JP2004126008A - Photographing device with guidance by sample photograph - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of a photographing device which outputs guidance information regarding handling the photographing device by making it possible to specifically and accurately understand functions and operating methods of the photographing device. <P>SOLUTION: Guidance information including sample photographs is stored in a storage means 2. The guidance information including the sample photographs is read from the storage means 2 by a sample photograph output means 3, decompressed, and outputted on a liquid crystal display 10. Consequently, a user can specifically and accurately understand the effect of use of a specific function of the photographing device by comparing sample photographs, for example, before and after the use. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus such as a digital still camera, and more particularly to a photographing apparatus that outputs guidance information including a sample photograph regarding the handling of the photographing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As the performance of photographing apparatuses such as digital still cameras has been improved, the handling method has become complicated. For this reason, it is very difficult to use the camera with an accurate understanding of all handling, especially for users who are not skilled in camera operation. As a result, functions that should be useful are used. May be left untouched.
[0003]
To deal with such problems, the camera body has an infrared camera that can inform the user of information about the operation desired by the key operation of the detachable voice guidance unit, and information on camera functions and operation descriptions. A camera is known in which desired information is notified by voice, text, or figure by user operation (for example, the former is Patent Document 1 and the latter is Patent Documents 2 and 3).
[0004]
These are intended to improve the operability of the camera by releasing the user from the hassle of carrying an instruction manual using a paper medium in a highly portable camera.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 10-313420 A
[0006]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-217437
[0007]
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-66684 A
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the camera described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, 2 or 3, since the operation is explained only by voice, characters and figures, what effect is obtained when the operation is performed based on the explanation. The problem is that it cannot be said to contribute sufficiently to a user's specific and accurate understanding of whether or not In this regard, a sample photograph is also published in the instruction manual using a conventional paper medium, so that the user can understand how to handle the camera as compared with the camera described in Patent Document 1 or 2, 3 described above. It can be said that it contributes.
[0009]
However, sample photographs are usually printed in black and white in the manual for paper media. For functions that can directly understand the effect by color, such as the red-eye reduction flash function of a camera, for example, the manual for paper media is used. However, it does not contribute to the understanding of specific and accurate functions by the user.
[0010]
On the other hand, a photographing apparatus such as a digital still camera has image display means such as a liquid crystal display, and can reproduce a photographic image from a recording medium. Further, the display is generally capable of color display. In this case, a color photographic image can be reproduced. In addition, it has become possible to store guidance information related to functions and operations with sample photographs due to the high density and large capacity of recording media.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a photographing apparatus that outputs guidance information about the handling of a photographing apparatus such as a digital camera, facilitates a specific and accurate understanding of how the photographing apparatus is handled by a user. An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus that improves user operability.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The photographing apparatus according to the present invention has an image display means, a storage means for storing guidance information including a sample photograph used for explanation of handling of the photographing apparatus, and the guidance information stored in the storage means. Sample photograph output means obtained from the storage means and output to the image display means is provided.
[0013]
Here, the “photographing device” may be any device such as a silver salt camera, a digital still camera, or a digital video camera, as long as it has a function of photographing an image.
[0014]
The “image display means” may be any device that has a function of displaying an image, such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a plasma display.
[0015]
In addition, both black-and-white display and color display can be considered as image display means, and both black-and-white and color photographs can be considered as sample photographs. It is preferable to display.
[0016]
“Guidance information including sample photographs used to describe the handling of the imaging device” refers to information related to the functions and operations of the imaging device described in the instruction manual of the imaging device, including sample photographs. Say. Guidance information by voice, characters, figures, and moving images may be included.
[0017]
The storage means may be anything as long as the guidance information including the sample photograph is stored. Specifically, the storage means may be an external recording medium or a fixed memory built in the photographing apparatus.
[0018]
The sample photograph output means only needs to be able to read the guidance information stored in the storage means and display it on the image display means. Even if the sample photograph output means is the same as the means for outputting the photograph taken by the photographing apparatus to the image display means Good.
[0019]
When the guidance information includes voice guidance information, the photographing apparatus further includes voice reproduction means, and the sample photo output means sends the sample photo guidance information to the image display means. It is also conceivable that the voice reproduction means is made to reproduce the voice guidance information simultaneously with the output.
[0020]
Further, it further comprises an operation means for making an output request for the guidance information stored in the storage means, and the sample photo output means acquires the guidance information from the storage means in response to the output request. Is also possible.
