JP2001318441A - Camera and photographic printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera with various photograph synthesis modes exclusive of panoramic photograph synthesis. SOLUTION: When a synthesis mode SW 11 is operated in the state that a D mode is selected by a POWER SW 5, a CPU 51 changes over the photograph synthesis mode. The synthesis mode data indicating the changed over synthesis mode is optically recorded by an imprinting LED 58 in the optical information region in an upper part on the outer side of a photographic region for one frame component of the film in the form of information bit. In a digital laboratory, the synthesis mode data is read from the developed film and image processing to synthesize the image data for plural frames is carried out according to the synthesis mode indicated by this synthesis mode data and one sheet of the synthesized photograph is printed with a printer.

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 photograph printing apparatus capable of obtaining a composite photograph from a plurality of photographs by effectively using a function of a digital laboratory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital lab systems have been sold by various companies.

Here, the digital laboratory reads image data from a developed film with a scanner, converts the image data into digital data, applies digital image processing, and obtains a photographic print from a printer unit. .
Examples of such digital laboratory products include FRONTIER350 manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., QD-21 manufactured by Konica, and QSS-2701 manufactured by Noritz Koki.

[0004] When a photographic print is created by these digital laboratories, a high-contrast scene correction (dodging correction by digital image processing) is required as compared with a case where a photographic print is created by a conventional analog laboratory.
Also, it has additional functions such as under-negative correction, sharpness processing, and digital trimming processing.

[0005] In the digital laboratory, it is technically possible to combine a plurality of photo frames to obtain a single composite photograph by digital processing. In order to realize this, it is necessary to transfer information indicating the type of the composite photograph to the digital laboratory.

As a technique for transferring such information, for example, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-258723 can be used. That is, this publication relates to a camera capable of taking a panoramic photograph. In the embodiment, it discloses that mode information indicating a panoramic photographing mode is recorded on a film by a bar code.

[0007]

However, in order to obtain a composite photograph by synthesizing a plurality of frames, various composite photographs can be considered in addition to the panoramic photograph composite. However, JP-A-6-258723 does not disclose any photograph composition mode other than panorama photograph composition.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has a camera having various photo synthesis modes other than panorama photo synthesis, and a camera for appropriately processing a photo taken by such a camera. It is an object to provide a photographic printing device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to the first aspect of the present invention has a plurality of photographing modes for obtaining one composite photograph from a plurality of frames. Camera that has a part of the shooting frame,
An information recording mechanism for recording information on the photographing frame, wherein the information recording mechanism indicates the predetermined photograph composing mode as information on the photographing frame when a predetermined photograph composing mode is selected. It is characterized by recording data.

That is, according to the camera of the first aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined photo composition mode is selected from a plurality of photo composition modes, data indicating the selected predetermined photo composition mode is transmitted. , Recorded in a part of the shooting frame.

Therefore, even if the camera has various photo synthesizing modes other than the panorama photo synthesizing, the digital laboratory can know the mode. Therefore, there is no problem even if there are various photo synthesis modes other than the panorama photo synthesis, and a camera having such various photo synthesis modes can be provided.

A camera according to a second aspect of the present invention is a camera having a synthetic panoramic photo mode,
It is characterized by comprising automatic focusing means and focus state holding means for holding a focus state in a series of frames of a synthesized panoramic photograph.

That is, according to the camera of the second aspect of the present invention, during a series of photographing for obtaining a composite panoramic photograph, the focus state adjusted by the automatic focusing means for the first photographed frame is maintained. I have to.

Accordingly, the focus can be kept constant in one panoramic photograph, and a natural panoramic photograph can be obtained.

A photographic printing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention processes a photograph taken by a camera having a plurality of photographic synthesis modes for obtaining one composite photograph from a plurality of frames of photographs. A scanner unit for obtaining image data from a film, a data reading unit for reading information on a shooting frame recorded on a film, and a shooting frame read by the data reading unit. When the information related to the image is data indicating the photo synthesis mode, the image processing apparatus further includes a photo synthesis processing unit that performs a photo synthesis process of synthesizing the image data of a plurality of frames obtained by the scanner unit.

That is, according to the photographic printing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, information on a photographic frame recorded on a film is read, and if the data indicates a photographic composition mode, the information is obtained from the film by the scanner unit. Photo synthesis processing for synthesizing image data of a plurality of frames is performed.

Therefore, even if the camera has various photo synthesis modes other than panorama photo synthesis, it is possible to know on the digital laboratory side in what type of photo synthesis mode the camera was taken. The photographed image can be processed appropriately.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2A are a block diagram and an external perspective view of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a lens barrel 2 for holding a photographing lens, a window 3 for a finder, and a zoom to the TELE (telephoto) side are provided on the front surface of the camera body 1. And a WIDE SW 10 for zooming to a WIDE (wide angle) side.

On the upper surface of the camera body 1, a release button 4, a slide-type POWER (A / D switching) SW5, a synthesizing mode SW11 for switching a photo synthesizing mode, the number of frames and modes of the camera, etc. And an LCD display means 12 for displaying.

