JPH118831A - Composite photograph system, electronic camera with composite photographic function and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To have a normal photographic function, also to have a composite photographic function which composites a photographic image or a reproduced image with a preliminarily prepared background image and to directly print a composite image, etc., by performing two-way communication with a digital printer that is directly connected. SOLUTION: An extension unit 40 is installed on a camera body 1 and a digital printer 54 is connected through an SCSI connector 78 of the unit 40. The unit 40 receives image data that shows a background image from a memory card 52 which is inserted into the body 1, also receives a photographic image that is acquired when the body 1 photographs or image data that shows a reproduction image which is reproduced at the time of reproduction and performs image synthesization. The image data that shows a composite image which is composited is sent to the printer 54 through the connector 78, through which the composite image is printed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a composite photographing system, an electronic camera with a composite photographing function, and a recording medium.
In particular, the present invention relates to a synthetic photographing system for synthesizing a background image and a photographed image and outputting it to a digital printer or the like, an electronic camera with a synthetic photographing function, and a recording medium suitable for the electronic camera or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional system for creating a composite photograph, image data from a digital camera, a scanner, or the like is taken into a personal computer, and the personal computer is operated to perform editing processing such as image composition, and the composite image is transmitted to the personal computer. There is one that prints out using a connected digital printer (JP-A-6-332122).

Further, there is a method in which a background pattern prepared in advance is synthesized with the background of an input document without using a personal computer, and the synthesized image is printed out (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-30850).
No. 3).

[0004]

However, the conventional synthetic photograph system using a personal computer has a large system, and requires various settings and editing operations for both the personal computer and the digital printer. It is indispensable, and there is a problem that the operation of the personal computer is complicated.

In a system that does not use a personal computer, a background pattern prepared in advance is synthesized on the background of the input document, so that the input document is limited to one that can be distinguished from the background. Further, conventionally, there is no electronic camera having a normal photographing function, which is provided with a composite photograph function of synthesizing a background image and a photographed image in an electronic camera body or an expansion unit detachable from the electronic camera.

An object of the present invention is to have a normal photographing function and a synthetic photographing function for synthesizing a photographed image or a reproduced image with a background image prepared in advance, and these images can be printed. An object of the present invention is to provide a synthetic photograph system and an electronic camera with a synthetic photograph function. Another object of the present invention is to switch between the normal photographing function and the composite photographing function by using an identifier provided on a recording medium such as a memory card mounted on an electronic camera or identification information recorded on the recording medium. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera with a composite photograph function that can be automatically performed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a background image provided from a recording medium such as a memory card mounted on an electronic camera, which has a normal photographing function and the above-mentioned composite photographing function. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera with a composite photograph function capable of recording images on a computer and a recording medium suitable for the electronic camera and the like.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, an object displayed on a finder is photographed.
An electronic camera that acquires image data indicating the captured image, a background image providing unit that provides image data indicating a background image, and an image combining unit that is detachable from the electronic camera, and is connected to the electronic camera. A connection terminal having a connection terminal to be connected and connectable to a digital printer, and synthesizing image data indicating a background image provided by the background image providing means and image data indicating a photographed image acquired at the time of photographing by the electronic camera. Communication control means for performing bidirectional communication with the digital printer and transmitting image data indicating a synthesized image synthesized by the synthesis processing means to the digital printer in a form of data suitable for the digital printer. , Is provided.

That is, image data representing a background image provided by the background image providing means and image data representing a photographed image acquired at the time of photographing by the electronic camera by an image synthesizing unit which is scalably attached to the electronic camera. Are combined, and image data indicating the combined image is transmitted to a digital printer connected to the image combining unit, so that the combined image can be printed. In addition, an image to be combined with the background image is read out in addition to the photographed image and an appropriate image is read out from an image recorded in a recording medium and displayed on a display unit as a reproduced image. To print. When the release button or a key for instructing a print of a reproduced image is operated in a state where image data indicating a desired background image is captured (synthetic print mode), the image synthesis and print output are performed in response to the operation. Operate. Thus, a composite photograph can be printed with a simple operation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject displayed on a finder and acquiring image data representing the captured image, a recording medium detachable from a camera body, Detecting means for detecting whether or not image data indicating a background image is recorded on a recording medium, and detecting that image data indicating a background image is recorded on the recording medium by the detecting means, Combining processing means for combining image data representing a captured image obtained from an imaging means with image data representing a background image recorded on the recording medium; and image data representing the background image recorded on the recording medium by the detecting means. Is detected, the image data indicating the synthesized image synthesized by the synthesizing processing unit is output, and the detection unit outputs the image data to the recording medium. When the image data representing the scene image is detected that they are not recorded, and output means for outputting the image data representing the taken image obtained from the imaging means,
It is characterized by having. As a result, switching between the normal photographing function and the composite photographing function can be automatically performed based on the type of recording medium mounted on the electronic camera or the information recorded on the recording medium.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging means for photographing a subject displayed on a finder and acquiring image data indicating the photographed image, and a recording medium detachable from a camera body. A recording medium on which image data indicating a background image is partially recorded, and a combination of image data indicating a captured image acquired from the imaging unit and image data indicating a background image recorded on the recording medium. Processing means, and recording means for recording image data indicating a composite image synthesized by the synthesis processing means on a free area of the recording medium or another recording medium mounted on the camera body instead of the recording medium, It is characterized by having. Thus, image data indicating a background image is provided from a recording medium that is detachable to the camera body, and image data indicating a composite image can be recorded on a recording medium that is detachable from the camera body.

Further, the recording medium according to the present invention records information relating to the origin of the pasting area and the size of the pasting area together with image data indicating a background image, and the synthesizing processing means performs the processing based on the information. At the time of image synthesis, the position and enlargement / reduction of the captured image or the reproduced image are controlled so that the captured image or the reproduced image is pasted on the background image. Thus, the user can freely shoot without being conscious of the mask pattern of the background image and the like, and can obtain a favorable composite image.

