JP2001136424A - Photographing device and photographing control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remarkably reduce adverse effect of overlapped photograph information onto a print picture by automatically avoiding inconvenience of a major picture on which prescribed information is superimposed so as to automatically discriminate a not important part thereby photographing and combining the prescribed information onto the major picture part and to allow a user to concentrate onto only photographing of an object without being troubled by combined position setting of the prescribed information. SOLUTION: A combining processing device provided with a control section 100 and a focus detection means 101 discriminates a focal or out of focal state on the basis of a focal position in each focus detection area provided to a plurality of different positions within a photographing image, the focus detection means 101 selects a photographing position in the vicinity of the focus detection area discriminated out of focus as to optional positions within the photographing image and the prescribed information is photographed to the selected photographing position and combined with the major picture part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus having an information imprinting function for imprinting characters and image information on a photographing screen, and is particularly suitably applied to a digital camera having a printer function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a digital camera in which predetermined information such as characters, symbols, designs, and the like are printed on a photographing screen and synthesized. Such a digital camera has a configuration in which the combining position of the predetermined information is fixed, and a configuration in which the user can arbitrarily set the combining position at the time of shooting.

[0003]

However, in a conventional digital camera of the type in which the combining position of the predetermined information is fixed, the inconvenience that the main image portion is superimposed on the predetermined information in the photographing screen occurs. Often. In a format in which the combining position can be arbitrarily set, it is possible to avoid this problem, but on the other hand, it often takes time to set the setting and misses a photo opportunity.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and automatically avoids the inconvenience that predetermined information is superimposed on a main image portion, and automatically determines a portion that is not so important to obtain the predetermined information. By imprinting and synthesizing, it is possible to significantly reduce the adverse effect on the print image due to the imprinting information synthesis, and to allow the user to concentrate on only photographing the subject without having to worry about setting the synthesis position of the predetermined information. An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing device and a photographing control method.

[0005]

A photographing apparatus according to the present invention captures an image and converts the image into image information; a storage means capable of storing the image information; and a photographing screen including the image information. And a synthesizing mechanism for synthesizing predetermined information at an arbitrary position in the photographing screen based on the focal position in the image.

One embodiment of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention includes a printer unit for printing an image from the image information in which the predetermined information is synthesized by the synthesizing processing mechanism.

In one aspect of the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the combining processing mechanism focuses or defocuses each of the focus detection areas provided at a plurality of different positions in the photographing screen based on the focal position. Focus detecting means for determining focus; and information imprinting position selecting means for selecting an imprinting position in the vicinity of the focus detection area determined to be out of focus by the focus detecting means for an arbitrary position in the photographing screen. And an information imprinting means for imprinting and synthesizing the predetermined information on the imprinting position selected by the information imprinting position selecting means.

[0008] A photographing control method according to the present invention captures an image,
Converting into image information, and determining in-focus or out-of-focus based on a predetermined setting for each focus detection area provided at a plurality of different positions in a shooting screen composed of the image information And determining whether to imprint predetermined information in the shooting screen, and when it is determined that imprinting of the predetermined information is performed,
Selecting an imprinting position in the vicinity of the focus detection area determined to be out of focus by the focus detecting means for an arbitrary position in the photographing screen; and selecting the imprinting position by the information imprinting position selecting means. And copying and combining the predetermined information at the embedding position.

[0009] One embodiment of the photographing control method of the present invention further comprises a step of printing an image from the image information in which the predetermined information is synthesized.

[0010] The storage medium of the present invention stores a computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the photographing apparatus.

The storage medium of the present invention stores a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the photographing control method in a computer-readable manner.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital still camera with a printing function (hereinafter simply referred to as a digital camera) according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, a control unit 100 is a control circuit unit having a microcomputer as a main component. The control unit 100 mainly performs system control including a digital camera function and printer control for printing, and performs overall control of the digital camera.

The imaging optical system includes a focus control means 101 used in the present embodiment and capable of detecting a plurality of focuses, an aperture mechanism in addition to a plurality of lens groups, and a focus and EE function for focusing and EE functions. The lens 102 is configured to automatically perform exposure and the like.

The focus control means 101 is connected to the control section 100 and can transmit focus information to the control section 100. The control unit 100 determines a position where the predetermined information is to be imprinted in the shooting screen based on the transmitted focus information, and synthesizes the predetermined information. That is, the focus control means 101 and the control section 100 function as a synthesizing processing mechanism, and the control section 100 selects an information printing position near the focus detection area determined to be out of focus by the focus detection means 101. A position selecting unit; and an information imprinting unit that imprints and combines the predetermined information at the imprinting position selected by the information imprinting position selecting unit.

