JP2000270250A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera with a simple configuration where a user can properly and easily photograph an object at a vertical or horizontal position of the camera without making a mistake about how to hold the camera main body and how to lay out the object. SOLUTION: A user operates a template selection switch 4 to select a template picture. A picture display section 3 displays the template picture and a user holds an electronic camera main body 1 in a proper direction according to the display mode of the template picture on the picture display section 3 and depresses a release switch 6 to photograph an object. A system controller writes vertical/horizontal information of the template picture currently selected, that is vertical or horizontal position information or the like of the picture relating the photographing at a header area of a picture data file.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera device for electronically photographing an image of a subject using a solid-state image sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic camera apparatus, when shooting is performed while changing the holding direction such as holding the main body not only horizontally (a general direction) but also vertically, vertical and horizontal information indicating that fact is recorded in a shot image. By doing so, it is convenient if the display direction of the image can be appropriately set and displayed using the vertical and horizontal information in the subsequent image display and print output.

For this reason, in the electronic camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-53379 filed by the same applicant as the present application, the attitude of the electronic camera body is detected by a camera attitude detection sensor, and the output is recorded together with an image. Aside
The orientation of the image is automatically changed. The still video photographing device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-199552 is also provided with a posture detecting means, so that the direction of an image can be changed according to the detected posture according to the posture of the photographing device.

However, for example, the liquid switch and the direction detecting circuit which constitute these attitude detecting means are necessarily provided in the apparatus main body, and the load on the camera is small from the viewpoint of the space in the housing and the apparatus cost. Absent.

Therefore, it is conceivable that the user himself or herself gives an instruction to perform vertical or horizontal photographing with a switch or the like without providing the above posture detecting means.

However, the special provision of such switches and the like is limited by the space of the housing, and the user must perform a shooting operation while grasping the contents set by the switches. ,
Incorrect vertical and horizontal holding may occur. For this reason, the usability is not always good.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to perform vertical and horizontal photographing without making a mistake in how to hold the main body and how to hold the subject. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera device having a simple configuration that can be appropriately and easily performed.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, an electronic camera device according to the present invention is configured as follows.

An electronic camera device according to the present invention includes a photographing lens system for forming an optical image of a subject, and an electronic device for photoelectrically converting the subject image formed by the photographing lens system and outputting an image signal representing the subject image. Image capturing means, template image storing means for storing a plurality of template images including a vertical template image having vertical and horizontal information indicating vertical shooting and horizontal template images having vertical and horizontal information indicating horizontal shooting, and storing in the template image storing means Template image selecting means for allowing a user to select a desired template image from among a plurality of template images which have been selected, a subject image based on an image signal output from the electronic imaging means, and a user via the template image selecting means. Display control means for displaying an image display device with the template image selected by the Photographing means for photographing the subject image obtained through the electronic photographing means in accordance with an instruction from the user, a photographed image obtained by the photographing means, and a vertical and horizontal direction of the template image selected by the template image selecting means. Photographed image recording means for recording information in association with information.

According to this configuration, when a desired template image is selected from a plurality of template images stored in the template image storage means, the subject image and the selected template image are displayed on the image display device. Based on such a display, the user can appropriately and easily perform vertical and horizontal shooting without making a mistake in how to hold the electronic camera apparatus main body and how to hold the subject.
Further, since selecting a template image by the template image selecting means itself corresponds to instructing vertical shooting or horizontal shooting, there is no need to provide a switch or the like for instructing vertical or horizontal shooting. The configuration of the device can be simplified and the operation can be simplified.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an electronic camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a rear view of the electronic camera device, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG.
(C) shows a template image display example in vertical shooting. The back of the electronic camera device shown in FIG. 1A is the user (operator) side, and the front of the electronic camera device shown in FIG. 1B is the subject side.

