JP2001186406A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera that can quickly set photographing conditions specific to a user based on the past photographing processing. SOLUTION: A system controller 27 controls each section in this electronic camera and has a custom condition setting section 29 and a custom condition storage section 30. The custom condition storage section 30 stores a photographing condition corresponding to the photographing processing having actually be conducted as a custom condition prevent value (a). The custom condition setting section 29 reads the custom photographing condition from the custom condition storage section 30 when a mode dial 2 is used to set a custom photographing mode and allows any of control processing sections of a photographing control section 28 to perform the photographing processing based on the read photographing condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera for photographing a subject image using a semiconductor image sensor, and more particularly, to an electronic camera capable of quickly setting a user-specific photographing condition based on past photographing results. About the camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, cameras have been highly digitized with the development of semiconductor technology, and photographing processing is often executed by automatic control of a microcomputer or the like.

[0003] Among the automatic control photography, for example, in aperture priority photography, when an aperture value is designated, a shutter speed is automatically calculated based on a photometric result and photographing is performed. In shutter speed priority shooting, an appropriate aperture value is automatically calculated by designating the shutter speed. Further, there is a program photography or the like in which all of the aperture value and the shutter speed are automatically determined based on a preset program chart.

On the other hand, many cameras are provided with a manual photographing mode in which the aperture value, shutter speed, and the like are all manually set.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-034791 discloses that a bar code is read, so that portrait photography,
There is disclosed a technique capable of setting shooting conditions suitable for landscape shooting, close-up shooting, and the like. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-26
Japanese Patent No. 0364 discloses a technique in which an electronic still camera reproduces an image sample stored in a recording medium and can set photographing conditions corresponding to the reproduced image.

[0006]

By the way, in the first place, in the case of camera photographing, delicate photographing conditions are often set according to the personal preference and sense of the photographer. Moreover, in photographing, for example, in the field, it may be necessary to quickly set the photographing conditions and accurately reproduce the photographing conditions. For example, there is a case in which shooting is performed under a certain shooting condition, another shooting is performed for a while, and shooting is performed again under the previous condition.

In such a case, it is troublesome to reproduce the image from the bar code or the recording medium one by one and reset the conditions. Further, if the photographing condition is further modified from the condition read first, the same condition cannot be read from the barcode or the recording medium.

[0008] Even if it is not particularly required to be quick, it is troublesome to read and set special shooting conditions corresponding to personal preferences from a barcode or a memory card each time. It is convenient if the photographing function can be modified exclusively for the user. In other words, in the world of personal camera photography, the photographing performance of the individual camera owner often has a significant effect on subsequent photography. This is because the evaluation of the result of camera shooting largely depends on the individual's sense.

Therefore, there are cases where it is desired to change the automatic condition given in advance by the manufacturer and to set so that a certain photographing condition can be constantly corrected and photographing can be performed. For example, when there is a user who always considers overexposure in the program mode of a certain camera, it is convenient if the user can always take a picture with negative exposure compensation when taking a picture. Such photographing can be realized by setting the exposure correction one by one. However, if the user lacks such knowledge or has little knowledge of the camera, the exposure correction setting becomes difficult. In some cases.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to set photographing conditions based on past photographing results, and to set the photographing conditions unless the setting is changed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera to which a new photographing mode that can be used constantly can be added.

A second object is to set a new user's personal photographing condition quickly without using an external storage medium, and to use a new photographing condition which can be used constantly without changing the setting. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera to which a shooting mode can be added.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention relates to an electronic camera for photographing a subject image using a semiconductor image pickup device. Photographing condition storing means for storing conditions in the memory device, photographing mode selecting means for selecting any one of a plurality of photographing modes to which unique photographing conditions are assigned, and the photographing mode selecting means A photographing condition setting means for setting photographing conditions stored in the memory device when a predetermined photographing mode is selected, and photographing for executing a photographing process using the photographing conditions set by the photographing condition setting means. And control means.

