JP2004029423A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a leveling-up (cultivating) camera which enables even a beginner to take photographs without a failure and allows advanced photographing in accordance with photographer's accumulated experience. <P>SOLUTION: Information of the cumulative number of photographs is held in a non-volatile memory or the like of a camera 10, and functions (modes) available for a user are extended according as the cumulative number of photographs is increased. For example, when the cumulative number is 0 to 500, only a full-automatic photographing mode is available. When it is 501 to 1,000, a macro photographing mode and a scene position mode are added. When it is increased by 500 furthermore, the user is allowed to change a strobe mode and to select exposure modes such as a program AE mode, a shutter-priority mode, and an aperture-priority mode. Thereafter, a manual focus mode is added when it is increased by 500, and a manual exposure mode is added when it is increased by 500 furthermore. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a technique applied to cameras such as cameras, digital cameras, and video cameras.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a silver halide camera, the number of film shots is counted and the number of recorded sheets (or the remaining number) is displayed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 5-341377 and 8-129226). In the case of an electronic still camera, the recording capacity is displayed by detecting the storage capacity of a recording medium such as a memory card for storing image data.
[0003]
In addition, regardless of whether it is a silver salt camera or an electronic still camera, automatic control such as an automatic focus adjustment (AF) function and an automatic exposure adjustment (AE) function is common in the field of cameras, and anyone can easily use it. Recordable images. On the other hand, there is also a demand for the photographer himself to manually set conditions such as the shutter speed and aperture, and to record an image reflecting the photographing intention. Therefore, many cameras have a fully automatic (full auto) shooting mode, program auto mode, shutter priority mode, aperture priority mode, manual mode, portrait mode, landscape mode, macro mode, sport mode, night view mode, etc. , Has various shooting modes.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional camera has an advantage of being able to cope with various shooting intentions, but in many cases, the user cannot sufficiently use these various shooting modes. Especially for beginners, the optimum mode and setting conditions cannot be easily determined, and shooting may be performed with incorrect condition settings.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a level-up type (nurturing type) camera that can be photographed without failure even by a beginner, and that can cope with more advanced photographing as it gains many photographing experiences. For the purpose.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to the present invention includes a performance count unit that counts a use record of the camera, and a control that sets a function that can be used in the camera according to the use record counted by the result count unit. And a control means for performing the above.
[0007]
According to the present invention, since the use record of the camera can be counted and the function of the camera can be enhanced with the accumulation of the use record, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use camera suitable for the user's shooting experience. In addition, the camera can be used while feeling amusement like a breeding game, and as the user continues to use it, the shooting skill of the user improves and the attachment to the camera also increases.
[0008]
As one aspect of the present invention, the result count unit includes a nonvolatile storage unit that stores information indicating a use record, and updates the use result information according to use of the camera.
[0009]
As a method of evaluating the usage record, there is an aspect of counting the usage time of the camera in addition to the aspect of counting the number of shots. It is possible to grasp the actual usage of the camera by holding the cumulative number of shots and the cumulative usage time in the nonvolatile storage means inside the camera and updating the holding information according to the usage.
[0010]
According to another aspect of the present invention, the result counting means counts the number of shots indicating the use record, and the control means can be used in the camera as the number of shots increases. It is characterized by performing control to increase the.
[0011]
For example, in a camera provided with a program storage means for storing a program for realizing a plurality of functions in the camera, a control means for controlling the operation of the camera according to the program, and a photographing number counting means for counting the number of photographing, At least one of the plurality of functions is restricted to be unusable, and the restriction is released according to the number of shots to increase usable functions.
[0012]
In order to make it easier for the user to grasp the functions that can be used, the camera is provided with display means for displaying information on the usable functions, and the display contents of the display means are updated as the functions are expanded. The embodiment is preferred.
[0013]
Further, when the present invention is applied to a camera using a film such as a silver halide camera, in addition to the above-described configuration, a film presence / absence detecting means for detecting whether or not the film is loaded is provided, and the film is not loaded. In this state, it is preferable that the number of shots is not counted. Although it is possible to perform a shutter opening / closing operation (so-called blank shooting operation) with no film loaded, the actual shooting record can be correctly grasped by not counting such a blank shot as a shooting record.
