JP2002320118A - Imaging device, display method therefor and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device, its display method, and its program capable of realizing compatibility with a familiar operating environment acquired with a silver-salt camera for professionals, and easily executing its transition to an erect image display environment. SOLUTION: An erect image 101, a bilateral symmetrical mirror image 103, and a 180 deg. rotated image 102 can be selectively displayed at a built-in display means (electronic finder). Thus, it is possible for a professional photographer to realize familiar operating environment acquired by a silver-salt camera for professionals, even in an imaging device, and for a general user to experience the image at the same point of view as that of the professional photographer, such as mirror image display. Also, at receiving of the instruction of the professional photographer, it is possible to immediately switch the display to an erect image after the operation and composition is completed by the professional photographer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus (also referred to as an image / moving picture recording apparatus) having a display means such as an electronic finder, and more particularly to a display thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, most imaging devices having an electronic finder display an erect image assuming a general user (amateur photographer). However, technological advances such as the number of pixels and the ability to express colors have progressed, and there have been cases where it is used for business purposes. By the way, in the world of silver halide cameras, equipment having a viewfinder that does not display an upright image (like a professional silver halide camera), such as a twin-lens reflex camera or a view camera (4 × 5 camera), is used.

[0003]

Since professional photographers are accustomed to operating the above-described equipment having a viewfinder that does not display the erect image, the operation of the equipment is not compatible with the image of the erect image. There are cases. In addition, there is a problem that an ordinary user cannot experience an image from the same viewpoint as a professional photographer, such as a mirror image display used for business use, with an upright image.

The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and is compatible with an operation environment acquired and used by a professional silver halide camera, and can be easily used in an environment for displaying an upright image. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device, a display method of the imaging device, and a program, which can be shifted to.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, an image pickup apparatus is configured as in the following (1) to (6), and a display method of the image pickup apparatus is described in the following (7). And the program is configured as in the following (8).

(1) A display means for displaying a subject image, and an erect image of the subject image, a mirror image inverted left and right,
Image converting means for converting an image to display a 180-degree rotated image; and displaying on the display means at least one of an upright positive image, a mirror image inverted right and left, and a 180-degree rotated image processed by the image converting means. An imaging apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the image pickup apparatus.

(2) The image pickup apparatus according to (1), further comprising: detecting means for detecting an upward operation of the display means, wherein the control means controls the display means when the detecting means detects an upward operation. An imaging device that controls so as to display a mirror image of a subject left and right reversed.

(3) In the image pickup apparatus described in the above (1), the erect erect image display mode, the mirror image display mode of right and left reversed,
An imaging apparatus comprising: a display mode setting unit that can set any one of an 80-degree rotated image display mode; and the control unit controls to display an image in the display mode set by the display mode setting unit.

(4) The image pickup apparatus according to (3), further comprising a display mode temporary canceling unit for canceling the display mode set in advance by the display mode setting unit and temporarily setting the display mode to the erect image display mode. Imaging device provided.

(5) In the imaging device according to (4), the display mode temporary release means is operated by operating a switch provided on a surface of the imaging device.

(6) The imaging device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the display means is an electronic finder.

(7) A display method of an image pickup apparatus, wherein an upright erect image, a mirror image inverted left and right, or a 180-degree rotated image is displayed on a built-in display means.

(8) A program for implementing the display method of the imaging device according to (7).

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to examples of an image pickup apparatus. The present invention is not limited to the form of the apparatus, but can be implemented in the form of a method and further in the form of a program for realizing the method, supported by the description of the embodiment.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <Basic Operation> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display example of an electronic finder (monitor) of an "imaging device" according to an embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the subject image is displayed on the electronic finder according to the display mode as shown in the figure.

