JP2004112485A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable adding and executing a new program without renewing an image pickup apparatus by inputting a program for executing at least any one of a control function of an image pickup means and a function of processing image data obtained by image pickup, recording the program, and executing at least any one of the control of the image pickup means and processing of the image data obtained by image pickup by the image pickup device. <P>SOLUTION: A DSC (digital still camera) 10 accesses a server 16 via the Internet. The server 16 outputs function names of programs stored therein to the DSC 10. In this way, DSC 10 receives a plurality of function names, and displays the plurality of function names which are received on a display device. A user selects a required function name from among the function names displayed on the display device 28. The program corresponding to the selected function name is set in the DSC from the server 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, and more particularly to a photographing apparatus that photographs a subject.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional digital cameras are multi-functional, and it is difficult to master all the functions, and all the functions are not always used and may have unnecessary functions. Therefore, a camera that can customize the functions of a digital camera has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-9484155
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional camera cannot execute a new function installed in a newly developed new model.
[0005]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a photographing apparatus to which a new function can be added.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 executes at least one of a photographing unit for photographing a subject, a control function of the photographing unit, and a processing function of image data obtained by the photographing of the photographing unit. Input means for inputting a program for recording, recording means for recording the program inputted by the input means, and control of the photographing means and photographing by the photographing means based on the program recorded by the recording means Execution means for executing at least one of processing of the obtained image data.
[0007]
The photographing means according to the present invention photographs a subject. The input means inputs a program for executing at least one of a control function of the photographing means and a processing function of image data obtained by photographing of the photographing means. The recording means records the program input by the input means. The executing means executes at least one of control of the photographing means and processing of image data obtained by photographing by the photographing means based on the program recorded by the recording means.
[0008]
In this way, a program for executing at least one of the control function of the photographing means and the processing function of the image data obtained by photographing is input, the program is recorded, and the control of the photographing means is performed based on the recorded program. Since at least one of the processing of the image data obtained by photographing by the photographing means is executed, a new program can be added and executed.
[0009]
Here, the recording means stores in advance at least one program determined in advance as the minimum necessary as in claim 2, and the input means inputs a program different from the pre-recorded program. Also good.
[0010]
As described above, another program predetermined as a necessary minimum is stored in advance, and a program different from the program is input. Therefore, only a necessary program can be input.
[0011]
The recording means may record the program in an image data storage medium for recording image data obtained by photographing by the photographing means. Thus, since the program is recorded on the image data recording medium, the existing image data recording medium can be used, and the number of parts can be reduced. The input means may input a program recorded on the image data recording medium as in claim 4.
[0012]
Further, the recording means may record the program on a program recording medium for recording the program as in claim 5. Further, as in claim 6, the input means may input the program from the program recording medium. As described above, since the program is recorded on the program recording medium and the program is input from the program recording medium, different functions can be executed by changing the program recording medium even in the same photographing apparatus. it can.
[0013]
The input means may be input by receiving a program from a communication line, for example, the Internet.
[0014]
Further, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention selects an instruction means for instructing execution of a program recorded by the recording means and a program to be executed when instructed by the instruction means, as in claim 8. Selecting means, and the execution means may execute the selected program when instructed by the instruction means.
[0015]
Thus, since the selected program is executed when instructed by the instruction means, the program can be executed or not freely according to the user's intention.
[0016]
As in claim 9, the execution means may execute the unselected program regardless of an instruction from the instruction means.
[0017]
Further, as in claim 10, the input means inputs the program from a classification device that classifies the types of images obtained by the imaging of the imaging device and outputs a program corresponding to the classified types. You may make it do.
[0018]
The classification device classifies the types of images obtained by the imaging of the imaging device and outputs a program corresponding to the classified types. In the photographing apparatus, the program is input from the classification apparatus.
[0019]
As described above, since the program corresponding to the type of image classified by the classification device is input from the classification device, the program corresponding to the type of image obtained by the photographing device can be added.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as DSC) 10 as a photographing apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured such that an image data recording medium 12 and a function-dedicated recording medium 14 can be selectively inserted. ing. Further, the DSC 10 can communicate with the server 16 via a communication device described later.