The position indicated by reference numeral 6 of the POWER SW5 is the position of the POW of the POWER SW5.
This is the WER OFF position. The position indicated by reference numeral 7 is the first POWER O of the POWER SW5.
The position is the N position, and when the POWER SW5 is set at this position, the A mode suitable for processing in the analog laboratory is set. Similarly, the position indicated by reference numeral 8 is the second POWER O of POWERSW5.
This is the N position, and when the POWER SW5 is set at this position, the D mode suitable for performing processing in the digital laboratory is set.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lens barrel 2 has a lens group 2 for optical zoom as a photographing lens.
Focusing lens group 2 for focusing with 0
2 are arranged. Here, the lens group 20 for the optical zoom is driven by an optical zoom mechanism 21, and the focusing lens group 22 is driven by a focusing mechanism 23. In the camera body 1 behind the focusing lens group 22, there is provided a lens shutter mechanism 24 serving as a diaphragm and a shutter driven by a shutter control mechanism 25.
Is arranged. The optical zoom mechanism 21 and the focusing mechanism 23 are controlled by a CPU 51 for performing sequence control of the entire camera.

The film 29 pulled out from the film cartridge 26 loaded in the camera body 1 is wound on a spool 27. The film 29 is wound by a winding mechanism 34, and the film 29 is rewound by a rewind mechanism 35. These winding mechanisms 3
4 and the rewind mechanism 35 are controlled by the CPU 51. That is, at the time of winding the film 29, the perforations (holes for feeding the film) provided on the film 29 are detected by the photo reflector (WPR) 31, and the CPU 51 determines the number of perforations detected by the WPR 31 based on the number of perforations detected by the WPR 31. The winding by the winding mechanism 34 is controlled.

Further, between the lens shutter mechanism 24 and the film 29, photographic masks 30-1 and 30-2 for limiting a photographic area are arranged. Light guided from the lens is prevented from leaking to the film surface other than the photographing frame.

The DX reading section 36 is for reading the ISO sensitivity and the like from the film cartridge 26.

On the other hand, a finder optical system 37 is provided in the camera body 1 behind the window 3 for the finder. The finder optical system 37 includes an objective lens 38 and a lens group 39 for zooming the finder optical system 37 in conjunction with the optical zoom of the photographing lens.
And an LCD for displaying a zoom range inside the finder optical system 37 in conjunction with an electronic zoom function described later.
(Hereinafter referred to as LCD in F) 40 and objective lens 41
Consists of

Although not shown in FIG. 2A, the camera body 1 is provided with an optical system 42 for photometry, as shown in FIG. It comprises a condenser lens 43 for photometry and a photometric sensor 44. The photometric sensor 44 has a central photometric sensor 45 for photometry at the center of the screen, and a peripheral photometric sensor 46 for photometric peripheral portions. And the photometric circuit 47
By processing the photometric output from the photometric sensor 44,
The photometric value is output to the PU 51.

Further, the camera body 1 is provided with distance measuring means 48 for measuring the distance to the subject. The distance measuring means 48 is a known triangular distance measuring sensor, and its photometric value is output to the CPU 51.

Further, the camera body 1 is provided with a strobe light emission means 49, which is driven and controlled by a strobe charge light emission control circuit 50 which operates according to an instruction from the CPU 51.

The CPU 51 further controls not only the LCD display means 12 for displaying the operation mode of the camera and the number of frames, but also POWER ON / OFF, and also switches between the A mode and the D mode. The above-mentioned slide type POWER (A / D switching) SW5,
The 1R SW54 that is turned on by the first stroke of the release button 4, the 2R SW55 that is turned on by the second stroke, and the TELE SW9 for zooming
And WIDE SW10, and the combination mode SW11 for switching the photograph combination mode.

The driven roller 3 which rotates in close contact with the film 29 drawn from the film cartridge 26
The number of rotations of the driven roller 32, that is, the moving amount of the film 29, is provided by a photo interrupter (hereinafter, referred to as a photo interrupter).
Driven roller detection Pl) 33. The driven roller detection Pl generates about 300 pulses when the film 29 is wound up by one frame, and the CPU 51 controls to perform optical information recording described later in synchronization with the pulses.

That is, at the front position of the film 29 pulled out from the film cartridge 26, the film 2
Imprinting LED 5 for recording optical information on 9
8 and a condenser lens 59 for condensing the LED light from the imprinting LED 58 and focusing on the film 29.
And are arranged.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are views showing the details of the periphery of the film cartridge 26 loaded in the camera body 1 and the film 29 pulled out, and FIG. 3A is a top view of the camera. (B) showing the view from the point of view
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a photographing optical axis and a place viewed from the rear, and FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a place seen from the photographing optical axis diagonally forward.

The photographing masks 30-1 and 30-2 are
It is formed as a part of the main body mechanism 70 inside the camera.

Reference numeral 58A in FIG. 3A indicates the position of the imprinting LED 58 as viewed from the photographing optical axis and the rear. This imprinting LED 58 has nine L LEDs in one vertical line.
The ED elements 58-1 to 58-9 are arranged. Of these nine LED elements, LED element 58-
Reference numerals 1 and 58-2 denote LED elements for optically recording information on the film 29 in the D mode. The LED elements 58-3 to 58-9 are LED elements for imprinting date information on a film in the A mode.

