JP2003114605A - Photography simulation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a photography simulation system which enables virtual experience for change of an image by freely combining a camera main body, a photographic lens, and various accessories and showing an image supposed to be obtained when a picture is taken under freely set photographic conditions. SOLUTION: An embodiment of the invention comprises a virtual operation part which virtually operates a computer model for a camera system, a storage device part in which performances and optical characteristics of the respective components constituting the camera system are recorded, an image simulation part which finds a simulation image of a photographed image obtained by photographing a specific subject by the camera system, and a display part which displays the simulation image and is characterized in that the image simulation part finds the simulation image according to the current states of the respective operation parts of the computer model and the optical characteristics of the respective components.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an experience simulation system via the Internet, and more particularly to a photography experience simulation system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photograph taken by a camera varies greatly depending on photographing conditions even if the subject is the same.
A typical example of the above change is a change in the angle of view and the shooting magnification depending on the focal length of the taking lens. In order for camera users, especially those who plan to purchase shooting lenses, to understand the extent of this change, there is a catalog of cameras and shooting lenses with sample photos of the same subject taken from different locations with different focal lengths. is there. In addition, regarding several kinds of accessories, there is a catalog in which a picture taken of the same subject using the accessory is compared with a picture taken without using the same to show the effect of use.

[0003]

One of the pleasures of taking photographs is to guess the photographing conditions for obtaining the photograph intended by the photographer, photograph under the photographing conditions, and obtain the desired result. It is to confirm whether it was filmed.

However, the example photographs published in catalogs and the like only pick up some of the various photographing conditions that can be changed. Moreover, since the other shooting conditions are fixed, it is unclear how the taken picture will change when the other shooting conditions are changed. Furthermore, I don't know what kind of pictures I will get unless I buy the equipment I actually need and take pictures, and if the result is not what I expected, the equipment I buy will be useless.
Users who fear such a situation hesitate to purchase accessories and the like.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to freely combine a camera body, a taking lens, and various accessories, set shooting conditions freely, and show an image that would be obtained when shooting under the shooting conditions. By doing so, it is to propose a shooting simulation system that makes a simulated experience of image changes caused by changing shooting conditions.

[0006]

According to the present invention, which achieves the above object, a virtual operating section for virtually operating a computer model of a camera system, and performance and optical characteristics of respective parts constituting the camera system are recorded. A storage unit,
The image simulation unit includes an image simulation unit that obtains a simulation image of a captured image obtained by shooting a predetermined subject with the camera system, and a display unit that displays the simulation image, and the image simulation unit is each operation unit of the computer model. The imaging simulation system is characterized in that the simulation image is obtained based on the current state of the above and the optical characteristics of the respective parts.

More specifically, a shooting condition table showing the state of each operation unit of the computer model is further provided, and the shooting condition table is updated based on the contents of the virtual operation, and the image simulation unit is The shooting condition table is referred to in order to obtain the current state of each operation unit. Then, the image simulation unit further obtains a simulation image of the viewfinder field of the camera system based on the shooting condition table and the optical characteristics of each component,
The display section further displays a simulation image of the viewfinder field.

Further, the simulation image of the viewfinder field is always displayed, the simulation image of the photographed image is displayed when the shutter button of the computer model is virtually operated, and the winding lever of the computer model is displayed. A shooting simulation, which is erased when virtually operated, or the simulation image of the shot image is recorded in the recording device unit when the shutter button of the computer model is virtually operated. System.
In the latter case, the simulation image of the captured image may not be displayed when the shutter button of the computer model is virtually operated.

Further, the image simulation section obtains a simulation image using the data of the three-dimensional computer model stored in the storage section. Alternatively, a simulation image is obtained by using the data of a digital image obtained by photographing a real thing and the depth dimension information of the real thing.

The optical characteristics of each of the components include a depth of field characteristic for each aperture value of the taking lens, and the image simulation section responds to the aperture operation of the taking lens as the virtual operation. The simulation image is changed based on the depth of field characteristics. Further, the image simulation unit changes the focused state of the simulation image according to the distance ring operation of the taking lens as the virtual operation. Furthermore, the optical characteristics of the respective components include the optical characteristics of the lens filter.