[0021]
The server 16 records a program for executing at least one of a control function of the photographing unit of the photographing apparatus and an image data processing function obtained by photographing of the photographing unit.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the back surface of the DSC 10 selectively includes a shutter 22, a mode switch 24 for selectively setting a plurality of modes to be described later, and the image data recording medium 12 and the function dedicated recording medium 14 shown in FIG. Insert port 26 for insertion, display device 28, communication device 30, cursor controller 32, first instruction button (hereinafter referred to as A button) 34B, second instruction button (hereinafter referred to as B button) 36B, A first small display portion 34D provided corresponding to the A button 34B and a second small display portion 36D provided corresponding to the B button 36B are provided. The DSC 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the DSC 10 shown in FIG. 2 are substantially the same, although the design is slightly different.
[0023]
Next, the control system of the DSC 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the DSC 10 includes an optical unit 42 equipped with autofocus, a strobe, etc., a CCD 44 that receives light from a subject via the optical unit 42, and an A / A that converts image data from the CCD 44 into analog / digital. The image forming apparatus includes a D converter 46, a basic image processing circuit 48 that performs basic image processing on image data digitally converted by the A / D converter 46, and a control device 58 that controls the basic image processing circuit 48. The optical unit 42, CCD 44, A / D converter 46, and basic image processing circuit 48 correspond to photographing means.
[0024]
The control device 58 is connected to the display device 28, the operation device 32 including the shutter 22 and the mode switch 24, and the power supply device 52. Further, a recording device 56 is connected to the control device 58 via a compression circuit 54. Further, the communication device 30 and the expansion processing circuit 50 described above are connected to the control device 58.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 4, the extension processing circuit 50 includes a plurality of digital signal processors (hereinafter referred to as DSPs) 62 each having an area for recording a program input via the communication device 30 as will be described later. Yes. A DSP control device 64 connected to the control device 58 is connected to each DSP 62.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will also be described.
When an access button (not shown) in the mode switch 24 is turned on, the function addition processing program shown in FIG. 5 starts. In this way, when the access button is turned on, in step 72, the function supply destination, that is, the server 16 described above is accessed via a communication line, in this embodiment, the Internet.
[0027]
Here, the server 16 stores a plurality of programs as described above. In step 72, the server 16 accessed from the DSC 10 outputs the program name of the stored program, that is, the function name to the DSC 10. Accordingly, the DSC 10 receives a plurality of function names in step 74 and displays the received plurality of function names on the display device 28 in step 76.
[0028]
In step 78, the user selects a necessary function name from the function names displayed on the display device 28. That is, the cursor controller 32 is operated to position the cursor C displayed on the display device 28 at a position corresponding to the function name to be added, and the mode switch 24 is set by turning on an additional switch (not shown).
[0029]
In step 80, an additional function is set. That is, when a function name is selected in step 78, the DSC 10 requests the server 16 to output a program corresponding to the function name, and the server 16 outputs a corresponding program based on this request. Thus, the DSC receives a program corresponding to the function to be selected, and the received program is temporarily recorded in the RAM of the control device 58, and then the program is stored in a predetermined DSP 62 by the DSP control device 64. Is done.
[0030]
Here, the example in which the program is input via the Internet has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the program may be input from a recording medium. That is, when the image data recording medium 12 or the function-dedicated storage medium 14 is inserted into the insertion slot 26, the control routine shown in FIG. 6 is executed, and in step 82, the inserted recording medium 12, 14 is programmed. Is determined to be recorded. If it is determined that the program is not recorded, the process is terminated. If it is determined that the program is stored, the program is In step 86, the program is set. That is, the read program is recorded in the RAM in the control device 58 so that it can be executed.
