JP2005026872A - Photographing method, imaging apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method, an apparatus, and a program for photographing the same object by making substantially same photographing conditions such as photographing positions, view angles, restriction, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity setting etc. as those of a previously taken picture. <P>SOLUTION: When an object is photographed, picture data and photographing conditions at photographing are stored in a storing memory. In the next photographing, a picture to be positioned is selected to reproduce a selected taken picture 2 and it is shown with a positioning guide 4. As shown in Fig. (b), the photographing conditions previously recorded in the storing memory are set to a camera 1 and the taken picture 2 is shown with a through-picture 3 superposed thereon with its positioning guide 4. A photographing person moves the camera 1 so that the guide 4 of the taken picture 2 superposes on the guide 5 of the through-picture 3, thus positioning it, and photographs the object. As shown in Fig. (c), the photographing condition mentioned above is fetched along with the image data, and stored in a storage memory along with the image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera, and more particularly to a technique for shooting the same subject under the same shooting conditions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When shooting the same subject as the previous time with the camera, an interval shooting method is known in which the camera is fixed and automatic shooting is performed at predetermined time intervals. According to the interval photographing method, for example, it is possible to photograph the transition of flowering of flowers and the molting process of insects and the like.
[0003]
In addition, as a technology that can easily perform alignment and position confirmation during panoramic shooting to obtain an image of a subject with a wide field of view such as a landscape with an imaging device such as a digital camera, the immediately preceding captured image (reproduced image) ) And a through image (photographing standby image) are displayed in an overlapping manner (for example, see Patent Document 1). Also, in Patent Document 1, when the photographer presses a specific key while the second divided image candidate is displayed through during panoramic shooting, the divided image captured immediately before is taken out from the image buffer. When the photographer keeps pressing the specific key, the divided image captured immediately before is displayed, and when the finger is released, it is configured to return to the through image display, and the photographer is displayed. If there is a discrepancy between the previous imaging and the position of the through image (lamination position), move the camera to adjust the position, display the through image, and press the specific key again to display the previous imaging. Thus, a technique for performing alignment is disclosed.
[0004]
In addition, when taking a picture of a product to be put on the product catalog, in order to take a photograph in which the size, angle, etc. of each product captured are aligned, the pre-captured image and the position, size, angle are accurately aligned. There is an alignment system that can take an image while confirming this (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[0005]
Further, there is a technique for acquiring position information of a subject based on the acquired camera self-position, distance to the subject, and orientation, and recording the position information of the subject in association with a captured image (see, for example, Patent Document 3). ).
[0006]
In addition, as a technology that makes it possible to visually distinguish the playback image and the through image, the brightness, color tone, or saturation of the playback image or the through image is different from the other, or the boundary between the playback image and the through image is emphasized. For example (see, for example, Patent Document 4), in which the brightness of a reproduced image is made higher than that of a through image and the reproduced image and the roux image are displayed in a distinguishable manner.
[0007]
Also, direction information indicating the camera's own position and camera angle is acquired, and when the shooting position indicated by the plurality of position information stored in the position information storage means coincides with the self position, this is notified to the photographer. Thus, there is a photographic composition system that enables photographing at a predetermined position (see, for example, unpublished Patent Document 1).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-175186 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-358972 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-128052 A
[Patent Document 4]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-075108
[Unpublished Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-0466603
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
If the first and second shot images can be shot with the same shooting conditions (for example, shooting position, angle of view, aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity setting, etc.), natural observation of the same subject In addition, there is a problem that the aging observation can be performed more accurately.
[0010]
However, the shooting conditions are such that when the shooting time interval between the first image and the second image is extremely short, such as when shooting the same subject continuously, or when the camera is fixed, Normally, they can be regarded as the same, but when the shooting time interval is long, for example, in the case of fixed point observation shooting in which the same subject is shot once a month and the change in the image is examined, the shooting conditions are It is normal that they are different, and it is necessary to reset the shooting conditions to be the same. In addition, even when the camera is fixed, there is a possibility that the camera position may be shifted as time passes. Therefore, when shooting the second image, it is necessary to check and set the shooting conditions again.
[0011]
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a series of shootings are performed in the same shooting mode, the previous shooting image and the through image of the next shooting timing are displayed in an overlapping manner to perform alignment. Alignment when shooting the same subject at different times, that is, it is not possible to align the images of interest at different times, and the shooting conditions other than the shooting position and angle of view are the same. There is a problem that can not be.
[0012]
In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 2 can align the position, size, and angle with the previously captured image, but shoots with the same shooting conditions other than the shooting position, angle of view, and image size. There is a problem that the technology is not disclosed.
[0013]
According to the technique described in Patent Document 3, a place name, a subject name, etc. can be obtained and printed or displayed based on the position information of the subject, or the location of a subject that cannot be confirmed far away or directly can be known. Although the self-position can be acquired, there is a problem that a technique for photographing with the same photographing condition other than the photographing position, the angle of view, and the size of the image is not disclosed.