Further, in the recording medium according to the present invention, a mask pattern indicating a pasting area to be used at the time of a synthesizing process is recorded in a run-length compression format together with image data indicating a background image. A photographed image is pasted on the background image based on a mask pattern. As a result, the recording capacity for the mask pattern can be significantly reduced, and accordingly, the number of background images can be increased, or the recordable free area can be increased.

The recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium capable of recording image data representing a plurality of still images and detachably attached to a device capable of performing an image synthesizing process on at least the read image data. Further, image data indicating a background image is write-protected and recorded in a part of the recording area in advance. According to this recording medium, it is possible to provide the image data indicating the background image with one recording medium and to record the image data, and to erase the image data indicating the background image by mistake. Can be prevented.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an electronic camera with a synthetic photograph function and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 3 are external perspective views of a camera body of an electronic camera with a composite photograph function according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of an extension unit mounted on the bottom of the camera body.

In these drawings, a lens barrel 3 having a photographing lens 2 incorporated therein is attached to the center of the front of the camera body 1, and a flash window 4 and a finder window 5 are formed above the photographing lens 2. . An AF (auto focus) light emitting window 6 and an AF light receiving window 7 are provided vertically on the right side of the finder window. Reference numeral 8 denotes a flash light control sensor.

The photographing lens 2 comprises a zoom lens, and a zoom lever 20 provided on the back of the camera body 1.
The focal length can be changed by the driving force of a motor (not shown) driven according to the operation (see FIG. 2). Although not shown in detail, a moving lens group constituting an objective lens is arranged inside the finder window 5, and the moving lens is driven in conjunction with a change in the focal length of the taking lens 2. A zoom finder is configured.

A light projecting means such as an infrared light emitting diode is provided inside the AF light projecting window 6, and a light receiving means including a light receiving element such as a photodiode is arranged inside the AF light receiving window 7. These light emitting means and light receiving means constitute a distance measuring unit for measuring the distance to the subject. This distance measuring unit (AF unit) obtains the distance to the subject based on, for example, the principle of triangulation, and the result is determined by autofocus (A
F) Used for control.

On the upper surface of the camera body 1, a release button 9, a mode dial 10, an up / down dial 1
1. An accessory shoe 12, a liquid crystal display panel 13 are provided. On the left side of the liquid crystal display panel 13, a strobe button 14, an erase button 15, a macro button 1
6 are provided side by side. The mode dial 10 is provided to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions, and the function of the camera body 1 can be changed depending on the setting position of the dial. For example, "OFF"-"AUT" for each click stop position of the rotation operation
O "-" SETUP "-" P "-" S "-" A "-
The mode is sequentially changed in nine stages of "M"-"PC"-"PLAY". After "PLAY", the mode returns to "OFF" and the dial makes one rotation. In the OFF mode, a mechanism (not shown) for locking the mode dial 10 is provided to prevent an erroneous operation due to an unexpected external force. Reference numeral 17 in the figure denotes an unlock button for unlocking the mode dial 10 when the mode dial is switched from the OFF mode to another mode.

The "OFF" mode is a position set when the camera body 1 is not used. In this mode, the power of the camera body 1 is turned off. “AUTO” is a mode that is set when performing automatic shooting. Under this mode, AF and AE (automatic exposure control) function effectively, and the photographer simply presses the release button 9 to perform other special operations. The photographing can be performed without performing a complicated operation. "SETU
"P" is a mode for making various settings such as date, time, sensitivity correction, compression mode, etc. In this mode, up / down while checking the display of the liquid crystal display panel for each item to be set.
A desired setting is input by operating the down dial 11 and a set button 23 (FIG. 2) described later.

For example, to set the date, the mode dial 10 is set to "SETUP", and the up / down dial 11 is rotated to display the date on the liquid crystal display panel 13. Then, when the set button 23 is pressed, the "year" starts blinking, and the numerical value is changed by rotating the up / down dial 11 while pressing the set button 23,
When the finger is released from the set button 23 at a desired value, “year” is set. Similarly, "month", "day", "hour", "minute"
To match.

"P" is a program AE, "S" is a shutter priority, "A" is an aperture priority, and "M" is a position for setting a shooting mode of manual exposure. For the program selection, shutter speed setting, aperture value setting, and the like in each of these shooting modes, desired input is performed by operating the up / down dial 11 and the set button 23. “PC” is a mode in which the camera body 1 and a personal computer are connected by a dedicated cable to transmit and receive image data. “PLAY” is a mode that is set when an image (a captured image or a previously recorded background image) recorded on a memory card described later is reproduced. In this mode, the background image can be captured. In order to reproduce an image, an image display means such as a liquid crystal monitor 50 or a television monitor is required as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal monitor 50 and the camera main body 1 are connected to each other by a video cable, and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 50. The liquid crystal monitor 50 is preferably of a size that can be mounted on the accessory shoe 12. Further, in this embodiment, the camera body 1 and the image display means are separate bodies, but a liquid crystal monitor or the like may be integrally provided on the back of the camera body 1.

The flash button 14 is a button used to set whether or not to use the flash in the photographing mode. The erase button 15 is a button used to instruct the deletion of image data recorded on the memory card. is there. Further, on the liquid crystal display panel 13, the set states of various switches, the remaining amount of the battery, the use status of the memory, and the like are displayed.

As shown in FIG. 2, a zoom lever 20 is provided on the back of the camera body 1. By operating the zoom lever 20 upward or downward, the focal length of the photographing lens 2 is set to the long focal length. (Telephoto) or short focus side (wide). An eyepiece 22 of a finder is formed at the upper left corner of the back of the camera so that a field of view substantially equal to the angle of view can be observed from the eyepiece 22.