As shown in FIG. 1A, an optical viewfinder 2, an image display unit 3,
A template type selection switch (SW) 4 and a template mode selection switch (SW) 5 are provided. As shown in FIG. 1B, a photographic lens system 7 and a strobe 8 are provided on the front of the main body 1, and a release switch 6 is provided on the upper part of the main body 1.

The case where the user takes a picture with the main body 1 of the electronic camera apparatus in the horizontal direction is called "horizontal shooting", and the case where the user takes the picture with the main body 1 in the vertical direction is called "vertical shooting". When performing landscape photography, the optical viewfinder 2 is located on the left hand side and the release switch 6 is located on the right hand side as viewed from the user. When performing vertical shooting, the optical viewfinder 2 is located on the head side and the release switch 6 is located on the foot side as viewed from the user. Performing horizontal shooting or vertical shooting while displaying a template image on the image display unit 3 to assist the user in shooting is referred to as “template shooting”.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electronic camera device according to the embodiment. The main body 1 of the electronic camera device according to the present embodiment includes a photographic lens system 7 for obtaining an optical image of a subject. The photographic lens system 7 includes a photographic lens, an aperture, a shutter, and a focus lens (not shown) arranged in a line on the same optical axis.

An image pickup device 10, an image pickup circuit 12, and an A / D circuit 14 for picking up an optical image of a subject obtained by the photographing lens system 7 by photoelectric conversion and obtaining image data of the optical image. For example, an imaging device 10 composed of a CCD,
The image data is obtained as an analog electric signal by the imaging circuit 12, converted into digital image data by the A / D circuit 14, and output. This image data is stored in memory 1
6 stores and holds.

The electronic camera apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a user's instruction to shoot a template, and further includes operation means for giving an instruction to shoot. This operation means comprises the template type selection switch 4, the template mode selection switch 5, and the release switch 6 shown in FIG.

The template type selection switch 4 is for the user to select the type of the template image, and the template mode selection switch 5 is for selecting the template mode. The types of template images are used when performing horizontal shooting, a plurality of horizontal template images in which different images are fixedly drawn, and used when performing vertical shooting. It is composed of a plurality of vertical template images on which images are fixedly drawn. Each of the horizontal template image and the vertical template image has unique vertical and horizontal information.

The template mode includes a template combining mode in which a template image selected by a user is combined with a photographed image, and a contour template mode in which only the photographed image is recorded without combining the selected template image with the photographed image. Be composed.

The combining circuit 20 shown in FIG. 2 reads out the image data of the subject from the memory 16 and reads out the image data of the currently selected template image from the template memory 18 and combines them. When the template mode selection switch 5 is set to the outline template mode, the synthesizing circuit 56 does not perform the image synthesizing process, and only the subject image is displayed on the image display unit 3.

The image data of the composite image is sent to an image display circuit 22
Sent to The image display circuit 22 is a circuit that controls the display of the image display unit 3. The image display circuit 22 sends the image data of the synthesized image sent from the synthesis circuit 20 to the image display unit 3 to perform display control. A composite image of the image and the template image is displayed on the image display unit 3.

At the time of photographing, when the user presses the release switch 6, the shutter operates. When performing flash photography, the flash 8 operates in synchronization with the shutter operation by operating the release switch 6.

Image data at the time of photographing is supplied from the memory 16 to the compression / expansion circuit 24. The compression / expansion circuit 24 compresses the image data sent from the memory 16 according to a known image compression method conforming to, for example, JPEG. Compressed image data is stored in memory interface (I / F)
The data is written to the detachable memory 28 via 26. The removable memory 28 is, for example, an SSFDC (Solid State Floppy Disk).
Card) and is removably attached to a memory card slot (not shown). The user can pull out the removable memory 28 from the memory card slot and replace it with another removable memory as needed.

In the present embodiment, some peripheral devices are connected to the electronic camera device 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing such a system configuration.

