JP2004363935A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera which is instantaneously compatible with different photographic conditions etc., and also economical in memory capacity. <P>SOLUTION: There are provided a plurality of release buttons 12A and 12B, a plurality of photographic conditions, a plurality of taking lenses, and a plurality of recording media 17A and 17B, and the photographic conditions, taking lenses, and recording media 17A and 17B are made to correspond to the release buttons 12A and 12B; and a picture is taken with the release buttons 12A and 12B under the photographic conditions through the taking lenses 10A and 10B which are made to correspond to the release buttons 12A and 12B, and recorded to the recording media 17A and 17B made to correspond to the release buttons 12A and 12B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera that records image data generated in response to a release operation on a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, digital cameras that incorporate a solid-state image sensor and obtain an image as electronic data by forming a subject image on the solid-state image sensor are rapidly spreading. Depending on the digital camera, this digital camera can perform shooting with various shooting conditions such as single shooting or continuous shooting, aperture priority or shutter speed priority, normal angle of view or wide angle of view, etc. Many are configured to do so. A camera capable of changing a shooting condition has been conventionally known. For example, Patent Document 1 includes a screen size selection unit that selects any one of a plurality of screen sizes, and the selected screen size is displayed in the viewfinder. The technique to display is disclosed.
[0003]
Conventionally, in order to obtain a favorite photograph of a certain subject, a plurality of images are obtained by adopting a photographing technique of photographing a plurality of times while changing photographing conditions for the same subject. The best image that you like is selected. This shooting method can be used once when the subject is stationary, but in the case of a moving subject, the subject moves while performing the operation to change the shooting mode, so that the optimal for a momentary subject It is difficult to get a good image.
[0004]
In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to perform photographing under a plurality of different photographing conditions by a single release operation.
[0005]
For example, this is an example of a video camera, but there is a technique for automatically recording at least two still images by changing the aperture value in response to one release operation (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[0006]
Similarly, in a conventional video camera, at least two still images are automatically recorded by changing the depth of the lens system in accordance with one release operation, and only good images are extracted later. There is a technique for obtaining a reproduced image having a wide dynamic range by processing (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-166635 (summary, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-115034 (Summary, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-103241 (Summary, FIG. 1)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the techniques of Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, two or more sheets are obtained by changing the aperture value (Patent Document 2) or changing the depth of the lens system (Patent Document 3) according to one release operation. Still images are automatically recorded, but since it is necessary to save image data every time the aperture value or the depth of the lens system is changed, unnecessary image data is also saved. There is a problem that the memory to be stored becomes full immediately.
[0009]
To save memory, instead of obtaining multiple images with different shooting conditions and selecting an optimal image later, the optimal shooting conditions are set first and an optimal image is obtained in a single release operation. Can be considered.
[0010]
However, the optimum shooting condition differs depending on, for example, the subject, and the subject may move while setting the optimum shooting condition for the subject to be photographed, and the shutter chance may be missed.
[0011]
In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera that can instantly cope with shooting under different conditions.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The first digital camera of the digital camera according to the present invention that achieves the above object is a digital camera that performs photographing to generate image data by capturing a subject image incident via a photographing lens according to a release operation. ,
A plurality of release buttons for performing a release operation;
A setting unit for setting each shooting mode among a plurality of shooting modes in association with each release button;
And a shooting control unit that performs shooting in a shooting mode corresponding to the release button on which the release operation has been performed.
[0013]
In the first digital camera of the present invention, for example, any one of a plurality of shooting modes as described below is set in association with a plurality of release buttons, and one of the release buttons is set at the time of shooting. With this operation, shooting is performed in a shooting mode corresponding to the release button. As a result, the user can instantaneously select the shooting mode with the release button and take a picture.
[0014]
Here, in the first digital camera, the shooting mode includes a plurality of shooting modes having different numbers of pixels, a plurality of shooting modes including a shooting mode for performing single shooting and a shooting mode for performing continuous shooting, and aperture priority. It is preferable to include any one of a plurality of shooting modes including a shooting mode in which shooting is performed and a shooting mode in which shooting is performed with priority on the shutter speed, and a plurality of shooting modes having different angles of view.
[0015]
The second digital camera of the digital cameras according to the present invention is a digital camera that performs shooting to generate image data by capturing a subject image incident via a shooting lens according to a release operation.
This digital camera includes a plurality of pairs of a photographing lens and a solid-state imaging device that captures a subject image that has entered through the photographing lens.
A plurality of release buttons for performing a release operation;
A setting unit that sets each pair of a plurality of pairs in association with each release button;
And a shooting control unit that performs shooting with a pair corresponding to the release button on which the release operation has been performed.