A set button 23 and an auto / MF (manual focus) button 24 are provided vertically above and to the left of the eyepiece 22 of the finder. The set button 23 is used for the up / down dial 11 as described above.
Used when setting various inputs in combination with. Auto /
When the auto focus is selected by the MF button 24, the subject distance is measured by the above-described distance measuring unit in response to the pressing operation of the release button 9, and the photographing lens 2 is moved to a focus position corresponding to the subject distance. Focusing movement is performed by lens driving means (not shown).

When the MF is selected by the auto / MF button 24, the set button 23 and the up /
The photographic lens 2 is moved in focus by a lens driving unit (not shown) to the subject distance input and set by operating the down dial 11. Also, this auto / MF button 24
The button is also used as a print button for printing a reproduced image or the like and a background image selection button for selecting a background image and taking in the background image, as described later.

A memory card cover 25 is provided on the right side of the camera body 1 in FIG. A memory card loading chamber is formed inside the camera body 1, and the memory card cover 2 is provided.
5 is released and a memory card is inserted into the camera body 1,
Alternatively, the memory card can be taken out from the camera body 1.

A transparent memory card confirmation window 27 is formed in the center of the rear surface of the camera body 1, through which the user can confirm whether or not a memory card is loaded in the camera body 1. As shown in FIG. 3, an extension terminal 30, a tripod screw hole 32, and a unit mounting hole 34 are provided on the bottom surface of the camera body 1 for electrically connecting to an extension unit 40 described later. The tripod screw hole 32 is also used as a fixing screw hole of the extension unit, and the unit mounting hole 34 has an L-shaped inside so that an L-shaped hook (see FIG. 4) formed on the extension unit side can be engaged. Is formed.

A battery cover 36 is provided on the bottom of the camera body 1 via a hinge 37 so as to be openable and closable. A battery cover open knob 38 formed on the battery cover 36 is operated to operate the battery cover. By opening 36, the battery can be replaced. Next, an extension unit to be mounted on the bottom surface of the camera body shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG.
2 shows a state viewed from the back side of the extension unit 40.

The extension unit 40 corresponds to a synthesizing processing unit according to the present invention, and adds a synthetic photograph function and a direct print function, which will be described later, to the camera body 1, and also adds a continuous shooting function and the like to the camera body 1. The extension terminal 40 of the camera body 1 is provided on the upper surface of the extension unit 40.
And a fixing screw 43 and a substantially L-shaped hook 44 are provided. The extension unit 40 is attached to the bottom of the camera body 1 by engaging the hook 44 with the unit mounting hole 34 on the camera body 1 side and screwing the fixing screw 43 into the tripod screw hole 32, and the camera body 1 1 and the extension unit 40 are electrically connected by the extension terminal 30 and the terminal 42. The extension terminal 30 and the terminal 42 are, for example, 40-pin connectors.

A 25-pin SCSI terminal (not shown) is provided on the left side of the extension unit 40 in the figure, and can be directly connected to a personal computer or a digital printer 54 via a SCSI cable (FIG. 5). reference). On the back of the extension unit 40, a slide switch 46 and a dip switch 48 are provided. Slide switch 4
6 is composed of a three-position sliding switch,
It is used for switching between three modes, continuous shooting, off, and SCSI. For example, the center position of the switch corresponds to the OFF position, the left corresponds to the continuous shooting position, and the right corresponds to the SCSI position. When the switch is set to the OFF position, the power save mode is set, and the consumption of the battery mounted on the camera body 1 is suppressed. That is,
This is substantially equivalent to a state in which the extension unit 40 is not attached to the camera body 1.

When the slide switch 46 is set to the left continuous shooting position, a continuous shooting operation, which will be described later, becomes possible, and continuous shooting is performed while the release button 9 is pressed. When the slide switch 46 is set to the right SCSI position, a personal computer or digital printer 54 connected via the SCSI terminal is set.
The transmission and reception of data with becomes effective. That is, the captured image can be sent to a personal computer, and the personal computer 1
Can be performed. Further, the photographed image data can be sent directly to the digital printer 54 for printing. Hereinafter, the extension unit 40 and the digital printer 54 are connected to the S without using a device such as a personal computer.
A form in which printing is performed by directly connecting with a CSI cable is referred to as direct printing.

On the other hand, a four-position up / down type dip switch is used, and more detailed setting in the SCSI mode is performed by a combination of the four switches. That is, when the SCSI mode is selected by the slide switch 46, the DIP switch 48 is used to set the PC operation mode to further enable the PC connection, or to enable the direct connection by enabling the printer connection. Mode is set, and the PC
The SCSI ID setting in the operation mode and the paper size setting in the direct print mode are performed. For example,
Switch DSW1 and DSW in order from left to right in the figure.
Assuming that 2, DSW3 and DSW4 are the DIP switches (DSW
4) When is turned on, the PC operation mode is set, and when turned off, the direct print mode is set.

When the dip switch (DSW4) is on and the dip switch (DSW1) is off, an index image is printed. When the dip switch (DSW4) is on and the dip switch (DSW1) is on, one frame is printed. The image print is set. When the dip switch (DSW2) is on, L size (for example, A4 size)
When the dip switch (DSW2) is off, the paper is set to S size (for example, A5 size). The designation of the paper size can be forcibly determined by the paper tray of the connected digital printer.
In this case, the setting of DIP switch (DSW2) becomes invalid.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a system in which the camera body 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the extension unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 are combined. The camera body 1 has a video output terminal for transmitting a photographed image in a predetermined signal format such as NTSC. By connecting the video output terminal to the liquid crystal monitor 50, the photographed image or the recorded image is recorded on a memory card in advance. You can check the background image.