Many electronic cameras are provided with various photographing modes such as a program mode and an aperture priority photographing mode. However, these modes are only provided by the camera manufacturer. Therefore, in the electronic camera according to the present invention, it is possible to set a photographing condition based on the photographing result of the photographer's individual, store the photographing condition in a nonvolatile memory, and provide a personal photographing mode (custom mode) in the photographing mode. Added a personal shooting mode. This makes it possible to easily customize the camera. Also, with an electronic camera, a captured image can be reproduced immediately after, and unlike a conventional silver halide camera, it is a rational method to set the next imaging condition with reference to the immediately preceding imaging condition. In the present invention, the past photographing conditions are stored, and it is possible to easily reproduce and photograph, so that the photographing desired by the user can be performed more easily.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera for photographing a subject image using a semiconductor image pickup device, comprising: a non-volatile memory device; and a photographing mode selected from a plurality of photographing modes each assigned a unique photographing condition. A photographing mode selecting unit for selecting a mode, a photographing condition correcting unit for correcting a photographing condition set in accordance with the selection of the photographing mode by the photographing mode selecting unit, and when a predetermined operation is performed, A photographing condition storing means for storing the photographing condition being set in the memory device; and a photographing condition setting for setting the photographing condition stored in the memory device when a predetermined photographing mode is selected by the photographing mode selecting means. Means, and photographing control means for executing photographing processing using the photographing conditions set by the photographing condition setting means. .

As described above, in an electronic camera, a captured image can be reproduced immediately afterward. Therefore, unlike a conventional silver halide camera, it is reasonable to set the next photographing condition with reference to the immediately preceding photographed condition. Method. In the present invention, since the past photographing conditions are stored, and a part of the photographing can be easily corrected, the photographing desired by the user can be more easily performed. Further, in the electronic camera of the present invention, since the photographing conditions set for the photographing processing are stored as they are in the electronic camera, the personal photographing conditions can be quickly changed without relying on an external storage medium. It can be set, and the set shooting conditions can be used separately from other modes in a personal shooting mode.

In the electronic camera of the present invention, the photographing condition storing means stores a plurality of photographing conditions in the memory device, and the photographing condition setting means instructs the photographing condition to be selected from the plurality of photographing conditions. A photographing condition is set.

According to the electronic camera of the present invention, it is possible to select and set a desired photographing condition from a plurality of personal photographing conditions according to a photographing situation.

Further, in the electronic camera according to the present invention, the photographing condition storing means stores the photographing conditions of a plurality of generations and their histories in the memory device, and the photographing condition setting means cancels the current photographing conditions. Each time the instruction is given, the immediately preceding shooting condition is obtained in time series from the history and reset.

As for the photographing conditions set in the personal photographing mode, it is easier to handle one kind of photographing condition than to select from a plurality of photographing conditions. However, there may be times when you want to use other conditions used in the past. Therefore, in the electronic camera of the present invention, camera conditions set in the past can be restored in a time-series manner in consideration of a balance between selection from a plurality of conditions and ease of handling of the camera.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is an external view of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 1, this electronic camera has an OVF (optical finder).
Instead, a peeping type EVF (Electro View Finder) 1 is used. The mode dial 2 switches among a program shooting mode (P), an aperture priority shooting mode (A), a shutter speed priority shooting mode (S), a manual shooting mode (M), a custom shooting mode (C), and a playback mode.

The operation keys 3 are for performing various operation inputs, and are composed of cross-shaped input keys. The operation dial 4 is also used for inputting an operation. The photographer performs an input of a limited type while looking at the EVF 1 and a large reproduction liquid crystal panel on the back of the camera. Then, the photographing is executed by pressing the release button 5. Further, a custom button 6 and a reset key 7 are provided.

The display of the control panel 8 is controlled by a system controller 27, which will be described later, and displays a shooting mode, conditions, the number of remaining shots, and the like. In addition, EVF
The photographing conditions are also displayed from 1 and the reproduction liquid crystal panel.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the electronic camera.

In this electronic camera, a light beam from the subject image enters the CCD 14 via the lens system 11, the aperture 12, and the shutter 13, and electric charges are accumulated in each element of the CCD 14. When reading from the CCD 14, the shutter 13 is closed.

An imaging circuit 15 is attached to the CCD 14, and controls the exposure, readout, element shutter, power supply, and the like by the imaging circuit 15. In addition, CCD1
The output from 4 passes through the A / D converter 16 and goes to DRAM once.
After being stored in the memory 17, the image data is converted into still image information for a photograph by the image processing unit 18 and stored in the buffer memory 19. Furthermore, the compression processing (JPE)
G) and stored in the recording medium 21. Recording medium 21
For example, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk, or a flash memory is used.

