JP2004088230A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable performing fixed-point imaging easily and simply in a digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: In the digital camera, when selecting a fixed-point imaging mode by a mode switching switch 22, switches S1, S2 in a switch circuit 31 are switched to c and A, respectively, images stored into a memory card 19 is displayed on an LCD 14 and an optical finder 15. Images desired to be combined are selected by operating a cursor operation panel 23 while recognizing the displayed images. After selecting images, the switches S1, S2 are switched to b, B, respectively, the selected images and output images from an imaging element 13 are combined at an image combining circuit 32, and the combined image 40 is displayed on the LCD 14 and the optical finder 15. An imaging position, an imaging direction and an imaging angle are adjusted to become almost the same as those of the selected images while recognizing the displayed combined image 40, then fixed-point imaging is performed. After completing the imaging, the switches S1, S2 are switched to c, C, respectively, and only the selected images are stored into the memory card 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera suitable for fixed point shooting.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Digital cameras that convert subject images captured by an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor into digital image data and store them in a storage medium such as a built-in memory or a memory card have become widespread. Such a digital camera is provided with a liquid crystal display device for displaying a subject image and an optical viewfinder. A user uses these display devices to perform framing of a subject image to be photographed, image reproduction, erasure, and the like.
[0003]
As a digital camera as described above, there has been proposed one that synthesizes an image stored in a storage medium and an output image of an image sensor and displays the synthesized image on a display device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-121222). Publication). In this digital camera, when shooting is performed with the composite image displayed, the composite image is stored in a storage medium. In this way, when shooting is performed with multiple exposure or long-time exposure, the user can check the shooting result on the display device.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when performing so-called fixed-point photography, such as taking pictures continuously at an appropriate date and time to record the growth process of plants, or taking pictures of changes in the landscape due to changes in the seasons, etc. Sometimes, it is preferable to install the camera at a fixed shooting position so that the shooting directions coincide with each other, and a camera having a zoom function also takes a shot with a matching angle of view. However, for general users, it is not practical to keep the camera fixed at a fixed shooting position for a long time for fixed-point shooting, and it is desirable to use it for various purposes during fixed-point shooting. Is the actual situation. Therefore, when performing fixed point shooting, it is very difficult to restore the shooting position, direction, and angle of view as before.
[0005]
An object of this invention is to provide the digital camera which can perform fixed-point imaging | photography easily and easily.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a digital camera comprising an image sensor that captures an image, a storage medium that stores an output image from the image sensor, and a display device that displays the image. An image synthesizing unit that synthesizes an image stored in a medium and an output image from the image sensor and displays the synthesized image on the display device, and an image selection unit that selects an image to be synthesized are provided. Control is provided for storing only the output image from the image sensor in a storage medium when the image is taken with the image displayed on the display device. The storage medium is preferably a detachable external memory.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 and 2, a lens barrier 10 that can be slid in the direction of the arrow is provided on the front surface of the digital camera 2. By sliding the lens barrier 10 to the open position shown in FIG. 1, the imaging lens 11 and the strobe light emitting unit 12 are exposed, and the photographing is possible.
[0008]
An imaging element 13 (see FIG. 3) made up of a CCD image sensor or the like is disposed behind the imaging lens 11. The imaging signal from the imaging device 13 is converted into digital image data by various signal processing by the signal processing circuit 30 (see FIG. 3). This image data is displayed as a so-called through image on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 14 provided on the back of the digital camera 2. Further, the digital camera 2 is provided with a finder objective window 16 and a finder eyepiece window 17 that constitute an optical finder 15 (see FIG. 3), through which the subject image is framed.
[0009]
A release button 18 is provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 2. By pressing the release button 18 after framing by the LCD 14 or the optical viewfinder 15, the image signal for one screen is converted into image data and stored in a storage medium such as a memory card 19 or an internal memory (not shown).
[0010]
On the back of the digital camera 2, in addition to the LCD 14, a power button 20 for switching power on / off, and a zoom operation button 21 for zooming the zoom lens (not shown) of the imaging lens 11 to the wide side and the tele side. Further, a mode changeover switch 22 for selecting various modes and an operation unit 24 (a portion surrounded by a one-dot chain line) including a cursor operation plate 23 for moving a cursor in a menu screen displayed on the LCD 14 are provided.
[0011]