The present system comprises a printer 30 into which a memory card 40 can be inserted, and an image display unit 3 of the electronic camera device 1.
A display monitor 60 having a screen that is relatively larger than the display monitor 60 is connected to the electronic camera device 1. Printer 30
Is a means for inputting image data from the electronic camera device 1 or the memory card 40 and printing the image on paper or film. The display monitor 60 receives image data from the printer 30 or the electronic camera device 1 and displays the screen. It is a means to do.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining horizontal shooting using a horizontal template.

When the subject is photographed horizontally, the user first operates the template type selection switch 4 to select a horizontal template image. FIG. 4A shows an example of the selected horizontal template image. This horizontal template image is displayed on the image display unit 3.

Next, the user holds the electronic camera device main body 1 in an appropriate direction based on the display mode of the horizontal template image on the image display unit 3. And release switch 6
The subject is photographed by pressing. FIG. 4B shows a photographed subject image.

For example, here, the template synthesis mode is selected as the template mode, and the compression / expansion circuit 24 inputs the image data of the photographed image from the memory 16 and the image data of the horizontal template image from the synthesis circuit 20. Then, both image data are combined, and after the above-described compression processing is performed, the combined image data after compression is output to the memory I / F 26. FIG. 4C shows the composite image obtained at this point. The compressed composite image data is written to the removable memory 28 as a data file via the memory I / F 26.

Next, the system controller 9 sets the vertical and horizontal information of the currently selected horizontal template image, that is, the vertical or horizontal position information of the image related to the horizontal shooting, so as to write it in the header area of the composite image data file. Is performed.

As described above, the template image displayed as an auxiliary for the horizontal photographing can have various configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 4D, if characters such as “title” are included in the template image, it becomes easier for the user to determine the length and width based on the display of the characters. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4 (e), if a picture such as a car, which is easy to understand in the vertical direction, is included, there is no possibility that even a child or an elderly person may mistakenly make a mistake in the vertical and horizontal directions.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining vertical shooting using a vertical template.

When vertically photographing a subject, the user operates the template type selection switch 4 to select a vertical template image. FIG. 5A shows an example of a selected vertical template image. This vertical template image is displayed on the image display unit 3.

Next, the user holds the electronic camera device main body 1 in an appropriate direction based on the display mode of the vertical template image on the image display section 3. In particular, in the vertical photographing, the image display circuit 22 changes the display mode of the template image on the image display unit 3 so that the light emission position of the strobe 8 is located above the template image as shown in FIG. Control. Then, when the user presses the release switch 6, the strobe emits light and an object is photographed. In this case, the strobe light emission is appropriate with respect to the orientation of the main body 1. FIG. 5B shows a photographed subject image.

Similarly to the above, here, the template synthesis mode is selected as the template mode.
The compression / expansion circuit 24 inputs the image data of the photographed image from the memory 16 and the image data of the vertical template image from the synthesizing circuit 20, and synthesizes both image data.
Further, after performing the above-described compression processing, it outputs the composite image data after compression to the memory I / F 26. FIG. 5C shows the composite image obtained at this point. The compressed composite image data is written to the removable memory 28 as a data file via the memory I / F 26.

Next, the system controller 9 sets the vertical / horizontal information of the currently selected vertical template image, that is, the vertical / horizontal position information of the image related to the vertical shooting, so as to write it in the header area of the composite image data file. Is performed.

As described above, the template image displayed as an auxiliary for the vertical photographing may have various configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 5D, if characters such as “title” are included in the template image, it becomes easier for the user to determine the length and width based on the display of the characters.

Next, a case where the contour template mode is selected as the template mode will be described with reference to FIG.

It is assumed that the outline template mode is selected by the template mode selection switch 5 and the outline template for horizontal photography as shown in FIG. This outline template image is displayed on the image display unit 3 as shown in FIG.

Next, the user holds the electronic camera device main body 1 in an appropriate direction based on the display mode of the contour template image on the image display unit 3. The subject is photographed by pressing the release switch 6.

