JP2000206592A - Camera and attachment for special effect - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize varied special effect photographing by easy operation by making a camera excellent in extendability so as to cope with the varied special effect photographing. SOLUTION: A mount part 38 similar to a bayonet mount is provided at the top part of the photographing lens 12 of a camera 10 having an imaging device such as a CCD, and an electric contact 34 is provided at the edge of the mount part 38. Meanwhile, the attachment for a special effect 28 has ring- like shape capable of being attached to/detached from the mount part 38, incorporates a ROM 30 in which parameter data required for special effect processing is stored, and has the electric contact 32 for transmitting information. By attaching the attachment 28 to the mount part 38, information in the ROM 30 is offered to a camera side and the special effect processing in accordance with the information is performed to through image data outputted from the CCD in a special effect processing means in the camera 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera and a special effect attachment, and more particularly to a camera for converting an optical image into an electronic image signal using an image pickup device, such as a digital camera or a video camera, to enable various special effect photographing. Related to technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of silver halide cameras, various types of photographic filters such as a color temperature conversion filter and a filter for special effects are known, and various photographic expressions can be realized by mounting a filter at the tip of a photographic lens. (See JP-A-6-273820). Also, JP-A-6-3
Japanese Patent No. 5883 proposes a camera capable of correcting an image signal according to the type of a filter mounted on the camera, displaying a subject image on a display device, and confirming the effect of the filter before actual photographing. ing.

[0003] In addition, there is also known a camera which has a special effect photographing mode in the camera itself and changes the characteristics of camera signal processing and image signal processing according to the set mode to give a special effect (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-5-2). No. 56338).

[0004]

However, in a conventional camera having a special effect photographing mode in the camera itself, the type of the photographing mode built in the camera body is limited to cope with various special effect photographing modes. Is difficult. On the other hand, if you have prepared a huge number of shooting modes in the camera body to enable various special effects shooting,
There is a disadvantage that the operation of selecting and setting the mode to be used by the user is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a camera capable of coping with various special effect shootings, having excellent function expandability, and capable of performing various special effect shootings with a simple operation. The purpose is to provide an attachment.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a camera which can convert an optical image into an electronic image signal by using an image pickup device. Attachment mounting part for attaching is provided, information capturing means for capturing information from the special effect attachment mounted on the attachment mounting part, and signal processing means for processing an image signal read from the image sensor, Signal processing means for giving a special effect to a captured image based on the information taken from the information taking means.

According to the present invention, when the special effect attachment is attached to the attachment mounting portion of the camera, the information of the special effect attachment is transmitted to the camera via the information capturing means. The signal processing means performs image processing on the photographed image in accordance with the information of the special effect attachment to create a special effect image. By attaching and detaching the special effect attachment, various special effect shootings can be performed. Further, since the attachment is configured to be attached to the front end or the periphery of the lens, the handling is unified with the conventional optical filter, so that the user who is accustomed to handling the silver halide camera can use the camera without confusion.

In a camera according to one aspect of the present invention, information necessary for special effect processing is stored in an information storage section provided in the special effect attachment, and the information stored in the information storage section is stored in the information storage section. It is characterized in that it is configured to be received via information taking-in means and to give a special effect to a photographed image based on the information. In this case, an attachment that can be attached to an attachment attachment portion provided at the tip or peripheral portion of the photographing lens of the camera, and a memory that stores information necessary for performing special effect processing on the image signal. And an electrical contact for transmitting information for transmitting the information in the memory to the camera side.

In a camera according to another aspect of the present invention, information necessary for processing a plurality of types of special effects is stored in an information storage section provided in the camera body, and the special effects received from the information capturing means are stored. Based on the selection information, image processing based on the special effect is performed by reading information necessary for processing of the special effect associated with the attachment for the special effect related to the mounting from the information storage unit. It is characterized by:

As a more specific mode of the camera having such a configuration, an information storage section in which information necessary for processing each special effect corresponding to a plurality of special effects is stored, and the information is received from the information fetching means. Detecting means for detecting the type of the special effect attachment related to the mounting based on the information, and processing the special effect associated with the special effect attachment related to the mounting based on the detection of the detecting means. A camera configured to read information necessary for the special effect from the information storage unit and perform image processing based on the special effect.