In the camera body 1, a memory card 5 is provided.
2 is loaded, and the data of the photographed image is recorded on the memory card 52 in a predetermined format. Recording methods include, for example,
A format conforming to the Exif format is adopted, and image data compressed in JPEG format and 80 ×
A set of 60-pixel thumbnail data is recorded.
The thumbnail data is 1280 x 1000
It is created by thinning out pixel image data to 1/16.

The compression modes are Fine (with 4 bit / pel thumbnail), Normal (with 2 bit / pel thumbnail), Basi
c (with 1-bit / prl thumbnail) and Hi (uncompressed) are provided. By operating the up / down dial 11 and the set button 23 under "setup" of the mode dial 10 described in FIG. It can be set selectively. If "uncompressed" is set in the compression mode setting, image data is recorded in TIFF format.

As the memory card 52, a PC card or a smart media (SSFDC) that can be used in a compatible manner with a PC card by using a PC card adapter is used. The memory card 52 is removable from the camera body 1, can be inserted into a notebook personal computer having a PC card slot, or a PC card reader, and can use image data in various devices. Therefore, image transmission using a telephone line is also easy.

Next, the memory card 52 as background image providing means according to the present invention will be described. In this memory card 52, a plurality of (for example, about five) data relating to background images are recorded in advance in a part of the recording area. As shown in FIG. 6, the data structure of the data related to the background image is composed of a header and image data indicating the background image for each background image.

The header includes data for write-protection of data related to the background image, an identification code indicating that the data is related to the background image, information regarding the origin of the pasting area and the size of the pasting area, and a mask indicating the pasting area. Patterns and the like are recorded. Here, the information on the origin of the pasting area recorded in the header is, for example, coordinate (x _o , y ₀ ) data of the lower left corner of a rectangle circumscribing the pasting area as shown in FIG. The information on the length may be the horizontal length L _X and vertical length L _{Y of} the rectangle, the number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions of the rectangle, the coordinate data of the four corners of the rectangle, or the compression / enlargement ratio of the pasted image. The mask pattern is recorded in a bitmap format and in a run-length compression format in which run-length compression is performed. As a result, the recording capacity of the mask pattern is greatly reduced, and a background image including the mask pattern can be created in the same size as a normal image, and recording can be performed without any problem even with a memory card having a limited recording capacity.

On the other hand, the image data representing the background image is recorded at a high resolution suitable for printing, and is recorded at least as high as or higher than the resolution of the image data of the photographed image obtained by photographing with the camera body 1. . Note that the pasting area in the background image is painted in a unique color (generally black). The extension unit 40 mounted on the bottom of the camera body 1 can be directly connected to the digital printer 54 by a SCSI cable. The composite photograph function of the extension unit 40 will be described later.

Digital printer 54 and extension unit 4
0, two-way communication is performed, and information about the printer model, paper size, and the like is sent from the connected digital printer 54 to the extension unit 40 side. The extension unit 40 adjusts the color of the image data according to the model and paper size of the connected digital printer 54, and prints print data that matches the print mode set by the dip switch 48. Send to the side. For example, when a mode for printing a thumbnail list (index image) is set, the size and arrangement of each image during printing are optimized according to the model and paper size of the connected digital printer 54, and The print data is transferred to a digital printer 54.
Send to the side. The digital printer 54 receiving the data prints the index image on a predetermined sheet 55.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the camera body and the extension unit. Camera body 1
Are mainly the photographing lens 2, the image sensor (CCD) 56,
Analog signal processor 57, A / D converter 58, digital signal processor 60, Y / C data processor 61, memory controller 62, frame memory 64, data compression / decompression processor 65, central processing unit (CPU) 66 , An encoder 68, a memory card 52, and the like.

On the other hand, the extension unit 40 mainly includes a memory controller 70, a frame memory 72, a FIFO
(First-in first-out) processing unit 73, SCSI controller 74, ROM 75, SRAM 76, CPU 77, S
A CSI connector 78, a mode switch 85 and the like are provided. The camera body 1 and the extension unit 40 are connected via a camera / unit interface 80 corresponding to the extension terminal 30 described with reference to FIG.
The digital printer 54 is connected to the CSI connector 78 via a SCSI cable 82.

Light from the subject is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 56 by the photographing lens 2. The CCD 56 has, for example, a 万 inch 1.3 million pixels. The image light formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 56 is R, G, B
Each sensor having a filter accumulates electric charges for a predetermined time and converts the signals into R, G, and B signals in amounts corresponding to the light intensity. The R, G, and B signals are guided to an analog signal processing unit 57, where gains of the R, G, and B signals are controlled. The R, G, and B signals output from the analog signal processing unit 57 are A / D
After being converted into a digital signal by the converter 58, it is applied to a digital signal processing unit.

The digital signal processing section 60 includes a white balance adjustment circuit, a γ correction circuit, an RGB synchronizing circuit, and the like. The converted R, G, B data is output to the Y / C data processing unit 61. Y / C data processing unit 61
Generates a luminance signal Y and a chroma signal Cr _{/ b} (hereinafter, referred to as Y / C data) based on the input R, G, and B data, and outputs these to the memory controller 62.

The memory controller 62 controls writing / reading of the Y / C data to / from the frame memory 64 and also controls writing / reading of the Y / C data to / from the memory card 52. Memory card 5 for Y / C data
In the case of recording in Y, the Y / C data output from the Y / C data processing unit 61 is first guided to the data compression / decompression processing unit 65, and the data is compressed in the compression mode set here. Then, the compressed Y / C data is recorded on the memory card 52.

When reproducing the image data recorded on the memory card 52, the data compression / expansion processing section 65 expands the Y / C data called from the memory card 52. Then, the decompressed Y / C
The data is applied to an encoder circuit 68. The encoder circuit 68 generates a color composite video signal of, for example, the NTSC system based on the input Y / C data, and outputs this to a video output terminal via a D / A converter (not shown).