A CCD unit 103 is arranged on an image plane of a still image (optical image) of a subject formed by the image pickup optical system. The output of the CCD unit 103 is input to an A / D converter 105 via a signal processing circuit 104 which mainly performs signal amplification processing and noise elimination, and is converted into a digital signal. The data is stored in a certain RAM 107 as 24-bit raw RGB data composed of 8 bits for each of RGB.

If the setting is a normal photographing mode in which an image is stored in the memory card 111, first the RAM
Image processing 1 for raw RGB data developed in 107
In 12 units, gamma correction, shading correction / edge correction, and color correction are performed. After that, the encoding unit 108 converts the data from the image processing unit 112 into a general-purpose image data file format (for example, JPEG format) on the removable memory card 111. The encoded data is stored as an image file in the memory card 111 via the card interface circuit 109 for data writing and the connector 110.

If the setting is a mode for simultaneous printing of images immediately after image capturing, a process in which functions are selected by the image processing unit 112 is performed so that printing can be performed by the built-in printer. Next, a process 113 for converting the resulting RGB data into CMYK for print output is performed, and finally, a quaternary process 114 for converting the RGB data to a printer-specific gradation (this is performed according to the dot gradation expression capability of the printer). different.)
Perform The data formed here is sent to the print head by the printer engine after the data is developed so that it can be printed as it is.

The LF motor 117 is a motor for feeding paper exclusively for printing from a paper cassette, and for feeding the paper during printing and discharging the paper. The motor driver 116 is
The LF motor 117 is driven by a control signal of a printer controller of the control unit 100. The display device 118 is a color LCD that can display an image immediately after imaging, image file data stored in the memory card 111, a message for a user, and the like.

A flash drive 119 controlled by the system controller emits flash light. I / F
The circuit 120 transmits and receives image data to and from the outside.

The sensor 121 mainly provides the following necessary information to the printer controller of the control unit 100.・ Battery level: Battery level information from battery pack, output voltage /
Detect the current. Battery ID: Among battery packs having different power capacities, since each battery pack has an ID to determine which battery pack is mounted, this is detected. -Paper detection: Detects the presence or absence of special paper for printing. Paper ejection detection: Detects whether printed paper has been ejected without jamming in the middle.・ Temperature and humidity: Detects environmental temperature and humidity.

The operation section 122 includes mode setting switches such as various setting switches (SW1 and SW2) and switches for performing operations in addition to the shutter. Writable ROM 123
Is configured to save the settings, and can be stored even when the power is turned off.

In the imprint information 124, predetermined information such as a date, a document, an image, a character, a symbol, a design, etc. is input in advance, and the imprint information 124 is superimposed on an output image or the original data itself is processed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the focus detection area and the imprint position in the photographing screen. In the figure,
, Are the focus detection areas 151, 152, 1 respectively.
53, A and B are projection positions 154 and 155, respectively.
Is shown.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing each processing for controlling the photographing of the digital camera of the present embodiment. First, in the judgment processing 201, focus detection for a subject is performed. The operation unit 12 by the focus control unit 101
The shutter image 2 is pressed down a little and the captured image is determined,
The focus position at which the focus is achieved is determined. After focus detection is performed based on this focus position, a determination process 2
In step 02, it is determined whether or not imprinting is set. If not, the process ends. If the setting is for imprinting, the judging process 203 judges the imprinting position. The imprint positions are the positions A and B in FIG. When it is determined in the determination process 203 that the position is initially set to the position A, the synthesis process 1 in which the information is copied to the position A according to the setting contents of Table 1 below in the determination process 204.
Or a process 207 for performing the combining process 2 for imprinting information at the position of B.
On the other hand, when it is determined in the determination process 203 that the position is initially set to the position B, the synthesis processes 205 and 207 are performed in the determination process 206 according to the determination processes in Table 1. In the synthesizing process, it is possible to directly process the data, or to synthesize only at the time of printing by the process 208 without adding information to the original data. Finally, print processing 208 is performed, and data is output.

[0026]

[Table 1]

Table 1 shows the criterion of the judgment processing 204 and the judgment processing 206 in the flowchart of FIG. The first column in the table shows the combination when the focus positions shown in FIG. 2 are simultaneously focused.
The second vertical column shows the processing when the imprint position is initially set to A, and the third vertical column shows the processing when the imprint position is initially set to B.