[0016]
In the second digital camera of the present invention, at the time of shooting, an operation is performed with one of the release buttons, and shooting is performed with a pair of a shooting lens and a solid-state imaging device corresponding to the operated release button. This allows you to select a pair with a telephoto lens when you want to zoom in on a distant subject, or select a pair with a solid-state image sensor with a large number of pixels when you want to obtain a high-definition image. For example, the user can instantaneously select and shoot an optimal pair with the release button.
[0017]
A third digital camera of the digital cameras according to the present invention is a camera that performs shooting for generating image data by capturing a subject image incident via a shooting lens according to a release operation.
A storage unit having a plurality of storage areas for storing image data obtained by photographing;
A plurality of release buttons for performing a release operation;
A setting unit for setting each storage area of the plurality of storage areas in association with each release button;
And a data storage control unit that stores image data generated in response to the release operation in a storage area corresponding to the release button on which the release operation has been performed.
[0018]
In the third digital camera of the present invention, at the time of shooting, by operating one of the release buttons, the image is stored in the storage area of the storage unit corresponding to the operated release button.
[0019]
Thus, for example, in an athletic meet where two children are participating, if you want to file the photos of the two children separately, by associating the release buttons with the children, In this way, different subjects and different scenes can be recorded in different storage areas, so that later images can be easily organized.
[0020]
Further, a fourth digital camera of the digital cameras of the present invention is a digital camera that performs shooting for generating image data by capturing a subject image incident via a shooting lens according to a release operation.
A recording medium mounting section on which a plurality of recording media for storing image data obtained by photographing are mounted;
A setting unit for setting each recording medium mounted on the recording medium mounting unit in association with each release button;
And a data storage control unit that stores image data generated in response to the release operation in a recording medium corresponding to the release button on which the release operation has been performed.
[0021]
In the fourth digital camera of the present invention, at the time of shooting, any one of the release buttons is stored in a recording medium corresponding to the operated release button.
[0022]
This allows the user to record images using different release buttons for each subject or scene at the time of shooting, thereby recording different images of the subject or scene on different recording media. It becomes easy.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0024]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a digital camera of the present invention, and also shows a recording medium sideways. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a right side view of the digital camera shown in FIG.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is provided with two photographing lenses 11 </ b> A and 11 </ b> B on the front surface of the camera body 100. An operation switch group 21 is provided for performing various operations when the 10 is used.
[0026]
The switch group 21 for operation includes a power switch 102 for operating the digital camera, a shooting / playback switching lever 103 for freely switching between shooting and playback, an execution key 106a, a cancel key 106b, a cross key 107, and a flash light emitting unit. 104 pop-up switch 108 and the like. A display unit 107a is provided inside the cross key 107. The display unit 107a displays items of a selection menu displayed on a liquid crystal display unit (hereinafter referred to as LCD), which will be described later. Items can be selected by the cross key 107.
[0027]
The digital camera 10 can be switched between shooting and playback by a shooting / playback switching lever 103. When shooting, the user switches the shooting / playback switching lever 103 to the shooting side 103a to play back. When performing, the photographing / reproduction switching lever 103 is switched to the reproduction side 103b.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 3, the digital camera 10 is provided with two release buttons 12 </ b> A and 12 </ b> B above the camera body 100. When one of these release buttons 12A and 12B is fully pressed, an instruction to start shooting is transmitted to a central control unit (to be described later) inside the digital camera.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 is provided with two LCDs 14A and 14B for displaying images and menus on the back. Selection of items displayed on the menu displayed on either of these LCDs 14A and 14B is performed by the cross key 107.
[0030]
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the digital camera 10 is provided with a recording medium mounting portion 16 for mounting two card-shaped recording media 17A and 17B (see FIG. 1) on the side portion. The recording medium mounting unit 16 is provided with two throttles 16A and 16B. Each of the recording media 17A and 17B is mounted on each of the two throttles 16A and 16B.
[0031]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a signal processing circuit provided in the digital camera of the first embodiment.
[0032]
In the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment, all processes are controlled by the central control unit 30.
[0033]
Under the control of the central control unit 30, processing of image data obtained by a solid-state imaging device described later is performed.
[0034]
Connected to the central control unit 30 are a RAM 33 which is a storage unit storing image data processed by the central control unit 30 and a ROM 34 storing a program for causing the central control unit 30 to execute processing. Has been.
[0035]
Further, the digital camera 10 includes a first pair 23A composed of a photographic lens 11A and a solid-state imaging device (CCD in the illustrated example) 22A that captures incident light from the photographic lens 11A, and another photographic lens. 11B and a second pair 23B composed of a solid-state imaging device (C-MOS in the illustrated example) 22B that captures incident light from the photographing lens 11B, and these solid-state imaging devices 22A and 22B. Is input to the central control unit 30.