[0031]
On the other hand, when the selective execution function setting switch button in the mode switch 24 is turned ON, the control routine shown in FIG. 7 is executed, and in step 84, the recording medium 12, 14 inserted in the expansion processing circuit 50 or inserted. The function name recorded in is displayed, and in step 86, one of the functions to be executed when selected is selected. In the next step 88, the program corresponding to the selected function is linked to the A button 34B, and the function name is displayed on the first small display section 34D.
[0032]
In step 90, one more function to be executed when selected is selected. In step 92, the function is selected and linked to the B button 34D, and the function name selected in step 90 is displayed on the second small display section 36D.
[0033]
That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the continuous shooting function is first selected by the above processing, the continuous shooting function is linked to the A button 34B, and the moving object prediction function is selected next. Then, the moving object prediction function is displayed corresponding to the B button 36B. It should be noted that other functions that are not supported by either the A button 34B or the B button 36B, such as the red-eye correction function, are set to be always executed regardless of the actual operation of the A button 34B and the B button 36B. The
[0034]
In the above embodiment, the A button 34B and the B button 36B are provided and the small display portions 34D and 36D are provided corresponding to the buttons 34B and 36B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the mode switch 24, a button corresponding to a new function may be provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, for example, when the continuous shooting function is selected corresponding to the button, as shown in FIG. 8B, the continuous shooting mark 24B and the moving object prediction function are displayed. Is selected next, the moving object prediction mark 24C is displayed on a predetermined switch in the mode switch 24. The mark may be generated when a program is input and displayed on each switch of the mode switch.
[0035]
By the way, when the shutter 22 is turned on, the photographing process shown in FIG. 9 starts. That is, in step 102, it is determined whether or not the A button 34B is turned on. When it is determined that the A button 34B is turned on, the continuous shooting function is set to be executed. If the A button is not turned on, the process proceeds to step 106.
[0036]
In step 106, it is determined whether or not the B button is ON. If the B button is on, in step 108, the moving object prediction autofocus function is set to be executed. If it is determined that the B button is not turned on, the process proceeds to step 110.
[0037]
In step 110, shooting is performed while executing the continuous shooting content or executing the moving object prediction auto-focus function according to the setting content.
[0038]
In the next step 112, red-eye correction processing is performed on the image data regardless of the operation of the A button 34B and the B button 36B. That is, an image signal is output from the CCD 44 by photographing, and the image signal is A / D converted and input to the basic image processing circuit 48. The image data input to the basic image processing circuit 48 is subjected to predetermined basic image processing and temporarily recorded in the RAM of the control device 58. Next, the control device 58 performs red-eye correction processing on the image data based on the red-eye correction processing program developed in the control device 58. The image data that has been subjected to the red-eye correction process is compressed by the compression circuit 54 and recorded on the recording medium 12 (or 14) by the recording device 56.
[0039]
As described above, in the present embodiment, a program is input from the server via the communication line, and the control function of the photographing unit and the processing function of the image data are executed based on the program. Functions can be added.
[0040]
Further, in the present embodiment, since only the program corresponding to the minimum necessary function, for example, the autofocus function is recorded in advance and only the program corresponding to the necessary function is input, the necessary function The user can easily learn how to use the current function.
[0041]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the input program is recorded on the function-dedicated recording medium, the function can be executed by exchanging the function-dedicated recording medium, and different functions can be performed even in the same DSC. Can be executed.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the input program is recorded in the image data recording apparatus. In this case, a new dedicated recording medium is not required. Can be reduced.
[0043]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted.
[0044]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0045]
The server 16 as a classification device according to the present embodiment is arranged in a lab store, inputs image data from a user via DSC, performs scene analysis on the image data, and classifies the type of image data. Then, the classification of the image types is totaled for each user. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, in the server 16, the types of image data are classified by scene analysis corresponding to each user A, B, C, and the frequency is determined for each image according to the classification. (Shooting history information described later) is increased and stored. That is, it can be seen that the user A has a lot of person photographing. Further, it can be seen that the user B often takes pictures of the landscape. Furthermore, it can be seen that the user C frequently performs moving body photography such as auto racing. The server 16 classifies and aggregates the types of image data according to the identification information (ID) of each user.