[0014]
Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 4, the luminance, color tone, or saturation of the reproduced image or the through image is made different from the other one, or the boundary between the reproduced image and the through image is emphasized and displayed. Therefore, for example, the brightness of the playback image can be made higher than that of the through image to make a translucent transparent image (semi-transparent image), and the playback image and the loop image can be displayed in a distinguishable manner. However, there is a problem that a technique for photographing with the same photographing condition other than the size of the image is not disclosed.
[0015]
In the technique described in Non-Patent Document 1, when the self-position is coincident with the photographing position of the first image based on the self-position information of the camera and the direction information indicating the camera angle, the photographer is notified of the fact. Therefore, it is possible to shoot at a predetermined position even in the case of aged fixed point shooting with a long shooting interval. However, as in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, shooting conditions other than the shooting position and angle of view, such as shooting position, image There is a problem that photographing cannot be performed with the same angle, aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity setting, and the like.
[0016]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and captures the same subject with substantially the same shooting conditions such as the shooting position, angle of view, aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity setting, and the like of the previously shot image. An object is to provide a photographing method, an imaging apparatus, and a program.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, in the invention described in claim 1, an imaging device that captures a current image in association with an image captured last time, a unit that stores position condition information captured last time, In this case, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising: means for calling up position condition information and photographing under the same position condition.
[0018]
With this, even when time has passed since the last shooting date, such as when observing a fixed point over time, if you turn on the imaging device at the approximate shooting position, you can know the shooting position condition of the last shot image, The current image can be taken under the same shooting position conditions as the previously taken image.
[0019]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus that captures a current image in association with an image captured last time, a unit that stores shooting condition information captured last time, and shooting condition information when captured this time. And an imaging device comprising: means for shooting under the same shooting conditions.
[0020]
As a result, even when time has passed since the previous shooting date, such as when observing a fixed point over time, if you turn on the imaging device at the approximate shooting position, you can know the shooting conditions of the last shot image, The current image can be shot under the same shooting conditions as the shot image.
[0021]
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying at least a part of the previously taken image at the time of the current photographing. . Thus, the photographer can adjust the angle of view by moving the imaging device so that the current image substantially matches the previous captured image by visual observation.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the imaging apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the means for displaying at least a part displays the image in a semi-transmissive manner. Thereby, since the previous image can be seen through the current image, it is easy to understand the misalignment between the positions of both images, and it is easy to match the current image to the previous captured image.
[0022]
The invention according to claim 5 further comprises means for synthesizing and storing the previous photographed image and the current photographed image, and the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. I will provide a. As a result, when the number of times of photographing is overlapped, an image obtained by superimposing the current image on the previous image is sequentially superimposed and stored, so that a continuously photographed image of insect emergence such as a moth or a moth can be reproduced.
[0023]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging method of an imaging apparatus that shoots a subject, generates image data thereof, and records the image data in a storage memory, a recorded image recorded in the storage memory is selected. Taking out the shooting conditions recorded in the storage memory in association with the selected recorded image, displaying the shooting position of the selected recorded image, and acquiring and displaying the current position of the imaging device Detecting the coincidence information between the photographing position and the current position, reproducing the selected recorded image, displaying the reproduced recorded image, and setting the photographing condition recorded in the storage memory; A step of capturing a subject image to generate a shooting standby image, and a step of superimposing and displaying the generated shooting standby image on the reproduced recorded image And a guide for adjusting the angle of view so that the positional relationship between the reproduced image of the recorded image and the captured standby image that is superimposed is matched by the position adjustment of the imaging apparatus main body by the user. Provide a method.
[0024]
As a result, even when time has passed since the previous shooting date, such as when observing a fixed point over time, if the imaging device is turned on at an approximate shooting position, there is a gap from the shooting position of the selected recorded image. The photographer can immediately understand that the photographer can fix the imaging device at the previous shooting position or hold the imaging device so that the angle of view can be adjusted to the same subject as the selected recorded image. This makes it easy to compare images.
[0025]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the guide for adjusting the positional relationship between the reproduced image and the shooting standby image is obtained by aligning the position display guide displayed together with the reproduced image and the alignment guide displayed together with the shooting standby image. The imaging method according to claim 6, wherein the imaging method is performed. Thereby, it is possible to perform alignment more easily by comparing the alignment guides than by comparing the reproduced image and the through image.
[0026]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a shooting standby image display control unit that performs display control of a shooting standby image, a shooting instruction unit, and a recording control unit that records image data generated based on the shooting instruction in a storage memory. A recording image selection means for selecting a recorded image recorded in the storage memory, and a photographing condition reading means for reading out the photographing conditions recorded in the storage memory in association with the selected recording image. Shooting position display means for displaying the shooting position of the recorded image selected based on the read shooting conditions; current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the imaging device; and current position for displaying the acquired current position Display means, coincidence information detecting means for detecting coincidence information between the photographing position and the current position, image reproducing means for reproducing the selected recorded image, and displaying the reproduced recorded image Replay image display means, photographing condition setting means for setting the read photographing conditions, photographing standby image generating means for capturing a subject image and generating a photographing standby image, and recorded image obtained by reproducing the generated photographing standby image There is provided an imaging apparatus comprising superimposing display means for superimposing and displaying.