[0014]
According to another aspect of the present invention, the camera includes an imaging unit that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and a recording unit that records an image acquired via the imaging unit on a recording medium. The actual count means counts the cumulative usage time of the shooting mode indicating the usage history, and the control means is used in the camera according to the increase in the cumulative usage time. It is characterized by performing control to increase the functions that can be performed.
[0015]
In the case of an electronic camera, there is a mode in which the user's shooting experience is evaluated by counting the cumulative usage time of the shooting mode.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of a camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. This camera 10 is a silver halide camera that records an optical image of a subject on a silver halide photographic film. On the front surface of the camera body 11, a photographing lens 12, a strobe (flash device) 14, a finder window 16, an AF window 18, An AE light receiving window 20, a strobe light control sensor 22, and the like are provided. The photographing lens 12 is composed of an electric zoom lens. When a photographer operates a zoom switch (not shown in FIG. 1), the amount of extension of the lens barrel 24 is controlled according to the zoom command, and the photographing lens 12 focal lengths (shooting magnifications) are changed.
[0018]
A release switch 26 and a liquid crystal display unit 28 are provided on the top surface (upper surface) of the camera body 11. The liquid crystal display unit 28 is used as a means for displaying information such as the operation mode of the camera 10, the number of shots (remaining number of sheets), the remaining battery level, and the date and time, and a user interface screen for displaying an operation mode selection menu and the like. Used as a display means.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit of the camera 10. The camera 10 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30 as information processing means. The CPU 30 functions as a control unit that performs overall control of the camera system according to a predetermined program, and also functions as a calculation unit that performs various calculations such as an automatic exposure (AE) calculation and an automatic focus adjustment (AF) calculation.
[0020]
The ROM 31 stores programs executed by the CPU 30, various data necessary for control, and the like. The memory (RAM) 32 is used as a work area for the CPU 30. The ROM 31 that is a nonvolatile storage means may be non-rewritable, or may be rewritable like an EEPROM. The camera 10 has a built-in calendar clock circuit 33 that records the date and time, and the CPU 30 can acquire date and time information from the calendar clock circuit 33.
[0021]
The CPU 30 controls each circuit in the camera 10 based on signals (command signals and detection signals) from the operation unit 34 or the film presence / absence detection unit 36 and other detection units, for example, power ON / OFF control, lens Drive control, shooting operation control, flash emission control, number of shots management, etc.
[0022]
The operation unit 34 includes a power switch, a release switch 26 for inputting an instruction to start photographing, a zoom switch for performing a magnification operation, a menu switch for instructing display of a menu screen, and a menu item selection operation (cursor moving operation). Selection switch, execution switch for instructing selection (registration) and execution of operation, deletion of desired object such as selection item, cancellation of instruction content, or cancellation (cancellation) used when returning to the previous screen For example, various operation means for the user to input various instructions to the camera 10 are included.
[0023]
The film presence / absence detection unit 36 includes a switch (or sensor) that outputs a detection signal in accordance with loading / unloading of the film. For example, the switch is disposed in a film loading chamber of the camera 10 and detects whether or not a film is loaded in the film loading chamber. The detection signal of the film presence / absence detection unit 36 is input to the CPU 30 and used for shooting control, management of the number of shots, and the like. For example, even if the shutter is driven when no film is loaded, the number of shots is not counted.
[0024]
When the power switch of the operation unit 34 is turned ON, the CPU 30 detects this and gives a start command signal to the power circuit 37 to start the power circuit 37. The power supply circuit 37 includes a DC / DC converter. The power supplied from the battery 38 loaded in the camera 10 is converted into a required voltage by the DC / DC converter of the power supply circuit 37 and then supplied to each circuit block in the camera 10.
[0025]
The zoom motor 39 is a lens barrel driving unit that serves as a power source for feeding and retracting the lens barrel 24 described with reference to FIG. In response to the operation of the zoom switch, the CPU 30 controls the zoom motor 39 to move the lens barrel 24.
[0026]
The AE circuit 40 in FIG. 2 includes a photometric sensor (not shown) arranged inside the AE light receiving window 20 described in FIG. 1, and measures the brightness of the subject based on the detection signal of the photometric sensor ( Metering process). The photometric result by the AE circuit 40 in FIG. 2 is transmitted to the CPU 30 and used for exposure control.