Here, since the contour template mode is selected, the compression / expansion circuit 24 inputs only the image data of the photographed image from the memory 16 and performs the above-described compression processing on this image data. The compressed image data is output to the memory I / F 26. FIG. 6C shows an image obtained at this point. The compressed image data is written to the removable memory 28 as a data file via the memory I / F 26.

Next, the system controller 9 sets the vertical and horizontal information of the currently selected outline template image, that is, the vertical or horizontal position information of the image related to the horizontal shooting, in a predetermined manner so as to write the information into the header area of the image data file. Perform write control.

After the above processing is completed, the image of the contour template may be combined (pasted) with the photographed image. It is also possible to combine the outline template image and the captured image only for display on the image display unit 3 and to perform only the captured image in recording.

Various configuration examples are conceivable for the contour template image as described above. For example, a child-shaped contour template such as a human-shaped contour template shown in FIG. 6D or a car or arrow contour template shown in FIGS. And even elderly people do not have to worry about making mistakes vertically and horizontally.

According to the above-described template synthesizing mode for displaying a horizontal or vertical template image and synthesizing and recording the captured image, the user can use the electronic camera based on the template image displayed on the image display unit 3. The vertical and horizontal photography can be appropriately and easily performed without making a mistake in how to hold the apparatus body 1 and how to hold the subject. Further, it goes without saying that the additional function of not only photographing the image of the subject but also synthesizing various template (template) images with the photographed image contributes to expanding the usability of the electronic camera. No. According to the contour template mode, it is also possible not to perform the composite recording of the photographed image and the template image according to the user's preference.

The recording of vertical and horizontal information in association with the composite image and the photographed image in the template synthesizing mode and the contour template mode has already been described. This vertical / horizontal information is useful when an image is output by a peripheral device connected to the electronic camera device 1 shown in FIG.

For example, FIG. 7 shows an output example of a composite image by the printer 30. By determining the vertical and horizontal position information of the image based on the vertical and horizontal information, for example, “year / month / day”
Can be inserted at an appropriate position in the image and printed out.

FIG. 8 shows an output example of a composite image and a photographed image (thumbnail image) on the display monitor 60. Similarly, the vertical / horizontal direction of the image is determined based on the vertical / horizontal information, and the composite image and the thumbnail image of the captured image can be appropriately arranged and displayed.

(Features of the Embodiment) [1] In the electronic camera apparatus shown in the embodiment, the photographing lens system (7) for forming an optical image of a subject and the photographing lens system (7) are formed. Electronic imaging means (10, 12) for photoelectrically converting the formed subject image and outputting an image signal representing the subject image, and having a vertical template image having vertical and horizontal information indicating vertical shooting and vertical and horizontal information indicating horizontal shooting A template image storage unit (18) for storing a plurality of template images including a horizontal template image, and a user selecting a desired template image from the plurality of template images stored in the template image storage unit (18). A template image selecting means (4), a subject image based on an image signal output from the electronic imaging means (10, 12), and a user selecting the object image via the template image selecting means (4); Display control means (22) for displaying the extracted template image on the image display device (3), and photographing the subject image obtained through the electronic imaging means (10, 12) according to an instruction from a user. Photographing means, a photographed image obtained by the photographing means,
Photographed image recording means (28) for recording the template image selected by the template image selecting means (4) in association with the vertical and horizontal information thereof.

[2] The electronic camera device shown in the embodiment is an image synthesizing unit (S) for synthesizing the template image selected by the template image selecting unit (4) and the photographed image obtained by the photographing unit. 20),
The photographed image recording means (28) includes a synthesized image obtained by the image synthesizing means, and the template image selecting means.
It is characterized in that the vertical and horizontal information of the template image selected in (4) is recorded in association with it.

[3] The electronic camera device according to the embodiment includes a first template mode for combining the template image selected by the template image selecting means (4) with the photographed image, and a template image selecting means. And a second template mode that does not combine the template image selected by the above with the photographed image, and a selecting means (5) for selecting a template mode.