FIG. 4A shows the form of date information imprinted on the film 29 in the A mode.

Here, reference numeral 80 indicates a photographing area (corresponding to the size of a photographing mask) of one frame of the film 29 already photographed. The front surface of the film 29 is an emulsion surface (the surface facing the front of the camera when loaded into the camera), and the upper and lower sides of the film 29 when loaded into the camera coincide with the upward direction in this figure. Then, the above-mentioned imprinting LED 58
Film elements 29-3 by the LED elements 58-3 to 58-9 of FIG.
The date information is imprinted on the date information area 81 above.
The date information area 81 is included in the shooting area 80 for one frame. FIG. 4B shows a state where the date information area 81 is enlarged. In this figure, 1
The date display indicating December 31, 998 is reversed and recorded. Developing the film after the shooting reveals this date character.

FIG. 4C is a diagram showing the form of various information optically recorded on the film 29 in the D mode.

That is, the LED elements 58-1 and 58-2 of the above-mentioned imprinting LED 58 are used to set the photographing area 8 for one frame.
Various information is recorded in the upper optical information area 83 outside the zero. Here, as shown in FIG. 4D, information bits 85 recorded by the imprinting LED element 58-1 are stored.
Indicates various data, and the imprint L
The bit recorded by ED element 58-2 is clock bit 86. The information bits 85 and the clock bits 86 have a one-to-one correspondence, and in a digital laboratory described later, the information bits 85 are read from a developed film in synchronization with the clock bits 86. Has become.

Here, in the digital laboratory, since it is necessary to read the information bits 85 as described above, the optical information area 83 is provided outside the photographing area 80. That is, if recording is performed inside the photographing area 80, the information bits 85 may not be correctly read due to the brightness of the subject image.

FIG. 5A shows the details of the information bits 85 to be optically recorded on the film 29 in the D mode.

That is, data No. 1 to No. 5 is each data of year, month, date and time.

Data No. Reference numeral 6 denotes an electronic zoom function which can be used when the camera is set to the D mode. The data indicates an electronic zoom ratio when such an electronic zoom is set. ing.

Data No. Reference numeral 7 denotes exposure under data. As will be described later, the camera sometimes performs exposure under exposure in the D mode. In this case, the camera records exposure under data on a film. As will be described later, the digital laboratory reads the exposure under data and performs exposure under correction.

Data No. 8 is a code for identifying the manufacturer.

Data No. 9 is a code for identifying the camera.

Data No. Reference numeral 10 denotes data indicating the focal length of the photographing lens.

Data No. Reference numeral 11 denotes data of the aperture value of the photographing lens.

Data No. Reference numeral 12 denotes subject distance data.

As will be described later, in the digital laboratory, the data No. 8 to N
o. By reading the data of No. 12, the optical characteristics of the taking lens can be known. Digital laboratories have data of optical characteristics of photographing lenses as a database according to the type of camera. Where N
o. 8 to No. If there are 12 data, the peripheral dimming characteristic of the photographing lens (the characteristic that the amount of light in the peripheral part is smaller than the center of the photographing screen) and the distortion aberration characteristic (the characteristic that the screen is distorted)
Therefore, the digital laboratory can correct the characteristics of the peripheral dimming and the distortion based on these optical characteristics.

The data No. Reference numeral 13 denotes combination mode data and number data (data indicating the number of images in a series of combination mode imaging).

FIG. 5B shows the data No. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of the contents of 13 combination mode data. In addition,
Details of the four types of composite photograph modes changed by the upper four bits will be described later.

The data as described above is recorded as information bits 85 in the optical information area 83 in an arrangement as shown in FIG.

Here, at the head of the optical information area 83, "1" data is continuously recorded for four bits as a start bit 90 indicating the head of the data. Then, in the portion indicated by the reference numeral 91, the above No. 1 to No. 1
3 are recorded (15 bytes). Next, “1” data is continuously recorded for 4 bits as a middle bit 92 indicating the middle of the data. Then, a portion indicated by a reference numeral 93 is replaced with the same N as the portion 91 described above.
o. All data (1 to No. 13) (15 bytes) are recorded. The reason why the data is written twice is to write the data twice including the preliminary data in consideration of a case where the data cannot be read due to dust attached to the film 29 or a scratch on the film 29. Finally, "1" data is recorded for four bits as an end bit 94 indicating the end of the data.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a series of flowcharts for explaining the main sequence of the camera executed by the CPU 51 of the camera having the above configuration.

That is, the CPU 51 starts the operation of the main sequence when a battery (not shown) is loaded.

First, the state of POWER SW5 is monitored (step S1). And POWER S
If W5 is ON, the process proceeds to step S4 described later. If W5 is OFF, the process proceeds to the next step S2.

That is, when it is determined that the POWER SW 5 is OFF, the CPU 51
2 is turned off (step S2). After shifting to the power saving mode (step S3), the process returns to step S1. Here, the power saving mode is a mode in which the clock function inside the CPU 51 and functions other than the monitoring of the POWER SW5 are stopped.

On the other hand, in step S1, POW
When it is determined that the ER SW5 is ON, the CP
U51 shifts from the power saving mode to the operation mode (step S4). If the operation mode was originally set, the state is maintained.