[0027]
The AF circuit 41 includes an AF sensor (not shown) arranged inside the AF window 18 described with reference to FIG. 1 and performs distance measurement processing for measuring the distance to the subject. The AF sensor method is not particularly limited, and a ranging method represented by an active method or a passive method may be used, or a focus detection method represented by a phase difference may be used. The distance measurement result by the AF circuit 33 in FIG. 2 is transmitted to the CPU 30 and used for focus adjustment control for focusing on the subject.
[0028]
The release switch 26 is composed of a two-stage switch having an S1 switch that is turned on when half-pressed and an S2 switch that is turned on when fully pressed. For example, in the full auto shooting mode, the CPU 30 performs AE processing and AF processing in response to half-pressing of the release switch 26 (S1 = ON), and controls the AF motor 42 based on the calculation result to control the shooting lens. While 12 is moved to the in-focus position, the aperture driving unit 43 is controlled to set the aperture. Thereafter, when full release (S2 = ON) of the release switch 26 is detected, the shutter driving unit 44 is operated to open and close the shutter and to perform film exposure.
[0029]
At this time, the CPU 30 sends a command to the strobe circuit 45 as necessary to control the light emission of the strobe 14.
[0030]
The film drive unit 47 feeds (winds up) the film in accordance with a command from the CPU 30. After shooting, the film is automatically rolled up one frame and the next frame is set.
[0031]
The number of shots counter 48 counts the number of shots of the film loaded in the camera 10 and may be a forward calculation formula indicating the number of shots or a reverse calculation formula (remaining formula) indicating the remaining number of shots. . The photographed number counter 48 is reset to “0” or “S” when the cover of the film loading chamber is opened.
[0032]
In addition to the above-described photographing number counter 48 that is reset every time the film is replaced, the camera 10 manages the cumulative number of photographings (total number of shots). When shooting is performed with the camera 10, information on the cumulative number is stored in a storage unit (hereinafter referred to as a cumulative number storage unit) 49. Non-volatile storage means such as EEPROM is used for the cumulative number storage section 49 so that the information content is retained even when the power of the camera 10 is turned off. Each time shooting is performed, the cumulative number is counted up, and the information content of the cumulative number storage unit 49 is updated.
[0033]
In the camera 10 of this example, a part of the camera function is restricted to be unusable when unused (cumulative number = 0) or with a small number of shooting results, and as the cumulative number increases as the number of shooting results increases, The functions that can be used gradually increase (the restriction is released). FIG. 3 shows an example of function expansion control.
[0034]
According to FIG. 3, the mode level of the camera 10 (a level reflecting the user's shooting experience) is set in five stages according to the cumulative number of sheets. When the level is increased, usable functions are added. When the cumulative number is 0 to 500, mode level 1 is set, and thereafter, every time 500 sheets are accumulated, the mode level is increased to 2 to 5.
[0035]
In mode level 1, only the full auto shooting mode can be used for the shooting mode. The full auto shooting mode is a shooting mode in which all shooting conditions are automatically determined by the AE, AF, and auto strobe functions. The full auto shooting mode is a basic mode in which shooting can be performed most easily, and this mode is sufficient for standard shooting applications. Since the user does not need to set special conditions, even a beginner can perform shooting without failure.
[0036]
In mode level 1, when 500 shooting experience is gained, the mode level of camera 10 is set to “2”. In mode level 2, in addition to the full auto shooting mode, a macro shooting mode and a scene position mode can be used.
[0037]
The macro shooting mode is a mode suitable for short-distance shooting, and can take a close-up photo with a relatively shallow depth of field and a beautifully blurred background. The scene position mode is a mode in which a desired scene is selected from four types of person (portrait) / landscape / sports / night view, and settings suitable for the shooting scene are automatically performed. In the portrait mode, the depth of field is shallow and the background is beautifully blurred. In the landscape mode, you can take a deeply focused picture from the near view to the distant view by increasing the depth of field. Sports mode allows you to take lively sports photos with fast shutter speeds and stopped moving for a moment. The night view mode allows you to take beautiful sunset and night view photos with exposure control suitable for dark subjects.
[0038]
When 500 shooting experience is gained in mode level 2, the mode level of camera 10 is set to “3”. In mode level 3, in addition to the contents of mode level 2, the strobe mode can be changed, and the exposure mode such as the program AE mode, the shutter priority mode, and the aperture priority mode can be selected.