[0021]
Further, the storage means stores the guidance information in association with the operation state of the photographing apparatus, and further comprises an operation state detection means for detecting the operation state of the photographing apparatus, and the sample photograph output means includes the operation state. It is also conceivable to acquire the guidance information corresponding to the operation state detected by the detection means from the storage means.
[0022]
Here, the “operating state of the photographing apparatus” includes at least one of setting information of the photographing apparatus and subject information. Specifically, the “imaging device setting information” refers to information set in the imaging device in advance, such as the operation mode, the shooting mode, the camera state, the recording medium state, and the “subject information” External information about the subject captured by the photographing apparatus, such as brightness, distance to the subject, presence / absence of backlight, presence / absence of a person in the viewfinder, and the like.
[0023]
“Storing in association with the operation state of the photographing apparatus” means storing for each operation state of the photographing apparatus so that the guidance information corresponding to the operation state can be specified.
[0024]
Note that it is conceivable that the operation state detection means always detects the operation state. Here, “always detect the operating state” means whether or not the user has requested to output guidance information. Specifically, the operating state detecting means detects the operating state at a fixed time interval. May be inquired to an operation member such as a switch, a photometry unit, or the like, or the changed setting state may be sent from the operation member or the like to the operation state detecting means according to a change in the setting state of the operation member or the like. .
[0025]
The operation state detection means may detect the operation state in response to a guidance information output request from the user. In this case, it is necessary to further include operation means for making the output request. Note that “the operation state is detected in response to the guidance information output request from the user” means that when the guidance information output request from the user is received, the operation state detection means indicates the operation state of the imaging apparatus. The operation member such as a switch may be inquired, or when there is a change in the setting state of the operation member or the like, the changed setting state or the like is sent from the operation member or the like to the operation state detecting means. When the guidance information output request from the user is received, the guidance information corresponding to the sample photograph output means is acquired from the storage means according to the operation state held by the operation state detection means. Also good.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, since guidance information including a sample photograph used for explanation of handling of the photographing apparatus can be displayed on the image display means, the effect when the specific function of the photographing apparatus is used, Users can understand specifically and accurately.
[0027]
In addition, by displaying a color sample photograph on the color image display means, the handling of the photographing apparatus can be understood more clearly. The instruction manual of the photographing device is normally printed in black and white, and the sample photograph is a black and white photograph. However, since the actual photographed image is a color, the sample photograph is displayed in color on the color image display means. This makes it possible to show the user a sample photograph that is extremely suitable for practical use, and its practical value is extremely large. In particular, it is very effective for understanding a function that can directly understand the effect by color, such as a red-eye reduction strobe function.
[0028]
When playing back voice guidance at the same time that the sample photo is displayed on the screen, it is possible to receive voice guidance while looking at the sample photo without looking at the fine text displayed on the screen. It is effective for users such as.
[0029]
In addition, when further comprising an operation means for making an output request for the guidance information stored in the storage means, the sample photograph output means can acquire the guidance information from the storage means in response to the output request Since the guidance information can be obtained only when the user needs it, the operability is further improved.
[0030]
The storage means stores the guidance information in association with the operation state of the photographing apparatus, and further comprises an operation state detection means for detecting the operation state of the photographing apparatus, and the sample photograph output means includes the operation state detection means. When the guidance information corresponding to the operation state detected by the camera can be acquired from the storage means, the photographing apparatus itself determines its own operation state, and a sample photograph corresponding to the operation state is obtained. Since the guidance information can be presented to the user at any time or when the user needs it, the user can efficiently obtain the information he / she wants to know without performing complicated operations. Sex is further improved.
[0031]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a photographing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0032]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital still camera A which is a first embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. The digital still camera usually has members such as a lens, a finder, a shutter, and a power supply unit, but those not directly related to the features of the present invention are not shown.
[0033]
Guidance information based on a sample photograph is stored in a compressed file format in the fixed memory 4 in the storage unit 2 or the external recording medium 6. The guidance information control unit 7 of the sample photograph output means 3 issues a command for reading a guidance information file based on the sample photograph to the in-camera fixed memory 4 or the external recording medium 6. Access to the external recording medium 6 is performed through the recording medium interface 5. The read guidance information is decompressed by the image compression / decompression unit 8 of the sample photograph output means 3, and the contents are held in the frame memory 9. Then, the information held in the frame memory 9 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 10.
