivalents within the scope disclosed in.

1 terminal, 2 server, 3 network, 10, 20 CPU, 11, 21 transceiver unit, 12, 22 storage unit, 13 input / output IF, 14, 23 bus, 15 input device, 16 output device, 100 photographing support system

Claims (6)

A shooting support system having a server and an electronic device,
The server
A communication unit capable of mutual communication with the electronic device;
A database unit for recording a plurality of images with shooting information added thereto;
A control unit that selects an image to which the shooting information is added based on an instruction input from the electronic device, and transmits the shooting information of the selected image to the electronic device as shooting history data;
The electronic device is
An input unit for receiving the instruction input from the outside;
A transmission / reception unit that transmits the instruction input to the server and receives the shooting history data based on the instruction input from the server;
Based on the shooting history data, a selection unit that selects a shooting device suitable for shooting an image desired by the user;
A display unit that displays the photographing history data so that the visual confirmation is possible, and displays information on the photographing equipment selected by the selection unit;
A shooting support system characterized by The photographing support system according to claim 1,
The electronic device includes a storage unit that stores map data,
The display unit displays a map based on the map data,
The imaging support system, wherein the input unit accepts a position designated on the map displayed on the display unit as the instruction input. The photographing support system according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit transmits the selected image together with the shooting history data to the electronic device,
The display unit displays the selected image together with the shooting history data. The photographing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The server
An image acquisition unit that acquires an image captured by another user and added with the imaging information via a network;
The controller is
An imaging support system, wherein the acquired image added with the imaging information is recorded and updated in the database unit. The photographing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The said selection part will select the said imaging equipment according to the said narrowing conditions, if the said input part receives the instruction | indication which shows the narrowing conditions at the time of the selection by the said selection part. The imaging assistance system characterized by the above-mentioned. On the computer,
Input procedure for receiving instruction input from the outside,
A transmission procedure for transmitting the instruction input to a server that records and holds a plurality of images to which shooting information is added;
A reception procedure for receiving photographing history data based on the input instruction from the server;
A selection procedure for selecting a photographing device suitable for photographing an image desired by the user based on the photographing history data;
A display procedure for displaying the shooting history data in a visually checkable manner and displaying information on the photographing equipment selected by the selection procedure
A shooting support program characterized by causing

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