[0039]
As the strobe mode, for example, “automatic light emission mode”, “red-eye reduction mode”, “slow sync mode”, “forced light emission mode”, “light emission inhibition mode”, etc., which automatically emit light according to the shooting situation can be selected. The program AE mode is a mode in which the camera performs exposure control but can reflect the photographer's intention such as exposure correction. The shutter priority mode is a mode in which the aperture is automatically controlled when the photographer sets the shutter speed, and is suitable for photographing moving objects. The aperture priority mode is a mode in which the shutter speed is automatically controlled when the photographer sets an aperture value, and is suitable for shooting in consideration of the depth of field.
[0040]
When 500 shooting experience is gained in mode level 3, the mode level of camera 10 is set to “4”. In mode level 4, in addition to the contents of mode level 3, the manual focus mode can be selected. The manual focus mode is a mode in which the user can adjust the focus manually.
[0041]
When 500 shooting experience is gained in mode level 4, the mode level of camera 10 is set to “5”. In mode level 5, in addition to the contents of mode level 4, a manual exposure mode is added. The manual exposure mode is a mode in which the photographer can freely set the shutter speed and aperture value.
[0042]
In mode level 5, all the function restrictions of the camera 10 are released, and all the functions of the camera 10 can be completely used.
[0043]
In this way, by gradually expanding the functions that can be used in accordance with the cumulative number of sheets, it becomes possible to utilize more advanced shooting functions as the user's skill improves.
[0044]
Next, the operation of the camera 10 configured as described above will be described.
[0045]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart regarding the function expansion control of the camera 10. When the camera 10 is turned on and used (step S110), the CPU 30 first determines whether or not a film is loaded based on a detection signal from the film presence / absence detection unit 36 (step S110). S112). If the film is not loaded, the process waits for the film to be loaded and repeats the process of step S112. At this time, it is also preferable to display a message or a pictograph for warning that the film is not loaded on the liquid crystal display unit 28 and to prompt the user to load the film.
[0046]
In step S112, when it is detected that a film is loaded, the CPU 30 sets the mode level set at the previous use (step S114). When the camera 10 is used for the first time (cumulative number = 0), the mode level 1 is set as an initial state. The mode level information is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 28 so that the user can recognize the set mode level (step S116). FIG. 5 shows a display example of the liquid crystal display unit 28 at the mode level 1. According to the figure, level information 51 is displayed at the upper left of the liquid crystal display unit 28, and an icon 60 indicating the full auto shooting mode is displayed in the menu display field 52.
[0047]
After step S116 in FIG. 4, the CPU 30 determines whether or not photographing has been executed (step S118). If photographing (film exposure) has not been performed, the process of step S118 loops. When shooting is performed, the process proceeds to step S120, where the count value of the shooting number counter 48 is updated (incremented if it is an forward formula, decremented if it is a reverse formula), and the cumulative number stored in the cumulative number storage unit 49 is stored. The value is incremented and the information content is updated (step S122).
[0048]
Next, it is determined whether or not the cumulative number has exceeded 500 (step S124). If the cumulative number is 500 or less, the process returns to step S118 to prepare for the next shooting. If the cumulative number exceeds 500 in step S124, the process proceeds to step S126, and it is determined whether or not the cumulative number exceeds 1000.
[0049]
When the cumulative number is 1000 or less in step S126, the mode level is increased to “2” (step S128). Then, the mode level information in the liquid crystal display unit 28 is updated so that the user can recognize the set mode level (step S140), and the process returns to step S118.
[0050]
FIG. 6 shows a display example of the liquid crystal display unit 28 at the mode level 2. As shown in FIG. 5A, at the mode level 2, an icon 61 indicating the macro shooting mode and an icon 62 indicating the scene position mode are additionally displayed in the menu display field 52. When the scene position icon 62 is selected from the menu, a submenu as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed. In the submenu, a person mode icon 63, a landscape mode icon 64, a sports mode icon 65, and a night view mode icon 66 are displayed, and any mode can be selected.
[0051]
In step S126 of FIG. 4, when the cumulative number exceeds 1000, the process proceeds to step S130, and it is determined whether or not the cumulative number exceeds 1500. If the cumulative number is less than 1500 in step S130, the mode level is increased to “3” (step S132). Then, the mode level information in the liquid crystal display unit 28 is updated so that the user can recognize the set mode level (step S140), and the process returns to step S118.