In the case where information for special effect processing corresponding to a plurality of special effects is prepared in the camera body, means for providing special effect selection information to the camera is provided. Special effect attachment can be used. Also, when a plurality of special effect attachments are simultaneously mounted by means of adding a structure that can be attached to the camera by connecting two or more special effect attachments, each special effect attachment It is also possible to configure so that an effect obtained by combining the special effect processing is obtained.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a camera and a special effect attachment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera and a special effect attachment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The main body of the camera 10 mainly includes a photographing lens 12, a CCD (image pickup device) 14, an image pickup unit 16, an information reading unit 18, a special effect processing unit 20, a recording / reproducing unit 22, and a memory 24. A special effect attachment 28 is attached to the tip of the lens barrel 26.

The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 14 via the photographing lens 12 is converted by each sensor into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light. The signal charges thus accumulated are read out to the shift register by a read gate pulse applied from a CCD drive circuit included in the imaging means 16, and a voltage signal (analog image signal) corresponding to the signal charge is generated by the register transfer pulse. Are read out sequentially. The CCD 14 is provided with a shutter drain via a shutter gate, and by controlling the shutter gate with a shutter gate pulse,
The signal charges accumulated by each of the sensors can be swept out to the shutter drain. That is, the CCD 14 has a so-called electronic shutter function of controlling the accumulation time (shutter speed) of the electric charge accumulated in each sensor by the shutter gate pulse.

The imaging means 16 includes a processing circuit and an A / D converter for a signal read from the CCD 14. The analog image signal read from the CCD 14 is subjected to predetermined processing such as color separation, gain adjustment, and gamma correction. Is applied, A
The digital signal is converted into a digital signal by a / D converter and is converted into electronic image data according to a known image signal processing technique such as generation of a luminance signal and a color difference signal. The image data thus obtained is sent to the special effect processing means 20.

The special effect processing means 20 is for giving special processing to the photographed image (through image) obtained through the image pickup means 16 to create a special effect image. Various processes are performed according to the information received from the effect attachment 28. The special effect attachment 28 has a memory (ROM) 30 therein, and an electrical contact 32 is provided at a connection portion with the lens barrel 26. The ROM 30 stores parameter data of a special effect filter necessary for image processing for giving a special effect such as deformation or blurring to image data (raw data of a through image) related to photographing.

The types of special effects include, for example, the following. Color temperature conversion effect (color filter effect) that adjusts the blue color of shades and cloudy days to a natural color, neutral density (ND) effect, ND effect of gradation where the center of the screen is darker and lighter toward the periphery, screen such as sky control Half ND effect to adjust the amount of light in one half of the screen to adjust the light / dark balance of the screen, color temperature conversion effect to correct the color tone for shooting under white fluorescent light, color tone correction effect to apply color tone correction to blue tint when shooting underwater, soft Soft focus effect to give a focus description, Foggy effect to give a soft tone as if shot in fog, Center image effect to sharpen the center of the screen and change the surroundings, Sharp the center of the screen to create a unique blur around the Center focus effect to create, soft cross effect to create a beam of light that shines in the bright part of the subject at the same time as soft expression, human A beautiful skin portrait effect that smoothly blends fine wrinkles and spots of the skin with the skin color to create beautiful skin, a flow effect that creates a flow effect around the screen and half the screen, and a large flow in one direction on both sides of the screen Gives bokeh to create a dynamic feeling, plump and slim effects to make thicker people thinner and thicker, and to give a few light streaks to the radiance of light to express beautiful flare of light. Cross effect, the angle of the streak (cross) can be changed arbitrarily, the cross effect can freely express streaks at any angle from the cross to the straight line, the red enhancement effect to express red more vividly, one subject A wide variety of effects are possible, such as a multi-effect that overlaps a plurality of colors, a color effect that gives a color such as a sepia tone, and a color circle effect that creates a special color around the screen.

Image processing parameters for achieving any of these effects are stored in the ROM 30, and the user can attach a desired special effect attachment 28 in accordance with the photographing intention.
Can be attached to the front end of the lens. Shooting lens 12
An electrical contact 34 is also provided at the distal end of the lens barrel 26, and signals are exchanged with the special effect attachment 28 via the electrical contact 34. The information reading means 18 includes a circuit for controlling the loading of information from the ROM 30 of the special effect attachment 28. The information read via the information reading means 18 is provided to the special effect processing means 20. The special effect processing unit 20 creates image data indicating a special effect image based on the through image data supplied from the imaging unit 16 and the information for special effect processing provided from the information reading unit 18. I do.