Further, in the system, a selection unit for selecting a component that constitutes the computer model of the camera system, and a model construction unit for creating a computer model of the camera system by the component selected by the selection unit. In addition to the above, the selection unit additionally selects a component other than the component that configures the camera system, and the model construction unit configures the component of the computer model and the component that is additionally selected according to a predetermined operation. The imaging simulation system is characterized in that a computer model of a camera system is reconstructed with components selected from.

The selection unit, the virtual operation unit, and the display unit are provided in the first computer system,
The storage device unit, the image simulation unit, and the model construction unit are provided in a second computer system, and the first computer system and the second computer system are connected by a communication unit capable of exchanging information. It is a shooting simulation system characterized by being used.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The configuration of an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a user terminal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a user terminal) 11 that is connected by an Internet network 13 and can exchange various information with each other, and a server operated by a camera maker, for example. Computer (hereinafter referred to as server) 12
Composed of and. The system of the present invention has the above-described configuration to allow the user to experience a photo shoot. Since the system of the present invention is suitable for a single-lens reflex camera, an example applied to the single-lens reflex camera will be described below.

The user terminal 11 includes an arithmetic control unit 111, an input device unit 112 including a keyboard and a mouse, an input / output device unit 113 connected to the Internet network 13, and a display unit 114. The user terminal 11 may be composed of an ordinary personal computer. The user selects, via the user terminal 11, the configuration of the camera and the subject to be used for the simulated experience, takes a picture, and confirms the obtained image.

The server 12 comprises a storage unit 121, an arithmetic unit 122, and an input / output unit 123 connected to the Internet network 13. The storage unit 121 stores computer models of several camera models and performance information of each model, computer models of various shooting lenses and performance information and optical characteristics of each shooting lens, various speedlights, various filters, and various accessories. The computer model, performance information and optical characteristics of each computer model, and various other information regarding each item are registered. Aberration information, depth of focus information, etc. are included in the optical characteristics of the shooting lens.
The optical characteristics of the filter include wavelength-transmittance information and optical characteristic information that brings about a special effect such as center focus.

[0016] The registration is performed for the products that are actually sold. The computer models are all three-dimensional models, and these can be combined in the same manner as an actual camera to form a computer model of the entire camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera model).

The storage device section 121 stores, on a computer, a three-dimensional computer model (hereinafter referred to as a subject model) of an actual entity and an image obtained when the entity is photographed under a predetermined photographing condition. An image obtained by simulation (hereinafter referred to as a presented image) and the shooting condition are further registered. The shooting conditions include the model of the camera body, the type of shooting lens, various accessories used,
Exposure conditions such as a shooting distance, a shooting direction with respect to a subject, an aperture value, and a shutter speed.

Illumination conditions are also included in the photographing conditions. Illumination conditions when simulating the presented image are illumination conditions that reproduce the natural light that the actual landscape receives when the subject model is a natural landscape, and predetermined illumination conditions when other subjects are used, such as in a shooting studio. Use normal lighting conditions.
The lighting conditions in the photographing studio include the arrangement of lighting equipment, the spectral characteristics and light distribution characteristics of each lighting equipment, and the blinking state of each lighting equipment, which are stored in the storage unit 121. Reproduction of natural light will be based on data obtained by measuring the irradiation direction of light, color temperature, etc. on site, or by using a natural light database for each season, time, and weather.

The arithmetic unit 122 simulates an image obtained when the subject model is photographed under various photographing conditions based on the data of the subject model and the photographing conditions. This is called a shooting simulation, and the image created by the shooting simulation is called a simulation image. The presentation image is a kind of simulation image.