[0034]
When the liquid crystal display 10 can display in color and the storage unit 2 stores guidance information based on a color photograph, the guidance information based on the sample photograph is displayed in color.
[0035]
As an example of the guidance information by the sample photograph to be displayed, the sample photograph screen 24 of FIG. As shown in the figure, here, sample photographs are displayed in a state where they can be compared with each other when they are photographed without using the red-eye reduction strobe function and when they are photographed. The sample photos may be displayed one by one on a separate screen.
[0036]
As described above, according to the digital still camera A which is the first embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the effect when the specific function of the digital still camera is used is shown by the user by the sample photograph displayed on the liquid crystal display. Can be understood concretely and accurately.
[0037]
In addition, the handling of the digital still camera can be understood more clearly by displaying the color sample photograph on the color liquid crystal display. It is more effective to understand a function that can directly understand the effect by color, such as the red-eye reduction strobe function illustrated here.
[0038]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital still camera B which is a second embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. The digital still camera B is capable of outputting guidance information using a sample photograph and sound in response to a user's guidance information output request. The digital still camera B has a configuration shown in FIG. A voice compression / decompression unit 15 for decompressing voice guidance information stored in a compressed format, a voice memory 16 for holding the decompressed voice guidance information, and a speaker 17 for outputting voice guidance are added. The digital still camera usually has members such as a lens, a finder, a shutter, and a power supply unit, but those not directly related to the features of the present invention are not shown.
[0039]
Specifically, the operation means 11 may be a push button, a lever, an electronic dial, a slide switch, or the like. Further, in the storage means 2, guidance information on how to handle the digital still camera is hierarchically stored for each item, and this includes guidance information using a sample photograph and sound. Accordingly, a plurality of pieces of information may be associated with one guidance information item. For example, as detailed information corresponding to the guidance information item “slow sync”, there is a case where a sample photograph taken using the slow sync function and a voice description of the slow sync function are provided.
[0040]
FIG. 3 shows an example of screen transition of guidance information displayed on the digital still camera B. In the following, in relation to the processing of each component of the digital still camera B, the screen transition of FIG.
[0041]
When the user operates the operation means, a guidance information output request is made. Upon receiving the output request, the guidance information control unit 7 issues a command for reading information on the main menu screen to the storage unit 2. The read information is expanded in the frame memory 9 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 (main screen 20 in FIG. 3).
[0042]
Next, when the user selects “2. Shooting edition” from the main screen 20 by the operation unit, the guidance information control unit 7 issues a command for reading information on the shooting edition screen to the storage unit 2. The read information is expanded in the frame memory 9 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 (the shooting edition screen 21 in FIG. 3).
[0043]
Similarly, when the user selects “3. Flash shooting” on the shooting edition screen 21, the flash shooting screen 22 is displayed, and then when “2. Red-eye reduction flash” is selected, the red-eye reduction flash screen 23 is displayed. The
[0044]
In addition, if not only guidance on the red-eye reduction strobe screen 23 but also voice guidance information is associated with the “red-eye reduction strobe” item of the storage means 2, voice guidance information on the red-eye reduction strobe is also read out. It is decompressed by the voice compression / decompression unit 15 and expanded in the voice memory 16, and at the same time as the red-eye reduction strobe screen 23 is displayed, the “red-eye reduction strobe function is used to take a natural shot in a dark place. The voice guidance “The flash fires pre-flash and then the flash for shooting” fires. As a method for simultaneously displaying the sample photo and reproducing the voice guidance, for example, a flag indicating the completion of the development of the guidance information by the sample photo in the frame memory 9 and the development of the guidance information by the voice to the voice memory 16 are used. After both flags are turned on, control is performed to start displaying guidance information on the liquid crystal display 10 by the sample photograph and reproducing the guidance information from the speaker 17 by voice after the both flags are turned on. There is a way.
[0045]
Here, when the user selects “sample photo display” by the operation means, the guidance information control unit 7 issues a command for reading the sample photo information of the red-eye reduction strobe to the storage means 2. The read information is decompressed by the image compression / decompression unit 8, expanded in the frame memory 9, and displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 (sample photograph screen 24 in FIG. 3). The sample photos may be displayed one by one on a separate screen. If voice guidance information explaining the contents of the sample photo is also stored in the “sample photo of red-eye reduction strobe” item in the storage means 2, the “use red-eye reduction strobe” is displayed at the same time as the sample photo is displayed. If you shoot without using the red-eye reduction flash as shown in the sample photo on the left of the screen, the redness of the person's black-eye will be reduced as shown in the sample photo on the right of the screen. You can also play voice guidance such as “You can take more natural photos.”