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a display example of a subject itself and a normal (normal) display mode, and the subject 101 is displayed as an upright erect image as seen. (B) is a display example in the view camera display mode, in which the subject 102 is displayed as a 180 ° rotated image (a mirror image inverted upside down and left and right inverted). (C) is a display example in the twin-lens reflex display mode, in which the subject 103 is displayed.
Are displayed as mirror images of left and right. Hereinafter, the subject 101 in FIG. 1 will be described as a subject example.

<System Configuration> The system configuration of this embodiment is shown in FIG. The CPU 210 controls the entire image capturing apparatus via the bus line 206. Therefore, the ROM 210 storing the processing program of the present embodiment, the RAM 212 used as a work area including the FLG 213, and instructions including the display mode instruction means SW An LCD _ having an IF 207 for detecting the means 208 and reading out the information, and a VRAM for providing a VRAM for writing the processed image of the subject;
U: LCD unit 203, EXTM_U for controlling external media such as CARD and DVTAPE for storing contents such as still images and moving images, external auxiliary storage control unit 204, and USB and IEEE 1394 for PCs and the like.
EXTIF for controlling transfer of contents via an interface such as an external IF control unit 205, and capturing an image of a subject LENSE_U: lens unit 20
1. CCD_U: CC for performing image capturing, AD conversion, etc.
It is connected to the D unit 202 and the like.

<Data Structure> The data structure of the display mode setting area used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in (a), the FLG 213 on the RAM 212 is used as a display mode setting area. The FLG is composed of n bits. Bits 0: 301 are used as a twin-lens reflex display mode, and bits 1: 202 are used as a view camera display mode. Each bit of the FLG 213 is written by a display mode setting unit (see FIG. 8) described later, and is referred to in an image conversion process (see FIG. 10) described later. F shown in (b)
The LGSV 310 is used in a display mode temporary release unit (see FIGS. 6 and 7) described later.

Although the FLG 213 uses a RAM, the FLG 213 is stored in a nonvolatile storage medium such as an EEPROM in order to inherit the previous state even when the power is turned off.
Reading may be performed when the power is turned on.

<Automatic switch to twin-lens reflex display mode>
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram in a case where the mode is automatically switched to the twin-lens reflex display mode by the finder detection unit. First, a normal case in which the electronic finder 412 is not rotated upward by 90 °, that is, a normal display mode will be described.
(A) shows the front of the imaging device, and (b) shows the lateral position of the device.
With the viewfinder position detection SW 410 turned off, the photographer 411 is looking from the rear of the apparatus as shown in FIG. At this time, the subject image is displayed on the electronic finder 412 as the erect image 101 by the image conversion means in the apparatus as shown in FIG. Is shown.

Next, as shown in FIG.
12 will be described by rotating it upward by 90 °. The electronic viewfinder 412 is moved upward by 90 for the same imaging device.
The photographer 414 looks at the rotated apparatus from the top of the apparatus. At this time, the finder position detection SW 410 is on. The subject image is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 412 as a mirror image 103 which is reversed left and right by the image conversion means.
The display mode state 413 indicates the twin-lens reflex display mode.

Next, the operation flow will be described with reference to FIG. The SW 410 is activated by detecting a 90 ° rotation (upward operation) of the electronic finder 412. First step 5
01 (S501 in the figure, the same applies hereinafter)
In step 202, the subject image is read, the image is rotated by 180 ° in the stap 502, and the mirror image conversion is further performed in step 503, and the processing ends.

<Case where Twin-Lens Reflex Display Mode is Preliminarily Set> FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a case where the twin-lens reflex display mode is set in advance by the display mode setting means and a case where the display mode temporary release means is used. .

First, the case of the twin-lens reflex display mode will be described. (A) shows the front of the apparatus, and (b) shows the lateral position of the apparatus. The photographer 610 is looking from the rear of the device. At this time, the image of the subject is displayed on the electronic finder 412 as a mirror image 103 which is reversed left and right by the image conversion means.
Reference numeral 13 denotes a twin-lens reflex display mode. Temporary release SW
611 is not used (pressed).