In the digital camera 2, a normal shooting mode for normal shooting, a playback mode for displaying a shot image on the LCD 14, and a fixed point shooting mode for fixed point shooting can be selected, and the mode changeover switch 22 is slid. Thus, these modes are switched.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 3, a switch circuit 31 and an image composition circuit 32 are provided in a signal processing circuit 30 that performs various kinds of signal processing on an image pickup signal from the image pickup device 13. The switch circuit 31 is composed of two switches S1 and S2 having three contacts a, b and c and A, B and C. The switch circuit 31 is interlocked with the operation of the release button 18, the mode switch 22 and the cursor operation plate 23. Switch contacts. The output terminals of the contacts a and A of the switch circuit 31 are connected to the LCD 14 and the optical viewfinder 15, and the output terminals of the contacts b and B are connected to the image composition circuit 32. The input end of S1 is connected to the image sensor 13, and the input end of S2 is connected to the memory card 19. The image composition circuit 32 synthesizes the image stored in the memory card 19 and the output image from the image sensor 13 and displays this composite image on the LCD 14 and the optical viewfinder 15.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 4, when the normal shooting mode is selected with the mode change switch 22 after the power button 20 is operated to turn on the power of the digital camera 2, S1 → a, S2 → C, and the image sensor 13. The image picked up by is displayed on the LCD 14 and the optical viewfinder 15. After image framing, the release button 18 is pressed to take a picture. After the photographing is finished, the photographed image is stored in the memory card 19 in S1 → c and S2 → C. When continuous shooting is performed, S1 → a and S2 → C again. When continuous shooting is not performed, the mode selection is returned to, or the power button 20 is operated to turn off the power of the digital camera 2.
[0014]
When the reproduction mode is selected, S1 → c and S2 → A, and the image stored in the memory card 19 is displayed on the LCD 14 and the optical viewfinder 15. While confirming the displayed image, the cursor operation plate 23 is operated to select an image to be reproduced. When performing continuous reproduction, the cursor operation plate 23 is operated again to select an image. When continuous playback is not performed, the mode returns to mode selection or the power button 20 is operated to turn off the digital camera 2.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the fixed point shooting mode is selected, S1 → c and S2 → A, and the images stored in the memory card 19 are displayed on the LCD 14 and the optical viewfinder 15 in the same manner as when the playback mode is selected. Is done. While confirming the displayed image, the cursor operation plate 23 is operated to select an image to be synthesized. After the image is selected, S1 → b and S2 → B, and the selected image and the output image from the image sensor 13 are combined by the image combining circuit 32. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the composite image 40 is displayed on the LCD 14 and the optical viewfinder 15. In FIG. 6, the selected image is represented by a solid line and the output image from the image sensor 13 is represented by a dotted line. However, in practice, image processing appropriate for either image (saturation, brightness, contour correction) is performed. Etc.) and a composite image in which these images are visually distinguished is displayed.
[0016]
In FIG. 5, while confirming the composite image 40 displayed on the LCD 14 and the optical viewfinder 15, the shooting position / direction / angle of view is adjusted to be substantially equal to the selected image, and then the release button 18 is pressed. Perform fixed-point shooting. After the shooting is completed, only the images shot in S1 → c and S2 → C are stored in the memory card 19. When continuous fixed-point shooting is performed, S1 → b and S2 → B again, and when a new composite image is selected, S1 → c and S2 → A. When continuous shooting is not performed, the mode selection is returned to, or the power button 20 is operated to turn off the digital camera 2.
[0017]
As described above, since fixed point shooting is performed while checking the composite image 40, it is possible to easily match the shooting position / direction / angle of view of the previously taken image with the shooting position / direction / angle of view of the image to be taken. Can do. In addition, since fixed point shooting can be performed without fixing the camera at the shooting position, the degree of freedom for using the camera is increased and fixed point shooting can be easily enjoyed.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the digital camera of the present invention, the image stored in the storage medium and the output image from the image sensor are combined and displayed on the display device, and the image to be combined is selected. In addition to providing an image selection means and a control means for storing only the output image from the image sensor in a storage medium when photographing is performed in a state where a composite image by the image composition means is displayed on the display device, fixed point photography is provided. Can be performed easily and easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a digital camera embodying the present invention.
2 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a digital camera.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when a normal shooting mode and a playback mode are selected.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when a fixed point shooting mode is selected.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a composite image is displayed on the LCD.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Digital Camera 11 Imaging Lens 13 Imaging Element 14 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
15 Optical viewfinder 18 Release button 19 Memory card 22 Mode switch 31 Switch circuit 32 Image composition circuit 40 Composite image

Claims (2)

In a digital camera including an image sensor that captures an image, a storage medium that stores an output image from the image sensor, and a display device that displays the image,
An image combining unit that combines the image stored in the storage medium and the output image from the image sensor and displays the combined image on the display device, and an image selection unit that selects an image to be combined, and
A digital camera comprising control means for storing only an output image from an image sensor in a storage medium when photographing is performed in a state where a composite image by the image composition means is displayed on a display device. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a removable external memory.

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