The simulation image created by the arithmetic unit 122 is transmitted to the user terminal 11 and displayed on the display 114.
Is displayed in. The user changes the shooting conditions variously,
Check the images obtained under each shooting condition. Next, the procedure of the shooting simulation will be described with reference to FIGS.
2 and 3 show a series of procedures divided for convenience of drawing. The user operates the user terminal 11 to start the shooting simulation process. Step 1
(Indicated as S1 in the figure. The same applies to other steps.)
Then, the user terminal 11 displays a selection menu screen including “select subject”, “select camera configuration”, and “end” on the display unit 114 to select one of the menus. When “select subject” is selected, the process proceeds to step 2. When “Choose camera configuration” is selected, the process proceeds to step 4. When "end" is selected, the process is ended.

In step 2, the user terminal 11 connects to the server 12, reads the subject selection screen 50 shown in FIG. 6 from the server 12, displays it on the display unit 114, and proceeds to step 3. On the subject selection screen 50, the whole 51 of each subject model, its presentation image 52, and shooting conditions 53 are displayed. There are various types of subjects, such as one person, several people, a large group, flowers, insects,
Includes townscapes, mountain landscapes, seascapes, amusement parks, and more. Further, those of similar type but different illumination conditions, for example, those of normal light and those of backlight are also included.

In step 3, the subject is selected by clicking the subject model 51 or the presentation image 52 of the subject to be selected with the mouse, and the process proceeds to step 8.
In step 4, the user terminal 11 reads the camera configuration selection screen (hereinafter referred to as selection screen) 30 shown in FIG. 4 from the server 12 and displays it on the display unit 114. The selection screen 30 is provided with a column 31 for selecting the model of the camera body, a column 32 for selecting the type of photographic lens, and a column 33 for selecting accessories. Furthermore, "carry"
A button 37 and a “selection completed” button 38 are also provided.

In the column 31, a display "camera body" 34 indicating that it is a selection column of the camera body and model names 311 to 314 of a plurality of camera bodies are shown, and in the column 32 it is shown that the shooting lens selection column. The display “shooting lens” 35 and a plurality of shooting lenses 321 to 325 are displayed, and the column 33 displays a display “accessory” 36 and various accessories 331 to 333 indicating that it is an accessory selection field. The computer models of all the items displayed in the respective columns are registered in the storage unit 121.

Since there are many types of photographing lenses, they are grouped into "standard lens" 321, "wide-angle lens" 322, "telephoto lens" 323, etc., and the group names are displayed. The same applies to many types of accessories, such as lens filters. Hereinafter, the model of the camera body to be selected in each column, the type of the taking lens, the individual accessories, or the whole accessories may be referred to as a camera configuration.

On the selection screen 30, as shown in FIG. 5, the mouse pointer 41A is moved to the model name 311 of the camera body.
When it is overlaid on any one of ˜314, a window 42 in which a specification list and characteristics of the model are described is displayed. In addition, the mouse pointer 41B is set to the photographing lens group name 3
When it is overlaid on any of 21 to 325, a window 43 displaying the type of the photographing lens belonging to the group is displayed. In FIG. 5, the mouse pointer is "Camera A" 31
1 and “standard lens” 321 are displayed as an example. Although two mouse pointers 41A and 42B are displayed, the number of mouse pointers is actually one, so that the window 42 and the window 43 are not simultaneously displayed. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 5 shows that both are displayed at the same time.

The selection screen 30 at this point is
In order to facilitate the operation of the next step 5, only the column 31 is displayed brightly, and the columns 32 and 33 are displayed dark. In step 5, the user is asked to select the model of the camera body from the column 31. At this time, the window 42
The description content of can be referred to. The selection is made by clicking the display of the desired model name with the mouse. Then, for example, the camera body “camera A” 311
When is selected, the display in the other columns 32 and 33 is only that which can be used in combination with "camera A". That is, the dedicated photographing lens of the camera body “camera B” is displayed in step 1 before the camera body is selected, but is not displayed after “camera A” 311 is selected in step 2. Then, the model name (“Camera A” 311) of the selected camera body is highlighted brightly, the other display in the column 31 is darkened, the display in the column 32 is brightened, and the process proceeds to step 6.