In this state, when the temporary release SW 611 is pressed as shown in FIG. 3D, the subject image is displayed as the erect image 101 on the electronic finder 412 by the image conversion means. Nothing is displayed in the display mode state 413, indicating a normal display state. When the temporary release SW 611 is released, the display returns to the state of (c).

<When the View Camera Display Mode is Preliminarily Set> FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when the view camera display mode is set in advance by the display mode setting means and when the display mode temporary release means is used.

First, the view camera display mode will be described. (A) shows the front of the apparatus, and (b) shows the lateral position of the apparatus. The photographer is looking from the rear side of the device (c). At this time, a subject image is displayed on the electronic finder 412 as a 180 ° rotated image 102 by an image conversion means (actually, an image directly from the CCD), and a display mode state 710 indicates a view camera display mode. The temporary release SW 611 is not used (pressed).

In this state, when the temporary release SW 611 is pressed as shown in FIG. 5D, the subject image is displayed as the erect image 101 on the electronic finder 412 by the image conversion means. Also, nothing is displayed in the display mode state 710,
This shows a normal display state. Temporary release SW 611
Is released, the display returns to the state of FIG.

<Description of Display Mode Setting Means> The display mode setting means will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the electronic finder 412 after the display mode setting sequence has been entered during operation of the imaging apparatus.

In FIG. 8, (a) shows the state of display during power supply initialization and normal display mode. A display mode setting menu screen 810 is displayed on the finder 412, and a button of the currently set display mode is marked. At the beginning of power-on, the display mode is the normal display mode, and thereafter, the set display mode is maintained. Display mode switching SW 611 (in this embodiment, SW 611 is also used as a temporary release SW,
By pressing the display mode switching SW separately from the temporary release SW), the three types of states of the normal display mode, the twin-lens reflex display mode, and the view camera display mode can be cyclically switched.

FIG. 3B shows the state of the twin-lens reflex display mode display. Finder display mode setting menu screen 81
1. The display mode state 413 indicates the twin-lens reflex display mode.

FIG. 7C shows the state of the view camera display mode display. The viewfinder display display mode setting menu screen 812 and the display mode state 710 indicate the view camera display mode.

Next, the operation of setting the display mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The display mode switch SW after entering the display mode setting sequence is pressed and activated. First, at step 901, the contents of the SW 611 are tested, and at step 902, it is compared whether or not the current display mode is the normal display mode. If the display mode is the normal display mode, the process proceeds to step 903, the twin lens reflex display mode is set to the FLG 213, and Move. If the mode is not the normal display mode, the process proceeds to step 904 to compare with the twin-lens reflex display mode. If the mode is the twin-lens reflex display mode, the process proceeds to step 905 and F
The view camera display mode is set in the LG 213, and the control is transferred to step 908.

If the mode is not the twin-lens reflex display mode in step 904, the flow shifts to step 906 to set the FLG 213 to the normal display mode, and shifts the control to step 908. In step 908, the display of the finder (display mode setting menu and display mode state) is updated, and the process ends.

Although not shown here, the FLG 213 is set to normal when the power is turned on. Also,
When the FLG 213 is a non-volatile storage medium such as an EEPROM, it is set to normal at the first initialization. Further, although the mode switching SW is incorporated in the viewfinder, it may be incorporated, for example, in the lens barrel of the lens.

<Explanation of Image Conversion Means> When a subject is formed on the CCD 202 through the lens 201, the image is rotated by 180 °.
80 ° rotation conversion. In the case of the twin-lens reflex display mode, the image is further mirror-image-reversed in the left-right direction. In the viewfinder display mode, the image itself formed on the CCD may be used.

Hereinafter, the flow will be described with reference to FIG. Steps 1100 and 1200 will be described later in the section on display mode temporary release means.