Then, the display of the LCD display means 12 is turned on.
(Step S5). In this case, the display is originally ON
Is displayed, the display content is updated.

Next, TELE SW9 and WIDE S
The state of W10 is monitored (step S6). If either switch is ON, the process proceeds to the next step S7, and if not, the process proceeds to a step S10 described later.

Thus, TELE SW9 or WIDE
If the switch SW10 is ON, it is further determined from the state of the POWER SW5 whether or not the D mode is set (step S7). If the mode is the D mode, the process proceeds to the next step S8, and if not, the process proceeds to a step S9 described later.

That is, when the mode is set to the D mode, the zoom drive is performed within the range of the optical zoom range + the electronic zoom range (step S8). If the mode is not the D mode, zoom drive is performed within the optical zoom range (Step S).
9). Note that the zoom direction in step S8 or step S9 is determined by the tele switch SW9 and the wide switch SW1.
It depends on which of 0 is ON.

Then, after such a zoom drive has been performed, or in the above step S6, TELE S
If it is determined that W9 or WIDE SW10 is not ON, then the state of the combination mode SW11 is monitored (step S10). Here, the combination mode SW1
If 1 is ON, the process proceeds to the next step S11, and if it is not ON, the process proceeds to step S13 described later.

When it is determined that the combining mode SW11 is ON, it is further determined whether or not the mode is the D mode based on the state of the POWER SW5 (step S11). If the mode is the D mode, the process proceeds to the next step S12; otherwise, the process proceeds to a step S13 described later.

That is, if it is determined that the mode is the D mode, scrolling of the composition mode is performed (step S1).
2).

Here, the synthesis mode is POWER SW
5 is set to the NORMAL mode in the state when it is turned on, but every time the combination mode SW11 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 8A, the PANORAMA mode, the LARGE mode, the STERIO mode, and the D . EX
The combination mode is scrolled in the order of P mode and NORMAL mode.

That is, the NORMAL mode is a normal photographing mode in which photograph synthesis is not performed. In the NORMAL mode, the LCD display means 12
(B), the frame number display 500 is performed. In addition, a strobe mode display, a date, date, and the like are displayed. However, since they are not directly related to the present invention, FIG.
Then, those displays are omitted.

The PANORAMA mode is a synthesizing mode for synthesizing a plurality of photographs to create a panoramic photograph. This is as shown in FIG.
In this mode, up to four pictures are continuously taken, and the pictures are combined by a digital laboratory to create one panoramic picture.

In the PANORAMA mode, the LCD
The display unit 12 changes the display mode according to the photographed frame, as shown in FIG. Here, reference numerals 501 to 504 are display units for instructing the photographer in the order of photographing as a panoramic photograph, and reference numeral 510 is a PANORAMA mode selection indicating that the PANORAMA mode is selected. It is a display. That is, at the time of photographing the first frame, the display unit 501 blinks alternately in white and black to instruct the photographer that the leftmost part should be photographed. At the time of photographing the second frame, the display unit 502 blinks alternately in white and black to instruct the photographer that the second photograph from the left should be photographed. At the time of shooting the third frame, the display unit 50
3 blinks alternately in white and black to instruct the photographer that the second from right should be photographed. When shooting the fourth frame,
The display unit 504 blinks alternately in white and black to instruct the photographer that the rightmost part should be photographed. Then, in the fifth frame, the mode automatically returns to the NORMAL mode.

Here, in the panorama mode, pictures of up to four frames can be obtained as one panorama picture.
The shooting mode can be returned to the NORMAL mode by manual operation. In such a case, a panoramic photograph corresponding to the number of frames to be shot can be obtained.

The LARGE mode is a mode for taking four pictures to create a composite large-sized picture. That is, as shown in FIG. 9B, four frames of photographs connected vertically, horizontally and vertically are synthesized by a digital laboratory,
This is a mode for creating a synthetic large format photograph.

In the LARGE mode, the LCD display means 12 changes the display mode according to the photographed frame as shown in FIG. Here, reference numeral 5
Reference numerals 02, 503, 505, and 506 denote display units for instructing the photographer in the order of photographing as a synthetic large-format photograph. Reference numeral 511 denotes a LARGE mode selection indicating that the LARGE mode is selected. It is a display. That is, at the time of each of the first to fourth frames, the display section to be photographed alternately blinks white and black alternately in order to notify the photographer of the part to be photographed. Although not shown in the fifth frame after the photographing of the fourth frame, the mode automatically returns to the NORMAL mode as in the case of the PANORAMA mode.

The STEREO mode is a mode for photographing two photographs having parallax in the left-right direction and combining the two photographs by a digital laboratory to create one stereoscopic photograph. That is, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), two frames of photographs with parallax are created, and those two photographs are synthesized by a digital laboratory to produce one stereoscopic photograph with a known lenticular lens. obtain. This stereoscopic photograph with a lenticular lens is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-72653, and has a structure in which a lenticular lens 601 is stuck on a photographic print 600 in which left and right images with parallax are combined. Things.