[0046]
As described above, according to the digital still camera B which is the second embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention, when the user acquires guidance information based on the sample photograph as necessary and uses a specific function of the digital still camera. The effect of the above can be specifically and accurately understood by the sample photograph displayed on the liquid crystal display.
[0047]
In addition, the handling of the digital still camera can be understood more clearly by displaying the color sample photograph on the color liquid crystal display. It is more effective to understand a function that can directly understand the effect by color, such as the red-eye reduction strobe function illustrated here.
[0048]
Furthermore, by outputting the voice guidance simultaneously with the screen display, it is possible to receive the voice guidance without looking at the fine characters displayed on the screen, which is particularly effective for a user such as a silver layer.
[0049]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital still camera C which is a third embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. The digital still camera C has a function of judging the operation state of the digital still camera itself and presenting guidance information based on a sample photograph corresponding to the operation state when the user needs it. The digital still camera usually has members such as a lens, a finder, a shutter, and a power supply unit, but those not directly related to the features of the present invention are not shown. Hereinafter, differences from FIG. 1 will be described.
[0050]
As with the digital still camera A, the guidance information based on the sample photograph is stored in a compressed file format in the camera fixed memory 4 or the external recording medium 6 of the storage means 2, but in the digital still camera C, the guidance information based on characters is also stored. It is stored in the in-camera fixed memory 4 or the external recording medium 6 of the storage means 2. These pieces of information are stored in a configuration that can be identified for each operation state, which is a concept that combines subject information and setting information. Here, the subject information refers to external information about the subject captured by the digital still camera, such as brightness, distance to the subject, presence of backlight, presence of a person in the viewfinder, etc. Operation mode (camera / playback / capture) / shooting mode (setup / auto / manual / sports / landscape / continuous shooting / portrait / night scene / movie) / camera status / recording media status etc. The information that is being done. For example, when the subject information is “dark place / portrait photography” and the setting information is “flash ON setting”, guidance information about “red-eye reduction strobe” for an operation state that is a concept combining these two pieces of information. Are stored in association with each other.
[0051]
The operation state detection unit 12 includes a subject information detection unit 13 and a setting information detection unit 14. The subject information is detected by being sent from the photometry unit (not shown), the distance measurement unit (not shown), and the image processing unit (not shown) to the subject information detection unit 13 when the state changes. On the other hand, the setting information of the camera is detected by sending it to the setting information detecting unit 14 when the state changes from various operation switches (not shown). When there is a change in the operation state in this way, information on the state after the change is sent from the subject information detection unit 13 or the setting information detection unit 14 to the guidance information control unit 7. For example, as a method for detecting a person from a subject, a method for judging based on the shape of the subject and a method for detecting and judging a skin color component peculiar to a person (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 52-22937) are known. Thus, it can be detected that a person is included in the subject. Also, it is possible to determine the brightness of the subject from the exposure information and detect that the flash is necessary because the subject is dark. Further, it can be detected from the state of the operation switch of the camera that the “strobe ON setting” is set. Therefore, by combining these three pieces of detected information, it can be determined that a red-eye phenomenon can occur, so that the user is notified of this, and further, guidance on how to deal with it is output. be able to. In the detection of the operation state, the operation state detection unit 12 may inquire of the photometry unit (not shown), various operation switches (not shown), etc. at regular time intervals. In addition, only one of the subject information detection unit 13 and the setting information detection unit 14 may be used. In this case, the guidance information is stored in correspondence with the one information of the subject information and the setting information.
[0052]
In addition, the user makes an output request for guidance information through the operation means 11.