The Y / C data (uncompressed) output from the Y / C data processor 61 and the Y / C data (uncompressed) read from the frame memory 64 by the memory controller 62 are sent to the encoder circuit 68. May be guided. The memory controller 62, the encoder circuit 68
And a D / A converter to which a synchronizing signal of a predetermined cycle is added from a synchronizing signal generating circuit (not shown), thereby synchronizing the respective circuits. Further, the synchronizing signal generation circuit, digital processing unit 60, Y / C data processing unit 61
The memory controller 62 is controlled based on a control signal applied from the CPU 66.

Next, the extension unit 40 will be described. Point-sequential R, G, B data output from the A / D converter 58 of the camera body 1 and the memory controller 62
The Y / C data read by the controller is guided to the memory controller 70 of the extension unit 40 via the camera / unit interface 80.

The memory controller 70 controls the R,
It controls the writing / reading of G and B data to / from the frame memory 72 and also controls the writing of Y / C data to the frame memory 7.
2 is controlled for writing / reading. The memory controller 70 is connected to the FIFO processing unit 73 so that data can be extracted from the frame memory 72 in the order in which the data is stored in the frame memory 72.

The frame memory 72 stores, for example, 16M
B DRAM is used, and the above R, G, B data and Y
/ C data is recorded. Also, this frame memory 7
Reference numeral 2 is also used as a buffer for processing a captured image. The ROM 75 stores a control program and a color correction lookup table (LUT) corresponding to the model of each printer. The SRAM 76 has a Y / C
It is used as a work memory for processing image data such as conversion of data into R, G, and B data. The memory controller 70, ROM 75, SRAM 76, and SC
The SI controller 74 is connected to the CPU via a data bus 84.
The slide switch 46 is connected to the CPU 77.
Mode switch 85 corresponding to the DIP switch 48
The setting signal from is added.

The CPU 77 outputs various control signals based on a setting signal input from the mode switch 85, printer information of the digital printer 54 notified via the SCSI controller 74, and the like. Memory controller 70, ROM 75, SR
Various data are transmitted and received between the AM 76 and the SCSI controller 74, and predetermined data processing is executed.

For example, the CPU 77 recognizes the printer model and paper size based on the printer information, calls up a color correction LUT corresponding to the connected digital printer 54 from the ROM 75, and performs color adjustment suitable for the digital printer 54. When the print mode of the index image is set, the index image of each frame is appropriately arranged according to the paper size. These data are sent to the SCSI controller,
The data is set on the SCSI data bus and transmitted to the digital printer 54.

Next, an image synthesizing method for synthesizing a background image and a photographed image or a reproduced image will be described. First, the mode dial 10 of the camera body 1 is set to the playback mode in accordance with “PLAY”, and the up / down dial 11 is operated to reproduce a desired background image while checking the reproduced image projected on the liquid crystal monitor 50. When the background image selection button (auto / MF button 24) is pressed, the background image is displayed and the image data and its mask pattern are stored in the frame memory 7.
2 (hereinafter referred to as frame memory 2).

Subsequently, another playback image (excluding the background image) is played back in the playback mode, and the print button (auto /
Pressing the MF button 24) or turning the mode dial 10 of the camera body 1 to "AUTO", "P", "S",
When the shooting mode is set in accordance with one of “A” and “M” and the release button 9 is pressed, the frame memory 64
Image data indicating a reproduced image or a captured image recorded with a frame memory 1 (hereinafter referred to as frame memory 1) is combined with image data indicating a background image recorded in the frame memory 2.

That is, as shown in FIG.
Is divided into four areas BANK0 to BANK3, image data representing the background image is recorded in BANK0, and the run-length compressed mask pattern is expanded to BANK1.
Will be recorded. Further, the image data recorded in the frame memory 1 is trimmed so as to have the same aspect ratio as the pasting area in the background image, and is enlarged / reduced according to the size of the pasting area.
Further, it is recorded in BANK2 of the frame memory 2 according to the origin position of the pasting area. Note that these processes are performed based on the header information shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the mask pattern of BANK 1 in the frame memory 2 is scanned, and when a pasted area is detected at a certain scan position, image data at the same coordinate position as the detected coordinate position is read from BANK 2.
This is stored at the same coordinate position in BANK2. Thus, the image data recorded in the frame memory 1 is combined with the image data indicating the background image recorded in the frame memory 2. Note that image processing is performed so that the resolution of the background image is substantially equal to the resolution of the image to be combined with the pasting area (for example, a process of reducing the resolution of an image with a higher resolution to equalize the two).

Next, the operation of the electronic camera with a composite photographing function according to the present invention configured as described above will be described.
First, the mode dial 10 of the camera body 1 is turned "OFF".
Is confirmed, the hook 44 of the extension unit 40 is hooked on the unit mounting hole 34 of the camera body 1, and the camera body 1 and the extension unit are connected at a position where the extension terminals 30 and the terminals 40 are correctly connected. Then, the fixing screw 43 is closed and fixed. Further, the extension unit 40 and the digital printer 54 are connected to the SCSI cable 8.
Connect with 2.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a background image capturing process, a direct print process of a reproduced image, and a direct print process of a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the background image and the reproduced image. As shown in the figure, first, the mode dial 10 is set to the reproduction mode in accordance with "PLAY" (step S10). In this case, the image of the last frame number recorded on the memory card 52 is reproduced. Subsequently, a desired image is reproduced by the up / down dial 11 (step S12).

Next, when the print button (auto / MF button 24) is pressed (step S14), a step S16 is performed.
Then, it is determined whether or not the background image selection processing has been performed in advance. If the background image has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S18, where it is determined whether the reproduced image is a background image. The background image is determined based on the header information shown in FIG. 6, but an identifier is provided on the memory card itself in which data on the background image is recorded, and this is detected by the camera body. You may do so.