In step 6, the user is made to select the taking lens. Then, the type of the selected photographic lens is replaced by the group name to which it belongs, and brightly highlighted, the other display in the column 32 is made dark, and the display in the column 33 is made bright. At the same time, the process proceeds to step 7 assuming that the display in the column 33 can be used only in combination with the selected camera body and taking lens.

In step 7, the accessory to be used is selected from the column 33. The selected accessory is highlighted. Selecting the highlighted display again cancels the selection.
The user may select multiple accessories or none at column 33. If an accessory that cannot be used in combination at the same time is selected, a warning is displayed and the last selection is invalidated.

The selection of accessories in step 7 includes selection of the type of film used. The shooting speed and wavelength sensitivity characteristics of the selected film are taken into consideration in the shooting simulation. If a digital camera is selected in step 5, film selection is not necessary.

In steps 5 to 7, the configuration of the camera used for the shooting simulation is determined. The selection in each of the above fields can be redone until the "selection complete" button 38 is selected. Display of column 3 for selecting again
4, 35, and 36 may be selected and the display of the newly selected one may be selected.

In actual photography, a spare interchangeable lens or accessory is often carried. If the "carry" button 37 is selected before the "selection complete" button 38 is selected, a separate interrupt process W is activated. This interrupt process W causes an additional configuration to be selected in addition to the configuration selected in steps 5 to 7. That is, the process returns to step 4. On the selection screen 30 displayed here, the configuration already selected in steps 5 to 7 is highlighted.
Then, a preliminary configuration is selected in the same manner as in the description of steps 5 to 7 above. The additionally selected configuration is displayed as a display distinguishable from the already selected configuration, for example, a reverse display in a different color.

When the "selection complete" button 38 is selected, the process proceeds to step 8. In step 8, step 3
Check that the subject has been selected in step 1, and that the camera body and shooting lens have been selected in steps 5 and 6, and if there are some that are not selected, return to step 1 and if all are selected Step 9
Proceed to. Here, in the menu or the selection screen 30 displayed after returning to step 1, only the selection fields of the unselected configurations are displayed brightly to prompt the selection.

In step 9, the server 12 is notified of the camera configuration selected in each of the columns 31 to 33, the configuration additionally selected, and the selected subject, and step 1
Go to 0. Hereinafter, the camera having each of the selected configurations will be referred to as a selected camera. It should be noted that the order of selection is not essential in the order of the camera body, the taking lens, and the accessory, and may be any order. That is, the column names of the dark display columns (“camera body” 34, “shooting lens” 3
5. When "Accessory" 36) is selected, the display of the selected column is made bright and the display of the other columns is made dark. Also in this case, when a selection is made in a certain column, the displays in the other columns are limited to those which can be used in combination with those already selected in the certain column. For example, when the camera B-dedicated taking lens is first selected in the column 32, only the “camera B” 313 is displayed in the column 31. When there is only one item that can be selected in that column, as in this example, it is automatically selected.

In step 10, the server 12 creates a camera model (hereinafter referred to as a selected camera model) having a structure corresponding to the notified camera structure. At the same time, create a shooting condition table. The shooting condition table has columns such as the configuration of the selected camera model, the setting state of each operation unit, the position of the selected camera model (shooting direction, shooting distance), and the like. The shooting condition of the presented image is entered in the setting state column of the operation unit of the shooting condition table. However, the closest condition is entered for those that cannot be set by the configuration of the selected camera model. Also, regarding the shooting distance,
The distance at which the captured range substantially matches the presented image is entered. The shooting condition table also has a lighting condition column in which the lighting condition of the presented image is entered.

The following steps are shown in FIG.
In step 11, the shooting simulation screen 60 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 114. The shooting simulation screen 60 has four windows (61 to 64). Further, a "return" button 65 is also displayed. "Return"
The button 65 is displayed on the foreground and can be selected at any time.

In step 12, window 1 (61)
Alternatively, it is detected that a predetermined operation is performed in the window 2 (62) or the "return button" 65 is operated, and the process proceeds to a processing step corresponding to the content of the operation. That is, when the operation in the window 1 is detected, step 7
Go to 0. When the operation on the window 2 is detected, the process proceeds to step 90. When the "return" button 65 is selected, the process returns to step 1. Details of step 70 and step 90 will be described later.