In the stereo mode, the LCD display means 12 changes the display mode according to the photographed frame, as shown in FIG. Here, reference numerals 502 and 503 are display units for instructing the photographer in the order of photographing, and reference numeral 512 is STEREO.
It is a STERIO mode selection display showing that the mode is selected.

The above D.C. EXP mode is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), after taking a plurality of photos separately,
This is a mode for synthesizing photos in a digital laboratory and obtaining one double-exposed photo. A normal double exposure photograph is to photograph twice in one frame of film. In the EXP mode, images are separately taken on two frames of film, and combined with a digital laboratory to obtain a double exposure photograph. That is, the D.E. A feature of the EXP mode is that information of a single photograph can be cut out and used as needed. Also, if the user is worried, the procedure becomes complicated, but there is room for changing the ratio (such as the amount of light) of the double exposure by manual operation. This is not possible with conventional double exposure photography.

This D. In the EXP mode, as shown in FIG. 10C, the LCD display unit 12 changes the display mode according to the photographed frame. Here, reference numeral 5
02 and 505 are display units for instructing the photographer on whether the frame is the first frame or the second frame.
D. Indicates that EXP mode is selected. This is an EXP mode selection display.

After the scroll of the combination mode is performed, or in the step S10, the combination mode SW
If it is determined that 11 is not turned on, or if it is determined that the mode is not the D mode in step S11, it is next determined whether or not 1RSW 54 is turned on (step S13). If the 1RSW 54 is turned on, the process proceeds to the next step S14, and if not, the process returns to the step S1.

When it is determined that the 1RSW 54 has been turned on, the zoom operation is first disabled (inhibited) (step S14). Then, after that, the PANORAMA mode, the LARGE mode, or the S mode
It is determined whether or not the TEREO mode has been selected (step S15). Here, when those modes are selected, the process proceeds to step S18 described later, and otherwise, the process proceeds to the next step S16.

That is, the above-mentioned PANORAMA mode, LA
If it is determined that the RGE mode or the STEREO mode has not been selected, that is, the NORMAL mode or the D.R. In the EXP mode, first, the distance is measured using the distance measuring means 48 (step S16), and further, the light is measured using the light measuring circuit 47 (step S17). Then, the process proceeds to step S20 described later.

In step S15, the PAN
RAMA mode, LARGE mode, or STERIO
If it is determined that the mode has been selected, it is further determined whether or not it is the first frame of the series of photographs (step S18). If it is the first frame, the process proceeds to step S16. If not, the process proceeds to step S19 described later. That is, PANORAMA mode, LA
If the mode is the RGE mode or the STERIO mode, and it is determined that the current frame is the second and subsequent frames, a process is performed to make the exposure and focus states the same for one frame (step S19). This is because in a series of photographs, the states of exposure and focus are aligned to prevent unevenness in exposure and variations in focus position.

After that, or in step S
After the end of the photometric operation in step 17, exposure calculation is performed according to the photometric data obtained in step S17 or step S19 (step S20).

Thereafter, the state of the 2R SW 55 is monitored (step S21). If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S23 described later, and if it is not ON, the next step S22.
Proceed to. When it is determined that the 2R SW 55 is not ON, the status of the 1R SW 54 is further monitored (step S22). If it is still ON, the process returns to the step S21. If it is not ON, the process returns to the step S1. Return to

If it is determined that the 2R SW 55 has been turned on, the above-mentioned step S16 or step S19
The focusing mechanism 23 drives the focusing lens group 22 in accordance with the distance measurement result obtained in step S23 (step S23). After that, exposure is performed according to the exposure calculation result obtained in step S20 (step S24).

After one frame has been photographed, the lens moved out of focus is reset and returned to the initial position (step S25). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the mode is the D mode (step S2).
6). Here, if the mode is the D mode, the process proceeds to step S28 described later; otherwise, the process proceeds to the next step S2.
Go to 7. That is, in the case of the A mode, the film 29 is wound by the winding mechanism 34. At this time,
LED elements 58-3 to 58-9 in the imprinting LED 58
Is used to imprint the date character on the film 29 (step S27). In the case of the D mode, the film 29 is wound up by the winding mechanism 34. At this time, the LED element 58 in the imprinting LED 58 is turned on.
Various information is optically recorded on the film 29 using -1 to 58-2 (step S28).

After completion of the film winding process in step S27 or step S28, it is next determined whether or not the number of frames to be shot in each combination mode has been reached (step S29). Here, the photographing frame number limit is four frames in the PANORAMA mode and the LARGE mode. In the EXP mode, there are two frames. If it is determined that the number of frames to be shot has been reached, the next step S3
0, and if not, the process returns to step S1.

If it is determined that the number of frames to be shot has been reached, the synthesizing mode is automatically released (step S30), and the process returns to step S1.

Next, the configuration of a digital laboratory for processing a film cartridge photographed by a camera as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

That is, the photographed film cartridge 3
In the digital laboratory that has received the “00”, the photographed film stored in the film cartridge 300 is developed by the development processing unit 301. Next, the scanner unit 302 reads image data from the developed film and converts it into digital data. Then, the image data processing unit 303
Various image processing is performed on the digital data read in step 2.

The printer 304 is connected to the image data processing unit 30
Printing is performed in accordance with the digital data that has been subjected to the image processing in step 3, and a photo print 306 is created.