[0036]
The two LCDs 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B are controlled by the display control unit 15 connected to the central control unit 30. The LCDs 14A and 14B play a role of displaying a through image and an image after photographing when the LCD selected by a mode switch described later points the digital camera toward the subject.
[0037]
Further, the recording media 17A and 17B mounted on the recording medium mounting units 16A and 16B are controlled by the recording control unit 18 connected to the central control unit 30, and the selected recording medium is used as the selected recording medium. A captured image is recorded.
[0038]
The release switch 20 that operates differently from the operation of the two release buttons 12A and 12B is connected to the operation detection unit 31, and is input to the central control unit 30 via the operation detection unit 31.
[0039]
The operation detection unit 31 is also connected to an operation switch group 21 including various keys and switches shown in FIG. 1, and any one of various keys and switches constituting the switch group 21 is connected. When a key or a switch is operated, the operation is detected by the operation detection unit 31 and transmitted to the central control unit 30.
[0040]
Further, a mode changeover switch 25 is also connected to the operation detection unit 31. The mode changeover switch 25 is connected to each of the release buttons 12A and 12B, either the first pair 23A or the second pair 23B, the LCD 14A or 14B, or the recording medium mounted portion 16A or 16B. It is a switch that is set to associate one of the media 17A and 17B.
[0041]
When shooting, the user sets shooting modes corresponding to the release buttons 12 </ b> A and 12 </ b> B in advance using the mode switch 25. In this shooting mode, there are two shooting modes with different number of pixels, two shooting modes with single shooting or continuous shooting, two shooting modes with aperture priority or shutter speed priority, and two shooting modes with different angles of view, The mode switch 25 sets one of the two shooting modes from the two shooting modes.
[0042]
In addition, one of the first pair 23A and the second pair 23B, one of the LCDs 14A and 14B, and one of the recording media 17A and 17B is set in association with each release button 12A and 12B. The
[0043]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of mode setting in which the release button 12A, 12B is associated with a shooting mode, a storage area, a solid-state imaging device, and a recording medium.
[0044]
As shown in the figure, when the first release button 12A is pressed, the first pair 23A composed of the photographing lens 11A and the CCD 22A is photographed. At that time, the pixel is VGA, the angle of view is normal, and the photographing is not performed. The continuous shooting and shooting conditions are shot with aperture priority, and the shot image data is recorded on the first recording medium 17A. When the second release button 12B is pressed, the image is taken with the second pair 23B composed of the taking lens 11B and the CMOS 22B. At that time, the pixel is 1M, the angle of view is wide, the shooting is single shooting, and shooting conditions. Is photographed with priority on the shutter speed, and the photographed image data is recorded on the second recording medium 17B.
[0045]
Note that the combination of the photographing lens and solid-state imaging device pair, the photographing mode, the storage area, the recording medium, and the like corresponding to the release buttons 12A and 12B is arbitrary, and the illustrated combination is merely an example. For example, the same setting may be made for both release buttons 12A and 12B, such as setting the single-shot mode for both release buttons 12A and 12B.
[0046]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a photographing process by the digital camera of the first embodiment.
[0047]
As described above, the user uses the mode switch 25 to set the shooting mode and other modes in advance. Upon shooting, either release button 12A or 12B is pressed (step S1). Thereby, an operation signal is sent to the central control unit 30 via the operation input unit 31, and it is determined which of the release buttons 12A and 12B is pressed by the central control unit 3 (step S2), and based on the determination result. Then, shooting is performed in the mode set by the mode switch 25 (step S3).
[0048]
Therefore, according to the digital camera of the first embodiment described so far, it is attempted to shoot this time from different shooting conditions set in advance depending on which release button is operated for shooting. Conventional technology that allows you to instantly select shooting conditions that are appropriate for the subject or scene you want, avoids missing photo opportunities, and records multiple images with different shooting conditions and selects the best one later Thus, it is not necessary to wastefully use the memory assets of the recording medium for storing the image data.
[0049]
In addition, according to the digital camera of the first embodiment described above, it is possible to record on a separate recording medium for each subject and scene at the time of shooting by operating a release button that is different for each subject and scene. This saves you the trouble of editing images.
[0050]
Next, a digital camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0051]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a signal processing circuit provided in the digital camera of the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the digital camera of the second embodiment.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 8, the digital camera of the second embodiment does not use a recording medium, and instead includes a nonvolatile storage unit 26 connected to the recording control unit 18. This nonvolatile storage unit 26 has two storage areas 26A and 26B for storing image data.
[0053]
The digital camera also includes a communication control unit 27 for transmitting image data to an external information processing apparatus (not shown). The external information processing apparatus is connected to the digital camera via the communication cable by inserting a connector (not shown) on the communication cable side into the connector 27a shown in FIG. 9 as well as FIG.