Here, each window of the photographing simulation screen 60 displayed in step 11 will be described. The selected camera model 610 is displayed in the window 1 (61). Then, various operating units on the selected camera model 610 can be virtually operated in the same manner as the selected camera is operated.

For example, when the mouse pointer is placed on each operation unit of the selected camera model 610, a display for instructing the operation of the operation unit is displayed. For example, when the mouse pointer is placed on the aperture ring of the taking lens, "squeeze / open" 611 is displayed. Then, if you click "Squeeze" with the mouse, the aperture setting will be further reduced. When the mouse pointer is placed on the distance ring, "focus in front / focus in the other side" 612 is displayed. Then, if the click button is pressed continuously, the setting of the distance at which the focus is adjusted changes to the direction in which the mouse pointer is overlaid while the button is pressed.

When the mouse pointer is placed on the narrow-down button and the click button is pressed, only while the mouse button is pressed,
The refinement button is set to be pressed. When the mouse pointer is placed over each operation unit, a description 613 of the function of the operation unit may be displayed. The same applies to the other operation units.

The contents of such an operation are described one by one in the server 12.
The shooting condition table is updated. Window 2
In (62), the three-dimensional arrangement of the selected subject 621 and the selected camera model 622 is displayed. For this display, a bird's-eye view or a two-plane projection view (plan view and elevation view) is used. The arrangement displayed here matches the shooting conditions of the presented image except the shooting distance. That is, the shooting direction and the position on the subject at the center of the image are the same. The shooting distance is set so that the shooting range substantially matches the presented image.
A numerical value 623 of the shooting distance at that time is also displayed. When the lighting condition is other than natural light, the arrangement of lighting equipment and the blinking status of each equipment are also displayed. A display example of the window 2 (62) is shown in FIG.

In the window 2 (FIG. 8), the position and shooting direction of the selected camera model 622 can be changed. The position and orientation of the subject, the position and illumination direction of the illumination device 72, and blinking can also be changed in the same manner as described above. That is, the window 2 is provided with a display 71 for performing an operation such as changing the arrangement. The display 71 includes a button group 711 for selecting the operation target, a button group 712 for selecting the operation content, and a button 713 group for selecting the operation direction.

For example, when "camera" of the button group 711 and "move" of the button group 712 are selected, the mouse pointer is placed on the "front" button of the button group 713, and the click button is kept pressed, the selected camera model 622 selects the object 621. To a predetermined distance and keep pressing the "rear" button, it moves away a predetermined distance. The movement and rotation of the selected camera model 622 in other directions and the change operation of other operation objects can be performed in the same manner.

A method of dragging the object with a mouse may be adopted for moving the operation object. Furthermore, when the auxiliary lighting device is selected from the accessory column 33 of the selection screen 30, the auxiliary lighting device can be installed at an arbitrary position and the lighting direction can be set. All of these changes are transmitted to the server 12 and reflected in the shooting condition table.

The window 3 (63) displays a screen of the viewfinder field of the selected camera when the subject and the selected camera are arranged in the state shown in the window 2. The screen of this finder field is simulated and created by the arithmetic unit 122. The configuration and performance of the selected camera are taken into consideration in this simulation. For example, the field of view of the finder, the open F value of the taking lens, the state of the aperture button, etc. are considered. In other words, release F of the selected camera model
The brightness of the entire image changes according to the value. The position in the depth direction on the focused subject changes according to the shooting distance and the shooting distance in which the distance ring of the shooting lens is adjusted. Furthermore, the screen of the viewfinder has a window 1
When the aperture button is operated in, the aperture value in the shooting condition table is referred to, and the brightness of the image in the finder or the distance range (focus depth range) in focus is changed according to the aperture value. Further, the composition of the screen of the viewfinder field displayed in the window 3, the size of the subject image, the focus state, and the like change according to the position of the selected camera model changed in the window 2.