[0053]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing guidance processing of the digital still camera C. When the change of the operation state is detected by the operation state detection means 12, the changed operation state information is sent to the guidance information control unit 7 (S1). Next, the guidance information control unit 7 requests the storage unit 2 to read the guidance information corresponding to the sent operation state (S2). When the corresponding guidance information exists (S3, YES), the user is notified that there is guidance information to be displayed in the current state, and the user is prompted to input detailed guidance information display necessity (S4). . When the user performs an operation for requesting detailed guidance information using the operation means 11 (S5, YES), detailed guidance information such as the red-eye reduction strobe screen 23 of FIG. It is displayed on the liquid crystal display 10, and further, it is prompted to input whether or not it is necessary to display a sample photograph (S6). When the user performs an operation for requesting display of a sample photograph by the operation means 11 (S7, YES), guidance information based on the corresponding sample photograph is read from the storage means 2 and decompressed by the image compression / decompression unit 8. Then, it is displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 via the frame memory 9. An example is the sample photo screen 24 of FIG. As shown in the figure, here, sample photographs are displayed in a state where they can be compared with each other when they are photographed without using the red-eye reduction strobe function and when they are photographed. The sample photos may be displayed one by one on a separate screen.
[0054]
If there is no guidance information corresponding to the operation state (S3, NO), the operation state is detected again (S1) and the guidance information is read when the operation state is changed (S2). When the user performs an operation not requesting detailed guidance information using the operation means 11 (S5, NO), the user is prompted to input whether or not to display a sample photograph. When an operation not requesting display of the sample photograph is performed by the operation means 11 (S7, NO), when the operation state is changed, the operation state is detected again (S1) and guidance information is read (S2). ).
[0055]
As described above, according to the digital still camera C as the third embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention, when the digital still camera itself determines that it is necessary to output guidance information, the presence of guidance information is notified to the user as needed. Users can obtain guidance information from sample photos as needed, and understand the effects of using specific functions of digital still cameras with sample photos displayed on the liquid crystal display in a concrete and accurate manner. become able to.
[0056]
In addition, the handling of the digital still camera can be understood more clearly by displaying the color sample photograph on the color liquid crystal display. It is more effective to understand a function that can directly understand the effect by color, such as the red-eye reduction strobe function illustrated here.
[0057]
In the first to third embodiments, the case where the sample photograph explains the red-eye phenomenon has been described. However, as the sample photograph, a flash photography function such as an auto flash, a forced flash, a slow sync, etc. , Portrait (people), landscape, night scene shooting modes, exposure compensation, white balance, shutter speed setting, aperture setting manual shooting, auto bracketing, multiple exposure shooting, close-up shooting, continuous shooting, etc. Various photographs described in the still camera manual can be adopted.
[0058]
In the first to third embodiments, the digital still camera has been described. However, a photographing apparatus such as a silver salt camera or a digital video camera has a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a plasma display. If so, it is possible to carry out the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital still camera A according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital still camera B according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of guidance information output by a digital still camera B according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital still camera C according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing guidance processing of the digital still camera C according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Digital still camera
2 storage means
3 Sample photo output means
4 Fixed memory in the camera
5 Recording media interface
6 External recording media
7 Guidance information control unit
8 Image compression / decompression unit
9 frame memory
10 Liquid crystal display
11 Operation means (Guidance information output request)
12 Operating state detection means
13 Subject information detection unit
14 Setting information detector
15 Voice compression and decompression unit
16 Voice memory
17 Speaker
20 Main screen
21 Shooting screen
22 Flash shooting screen
23 Red-eye reduction flash screen
24 Sample photo screen of red-eye reduction strobe

Claims (5)

In a photographing apparatus having an image display means,
Storage means for storing guidance information including sample photographs used for explanation of handling of the photographing apparatus;
A photographing apparatus comprising: sample photograph output means for acquiring the guidance information stored in the storage means from the storage means and outputting the guidance information to the image display means. The image display means enables output of a color photograph;
The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sample photograph is a color photograph. The photographing apparatus further includes a sound reproducing means;
The guidance information further includes voice guidance information;
3. The sample photograph output means causes the voice reproduction means to reproduce the guidance information based on the voice simultaneously with the output of the guidance information based on the sample photograph to the image display means. The imaging device described. Further comprising an operation means for making an output request for the guidance information stored in the storage means,
The photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sample photograph output means acquires the guidance information from the storage means in response to the output request. The storage means stores the guidance information in association with the operating state of the imaging device,
Further comprising an operation state detection means for detecting an operation state of the photographing apparatus;
Any one of 1 to 4 characterized in that the sample photograph output means acquires the guidance information corresponding to the operation state detected by the operation state detection means from the storage means. The imaging device according to item 1.

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