[0092] The three-dimensional photo printer 307 performs printing in accordance with the digital data image-processed by the image data processing unit 303 to create a three-dimensional photo print. Then, a lenticular lens is attached to the three-dimensional photograph print created by the three-dimensional photograph printer 307 by the lenticular lens attaching device 308, whereby a three-dimensional photograph 309 is created.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a series of flowcharts for explaining the procedure of the printing process in such a digital laboratory.

That is, the developing unit 301 performs a developing process on the photographed film (step S101), and the scanner unit 302 reads image data from the developed film (step S10).
2).

The image data processing unit 303 converts the image data read by the scanner unit 302 into a D
By detecting various optical information optically recorded in the optical information area 83 on the film when photographing in the mode,
It is determined whether or not the photograph was taken in the mode (step S103). Here, if the optical information is detected, it is determined that the photograph was taken in the D mode, and the process proceeds to the next step S104. On the other hand, if the photograph is not a photograph taken in the D mode, step S125 described later
Proceed to.

If it is determined that the photograph is a photograph taken in the D mode, the image data read by the scanner unit 302 is used to store various images recorded in the optical information area 83 on the film in the D mode. Optical information is read (step S104). Since the data optically recorded in the optical information area 83 is unnecessary for photo printing, the image data of this portion is cut from the image data read by the scanner unit 302 (step S105). .

Next, the image data after the cut is analyzed to determine whether or not the scene is a backlight scene (step S1).
06). If the scene is a backlight scene, the next step S10
Then, the process proceeds to step S108 described later. That is, if the scene is a backlight scene, the digital dodging process is performed (step S107), and the process proceeds to the next step S108. Here, "dodging" refers to a process of correcting the backlight scene, etc. by partially changing the exposure amount when printing a photographic print such as a black-and-white photograph, so that both the person and the background are finished with appropriate densities. Call it. In the digital laboratory, by performing digital image processing, processing equivalent to dodging can be equivalently performed.

If it is determined in step S106 that the scene is not a backlight scene,
After the completion of the digital dodging process at 107, it is next determined from the underexposure data (see FIG. 5A) in the optical information read at step S104 whether the photograph is an underexposure photograph (step S108). . If it is determined that the photograph is an underexposure photograph, the next step S1 is performed.
09, otherwise step S110 described below
Proceed to. That is, in the case of an underexposure photograph, the under negative correction is performed (step S109). Next step S
Proceed to 110. In the normal photographic processing, when the exposure is under, the contrast is reduced and the color of the photograph is different from the actual one, which is unnatural. Therefore, in the digital laboratory, by performing the digital image processing of the “under-negative correction”, the contrast and the hue can be corrected, and a photograph close to the standard exposure can be obtained.

When it is determined in step S108 that the photograph is not an underexposure photograph, or after the undernegative correction processing in step S109, the electronic zoom ratio data in the optical information read in step S104 From FIG. 5A, it is determined whether the photograph is a photograph using the electronic zoom (step S11).
0). If it is determined that the photograph is a photograph using the electronic zoom, the process proceeds to the next step S111, and if not, the process proceeds to step S112 described later. That is, in the case of a photograph using the electronic zoom, after the trimming process is performed according to the electronic zoom ratio data (step S11).
1), and proceed to the next step S112.

When it is determined in step S110 that the photograph is not a photograph using the electronic zoom,
After the completion of the trimming process in step S111,
From the combination mode data and the number data (see FIG. 5A) in the optical information read in step S104,
PANORAMA mode, LARGE mode, or ST
It is determined whether the photograph was taken in the EREO mode (step S112). If it is determined that the photograph is in any of those modes, the process proceeds to the next step S113, and if not, the process proceeds to step S116 described later.

That is, the PANORAMA mode, the LARD
In the case of a photograph taken in the E mode or the STERIO mode, first, an exposure condition fixing process is performed in order to make the printing conditions of a series of photos (series scenes) in the combining mode uniform (step S113). After that, the No. in the optical information read in the above step S104. 8 to N
o. Based on the data of No. 12 (see FIG. 5A), a peripheral dimming correction process is performed (step S114). Note that in order to perform the peripheral dimming correction processing, it is necessary to store in advance the data of the peripheral dimming characteristic of the photographing lens corresponding to the camera used in the digital laboratory, but in the digital laboratory of the present invention, It is assumed that the above-mentioned data of various cameras corresponding to is stored as a database. And
After the completion of the peripheral dimming correction processing, next, the No. in the above optical information is also set. 8 to No. After performing the distortion correction process on the basis of the data No. 12, the process proceeds to the next step S116. In order to perform the peripheral dimming process, it is necessary to store in advance the data of the distortion aberration characteristic of the taking lens corresponding to the camera used in the digital laboratory, but in the digital laboratory of the present invention, It is assumed that the above-mentioned data of various cameras obtained is stored as a database.