If it is determined that the reproduced image is a background image, the background image is taken. That is, the image data (Y / C data) indicating the background image recorded on the memory card 52 is converted into R, G, and B data, and then taken into the frame memory 2. At this time, the mask pattern, pasting position,
Character information and the like are also captured.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the reproduced image is not a background image, direct printing of the reproduced image is performed (steps S22, S24, S24).
S26). That is, the image data (Y / C data) indicating the reproduced image recorded on the memory card 52 is converted into R, G, and B data, is taken into the frame memory 2 (step S22), and is thereafter connected. The R, G, and B data are transferred to the digital printer 54 by performing correction using the LUT corresponding to the digital printer 54 (step S24). Next, the digital printer 5
4 is notified of the start of printing, and the end of the printing process is waited. When a notification that the printing process has been completed is input from the digital printer 54 side, the process ends.

If it is determined in step S16 that the background image has been selected in step S20, the process proceeds to step S28, where it is determined whether the reproduced image is a background image. When it is determined that the reproduced image is the background image, the background image is fetched (rewritten) again in step S20.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S28 that the reproduced image is not a background image, a process of synthesizing the reproduced image with a previously captured background image is performed (step S30). That is, the image data (Y / C data) of the reproduced image recorded in the frame memory 1 is subjected to processing such as trimming and enlargement / reduction according to the mask pattern.
The data is stored in the background image pasting area of the frame memory 2 while being converted into R, G, and B data. When printing character information such as the shooting date and time, the character information is combined. That is, information on the printing position, character size / color, etc. is recorded in advance as information on the background image. Based on this information, information indicating the shooting date and time, shutter speed, aperture, and other shooting conditions obtained from the camera are stored. It is synthesized automatically.

Subsequently, the connected digital printer 5
The R, G, and B data are transferred to the printer 4 and printing is performed (steps S24 and S26). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a normal photographing process, a direct print process of a photographed image, and a direct print process of a combined image obtained by combining a photographed image and a background image.

As shown in FIG.
0 is set to the shooting mode according to any one of "AUTO", "P", "S", "A", and "M", and the release button 9 is pressed (step S40). When the photographing operation is performed, it is determined whether or not a predetermined process (direct printing of a reproduced image or capturing of a background image (see FIG. 9)) in the reproduction mode has been performed in advance (step S42). If the predetermined process in the mode has not been performed, a normal photographing process is performed (step S44).

On the other hand, if a predetermined process in the reproduction mode has been performed in advance, it is determined whether or not the process is a process of capturing a background image (step S46). Step S
At 46, if it is determined that the background image capture processing has not been performed (that is, if it is determined that the direct printing of the reproduced image has been performed), the direct print mode is determined, and the direct printing of the captured image is performed. (Steps S48, S24, S26). That is, the image data of the captured image recorded in the frame memory 1 (Y
/ C data) is converted to R, G, B data,
The image data is taken into the frame memory 2 (step S48), and then R,
The G and B data are transferred, and printing is performed (steps S24 and S26).

When it is determined in step S46 that the background image capturing process is being performed (that is, the background image is being captured)
If it is determined that the mode is the composite print mode of the photographed image), a composite process of the photographed image and a previously captured background image is performed (step S50). That is, image data (Y / C data) of the captured image recorded in the frame memory 1
Are subjected to processing such as trimming and enlargement / reduction according to the mask pattern, and are stored in the background image pasting area of the frame memory 2 while being converted into R, G, and B data.
When printing character information such as the shooting date and time, the character information is combined. Subsequently, the R, G, and B data are transferred to the connected digital printer 54, and printing is performed (steps S24 and S26).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a modification of the processing shown in FIG. The same steps as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the processing shown in FIG. 11, steps S52 and S54
Is different from the processing shown in FIG. That is, in the step S52, it is determined whether or not the print mode switch is ON. Whether or not the print mode switch is ON is specifically equivalent to whether or not the SCSI mode is selected by the slide switch 46 and the direct print mode is enabled by the DIP switch 48 to enable direct printing by validating the printer connection. .

If the mode is not the direct print mode, normal photographing processing is performed (step S4).
4) In the case of the direct print mode, the process proceeds to step S54, where it is determined in advance whether or not the background image capturing processing has been performed in the reproduction mode. If it is determined in advance that the background image capturing process has not been performed, direct printing of the captured image is performed (step S4).
8, S24, S26), if it is determined that the background image capturing process has been performed in advance, direct printing of a composite image of the captured image and the previously captured background image is performed (steps S50, S24). , S26).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the background image capturing process. As shown in the figure, the camera body 1 automatically checks the first image data in the inserted memory card (step S5).
6). Then, if the first image data is image data indicating a background image, a process of capturing the first image data is executed (step S20). That is, a memory card in which image data indicating a background image is recorded in the first image data is a special memory card. When this memory card is inserted into the camera body 1, mode selection, switch operation, and the like are performed. Need not be performed, and is automatically taken into the frame memory 2.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a normal photographing process corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 12, and a direct print process of a composite image obtained by compositing the photographed image and the background image. As shown in the figure, when the release button 9 is turned on (step S40), the camera body 1 determines whether the first image data in the inserted memory card is image data indicating a background image (step S40). Step S58). If it is determined that the first image data is not image data representing a background image, a normal photographing process is performed (Step S).
44) If it is determined that the first image data is the image data representing the background image, the direct image of the synthesized image of the photographed image and the background image captured in advance (the background image captured by the processing shown in FIG. 12) is obtained. Printing is performed (steps S50, S24, S26).

That is, according to this embodiment, when the memory card in which the image data indicating the background image is recorded in the first image data is inserted into the camera body 1, the direct printing of the automatically synthesized image is performed. In the mode, a composite image in which the captured image and the background image are composited is printed. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the process shown in FIG.