[4] The electronic camera device shown in the embodiment further includes a light emitting means (8) for emitting a strobe light for photographing, and the display control means (22) is arranged such that the upper part of the template image is It is characterized in that the upper and lower display modes of the template image on the image display device (3) are controlled so as to be the light emitting position of the light emitting means (8).

[5] In the electronic camera device described in the embodiment, when the first template mode is selected by the selection means (5), the composite image of the template image and the photographed image is photographed. It is characterized by comprising means for selecting whether to record by the image recording means (28) or to record only the photographed image by the photographed image recording means (28) without combining the template images.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with various modifications.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera apparatus having a simple structure capable of appropriately and easily performing vertical and horizontal photography without making a mistake in how to hold the main body and how to hold the subject. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of an electronic camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1 (a) is a rear view of the electronic camera device, FIG. 1 (b) is a front view, and FIG. Diagram showing a template image display example in shooting

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electronic camera device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration in which peripheral devices are connected to the electronic camera device.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining horizontal shooting using a horizontal template.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining vertical shooting using a vertical template.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining contour template mode photographing;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an output example of a composite image by a printer.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an output example of a composite image and a captured image (thumbnail image) on a display monitor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Body 2 ... Optical viewfinder 3 ... Image display part 4 ... Template type selection switch 5 ... Template mode selection switch 6 ... Release switch 7 ... Shooting lens system 8 ... Strobe 10 ... Imaging element 12 ... Imaging circuit 14 ... A / D circuit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Memory 18 ... Template memory 20 ... Synthesis circuit 22 ... Image display circuit part 24 ... Compression / decompression circuit 26 ... Memory interface (I / F) 28 ... Removable memory

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AB15 AB68 AC42 AC69 5C023 AA11 AA16 AA21 AA31 AA37 AA38 BA11 BA15 CA01 CA05 CA08 DA01 DA04 5C052 FA02 FA03 FA04 FB01 FB05 FC08 FD09 FD14 FE04 FE06

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A photographing lens system for forming an optical image of a subject, electronic imaging means for photoelectrically converting the subject image formed by the photographing lens system, and outputting an image signal representing the subject image, Template image storage means for storing a plurality of template images including a vertical template image having vertical and horizontal information indicating shooting and a horizontal template image having vertical and horizontal information indicating horizontal shooting, and a plurality of templates stored in the template image storing means Template image selecting means for allowing a user to select a desired template image from images; a subject image based on an image signal output from the electronic imaging means; and a template image selected by the user via the template image selecting means. Display control means for displaying an image on the image display device; A photographing means for photographing the subject image obtained through the electronic photographing means; a photographed image obtained by the photographing means; and a vertical and horizontal information of the template image selected by the template image selecting means, recorded in association with each other. Photographed image recording means for performing
An electronic camera device comprising: 2. An image synthesizing unit for synthesizing a template image selected by the template image selecting unit and a photographed image obtained by the photographing unit, wherein the photographed image recording unit includes the image synthesizing unit. 2. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein the composite image obtained by the step (b) and the vertical and horizontal information of the template image selected by the template image selecting means are recorded in association with each other. 3. A first template mode in which the template image selected by the template image selecting means is combined with the photographed image, and a second template mode in which the template image selected by the template image selecting means is not combined with the photographed image. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit configured to select a template mode including the template mode. 4. A light emitting unit for emitting a strobe light for photographing, wherein the display control unit controls the template on the image display device so that a light emitting position of the light emitting unit is on a template image. 2. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein upper and lower display modes of the image are controlled. 5. When the first template mode is selected by the selection unit, a composite image of the template image and the captured image is recorded by the captured image recording unit or the template image is not combined. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for selecting whether to record only the photographed image by the photographed image recording means.
An electronic camera device according to claim 1.