First, in step 1001, the FLG 213 is tested, and the flow advances to step 1002 to compare whether the mode is other than the view camera display mode. In the view camera display mode, the image is used as it is, and the processing ends without any further operation. If the mode is other than the view camera display mode, the flow shifts to step 1003 to rotate by 180 °, and shifts to step 1004 to test whether or not the mode is the twin-lens reflex display mode. If the mode is the twin-lens reflex display mode, the flow shifts to step 1005 to perform mirror image conversion processing of right and left reversal and terminate. If it is not the twin-lens reflex display mode in step 1004 (normal display mode), the process ends.

Note that the processing of 180 ° rotation conversion in step 1003 and the processing of mirror image conversion of right and left inversion in step 1005 are well-known two-dimensional conversion processing, and a description thereof will be omitted.

<Display Mode Temporary Cancellation Means> FIG.
Step 1100, Step 120
0 is a portion added by the display mode temporary release means (a routine added when the temporary release SW 611 is pressed). At step 1100, the FLGSV shown in FIG.
The FLG 213 saves the data of the FLG 213 in the FLG 213.
Sets a new normal display mode. Accordingly, the following processing is controlled assuming the normal display mode, so that the image is converted as an erect erect image. Step 120
At 0, the data is restored from the FLGSV 310 to the FLG 213. The next finder display will be FLG
The display is restored according to the display mode 213.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
For a professional photographer, compatibility with an operation environment acquired and used by a professional silver halide camera is achieved, and it is possible to easily shift to an environment for displaying an erect image.

For a general user, the user can experience an image from the same viewpoint as a professional photographer, such as a mirror image display used for business use, and, after receiving instruction from a professional photographer, after the professional photographer completes operation and composition. Since the display can be immediately switched to the erect image, it is possible to provide an image that can be intuitively understood by a general user.

As a modification of the above-described embodiment, three display modes can be converted at any time during a normal finder display, a plurality of display modes are displayed on the same finder, not only a finder display but also a professional specification. An imaging device that waits for matching functions can be provided.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
For professional photographers, compatibility with the familiar operating environment obtained with a professional silver halide camera has been achieved, and it has become possible to easily shift to an environment for displaying an upright image.

For a general user, the user can experience an image from the same viewpoint as that of a professional photographer, such as a mirror image display used for business use, and, after receiving instruction from the professional photographer, after the professional photographer completes operation and composition. Since the display can be immediately switched to the erect image, it is possible to provide an image that can be intuitively understood by a general user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a finder display in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a data structure.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of automatic switching to a twin-lens reflex display mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing for automatic switching to a twin-lens reflex display mode.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram in a case where a twin-lens reflex display mode is set in advance.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when a view camera display mode is set in advance.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a display mode setting unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a display mode setting process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing image conversion processing;

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 upright positive image 102 180-degree rotated image 103 mirror image of left and right reversed 210 CPU 412 electronic finder

Claims (8)

[Claims] A display means for displaying a subject image; an image conversion means for converting an image to display an erect erect image, a mirror image inverted left and right, and a 180-degree rotated image of the subject image on the display means; An erect erect image processed by the image conversion means on the display means,
An image pickup apparatus comprising: control means for controlling display of at least one of a mirror image inverted left and right and a 180-degree rotated image. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect an upward operation of the display unit, wherein the control unit detects an object upward on the display unit when the detection unit detects the upward operation. An imaging apparatus, which controls so as to display a mirror image of left and right reversed. 3. An image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: an erect erect image display mode;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a display mode setting unit that can set one of a degree rotation image display mode; and the control unit controls to display an image in the display mode set by the display mode setting unit. 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a display mode temporary canceling unit for canceling the display mode set in advance by said display mode setting unit and temporarily setting the display mode to the erect image display mode. An imaging device characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the display mode temporary release unit is executed by operating a switch provided on a surface of the imaging device. 6. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is an electronic finder. 7. A display method for an image pickup apparatus, wherein an erect upright image, a mirror image inverted right and left, and a 180-degree rotated image are selectively displayed on a built-in display means. 8. A program for realizing the display method of the imaging device according to claim 7.