Thus, in step S112, PAN
RAMA mode, LARGE mode, or STERIO
When it is determined that the photograph is not a photograph taken in the mode, or after the distortion aberration correction processing in step S115 is completed, the combined mode data and the number data (FIG. A)), it is determined whether or not the photograph was taken in the PANORAMA mode (step S116). If it is determined that the photograph is in the PANORAMA mode, the process proceeds to the next step S117, and if not, the process proceeds to a step S118 described later. That is, PANO
If it is determined that the photograph was taken in the RAMA mode, PANORAMA photograph synthesis is performed (step S117), and the process proceeds to the next step S118. Here, the “PANORAMA photograph composition” is a process of combining image data of a series of photographed frames and combining them into one panoramic photograph.

Thus, in step S116, PANO
If it is determined that the photograph is not a photograph taken in the RAMA mode, or
After completion of the A-photo synthesis process, it is next determined from the synthesis mode data and the number-of-sheets data (see FIG. 5A) in the optical information read in step S104 whether or not the photo was taken in the LARGE mode. (Step S11
8). If it is determined that the photograph is in the LARGE mode, the process proceeds to the next step S119, and if not, the process proceeds to a step S120 described later. That is, LA
If it is determined that the photograph has been taken in the RGE mode, LARGE photograph synthesis is performed (step S11).
9), proceed to the next step S120. Here, "L
The “ARGE photo composition” is a process of connecting image data of a series of photographed frames into one composite large format photo.

Thus, in step S118, Larg
If it is determined that the photograph is not a photograph taken in the E mode, or after the completion of the LARGE photograph combining process in step S119, the combining mode data and the number data (FIG. 5) in the optical information read in step S104 (A)). It is determined whether the photograph was taken in the EXP mode (step S120). And D. If it is determined that the photograph is in the EXP mode, the process proceeds to the next step S121; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S122 described later. That is, D. If it is determined that the photograph was taken in the EXP mode, D.P.
After performing the EXP photograph synthesis (step S121), the process proceeds to the next step S122. Here, “D. EXP photo synthesis” is a process of synthesizing two photos to obtain a composite double exposure photo.

In step S120, the D.D. EX
If it is determined that the photograph is not a photograph taken in the P mode, or if it is determined in step S121 that D. After the completion of the EXP photograph synthesis processing, it is next determined from the synthesis mode data and the number data (see FIG. 5A) in the optical information read in step S104 whether or not the photograph is a photograph taken in the STERIO mode. (Step S122). Then, if it is determined that the photograph is in the stereo mode, the process proceeds to the next step S123, and if not, the process proceeds to a step S125 described later. That is,
If it is determined that the photograph has been taken in the O mode, the stereoscopic
Print processing is performed (step S123). Then, the lenticular lens is attached by the lenticular lens attaching device 308 to the STERIO print obtained by the STERIO print processing by the three-dimensional photograph printer 307 (step S124).
The processing in the digital laboratory ends.

On the other hand, in step S122, ST
If you find that the photo is not in the EREO mode,
The image data obtained by the photographing in the NORMAL mode, or the PANORAMA photograph combining processing in step S117, the LARGE photograph combining processing in step S119, or the D.D. According to the image data of the composite photograph obtained by the EXP photograph composition processing, the printer 30
4 to perform photo print processing (step S4).
125), the processing in the digital laboratory ends.

Although the present invention has been described based on one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the present invention. It is. Here, the summary of the present invention is as follows.

(1) In a camera having a plurality of photograph composition modes for obtaining one composite photograph from a plurality of photographs, information recording for recording information on the photograph frame in a part of the photograph frame. A mechanism, and the information recording mechanism, when a predetermined photo synthesis mode is selected,
A camera characterized in that data indicating the predetermined photograph composition mode is recorded as information on the photographed frame.

(2) In a camera having a composite large-format photograph mode for taking a plurality of vertical and horizontal photographs of a subject and combining them to obtain a composite large-format photograph, some of the photographed frames are An information recording mechanism for recording information about the composite large-size photo mode when the composite large-format photo mode is selected. A camera characterized by the following.

(3) Take two photographs having parallax,
In a camera having a combined stereoscopic photograph mode for combining these two photographs to obtain a stereoscopic photograph, an information recording mechanism for recording information on the photographed frame in a part of the photographed frame is provided. A camera, wherein the recording mechanism records data indicating the composite stereoscopic mode as information on the photographed frame when the composite stereoscopic mode is selected.

(4) In a camera having a composite multiple exposure photograph mode for obtaining a composite multiple exposure photograph for obtaining one multiple exposure photograph from a plurality of photographs, a part of the photographing frame An information recording mechanism for recording information relating to the composite multiple exposure photograph mode when the composite multiple exposure photograph mode is selected. Camera.

(5) A camera having a synthetic panoramic picture mode, characterized in that it comprises an automatic focusing means and a focus state holding means for holding the focus state in a series of frames of a synthetic panoramic picture. And the camera.

(6) In a camera having a composite large format mode for taking a plurality of vertical and horizontal photographs of a subject and combining them to obtain a composite large format photograph, an automatic focusing means and a series of composite large format A camera comprising: focus state holding means for holding a focus state in a photographed frame.

(7) Take two photographs with parallax,
In a camera having a synthetic three-dimensional photographing mode for synthesizing the two photographs to obtain a three-dimensional photograph, an automatic focusing means and a focus state holding for keeping a focus state in a series of synthetic large-sized photographing frames Means, and a camera.