In the processing shown in FIG. 14, step S52 is added to the processing shown in FIG. That is, in step S52, it is determined whether or not the mode is the direct print mode. If the mode is the direct print mode and the first image data in the memory card is the image data indicating the background image (step S56), the first (Step S20).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a normal photographing process corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 14, a direct print process of a photographed image, and a direct print process of a composite image obtained by compositing a photographed image and a background image. As shown in the figure, when the release button 9 is turned on (step S40), it is determined whether or not the mode is the direct print mode (step S52). If it is determined that the camera is not in the direct print mode, a normal photographing process is performed (step S44). If it is determined that the camera is in the direct print mode, the first image data in the memory card attached to the camera body 1 is further processed. Is determined as image data indicating a background image (step S58).

If it is determined in step S58 that the first image data is not image data representing a background image, direct printing of the photographed image is performed (step S4).
8) If it is determined that the first image data is the image data indicating the background image, the direct image of the composite image of the photographed image and the previously captured background image (the background image captured by the processing shown in FIG. 14) is obtained. Printing is performed (steps S50, S24, S26).

That is, according to this embodiment, when a memory card in which image data indicating a background image is recorded in the first image data is inserted into the camera body 1, direct printing of the automatically synthesized image is performed. In the mode, a composite image in which the captured image and the background image are composited is printed. In this embodiment, the output destination of the image data indicating the composite image is a digital printer. However, the output destination may be a memory card, a personal computer, or the like. When image data is recorded on the memory card that provided the background image, the data related to the background image is write-protected, so that the data is accidentally deleted or rewritten with image data indicating a captured image or a composite image. It will not be done. Further, image data indicating a photographed image or a composite image includes:
The information may be recorded on another memory card that has been replaced with the card slot of the electronic camera.

In this embodiment, a memory card is used as a means for providing image data indicating a background image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a memory built in an electronic camera and a removable memory card for the electronic camera can be used. It may be another recording medium such as a floppy disk, or an external device such as a personal computer connected to the electronic camera via an interface.

Further, in this embodiment, the extension unit (image synthesizing unit) is detachably attached to the camera body, but may be provided integrally in the camera.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, in addition to having a normal photographing function, the present invention has a synthetic photographing function for synthesizing a photographed image or a reproduced image with a previously prepared background image, and is directly connected. A bidirectional communication with the digital printer enables direct printing of a composite image and the like, so that a personal computer is not required for printing, and the printing operation can be simplified. Note that such a use is a special one, and the cost of the camera body can be reduced by assembling the image synthesis unit having the above-described composite photograph function and direct print function as needed. it can.

According to the present invention, the switching between the normal photographing function and the composite photographing function is recorded on an identifier provided on a recording medium such as a memory card mounted on an electronic camera or on the recording medium. Since the identification information is used to automatically perform the operation, the operation such as the mode switching and the switch setting becomes unnecessary, and the usability is improved. Furthermore, since the background image is provided from a recording medium such as a memory card which is detachable from the electronic camera, the user can easily and freely select / change the background image, and input the synthesized image to the background image. Can be recorded on the same recording medium as the recorded recording medium or another recording medium.

Further, according to the present invention, information necessary for combining the position and size of the pasting area is prepared in advance together with the background image, and the combining process is automatically performed based on the information. It is possible to take a picture freely without paying attention to the image, and to satisfactorily combine the photographed image with the background image. That is, there is no failure that the photographed main subject is hidden by the background image.

Further, according to the recording medium of the present invention, it is possible to provide image data indicating a background image to the device such as the electronic camera and the personal computer of the present invention capable of performing image composition processing. Because it is protected, there is no risk of accidental erasure. Further, since the mask pattern indicating the pasting area used at the time of the synthesizing process is run-length compressed and recorded together with the image data indicating the background image, the background image including the mask pattern having the same size as the normal image is recorded. Therefore, it is possible to record many background images within a limited recording capacity or to increase the free space.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera body of an electronic camera with a composite photograph function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the camera body shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the camera body shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of an extension unit attached to a bottom surface of the camera body shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a system in which the camera body shown in FIG. 1 and the extension unit shown in FIG. 4 are combined;

FIG. 6 is a data structure diagram of data relating to a background image recorded in advance on a recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a camera body and an extension unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram used to explain an image combining method of a background image and a captured image or a reproduced image.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a background image capturing process, a direct print process of a reproduced image, and a direct print process of a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the background image and the reproduced image.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a normal photographing process, a direct print process of a photographed image, and a direct print process of a composite image obtained by compositing a photographed image and a background image.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the process shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a background image capturing process.

13 is a flowchart showing normal photographing processing corresponding to the processing shown in FIG. 12, and direct printing processing of a composite image obtained by compositing a photographed image and a background image.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the process shown in FIG.

15 is a flowchart showing normal photographing processing corresponding to the processing shown in FIG. 14, direct print processing of a photographed image, and direct print processing of a combined image obtained by combining a photographed image and a background image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera body of electronic camera 9 ... Release button 10 ... Mode dial 24 ... Auto / MF button 30 ... Extension terminal 34 ... Unit mounting hole 40 ... Extension unit (image synthesis unit) 42 ... Terminal 46 ... Slide switch 48 ... Dip switch 50 LCD monitor 52 Memory card 54 Digital printer 56 CCD 62, 70 Memory controller 64, 72 Frame memory 65 Data compression / decompression processing unit 66, 77 CPU 78 SCSI connector 80 Camera / unit interface 82 SCSI cable

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/765 G03B 15/08 7/30 H04N 5/91 L // G03B 15/08 7/133 Z

Claims (21)