[0052]
FIG. 7 shows a display example of the liquid crystal display unit 28 at the mode level 3. As shown in the figure, at the mode level 3, the menu display field 52 includes an icon 67 indicating the flash mode, an icon 68 for the program AE mode, an icon 69 for the shutter priority mode, and an icon 70 for the aperture priority mode. It is additionally displayed. Although not shown, when the strobe mode icon 67 is selected, an icon sub-menu corresponding to the selectable strobe mode is displayed.
[0053]
In step S130 of FIG. 4, when the cumulative number exceeds 1500, the process proceeds to step S134, and it is determined whether or not the cumulative number exceeds 2000. If the cumulative number is 2000 or less in step S134, the mode level is increased to “4” (step S134). On the other hand, if the cumulative number exceeds 2000 in step S134, the mode level is set to “5” (step S138). Thus, after the mode level information in the liquid crystal display unit 28 is updated so that the user can recognize the set mode level (step S140), the process returns to step S118.
[0054]
FIG. 8 shows a display example of the liquid crystal display unit 28 at the mode level 4, and FIG. 9 shows a display example of the liquid crystal display unit 28 at the mode level 5. For the mode level 4 shown in FIG. 8, a manual focus mode icon 71 is additionally displayed in the menu display field 52, and for the mode level 5 shown in FIG. 9, a manual exposure mode icon 72 is additionally displayed. The
[0055]
As described above, the mode level is updated in accordance with the cumulative number of sheets, and usable functions are increased step by step. At this time, functions that can be used in each mode level are presented to the user by icon display. Thereby, it is possible to realize a rearing type camera in which the performance of the camera 10 is improved (multifunctionalized) in accordance with the user's shooting experience.
[0056]
In the above embodiment, the mode level is increased every time the cumulative number of sheets increases by 500, but the value of the cumulative number, the number of steps of the level, which can be used for each level, can be used for each level. The function is not limited to the above example, and can be designed as appropriate.
[0057]
In the above embodiment, a function that can be used in accordance with the cumulative number of sheets is determined in advance, and a predetermined function can be used uniformly when a certain cumulative number of sheets is reached. There is also a mode in which the function that can be used is changed depending on the situation. For example, in the case of a user who frequently uses the person mode or the macro shooting mode in the scene position mode at the mode level 2, the aperture priority mode can be used at the next level stage, while the sport mode is set at the mode level 2. In the case of a user who uses a lot, the shutter priority mode can be used at the next level. Thus, convenience is improved by grasping the characteristics of usage for each user and adding functions that are likely to be used by the user or functions that easily reflect the user's shooting intention. .
[0058]
In order to perform control to change functions added later depending on functions frequently used in the middle, information on the mode (function) used in shooting is stored in the camera 100 as well as information on the cumulative number of sheets. Keep it. As the means for storing the information on the mode used for shooting, the same means as the cumulative number storage section 49 is used. Of course, the cumulative number storage unit 49 may also be used. Then, a predetermined criterion value is compared with the usage record of the mode to determine a mode to be added.
[0059]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0060]
FIG. 10 is a front view of a camera according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a rear view thereof. A camera 100 shown in these drawings is a digital camera that converts an optical image of a subject into digital image data and records it, and has a recording function of still images and moving images. As shown in FIG. 10, a retractable photographing lens 112, a finder window 114, a strobe 116, a microphone 117, and the like are provided on the front of the camera 100, and a release switch 118 is provided on the upper surface. As shown in FIG. 11, a finder 120, a power switch 122, a mode lever 124, a mode dial 126, a cross button 128, a menu / OK button 130, a cancel button 132, a liquid crystal monitor 134, a speaker are arranged on the back of the camera 100. 136 etc. are provided. Of course, it is also possible to use various types of display devices (display means) such as an organic EL instead of the liquid crystal monitor 134.
[0061]
The mode lever 124 is rotatably provided around the power switch 122. By changing the position of the mode lever 124, the function of the camera 10 is changed. That is, when the mode lever 124 is rotated to stop at the upper stop position (shooting mode position) in FIG. 11, the camera 100 is set to the shooting mode. When the mode lever 124 is stopped at the lower stop position (reproduction mode position) in FIG. 11, the camera 100 is set to a reproduction mode (a mode in which a captured image is reproduced).