The image subjected to the still image processing by the image processing unit 18 is subjected to a confirmation image (RE) before being stored by the display control unit 22.
C-view) playback liquid crystal panel (TF
T panel 23 can be displayed. Further, the recorded image once stored in the recording medium 21 is also subjected to decompression processing by the compression / decompression unit 22, temporarily stored in the buffer memory 19, and can be displayed from the reproduction liquid crystal panel 23.

On the other hand, the CCD output from the A / D converter 16 is processed by the EVF image processing unit 24 so that a moving image can be displayed, and the display control unit 25 converts the CCD output into a through image (moving image) for the EVF. It is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 26. The EVF liquid crystal panel 26 includes a liquid crystal panel (TF
This is a peeping type EVF in which a lens is provided on a T panel. The application of the present invention is not limited to the case where EVF is used, but OVF may be used.

The system controller 27 controls each part in the camera (AF (automatic focusing) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, photographing circuit, and all others (at least the parts indicated by arrow lines)). Further, it receives various operation inputs from various operation buttons (release button 5, operation key 3, etc.) and executes control according to the inputs. Further, various information is displayed on the control panel 8. Further, the system controller 27 has at least a shooting control unit 28, a custom condition setting unit 29, a custom condition storage unit 30, and a shooting condition input receiving unit 31.

The photographing condition input accepting unit 31 accepts photographing condition inputs from the release button 5, the operation keys 3, the mode dial 2, the operation dial 4, and the reset key 7, and passes them to the photographing control unit 28 or the custom condition setting unit 29. .

The photographing control unit 28 includes a manual control processing unit 32, a program control processing unit 33, an aperture priority control processing unit 34, and a shutter speed priority control processing unit 35, and a mode set by the mode dial 2. Perform shooting with. In addition, each control processing unit holds the photographing conditions and, when receiving a photographing control request from the custom condition setting unit 29, performs the photographing process in the mode in which it is in charge under the designated photographing conditions. In addition, the photographing control unit 28
Although not specifically shown, a CCD output is obtained from the A / D converter 16 and photometry and AF processing for exposure are also performed.

When the custom shooting mode is set by the mode dial 2, that is, when the mode dial 2 is set to the custom shooting mode, the custom condition setting unit 29 stores the custom shooting conditions (custom shooting conditions) from the custom condition storage unit 30. (Also referred to as a condition or a camera condition for photographing), and causes one of the control processing units of the photographing control unit 28 to perform a photographing process based on the read custom photographing condition.

The custom photographing conditions are obtained by storing photographing conditions at the time of actual photographing as a custom condition current value a. The custom shooting condition a is specified by specifying a shooting mode to perform shooting in the manual shooting mode, the program shooting mode, the aperture priority shooting mode, and the shutter speed priority shooting mode, and set in the shooting mode. It consists of various shooting conditions to be achieved. Here, the shooting conditions include a shutter speed, an aperture value, an exposure correction value, a flash emission control condition, a white balance condition, and the like. These photographing conditions can be set and input with the operation keys 3.

When the custom button 6 is pressed in any one of the photographing modes, the custom condition setting section 29 stores the photographing mode information and the photographing information held by the corresponding control processing section at that time. This is stored as the custom condition current value a of the unit 30. The custom condition storage unit 30 is provided with a custom condition history storage unit, and each time the latest custom condition current value is updated, the previous custom condition is stored as the custom condition history b in the history storage unit. It has become.

Further, when the reset key 7 is pressed with the custom button 6 kept pressed, the custom condition setting section 29 clears the custom condition current value a, and sets the custom condition current value a immediately before the current value. The custom condition that has been set is reset as the custom condition current value a. The previous value is read from the custom condition history b. Further, the custom condition current value a can be changed by inputting an operation key.

The custom condition storage unit 30 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or a battery backup RAM, and the contents are not erased even when the power is turned off, so that the custom current value can be used at any time.

Accordingly, for example, when exposure correction is fixedly performed for a program mode given in advance,
A custom current value obtained by customizing this program mode may be held, and read and used as needed.