Window 4 (64) contains window 1
When the shutter is released by the virtual operation for the selected camera model described in the above description, a simulation image simulating an image obtained when the selected subject model is photographed by the selected camera is displayed. Then, when the film winding lever is clicked with the mouse in the window 1, the display in the window 4 is erased.

The simulation image is an image simulated by referring to the photographing condition table when the photographing condition when the shutter is released. That is, if the shooting conditions are different, the configuration of the selected camera model at that time, the state in which each operation unit of the selected camera model is set, the position (shooting direction, shooting distance) of the selected camera model, and the like are different.

For example, the simulation image when the shooting lens is a telephoto lens even if the shooting position is the same is an image in which the narrow range of the subject model is enlarged compared to the simulation image when the shooting lens is a standard lens, and the aperture value is the same. Even if there is an image, the distance range (depth of focus range) in focus is narrower. When the taking lens is a fisheye lens, the image is a deformed image of the subject.

When the selected camera model includes a lens filter, the image has a different hue depending on the type of the filter. When the subject includes a water surface that receives backlight, an image in which the water surface glare is different depending on whether the polarization filter is included in the selected camera model or not. The effects of special filters such as the center focus filter are also simulated based on their optical characteristics.

Further, if the exposure conditions such as aperture value, shutter speed, and exposure correction are different, the respective simulation images have different brightness. If the camera body is a model with a built-in strobe or the selected camera model includes a strobe, and if the strobe is used as the shooting condition for the presented image, the simulation image is one that considers the illumination light from the strobe.

Next, step 70, which is a process when an operation is performed on the window 1, will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing details of the procedure of step 70. In step 71, the operation portion of the selected camera model on which the mouse pointer is placed detects something and the process proceeds to step 72.

In step 72, it is judged whether or not the operation content by the operation unit is single. If the operation content is not single, the process proceeds to step 73, and if it is single, the process proceeds to step 74. The operation unit having a single operation content is a shutter button, a winding lever, and the like, and the operation unit having no operation content is an operation unit capable of selecting an operation direction such as an aperture ring, a shutter speed dial, and a distance ring. .

At step 73, based on the result detected at step 71, an operation instruction button corresponding to the operation section,
For example, “squeeze / open” is additionally displayed on the aperture ring and the process proceeds to step 74. In step 74, it is detected what has been operated and which operation instruction button has been operated, and the processing corresponding to the detected content is proceeded to. That is, it is judged whether the operated button is the shutter button or the winding lever, and if it is the shutter button, the process proceeds to step 81.
If it is a winding lever, the process proceeds to step 85, and if neither, it proceeds to step 75.

In step 75, it is determined whether or not the setting position of the photographing mode dial of the selected camera model is the auto mode. If it is the auto mode, the process proceeds to step 88. If it is not the auto mode, the process proceeds to step 76. In step 88, the exposure condition in the shooting condition of the presented image is referred to, the exposure condition under which the same exposure amount is obtained in the automatic mode of the selected camera model is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 76.

In step 76, the corresponding data in the photographing condition table is updated according to the detected contents in step 74, or the corresponding data in the photographing condition table is updated to the exposure condition calculated in step 88, and the process proceeds to step 77. . In step 77, a viewfinder field image is simulated by referring to the shooting condition table to create a viewfinder field simulation image (denoted as S image in the figure), and the flow advances to step 78.

In step 78, the simulation image is displayed in the window 3 and the process returns to step 11 in FIG. At that time, as the aperture value, the release F value of the taking lens is normally used, but when the operation unit detected in step 71 is the aperture button, the mouse pointer is overlaid on the aperture button and the click button is pressed. The aperture value in the shooting condition table is used only during the period.

In step 81, it is checked whether or not a flag indicating that the shutter is wound up is set. If the flag is set, the process proceeds to step 82, and if it is not set, the process returns to step 11. . In step 82, a simulation image of the captured image is created with reference to the shooting condition table, the simulation image is displayed in the window 4, and the process returns to step 11.
Each time you take a frame, the image taken with a digital camera that allows you to check the image is reproduced.