[0046]
When an access button (not shown) in the mode switch 24 of the DSC 10 is turned on, the server 16 is accessed as described above, and the customer ID is input from the DSC 10 to the server 16 in step 122 shown in FIG. A store clerk who has heard the ID from the user may input the ID.
[0047]
In step 124, photographing history information of the customer identified by the ID is acquired. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the user identified by the ID is A, each frequency corresponding to each type of image captured by the user A is acquired. In step 126, the individuality of the customer is determined from the shooting history information. That is, the most common type of images taken by user A is determined.
[0048]
In step 128, a mode corresponding to the individuality is selected. That is, the server 16 links in advance with programs corresponding to functions such as portrait mode, red-eye correction, fluorescent lamp, and incandescent lamp correction when there are many people shooting like the user A. A program corresponding to the functions of the infinity mode and the retrograde mode is linked in advance corresponding to the landscape. Furthermore, a program corresponding to the shutter speed priority mode and the continuous shooting mode is linked in advance corresponding to the moving object. In step 130, the selected mode is transmitted. That is, for example, when the user A is identified, the server determines that there are many people shooting as described above, and supports portrait mode, red-eye correction, fluorescent lamp, incandescent lamp correction corresponding to person shooting. Since the program is linked to the program corresponding to each function, the program is transmitted.
[0049]
Thereby, the program is set in the DSC 10 as described above.
[0050]
In DSC, it is conceivable to classify the types of captured images and display a program that realizes a function corresponding to the classification result. As described above, in the second embodiment, in DSC, Since the types of captured images are classified in the server and a program that realizes a function corresponding to the classification result is set in the DSC, a program according to the individuality of the user can be set.
[0051]
In addition, although the kind of the image image | photographed with DSC is classified in a server and the program which implement | achieves the function corresponding to a classification result is set to DSC, this invention is not limited to this, Lab. It may be added upon receiving advice from a store clerk or added by the user himself.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention inputs a program for executing at least one of the control function of the photographing means and the processing function of the image data obtained by photographing, records the program, and based on the recorded program Since at least one of the control of the photographing means and the processing of the image data obtained by photographing by the photographing means is executed, it is possible to add and execute a new program without updating the photographing apparatus body. Have.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a DSC and a server according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the DSC.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of DSC.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an extension processing circuit 50 of the DSC 10;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a function addition processing routine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another function addition processing routine according to the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a selective execution function setting processing routine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 (A) is a diagram showing a button and a small display unit corresponding to the selective execution function, and FIG. 8 (B) shows a switch provided in the mode switch for the selective execution function. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a photographing process routine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the frequency counted for each user and for each type of image data.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a selection / selection processing routine according to the second embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 DSC
16 Server 30 Communication device 56 Recording device 58 Control device

Claims (10)

Photographing means for photographing the subject;
An input means for inputting a program for executing at least one of a control function of the photographing means and a processing function of image data obtained by the photographing of the photographing means;
Recording means for recording the program input by the input means;
Execution means for executing at least one of control of the photographing means and processing of image data obtained by photographing of the photographing means based on a program recorded by the recording means;
An imaging device with The recording means stores in advance at least one program set in advance as a necessary minimum,
The input means inputs a program different from the pre-recorded program;
The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records the program on an image data recording medium for recording image data obtained by the photographing by the photographing unit. 4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the input unit inputs a program from the image data recording medium. 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records the program on a program recording medium for recording the program. 6. The photographing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the input unit inputs a program from the program recording medium. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit inputs the program by receiving a program from a communication line. Instruction means for instructing execution of the program recorded by the recording means;
Selection means for selecting a program to be executed when instructed by the instruction means;
Further comprising
The execution means executes the selected program when instructed by the instruction means.
The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus is characterized in that: 9. The photographing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the execution unit executes the unselected program regardless of an instruction from the instruction unit. The input means inputs the program from a classification device that classifies the types of images obtained by the imaging of the imaging device and outputs a program corresponding to the classified types. The imaging device according to any one of claims 9 to 9.

Images