(8) A photographic printing apparatus for processing a photograph taken by a camera having a plurality of photographic composition modes for obtaining one composite photograph from a plurality of photographs to obtain a composite photograph print. A scanner unit for obtaining image data from
A data reading means for reading information on the photographed frame, and a photograph synthesizing process for synthesizing the image data of a plurality of frames obtained by the scanner unit when the information on the photographed frame read by the data reading means is data indicating a photograph composition mode And a photo synthesizing processing unit for performing the following.

(9) Mode switching means for switching between two photographing modes, that is, a first photographing mode and a second photographing mode, and a single composite photograph is obtained from a plurality of frames. For setting a photo synthesis mode for setting a photo synthesis mode by the photo synthesis mode setting means when the first photographing mode is selected by the mode switching means. When the second photographing mode is selected, the photograph synthesizing mode permitting / prohibiting means for prohibiting the setting of the photograph synthesizing mode by the photograph synthesizing mode setting means and the photograph synthesizing mode by the photograph synthesizing mode setting means are set. Information recording means for optically recording, on a film, data indicating a photograph composition mode when selected. .

(10) The first photographing mode is a digital photograph print system that converts image information recorded on a photographed film into digital information once, performs digital processing, and then obtains a photograph print. The second shooting mode is a shooting mode corresponding to an analog photographic print system that performs analog processing of image information recorded on a shot film and obtains a photographic print. Features (9)
The camera according to.

[0118]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a camera having various photo synthesis modes other than the panorama photo synthesis, and a photo print device for appropriately processing a photograph taken by such a camera.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of the camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a recording arrangement of the information bits in FIG. 5A in the optical information area.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing details of the periphery of a film cartridge loaded into a camera body and a drawn-out film, in which FIG. 3A is a view showing a top view of the camera, and FIG. A diagram showing the optical axis and the place viewed from behind,
(C) is a diagram showing a place viewed obliquely from the front of the photographing optical axis.

4A is a diagram showing a form of date information imprinted on a film in an A mode, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state in which a date information area in FIG. 4A is enlarged, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the form of various information optically recorded on a film at the time, and (D) is a figure which shows the state which expanded the optical information area in (C).

5A is a diagram showing details of information bits optically recorded on a film in a D mode, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing data No. in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of the contents of 13 combination mode data.

6 is a diagram showing a first half of a series of flowcharts for describing a camera main sequence executed by a CPU of the camera in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a latter half of a series of flowcharts for explaining a camera main sequence executed by the CPU of the camera shown in FIG. 1;

8A is a diagram for explaining scrolling in a composition mode, FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a display example in a NORMAL mode, and FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating a display example in a PANOLAMA mode; .

FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining a composition of a photo for creating a panoramic photo, and FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining a composition of a photo for creating a composite large format photo. .

10A is a diagram illustrating a display example in a LARGE mode, FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a display example in a STERIO mode, and FIG. It is a figure showing the example of a display in EXP mode.

FIG. 11A is a diagram for explaining a composition of a photograph for creating a stereoscopic photograph, and FIG. 11B is a diagram for explaining a composition of a photograph for creating a double exposure photograph. is there.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital laboratory.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the first half of a series of flowcharts for explaining the procedure of print processing in the digital laboratory.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the latter half of a series of flowcharts for describing the procedure of print processing in the digital laboratory.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 POWER (A / D switching) SW 7 First POWER ON position (A mode setting position) 8 Second POWER ON position (D mode setting position) 11 Combination mode SW 12 LCD display means 51 CPU 58, 58A Imprint LED 58-1 to 58-9 LED element 80 shooting area 81 date information area 83 optical information area 85 information bit 86 clock bit 300 film cartridge 301 development processing unit 302 scanner unit 303 image data processing unit 304 printer 306 photo print 307 three-dimensional Photo printer 308 Lenticular lens pasting device 309 Three-dimensional photo 500 Frame number display 501-506 Display unit 510 PANORAMA mode selection display 511 LARGE mode selection display 512 STERIO mode selection display 51 D. EXP mode selection display

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/387 H04N 1/387 5C076 5/225 5/225 F

Claims (3)

[Claims] An information recording mechanism for recording information on a photographed frame in a part of the photographed frame in a camera having a plurality of photograph compositing modes for obtaining one composite photograph from a plurality of frames. A camera, characterized in that the information recording mechanism records data indicating the predetermined photo composition mode as information on the photographed frame when a predetermined photo composition mode is selected. 2. A camera having a synthetic panoramic picture mode, comprising: automatic focusing means; and focus state holding means for holding a focus state in a series of frames of a synthetic panoramic picture. Camera. 3. A photograph printing apparatus for processing a photograph taken by a camera having a plurality of photograph combining modes for obtaining one composite photograph from a plurality of frames of photographs to obtain a composite photograph print. A scanner unit for obtaining image data; a data reading unit for reading information on a photographed frame recorded on a film; and the information on the photographed frame read by the data reading unit is data indicating a photograph synthesis mode. A photo synthesis processing unit for performing a photo synthesis process for synthesizing image data of a plurality of frames obtained by the unit.