At step 85, the winding flag is set and the routine proceeds to step 86. In step 86,
The simulation image displayed in the window 4 is erased and the process returns to step 11 in FIG. Note that step 83
May be recorded in the storage unit 121 instead of displaying the simulation image in the window 4. In that case, the simulation images recorded in the storage device 121 are collectively displayed when another predetermined operation is performed. The photographed image cannot be confirmed on the spot where the photograph was taken, and the photographed image is reproduced with the silver salt camera, after which the photographed result can be seen only after the film is developed and baked.

Step 90, which is a process when an operation is performed on the window 2, will be described. FIG. 10 shows Step 9
It is a figure showing the details of the procedure of 0. In step 91,
What the mouse pointer is over is detected and the process proceeds to step 92. What is detected is the selected camera model,
For example, lighting equipment.

In step 92, the operation instruction button (71 in FIG. 8) corresponding to the one detected in step 91 is displayed. For example, a button for instructing movement and rotation for the selected camera model, a button for instructing movement for the lighting equipment, and a button for instructing blinking of the light are additionally displayed, and the process proceeds to step 93.

In step 93, the operated button is detected and the process proceeds to step 94. In step 94, the photographing condition table is updated based on the content detected in step 93, and the process proceeds to step 95. In step 95, the field-of-view image of the finder is simulated with reference to the shooting condition table, and the process proceeds to step 96.

In step 96, the simulation image is displayed in the window 3 and the process returns to step 11. The window 1 further displays a “configuration change” button 614. When the “change configuration” button 614 is selected, a process of changing the configuration of the selected camera model is activated. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the procedure of this processing. The "configuration change" button 614 can be selected at any time when the window 1 is displayed.

In step 101, a list (111 in FIG. 12) of the configuration of the selected camera and the configuration additionally selected by the operation of the "carry" button 37 notified to the server 12 in step 9 of FIG. 2 is displayed. Then, the process proceeds to step 102. The configurations included in the current selected camera model are displayed separately in the column 112, and the configurations other than that are displayed in the column 113.

When the "configuration change" button 614 is selected, the processing of step 70 which has been processed up to that point is invalidated. In step 102, an instruction is issued to change the configuration of the selected camera model. When the configuration included in the column 112 in the list 111 is selected, the configuration is moved from the column 112 to the column 113. That is, it is removed from the configuration of the selected camera. Conversely, when the configuration included in the column 113 is selected, the configuration is moved from the column 113 to the column 112 and added to the configuration of the selected camera model. Then, by selecting the “build model” button 114, step 103
Go to.

In step 103, a new selected camera model is constructed by combining the components selected in step 102, the shooting condition table is updated, and the process returns to step 11. Even for the same subject, the configuration of the selected camera model can be changed in response to a change in the photographer's intention to photograph, and the situation at the time of actual photographing can be reproduced more realistically.

The subject may be a digital image (hereinafter referred to as a subject image) of an actual object stored in the storage unit 121. However, the contents that can be photographed are limited. That is, it is possible to confirm the effect by changing the exposure condition or changing the lens filter. On the other hand, it is not possible to change the shooting direction or change the lighting condition to change the shadow state.

If the depth dimension of each part of the subject is further stored in the storage unit 121, the aperture effect of the photographing lens can be simulated. However, even if the aperture is narrowed down, the image quality of the simulation image is higher than the resolution of the subject image. Not improved. Therefore, when taking a subject image, it is desirable to narrow the aperture of the taking lens as much as possible to deepen the depth of field.

The above photographing simulation system has one
It is also possible to build on a single computer system. According to the shooting simulation system described above, it is possible to experience a realistic shooting experience using a camera having various configurations. In particular, it is possible to easily experience the effect on an image obtained by using a function that is not normally used. In addition, the effect of an accessory that has not been used can be confirmed before purchasing the accessory, so that the accessory can be purchased after being fully satisfied.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the present system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first half of a shooting simulation procedure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the latter half of the procedure of the shooting simulation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen for selecting a configuration of a selected camera.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the screen of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen for selecting a subject.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a shooting operation screen.