Next, the operation of the electronic camera will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure relating to a photographing process of the electronic camera.

When the electronic camera is in the photographing mode (YES in step A1), first, photographing conditions required by each mode are set (step A2). FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation procedure relating to the setting of the photographing conditions.

When setting photographing conditions, it is first determined whether or not the mode is the custom mode (step B1). If the mode is the custom mode (YES in step B1), the custom photographing conditions are read out from the custom condition storage unit 30 and displayed. (Step B2). Here, if there is a change in the custom condition (YES in step B3), it is determined whether the reset key 7 is pressed while the custom button 6 is pressed (step B4). If the reset key 7 is not pressed while the custom button 6 is pressed (N in step B4)
O), a condition change input is received (step B5), and the changed shooting condition is stored as a new custom condition (step B6).

On the other hand, if the reset key 7 is pressed while the custom button 6 is pressed (YE in step B4).
S), the custom condition currently set in the custom condition storage unit 30 is cleared, and the custom condition set immediately before is stored again as the current value and displayed (step B7). Then, in the control processing of the shooting mode indicated by the custom condition, the shooting condition based on the custom condition is set (step B8).

If the mode is not the custom mode (NO in step B1), it is determined whether or not there is a photographing condition setting required in each mode (step B9). If there is any (YES in step B9), the photographing condition is set. It is set (step B10).

When the setting of the photographing conditions is completed, it is determined whether or not the release button 5 has been pressed (step A).
3) If pressed (YES in step A3), a photographing process is executed according to the set mode and photographing conditions (step A4). FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation procedure relating to the photographing processing.

In the photographing process, it is first determined whether or not the camera is in the custom mode (step C1). If the mode is the custom mode (YES in step C1), the photographing process in the photographing mode indicated by the custom condition is executed (step C2). ).
On the other hand, if the mode is not the custom mode (N in step C1)
O), photographing processing in each mode is executed (step C3).

When the photographing process is completed, it is determined whether the custom button 6 has been pressed (step A).
5) If it has been pressed (YES in step A5), the custom condition is stored under the immediately preceding shooting condition (step A6).

As described above, in this electronic camera, it is possible to quickly set the individual photographing conditions used in the past in the photographing process.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an electronic camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The first mentioned above
In the electronic camera of the embodiment, one custom shooting condition can always be set as the custom condition current value a. However, in the electronic camera of the second embodiment, the custom condition is stored in the custom condition storage unit 30. A plurality of setting slots are provided so that a desired custom condition can be selected and set from a plurality of custom conditions. Correspondingly, the processing in the custom condition setting and the custom shooting mode is slightly different from the first embodiment.

That is, when the custom button 6 is pressed in any of the shooting modes, the contents of each setting slot are displayed on the EVF liquid crystal panel 26 and the reproduction liquid crystal panel 23,
The state can be selected by the operation dial 4. here,
When the operation dial 4 is rotated, the setting slot is sequentially selected. When the custom button 6 is pressed at a desired slot, the shooting condition immediately before shooting and the shooting mode information are set as the custom shooting conditions on the slot. Is set.

When the mode dial 2 is set to the custom shooting mode, the custom condition in each setting slot is displayed in the same manner. When the user selects the custom dial with the operation dial 4 and presses the custom button 6, the selected custom condition is displayed. Is ready for shooting.

In the second embodiment, a custom condition can be set for each of a plurality of slots and a desired custom condition can be selected. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the current value a and the history value are stored in the custom condition storage unit 30. There is no portion corresponding to b. Therefore, there is no particular need to provide a mechanism for clearing the current value with the custom button 6 and the reset key 7.

Here, the operation of the electronic camera will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, compared with the electronic camera according to the first embodiment, setting of photographing conditions (step A in FIG. 3)
Only the difference between 2) and the storage of the custom condition (step A6 in FIG. 3) will be described below.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation procedure for setting the photographing conditions of the electronic camera.

First, it is determined whether the mode is the custom mode (step D1). If the mode is the custom mode (YES in step D1), all the custom photographing conditions are read out from the custom condition storage unit 30 and displayed in a list (step D2). . Then, a custom condition is selected by the operation dial 4 (step D3). Here, if there is a change in the custom condition (YES in step D4), a condition change input is accepted (step D5), and the changed shooting condition is stored as a new custom condition (step D).
6). Further, in the control processing of the shooting mode indicated by the custom condition, the shooting condition based on the custom condition is set (step D7).