The image data of the special effect image output from the special effect processing means 20 is subjected to compression processing as necessary through a recording / reproducing means 22 and recorded in a memory 24. The image data recorded in the memory 24 can be read by the recording / reproducing means 22, and the read image data is output to a display device (not shown) after being subjected to decompression processing as necessary. It is output to the outside of the camera via a communication unit such as an external output terminal (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of a camera showing an example of a structure for attaching a special effect attachment. As shown in the figure, a mount 38 similar to a bayonet mount is provided at the tip of the photographing lens 12, and an electrical contact 34 for information transmission is provided at an edge of the mount 38. On the other hand, the special effect attachment 28 has a ring shape and is configured to be detachable from the mount 38 on the photographing lens 12 side. Attachment for special effects 2
An electrical contact 32 corresponding to the electrical contact 34 on the photographing lens 12 side is provided on the inner peripheral surface of 8, and a ROM 30 in which parameter data necessary for special effect processing is stored is built in.

The three claws 38A of the mount 38 and the corresponding notches 40 on the side of the special effect attachment 28 are fitted together, and the two are relatively rotated, so that the special effect attachment is fixed at a certain position. 28 is fixed, and the electrical contacts 32 and 34 are connected to each other. According to the camera and the special effect attachment having the above-described configuration, the parameters of the special effect shooting of the camera are converted into data and stored in the ROM 30 in the detachable special effect attachment 28, so that the attachment can be replaced. Various special effects shooting becomes possible.

Further, since the preparation for the special effect photographing is completed only by attaching the special effect attachment 28 to the tip of the photographing lens 12, complicated mode selection operation as in the conventional camera is not required. The same handling as an optical filter becomes possible. This makes it possible to replace the electronic special effect processing filter in the electronic camera as if replacing the optical filter, making it easy for users who have used the silver halide camera to understand, without confusion. There is an advantage that can be used.

The types of the special effect attachment 28 are as follows.
It can be added or expanded at any time, and the user can perform various special effect shootings by appropriately obtaining necessary attachments. Further, a mount portion similar to the mount portion 38 at the front end of the photographing lens 12 is formed at the front end portion of the special effect attachment 28, and a plurality of special effect attachments 28 can be connected by using an interface capable of daisy chain connection. It is also possible to use them repeatedly. In this case, the information of each special effect attachment 28 is provided to the camera body side, and a special effect image in which a plurality of these special effects are combined is obtained.

In the above description, an example in which the ring-shaped special effect attachment 28 is attached to the leading end of the taking lens 12 by a mount structure similar to a bayonet mount, but a threaded portion is formed at the leading end or around the taking lens 12. On the other hand, a screw portion that can be screwed to the screw portion may be formed on the side of the special effect attachment, and may be attached by screw connection.

The special effect attachment 28 is not limited to the ring shape, but may be a C-shaped partly open part, or a cylindrical shape attached to the outer periphery of the lens barrel 26 of the taking lens 12. Also, like a square filter or a gelatin filter in a silver halide camera, a dedicated filter holder (attachment mounting portion) is provided at the tip or peripheral portion of the taking lens, and a filter (attachment for special effects 28) is provided in the holder. A structure for inserting and removing may be adopted.

ROM 3 of attachment 28 for special effects
0 stores not only parameter data for special effect processing, but also control and processing programs for controlling the camera body, and the CPU of the camera body when the attachment is attached.
The (central processing unit) may download a program from the ROM 30 of the attachment, store the program in the RAM of the camera body, and operate the camera according to the program.

Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a ROM 30 is built in the special effect attachment 28, and information for special effect processing is stored in the ROM 30. Instead of such a system, a plurality of types of information are previously stored in the camera body. A system is also possible in which parameter data corresponding to the special effects are stored, and a specific special effect is selected from the parameter data when the attachment is attached, and the mode is automatically set.

That is, the special effect attachment is used as a means for selecting a desired mode from a plurality of types of special effect photographing modes preset in the camera body. In this case, the control unit (CP
U) identifies the type of attachment attached,
According to the identification, it is configured to set a special effect photographing mode that is associated with the attachment in advance.