[0062]
The mode dial 126 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the camera body, and the shooting mode of the camera 100 is changed by changing the position of the mode dial 126. By rotating the mode dial 126, the camera 100 is switched between a still image shooting mode (still mode) and a moving image shooting mode (movie mode). That is, the mode that can be selected with the mode dial 126 is simplified into two modes, a still mode and a movie mode, and further advanced shooting functions (modes) for each mode are displayed in a menu step by step according to the shooting results. To be selectable.
[0063]
The cross button 128 is a button for inputting instructions in the corresponding four directions (up, down, left, and right). Functions as a button for instructing selection. Also, it functions as a zoom button in the shooting mode and functions as a frame advance button in the playback mode.
[0064]
The menu / OK button 130 is an operation button having both a function as a menu button for instructing display of a menu screen and a function as an OK button for instructing confirmation and execution of selection contents. The cancel button 132 is used when canceling an item selected from the menu or returning to the previous operation state.
[0065]
The liquid crystal monitor 134 is used as a display monitor for images taken in the playback mode and as a menu display screen. In the shooting mode, it is also used as an electronic viewfinder for checking the angle of view.
[0066]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the camera 100. In FIG. 12, parts that are the same as or similar to those in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0067]
As illustrated in FIG. 12, the CPU 140 built in the camera 100 functions as a control unit and a calculation unit, and controls each circuit in the camera 100 based on an instruction signal from the operation unit 34. For example, the CPU 140 controls lens drive control, shooting operation control, image processing control, image data recording control, flash 116 light emission control, memory card 142 read / write control, file management, and liquid crystal monitor display control necessary for camera operation. And so on.
[0068]
The operation unit 34 is a block including various operation means such as a release switch 118, a power switch 122, a mode lever 124, a mode dial 126, a cross button 128, a menu / OK button 130, and a cancel button 132.
[0069]
The memory (RAM) 32 is used as a work area for the CPU 140 and as a temporary storage area for image data.
[0070]
When the power switch 122 is turned on by the photographer, the CPU 140 detects this and turns on the power in the camera. When the shooting mode is selected by the mode lever 124, the CPU 140 operates the motor 147 to open the lens barrier 144 and extend the shooting lens 112. Thus, the lens barrier 144 is moved to the open position, and the photographing lens 112 is moved to the photographing position, so that the photographing is possible.
[0071]
An optical image of a subject formed on the light receiving surface of a CCD solid-state imaging device (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 150 via the photographing lens 112 and the shutter combined diaphragm mechanism 148 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 150. A large number of photodiodes are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 150, and has a honeycomb array, a Bayer array, and other predetermined color filter array structures. Further, the CCD 150 has an electronic shutter function for controlling the charge accumulation time (shutter speed) of each photodiode. In place of the CCD 150, a CMOS image sensor or other image sensor may be used.
[0072]
The signal charges accumulated in the photodiodes of the CCD 150 are sequentially read out as voltage signals (image signals) corresponding to the signal charges based on the pulses supplied from the CCD driver 152. The signal output from the CCD 150 is sent to the analog processing unit 154, and after necessary processing such as correlated double sampling (CDS) processing, color separation, and gain adjustment, it is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 155. The signal is converted and sent to the digital signal processing unit 156.
[0073]
The timing generator (TG) 158 gives a timing signal for synchronous driving to the CCD driver 152, the analog processing unit 154 and the A / D converter 155 in accordance with a command from the CPU 140, and the synchronization of each circuit is performed by this timing signal. Has been taken.
[0074]
The digital signal processing unit 156 functions as an image processing unit including a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a contour correction circuit, a white balance correction circuit, and the like and functions as an audio processing unit. Process signals and audio signals. The image data sent from the A / D converter 155 to the digital signal processing unit 156 is converted into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, Cb signal) (YC processing), and has a predetermined gamma correction or the like. Is stored in the memory 32.
[0075]
When the captured image is output to the monitor, the image data is read from the memory 32 and sent to the display circuit 162 via the bus 160. The display circuit 162 converts the input image data into a predetermined display signal (for example, an NTSC color composite video signal) and outputs it to the liquid crystal monitor 134. The display circuit 162 includes an OSD (on-screen display) circuit, and a signal such as a character generated by the OSD circuit is mixed with an image signal as necessary and supplied to the liquid crystal monitor 134.