If the mode is not the custom mode (NO in step D1), it is determined whether or not there is a photographing condition setting required in each mode (step D8). If there is any (YES in step D8), the photographing condition is set. It is set (step D9).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation procedure for storing custom conditions of the electronic camera.

First, all the condition setting slots are read from the custom condition storage unit 30, and the contents thereof are displayed as a list (step E1). According to this display, the setting slot is selected by the operation dial 4 (step E).
2). Next, it is determined whether the custom button 6 has been pressed (step E3), and if it has been pressed (step E3).
YES), and save the custom condition in the selected setting slot with the shooting condition immediately before shooting (step E).
4).

As described above, in this electronic camera, a plurality of photographing conditions of the photographer can be stored, and a desired photographing condition can be selected according to the situation.

[0059]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to set the photographing conditions based on the photographing results of the photographer, store the photographing conditions in the nonvolatile memory, and set the personal photographing mode in the photographing mode. The camera can be easily customized by providing a mode (custom mode) and adding a personal photographing mode.

Further, since the photographing conditions set for the photographing process are stored in the electronic camera as they are, personal photographing conditions can be set quickly without relying on an external storage medium. This set photographing condition can be used in a personal photographing mode separately from other modes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from above.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing the system configuration of the electronic camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart showing an operation procedure regarding photographing processing of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart showing in detail an operation procedure regarding setting of shooting conditions of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing in detail an operation procedure relating to photographing processing of the electronic camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an electronic camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail an operation procedure for setting photographing conditions of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail an operation procedure for storing custom conditions in the electronic camera of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... EVF (electro viewfinder) 2 ... Mode dial 3 ... Operation key 4 ... Operation dial 5 ... Release button 6 ... Custom button 7 ... Reset key 8 ... Control key 11 ... Lens system 12 ... Aperture 13 ... Shutter 14 ... CCD 15 ... Photographing circuit 16 ... A / D converter 17 ... DRAM 18 ... Image processing unit 19 ... Buffer memory 20 ... Compression / expansion unit 21 ... Recording medium 22 ... Display control unit 23 ... Reproduction liquid crystal panel 24 ... EVF image processing unit 25 ... Display control unit 26 ... EVF liquid crystal panel 27 ... System controller 28 ... Shooting control unit 29 ... Custom condition setting unit 30 ... Custom condition storage unit 31 ... Shooting condition input receiving unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera for photographing a subject image by a semiconductor imaging device, comprising: a nonvolatile memory device; and photographing condition storage means for storing photographing conditions based on past photographing results in the memory device. Photographing mode selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of photographing modes from among a plurality of photographing modes to which the photographing conditions are assigned; and storing in the memory device when a predetermined photographing mode is selected by the photographing mode selecting means. An electronic camera comprising: a photographing condition setting unit configured to set the photographing condition; and a photographing control unit configured to execute a photographing process using the photographing condition set by the photographing condition setting unit. 2. An electronic camera for photographing a subject image by a semiconductor image pickup device, wherein one of a plurality of photographing modes is selected from a nonvolatile memory device and a plurality of photographing modes each assigned a unique photographing condition. A photographing mode selecting unit, a photographing condition correcting unit for correcting a photographing condition set in accordance with the photographing mode selection by the photographing mode selecting unit, and a photographing currently set at a time when a predetermined operation is performed. Shooting condition storing means for storing conditions in the memory device; shooting condition setting means for setting shooting conditions stored in the memory device when a predetermined shooting mode is selected by the shooting mode selecting means; An electronic camera, comprising: a photographing control unit that executes photographing processing using a photographing condition set by a photographing condition setting unit. 3. The photographing condition storing means stores a plurality of photographing conditions in the memory device, and the photographing condition setting means sets a photographing condition selected and instructed from the plurality of photographing conditions. The electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The photographing condition storage means stores a plurality of generations of photographing conditions and their histories in the memory device, and the photographing condition setting means receives a command to cancel the current photographing condition each time. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the previous shooting condition is obtained in time series from the history and reset.