[Claims] An image capturing unit that captures an image of a subject and obtains image data representing the captured image; a recording unit that stores the image data; an image data recorded in the recording unit; and the image capturing unit Means for creating another image data by editing the image data obtained by the above. 2. An image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject and acquiring image data indicating the captured image, a background image providing means for providing image data representing a background image, and the background image providing means. A combination processing unit that combines image data indicating a background image and image data acquired by the imaging unit; and a device that outputs a combined photograph based on the image data indicating the combined image combined by the combination processing unit. Composite photography system. 3. An electronic camera for photographing a subject displayed on a finder and acquiring image data representing the photographed image, background image providing means for providing image data representing a background image, and the electronic camera. A detachable image synthesizing unit, having a connection terminal connected to the electronic camera and a connection terminal connectable to a digital printer; image data indicating a background image provided by the background image providing means; Combining processing means for combining image data indicating a captured image obtained at the time of shooting with a camera, and bidirectional communication with the digital printer, and image data indicating a combined image combined by the combining processing means to the digital printer. Communication control means for transmitting to the digital printer in the form of suitable data. An electronic camera with a composite photograph function characterized by the following. 4. The electronic camera further includes a reproducing unit that reads out image data indicating an appropriate background image from the background image providing unit in a reproducing mode, and outputs the read image data to a display unit to display the background image. 4. The electronic camera with a composite photograph function according to claim 3, wherein a desired background image can be selected. 5. The combination processing means and the communication control means,
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the release button is operated after image data indicating a desired background image is fetched from the background image providing means, the apparatus operates in response to a shooting operation associated with the release button. Electronic camera with composite photo function. 6. An image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject displayed on a finder and acquiring image data representing the captured image, a recording medium for recording the image data, and an appropriate image data from the recording medium. An electronic camera having a reproducing unit for displaying a reproduced image by reading and outputting the read image to a display unit; a background image providing unit for providing image data indicating a background image; and an image synthesizing unit detachable from the electronic camera. A connection terminal having a connection terminal connected to the electronic camera and being connectable to a digital printer, image data indicating a background image provided by the background image providing means, and displayed on the display means. Combining processing means for combining with image data representing a reproduced image, performing bidirectional communication with the digital printer, Composite photograph function electronic camera characterized by comprising a communication control means for transmitting the digital printer the image data in the form of data suitable for the digital printer showing a synthesized image synthesized by the conversion treatment means. 7. The combination processing means and the communication control means,
7. The composite photograph according to claim 6, wherein when a key for instructing printing is operated after image data indicating a desired background image is taken in from said background image providing means, the apparatus operates in response to the key operation. Electronic camera with functions. 8. The electronic camera with a composite photographing function according to claim 3, wherein said background image providing means is a recording medium detachable from said electronic camera. 9. The composite photograph function according to claim 3, wherein the background image providing means is one of a memory built in the electronic camera and an external device connected to the electronic camera via an interface. With electronic camera. 10. The electronic camera with a composite photographing function according to claim 3, wherein a connection terminal to which the digital printer is connected is constituted by a SCSI connector. 11. An image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject displayed on a finder and acquiring image data representing the captured image, a recording medium detachable from a camera body, and an image representing a background image on the recording medium. Detecting means for detecting whether or not data is recorded; and detecting that image data indicating a background image is recorded on the recording medium by the detecting means, Synthesizing processing means for synthesizing the image data indicating the background image and the image data indicating the background image recorded on the recording medium, and detecting that the image data indicating the background image is recorded on the recording medium by the detecting means. And outputting image data indicating a synthesized image synthesized by the synthesizing processing means, and outputting image data indicating a background image on the recording medium by the detecting means. If the data is not recorded is detected, a composite photograph function-equipped electronic camera, comprising the, and output means for outputting the image data representing the taken image obtained from the imaging means. 12. An image indicating a background image on a recording medium based on an identifier provided on the recording medium or identification information recorded on a header of individual image data recorded on the recording medium. The electronic camera with a composite photograph function according to claim 11, wherein whether or not data is recorded is detected. 13. The electronic camera according to claim 11, wherein the output unit outputs the image data to a digital printer or a recording medium. 14. A photographing means for photographing a subject displayed on a finder and acquiring image data indicating the photographed image, and a recording medium detachable from a camera body, and partially showing a background image. A recording medium on which the image data is recorded, synthesizing processing means for synthesizing image data indicating a captured image obtained from the imaging means and image data indicating a background image recorded on the recording medium, The image data indicating the synthesized image is recorded in a recording area other than the area where the image data indicating the background image of the recording medium is recorded, or in another recording medium attached to the camera body instead of the recording medium. An electronic camera with a synthetic photograph function, comprising: 15. The recording medium records information on the origin of a pasting area and the size of the pasting area together with image data indicating the background image, and the combining processing unit performs processing based on the information. 9. A photographed image or a reproduced image is pasted on the background image by controlling the position and enlargement / reduction of the reproduced image.
An electronic camera with a composite photograph function according to 1 or 14. 16. A recording method, comprising: a mask pattern indicating a pasting area to be used in a synthesizing process together with image data indicating the background image in a run-length compression format; and the synthesizing processing means based on the mask pattern. 15. The electronic camera with a composite photograph function according to claim 8, wherein a photographed image is pasted on the background image. 17. The electronic device with a composite photograph function according to claim 8, wherein the combination processing unit performs image processing so that the resolution of the background image and the captured image to be combined is substantially equal. camera. 18. The composition processing device according to claim 1, wherein the composition processing means receives at least information indicating at least one of a photographing date and time and a photographing condition, and composes the composite image in a printable manner based on the information. Item 8. An electronic camera with a composite photographing function according to Item 8, 11 or 14. 19. A recording medium which can record image data indicating a plurality of still images and is detachable from a device capable of performing an image synthesizing process on at least the read image data, and a part of the recording area. A recording medium in which image data indicating a background image is written and protected in advance. 20. The recording medium according to claim 19, wherein information on the origin of the pasting area and the size of the pasting area are recorded together with the image data indicating the background image. 21. The recording medium according to claim 19, wherein a mask pattern indicating a pasting area to be used in a synthesizing process is recorded in a run-length compression format together with the image data indicating the background image.