[0076]
The image data in the memory 32 is periodically rewritten by the image signal output from the CCD 150, and the video signal generated from the image data is supplied to the liquid crystal monitor 134, so that the image being captured is displayed in real time. The The photographer can check the angle of view (composition) from the video displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 134.
[0077]
In the shooting mode, when the CPU 140 detects that the release switch 118 is half-pressed (S1 = ON), AE control and AF control are performed. When the release switch 118 is fully pressed (S2 = ON), the recording image is captured. Start CCD exposure and readout control. That is, the CPU 140 performs various calculations such as a focus evaluation calculation and an AE calculation from the image data captured in response to half-pressing of the release switch 118, and controls the AF motor 42 based on the calculation result to control the photographing lens 112. Is moved to the in-focus position, while an aperture drive unit (not shown) is controlled to set the aperture value of the shutter-use aperture mechanism 148, and the charge accumulation time at the time of image acquisition associated with S2 = ON is controlled.
[0078]
The captured image data is subjected to YC processing and other predetermined signal processing in the digital signal processing unit 156, and then compressed in accordance with a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG method) in the compression / decompression unit 164. The compressed image data is recorded on the memory card 142 via the card interface unit 165. The compression format is not limited to JPEG, and MPEG and other methods may be adopted.
[0079]
The means for storing image data is not limited to the semiconductor memory represented by the memory card 142, and various media such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk can be used. Further, the recording medium (internal memory) built in the camera 100 is not limited to the removable medium.
[0080]
The image file generated by the camera 100 is automatically assigned a file number with a serial number according to the recording order, and information indicating the shooting date (date and time) of the main image is recorded as additional information. For example, in the case of an image file generated according to the Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) file format, the file name “DSCF ******. JPG” (where “***” is a file consisting of a 4-digit number string) The number is automatically generated, and information on the shooting date and time is recorded in the Exif tag. The file number can be used as a frame number indicating the recording order.
[0081]
The number of images that can be recorded on the memory card 142 (the number of images that can be shot) is defined by the capacity of the memory card 142, the number of recorded pixels, the compression rate, and the like. The CPU 140 calculates a standard number of shootable images from the remaining capacity of the memory card 142, the set number of recording pixels and the compression rate, and presents the information to the user through the liquid crystal monitor 134 or the like.
[0082]
In addition, the camera 100 stores the cumulative number of still images recorded in the cumulative number storage unit 49, and the cumulative number is counted up every time a still image is shot. Updated.
[0083]
When the moving image shooting mode is selected by the mode dial 126, recording of a moving image with sound becomes possible. When the release switch 118 is pressed (S2 = ON), the recording operation starts. When the release switch 118 is pressed again (S1 = ON), the recording operation is stopped. The sound at the time of moving image shooting is detected by the microphone 117, and the detection signal (audio signal) is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 167 and then sent to the digital signal processing unit 156. The digital signal processing unit 156 converts the input audio data into a predetermined signal format. The audio data generated in this way is recorded on the memory card 142 through the compression / decompression unit 164 and the card interface unit 165 together with the image data. The moving image data is recorded, for example, according to the motion JPEG format. In this example, an example of recording in the motion JPEG format will be described, but the file format is not limited to this, and other file formats such as MPEG may be applied.
[0084]
On the other hand, when the playback mode is selected by the mode lever 124, the image file recorded on the memory card 142 is read. The compressed data of the read image file is expanded to an uncompressed YC signal via the compression / decompression unit 164, converted into a display signal via the digital signal processing unit 156 and the display circuit 162, and then the liquid crystal It is output to the monitor 134. As a result, the image content of the file is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 134.
[0085]
Audio data at the time of moving image reproduction is reproduced by the digital signal processing unit 156 and output to the speaker 136 via the D / A converter 168 and the amplifier 169.
[0086]
In the camera 100 configured as described above, a part of the camera function is restricted to be unusable when unused (cumulative number = 0) or in a state where the number of photographing is small, and the cumulative number increases as the number of photographing results increases. Accordingly, the functions that can be used by the user are gradually increased (the restriction is released).