The means for detecting the type of attachment attached to the camera body can be replaced by the following means instead of reading information from the ROM by connecting electrical contacts. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, an electrical resistor 48 is embedded in the special effect attachment 44 via the electrical contact 34, and a corresponding electrical contact 50 and a resistance value detection circuit 52 are provided on the camera 10 main body side. Is provided. The resistance value of the electric resistor 48 is predetermined in association with the type of the attachment. When the special effect attachment 44 is attached, the control unit (CPU) 54 of the camera 10 transmits the electric resistance via an A / D converter 56. The resistance value of the resistor 48 is detected. Based on the detection of the resistance value, it is possible to identify the type of the attachment related to mounting.

Although not shown in the drawing, a specific claw (cam) is provided on the side of the special effect attachment, and means for mechanically detecting the shape and position of the claw are provided on the attachment mounting portion of the camera. . The type of attachment related to mounting can be determined by such mechanical means. In addition, a bar code or a pattern similar to the bar code is provided on the special effect attachment, and an optical reading sensor for reading the pattern such as the bar code is provided on the attachment mounting portion of the camera. By reading the pattern with the optical reading sensor when the attachment is mounted, the type of the attachment relating to the mounting can be determined.

The present invention can be applied not only to a camera for recording a still image but also to a camera for recording a moving image.

[0031]

As described above, according to the camera and the special effect attachment according to the present invention, the special effect photographing mode is set by attaching the detachable special effect attachment to the front end or peripheral portion of the lens. Therefore, various special effect shootings can be performed with a simple operation.

In addition, a wide variety of special effect attachments can be provided according to the types of special effects, and the expandability is excellent. In particular, the attachment can be replaced with a feeling similar to the filter replacement in the silver halide camera, and it is easy to use even for a user accustomed to handling the silver halide camera.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera and a special effect attachment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the camera, showing an example of a mounting structure of a special effect attachment.

FIG. 3 is a main part block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 camera 12 photographing lens 14 CCD (image pickup device) 18 information reading means (information capturing means) 20 special effect processing means (signal processing means) 26 lens barrel 28 special effect attachment 30 ROM Information storage unit) 32, 34, 46, 50: electric contact 38: mount unit (attachment mounting unit) 48: electric resistance (means for providing special effect selection information) 52: resistance value detection circuit (detection means)

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 5/238 H04N 5/238 Z 9/04 9/04 B F term (reference) 2H083 AA10 AA26 AA27 AA41 AA42 AA54 2H101 EE02 EE21 EE26 5C022 AB68 AC51 AC78 5C065 AA01 AA03 BB12 BB30 BB48 DD02 GG18 GG18 GG26 GG29 GG31 GG32

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A camera capable of converting an optical image into an electronic image signal using an image pickup device, wherein an attachment mounting portion for mounting an attachment for a special effect is provided at a tip or a peripheral portion of a photographing lens, wherein the attachment mounting portion is provided. Information capturing means for capturing information from the special effect attachment attached to the camera, and signal processing means for processing an image signal read from the image sensor, wherein the captured image is based on the information captured from the information capturing means. And a signal processing means for giving a special effect to the camera. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said information reading means is an electric contact for transmitting information. 3. Information required for special effect processing is stored in an information storage unit provided in the special effect attachment, and information stored in the information storage unit is received via the information acquisition unit. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is configured to give a special effect to the photographed image based on the information. 4. Information necessary for processing a plurality of types of special effects is stored in an information storage section provided in the camera body, and information relating to mounting is stored based on the special effect selection information received from the information capturing means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information necessary for processing the special effect associated with the special effect attachment is read out from the information storage unit to perform image processing based on the special effect. Camera. 5. An information storage unit in which information necessary for processing a plurality of types of special effects is stored, and a type of the special effect attachment related to the mounting is detected based on the information received from the information capturing unit. Based on the detection of the detection means, read from the information storage unit information necessary for processing the special effect associated with the special effect attachment related to the mounting, the special effect 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is configured to perform image processing based on the camera. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of special effect attachments are simultaneously attached, an image processing effect obtained by combining the special effect processing of each special effect attachment is provided. Item 1. The camera according to Item 1. 7. An attachment which can be attached to an attachment mounting portion provided at a tip or a peripheral portion of a photographing lens of a camera, wherein the memory stores information necessary for performing special effect processing on an image signal. And an electrical contact for transmitting information for transmitting information in the memory to the camera side. 8. An attachment which can be attached to an attachment mounting portion provided at a tip or a peripheral portion of the photographing lens of the camera according to claim 4, wherein the means for providing special effect selection information to the camera side. Attachment for special effects characterized by having. 9. The special effect attachment according to claim 7, further comprising a connection structure for connecting two or more special effect attachments to each other.