[0054]
In the second embodiment, one of the storage areas 26A and 33B is selected corresponding to the release buttons 12A and 12B, respectively, and the image data obtained by shooting is stored according to the release button selected at the time of shooting. Saved in the area. Since the other configuration and operation 10 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0055]
The digital camera of the second embodiment is connected to an external information processing apparatus, and the switch group 21 shown in FIG. 2 (however, here, FIG. 2 is described as the drawing of the digital camera of the second embodiment). By operating, the image data stored in each of the two storage areas 26A and 26B is read by the recording control unit separately for each storage area and transmitted to the external information processing apparatus via the communication control unit 27. Can do.
Therefore, the information processing apparatus can receive each image data divided according to the subject or the scene, and the editing work of operating the information processing apparatus to divide the image data according to the subject or the scene can be saved.
[0056]
In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the release button is two has been described. However, the digital camera of the present invention is provided with an arbitrary plurality of release buttons, and in accordance with the shooting mode and the solid-state imaging. Combinations of elements, recording media, storage areas, etc. may be arbitrarily set.
[0057]
In the first and second embodiments, a digital camera having a plurality of shooting modes, including a plurality of pairs of shooting lenses and solid-state image sensors, and having a plurality of recording media (or storage areas) has been described. However, in the digital camera of the present invention, there is only one pair of the photographing lens and the solid-state imaging device and only one recording medium (or storage area), and the photographing mode is set for each of the plurality of release buttons. Alternatively, the shooting mode is the same for a plurality of release buttons, and a plurality of pairs of shooting lenses and solid-state image sensors are provided, and each pair is set for each of the plurality of release buttons. Furthermore, the shooting mode is the same for a plurality of release buttons, and there is only one pair of a shooting lens and a solid-state imaging device. Storage area) is a plurality, it may be used to set each storage medium (or each storage area) to the plurality of release buttons, or may be any combination of the plurality of aspects.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to instantly cope with various conditions by operating the release button, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary memory consumption by fetching only necessary images into the memory.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a digital camera of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera shown in FIG.
3 is a plan view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a right side view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a signal processing circuit provided in the digital camera of the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a setting example in which a release mode is associated with a shooting mode, a solid-state imaging device, and a recording medium.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a photographing process by the digital camera of the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a signal processing circuit provided in the digital camera of the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a side view of a digital camera according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Digital camera 10A, 10B Shooting lens 12A, 12B Release button 14A, 14B LCD
15 Display Control Unit 16 Recording Medium Mounting Units 17A, 17B Recording Medium 18 Recording Control Unit 22A CCD
22B C-MOS
23A 1st pair 23B 2nd pair 26 Storage part 26A, 26B Storage area 30 Central control part

Claims (5)

In a digital camera that shoots to generate image data by capturing a subject image incident via a taking lens according to a release operation,
A plurality of release buttons for performing a release operation;
A setting unit for setting each shooting mode among a plurality of shooting modes in association with each release button;
A digital camera comprising: a shooting control unit that performs shooting in a shooting mode corresponding to a release button on which a release operation has been performed. The shooting modes include a plurality of shooting modes with different number of pixels, a plurality of shooting modes including a shooting mode for performing single shooting and a shooting mode for performing continuous shooting, a shooting mode for shooting with aperture priority, and shooting with priority on shutter speed. 2. The digital camera according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of shooting modes selected from a plurality of shooting modes including shooting modes to be performed and a plurality of shooting modes having different angles of view. In a digital camera that shoots to generate image data by capturing a subject image incident via a taking lens according to a release operation,
This digital camera includes a plurality of pairs of a photographing lens and a solid-state imaging device that captures a subject image that has entered through the photographing lens.
A plurality of release buttons for performing a release operation;
A setting unit for setting each pair of the plurality of pairs in association with each release button;
A digital camera comprising: a shooting control unit configured to perform shooting with a pair corresponding to a release button on which a release operation has been performed. In a digital camera that shoots to generate image data by capturing a subject image incident via a taking lens according to a release operation,
A storage unit having a plurality of storage areas for storing image data obtained by photographing;
A plurality of release buttons for performing a release operation;
A setting unit for setting each storage area of the plurality of storage areas in association with each release button;
A digital camera comprising: a data storage control unit that stores image data generated in response to a release operation in a storage area corresponding to a release button on which the release operation has been performed. In a digital camera that shoots to generate image data by capturing a subject image incident via a taking lens according to a release operation,
A recording medium mounting section on which a plurality of recording media for storing image data obtained by photographing are mounted;
A setting unit for setting each recording medium mounted on the recording medium mounting unit in association with each release button;
A digital camera comprising a data storage control unit that stores image data generated in response to a release operation in a recording medium corresponding to a release button on which the release operation has been performed.

Images