[0087]
The contents of the function expansion are the same as in the example described with reference to FIGS. In the case of the camera 100 that does not use a film, the presence / absence confirmation of the memory card 142 is performed instead of the presence / absence confirmation of the film in step S112 in FIG.
[0088]
According to the camera 100 of this example, only the full-auto shooting mode can be used at the beginning for still image shooting. However, by accumulating the still image shooting performance in the full-auto shooting mode, the mode level is increased. More advanced shooting functions can be used.
[0089]
The set mode level information is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 134 and presented to the user. FIG. 13 shows an example of the display.
[0090]
FIG. 13 shows a display example in mode level 1. When the liquid crystal monitor 134 is turned on in the shooting mode, as shown in the figure, level information 181 is displayed on the upper left of the screen, and information 182 on the number of shootable images is displayed on the upper right of the screen. A zoom bar 184 is displayed on the left side of the screen, and an AF tracking frame 186 is displayed in the center of the screen.
[0091]
FIG. 14 shows another display example. According to the figure, icons 191, 192 and 193 indicating available modes are displayed in the menu bar 190 at the top of the screen. Reference numeral 191 denotes an icon for the scene position mode, 192 denotes an icon for the auto mode, and 193 denotes an icon for the shutter priority mode. When a usable function is added as the cumulative number increases, an icon indicating the function is additionally displayed on the menu bar 190.
[0092]
In place of the level information 181 described with reference to FIG. 13, icons 191 to 193 may be displayed as shown in FIG. 14, or the level information 181 is normally displayed as shown in FIG. It may be configured to switch to the display of icons 191 to 193 as shown in FIG.
[0093]
In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the shooting experience (actual result) is determined based on the cumulative number of sheets, and a usable function is added according to the cumulative number of sheets. However, the present invention is limited to this mode. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the cumulative number of images, it is possible to manage the cumulative usage time in the shooting mode and estimate the shooting experience based on the cumulative usage time in the shooting mode. For example, it is possible to store an accumulated use time of a shooting mode for recording a still image in the camera 100 and add functions that can be used as the accumulated use time increases.
[0094]
In the above description, an example of adding a still shooting function (mode) according to the results of still image shooting (still) has been described. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this, and moving image shooting is performed. There is also a mode in which a moving image shooting function is added according to the actual performance (for example, the accumulated recording time, the number of times of recording, the accumulated usage time of the moving image shooting mode, etc.). Regarding the moving image shooting mode, in addition to the basic full auto shooting mode, functions to be added include, for example, a manual focus mode, a manual aperture mode, a manual white balance mode, and a close-up mode.
[0095]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the number of shots and usage time are managed to count the usage record of the camera, and the function of the camera is enhanced as the usage record is accumulated. Can provide an easy-to-use camera that matches the experience of shooting. In addition, the camera can be used like a training game, and the user's attachment to the camera increases as the user continues to use it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the camera shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a chart showing an example of control in which camera functions are expanded according to the cumulative number of shots
FIG. 4 is a flowchart regarding function expansion control of the camera according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal display unit in mode level 1
6 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal display unit in mode level 2 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal display unit in mode level 3
FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the liquid crystal display part in the mode level 4
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of the liquid crystal display unit at mode level 5;
FIG. 10 is a front view of a camera according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a rear view of the camera shown in FIG.
12 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the camera shown in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal monitor in mode level 1
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another display example of the liquid crystal monitor at mode level 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Camera, 28 ... Liquid crystal display part, 30 ... CPU, 31 ... ROM, 32 ... Memory (RAM), 36 ... Film presence / absence detection part, 48 ... Shooting number counter, 49 ... Cumulative number storage part, 100 ... Camera

Claims (3)

An achievement counting means for counting the use of the camera;
Control means for performing control to set a function that can be used in the camera according to the use results counted by the result count means;
A camera characterized by comprising The achievement count means counts the number of shots indicating the use achievement,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to increase functions usable in the camera in accordance with an increase in the number of shots. The camera includes an imaging unit that converts an optical image into an electrical signal;
An electronic camera comprising: a recording unit that records an image acquired via the imaging unit on a recording medium;
The achievement count means counts the cumulative use time of the shooting mode indicating the use achievement,
The camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to increase a function that can be used in the camera in accordance with an increase in the cumulative usage time.

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