8 is a diagram showing details of window 2 in FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing details of step 70 in FIG. 3;

10 is a diagram showing details of step 90 in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing details of the interrupt process W of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen for changing the configuration of a selected camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... User terminal computer 12 ... Server computer 13 ... Internet network 111 ... Operation control unit 112 ... Input device unit 113 ... Input / output device unit 114 ... Display unit 121 ... Storage device unit 122 ...... Arithmetic unit 123 …… Input / output unit 61 ………… Window 1 62 that virtually operates the selected camera model ………… Window 2 63 that displays the arrangement state of the selected camera and the subject ………… Finder Window 3 64 in which a simulation image of the field of view is displayed ... Window 4 610 in which a simulation image of a captured image is displayed 610, 622 ... Selected camera model 621 ... Subject model 71 ..

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tetsuji Nomoto             Tokyo Stock Exchange 1-325, Futaba 1-32             Company Nikon technical workshop

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A virtual operation section for virtually operating a computer model of a camera system, a storage section for recording the performance and optical characteristics of each component constituting the camera system, and a predetermined object for the camera system. An image simulation unit that obtains a simulation image of a captured image obtained by shooting, and a display unit that displays the simulation image, the image simulation unit including the current state of each operation unit of the computer model and each component. An imaging simulation system, wherein the simulation image is obtained based on the optical characteristics of 2. The shooting condition table according to claim 1, further comprising a shooting condition table indicating a state of each operation unit of the computer model, wherein the shooting condition table is updated based on contents of the virtual operation, and the image simulation is performed. The imaging simulation system, wherein the unit obtains the current state of each operation unit by referring to the imaging condition table. 3. The image simulation unit according to claim 1, further obtaining a simulation image of a viewfinder field of the camera system based on the shooting condition table and the optical characteristics of each component, and the display unit includes the viewfinder. An imaging simulation system characterized by further displaying a simulation image of a field of view. 4. The computer system according to claim 3, wherein the simulation image of the viewfinder field is always displayed, and the simulation image of the captured image is displayed when a shutter button of the computer model is virtually operated. A shooting simulation system characterized by being erased when a model winding lever is virtually operated. 5. The simulation image of the viewfinder field according to claim 3, wherein the simulation image of the captured image is displayed in the recording device section when a shutter button of the computer model is virtually operated. A shooting simulation system characterized by being recorded. 6. The photographing simulation system according to claim 5, wherein the simulation image of the photographed image is not displayed when the shutter button of the computer model is virtually operated. 7. The shooting simulation system according to claim 3, wherein the image simulation unit obtains a simulation image of the subject using data of a three-dimensional computer model stored in the storage unit. 8. The shooting simulation system according to claim 3, wherein the image simulation unit obtains a simulation image using data of a digital image of a real object and depth dimension information of the real object. 9. The optical characteristic according to claim 7, wherein the optical characteristic of each component includes a depth of field characteristic with respect to each aperture value of the photographing lens, and the image simulation unit performs photographing as the virtual operation. An imaging simulation system characterized in that the simulation image is changed based on the depth-of-field characteristic in accordance with a lens aperture operation. 10. The shooting simulation system according to claim 9, wherein the image simulation unit changes a focus state of the simulation image according to a distance ring operation of the shooting lens as the virtual operation. . 11. The imaging simulation system according to claim 7, wherein the optical characteristics of each of the components include the optical characteristics of a lens filter. 12. The selection unit according to claim 1, which selects a component forming a computer model of the camera system, and a model construction unit which creates a computer model of the camera system by the component selected by the selection unit. In addition to the above, the selecting unit additionally selects a component other than a component configuring the camera system, and the model building unit configures the component of the computer model and the component additionally selected according to a predetermined operation. An imaging simulation system characterized by reconstructing a computer model of a camera system with components selected from. 13. The selection unit, the virtual operation unit, and the display unit are provided in a first computer system, and the storage device unit, an image simulation unit, and the model construction unit are second units. The computer simulation system according to claim 1, wherein the first computer system and the second computer system are connected by a communication unit capable of exchanging information.