As an example, each processing in the case where the focus is set in the table and the initial setting is the position A and the position B is described. When the initial setting is position A, since the expected subject (main image portion) is on the position A side, it is more convenient to shift the position for imprinting information to the B side and to separate the information imprinting position from the object. Is good. Therefore, the information is automatically copied to the position B regardless of the initial setting of the position A. On the other hand, when the initial setting is the position A, a preparation is made to copy the information to the position B without changing the setting. Thus, various information imprint positions can be set by combining the number of focal points, the focus position (focus detection area), and the imprint position.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the inconvenience that the predetermined information is superimposed on the main image portion in the photographing screen is automatically avoided, and the portion that is not so important is automatically determined to determine the predetermined information. By imprinting and synthesizing, it is possible to greatly reduce the adverse effect on the print image due to the synthesis of the imprint information, and it is possible for the user to concentrate on shooting only the subject without having to worry about setting the synthesis position of the predetermined information. Become.

Note that, in order to realize the functions of the digital camera described in the present embodiment, the program code itself for operating various devices and the means for supplying the program code to a computer, the digital camera, Each step of the control method, for example, the program code itself for realizing the processes 201 to 208 in FIG. 3 and a means for supplying the program code to a computer, for example, a storage medium storing such a program code are provided by the present invention. Belongs to the category.

In this case, the program code stored in the storage medium is read out by a predetermined storage / reproduction device, and the EEPROM operates. As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the present embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application running on the computer in the program code. Such a program code is also included in the present invention when the functions of the present embodiment are realized in cooperation with software or the like.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided on a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the function expansion unit is specified based on the instruction of the program code. The present invention also includes a system in which a CPU or the like included in the system performs part or all of actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the present embodiment.

[0034]

According to the present invention, the position of a main subject is automatically estimated based on focus detection information on a plurality of focus detection areas, and information is printed so as to avoid the main subject position as much as possible. In addition, the probability that the projection information is superimposed on the subject at the center in the captured image can be significantly reduced.

Since no special operation is required for selecting the information imprinting position, the photographing operation of the photographer is not affected, and a photo opportunity is provided during the operation for selecting the information imprinting position. There is no such thing as missing. Since the imprint information can be superimposed only on the print data by setting, the photographed image data after photographing can be easily changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a focus detection area and a printing position in a shooting screen.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing each process for controlling photographing of the digital camera of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 control unit 101 focus control means 102 lens 103 CCD unit 104 signal processing circuit 105 A / D converter 106 memory controller 107 RAM 108 encoding unit 109 card interface circuit 110 connector 111 memory card 112 image processing unit 116 motor driver 117 LF motor 118 display device 119 strobe drive 120 I / F circuit 121 sensor

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AB30 AC69 5C023 AA16 AA18 AA31 AA37 AA40 CA03 CA05 DA03 DA04 5C052 FA02 FA03 FA09 FB03 FB05 FC06 FD09 FE04 5C082 AA27 AA32 BA02 BA20 BA27 BA34 BA87 CA55 MM01 DA87

Claims (7)

[Claims] An imaging unit configured to capture an image and convert the image information into image information; a storage unit configured to store the image information; and the imaging screen based on a focal position in the imaging screen including the image information. And a combining processing mechanism for combining predetermined information at an arbitrary position in the photographing apparatus. 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printer unit that prints an image from the image information obtained by synthesizing the predetermined information by the synthesizing processing mechanism. A focus detection unit configured to determine focus or non-focus based on the focus position for each focus detection area provided at a plurality of different positions in the photographing screen; An information imprinting position selecting means for selecting an imprinting position in the vicinity of the focus detection area determined to be out of focus by the focus detecting means for an arbitrary position in the photographing screen; 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an information imprinting means for imprinting and synthesizing the predetermined information on an imprinting position selected by the means. 4. An image pickup step of taking an image and converting the image information into image information; and a plurality of focus detection areas provided at a plurality of different positions in a shooting screen composed of the image information based on predetermined settings. A step of determining whether to focus or out of focus; a step of determining whether or not the predetermined information is to be imprinted in the shooting screen; and Selecting an imprinting position in the vicinity of the focus detection area determined to be out of focus by the focus detecting means for an arbitrary position in a shooting screen; and imprinting selected by the information imprinting position selecting means. Transferring the predetermined information to a position and synthesizing the predetermined information. 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising printing an image from the image information in which the predetermined information is combined. 6. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the photographing apparatus according to claim 1. 7. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute each step of the shooting control method according to claim 4 or 5.