[0027]
Thus, as in the sixth aspect of the invention, when the power of the imaging apparatus is turned on at an approximate shooting position, the distance from the shooting position of the selected recorded image can be immediately known. You can easily identify the shooting position, hold the camera at that position, match the angle of view by aligning the guides, and shoot the same subject under the same shooting conditions. Does not occur, making it easier to compare images.
[0028]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the photographing position display means displays the photographing position guide together with the photographing position, the current position display means displays the alignment guide together with the current position, and the positional relationship between the reproduced image and the photographing standby image. 9. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment is performed by aligning a position display guide displayed together with the reproduced image and a position alignment guide displayed together with the shooting standby image. Thus, as in the seventh aspect of the invention, it is easier to perform alignment by comparing the alignment guides than by comparing the reproduced image and the through image.
[0029]
In the invention described in claim 10, the image reproduction means includes image processing means for processing the image data reproduced by the recorded image reproduction means, and the reproduction image display means displays the image processed by the image processing means. An imaging apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 is provided.
[0030]
As a result, for example, the playback image can be processed and displayed in a semi-transparent form, or only the contour can be extracted and displayed, and the shooting standby image can be superimposed on the display. The difference (= field angle deviation) becomes easy to understand, and positioning becomes easy.
[0031]
According to another aspect of the present invention, a photographic standby image is generated and displayed by capturing a subject image, the subject is photographed based on a photographing instruction, the image data is generated, and the image data is recorded in a storage memory. A program step that can be executed by the imaging apparatus, the program step for selecting a recorded image recorded in the storage memory, and the program step for retrieving the shooting condition recorded in the storage memory in association with the selected recorded image; A program step for displaying the shooting position of the recorded image selected based on the taken shooting conditions, a program step for acquiring the current position of the imaging device, a program step for displaying the acquired current position, a shooting position and the current position A program step for detecting position matching information and a program for playing back the selected recorded image. A program step for displaying a reproduced recorded image, a program step for setting shooting conditions recorded in a storage memory, a step of generating a shooting standby image of the captured subject image, and And a step of superimposing and displaying a photographing standby image on the reproduced recorded image.
[0032]
Thus, as in the sixth aspect of the invention, when the power of the imaging apparatus is turned on at an approximate shooting position, the distance from the shooting position of the selected recorded image can be immediately known. The shooting position can be easily specified, and the same subject can be shot under the same shooting conditions by holding the camera at that position and matching the angle of view by aligning the guide.
[0033]
According to the invention of claim 12, there is provided an imaging device that includes a display unit and captures a current image in association with an image captured last time, means for storing position condition information captured last time, and a current image capture. In this case, the position condition information of the previously captured image is called, the first guide information indicating the previous position is displayed on the display unit, the standby image to be captured this time is displayed on the display unit, and the standby to be captured this time Means for acquiring position condition information of the image, and means for displaying second guide information indicating the position of the standby image on the display unit based on the acquired position condition information of the standby image. An imaging device is provided.
[0034]
As a result, even when time has passed since the previous shooting date, such as when aging, if the power of the imaging device is turned on at an approximate position, the gap from the shooting position of the previous image is immediately Therefore, the photographer can move to the previous photographing position and fix or hold the imaging measure.
[0035]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device for capturing a current image in relation to an image captured last time, and means for simultaneously displaying both the previously captured image and the current captured image on a display screen; An image pickup apparatus comprising: means for displaying a guide indicating a shooting position of an image shot last time and a guide indicating a shooting position of an image shot this time on a display screen on which both images are displayed I will provide a.
[0036]
This makes it possible to easily identify the deviation of the comparison target captured image and match the angle of view by aligning the position of the guide so that the same subject can be imaged under the same imaging conditions. It is possible to observe more clearly changes and differences due to the transition.
[0037]
The invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that an image taken last time and an image taken this time are associated with each other and recorded in a storage memory. An imaging device as described is provided.
As a result, when the recorded images of the subject at the same position are continuously played back and displayed, for example, the emergence of insects, the growth state of flowers and trees, changes over time in the natural environment, etc. can be displayed as a moving image. It becomes easier for the person to grasp the state of the overall change.
[0038]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an alignment method based on photographing conditions according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a camera, reference numeral 2 is a first captured image displayed on a monitor screen, and reference numeral 3 is a through image of a subject. (Photographing standby image), 4 is an alignment guide displayed together with the captured image 2, 5 is an alignment guide displayed together with the through image, and 6 is the current captured image.
[0039]
First, when shooting a subject by selecting the alignment mode at the time of shooting, the shooting conditions at the time of shooting (for example, shooting date and time, shooting position, angle of view, aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity setting value, zoom magnification, peripheral Light amount, strobe emission amount or charge amount, number of pixels, compression rate, recording mode, etc.) are acquired and stored in the storage memory together with the image (FIG. 1A).
[0040]
After selecting the alignment mode for the next shooting, if you select an image to be aligned based on the shooting date and time, shooting position, etc., the previous shooting position and the current position are displayed relatively, so the shooting position matches Then, the selected captured image 2 is reproduced and displayed together with the alignment guide 4. In addition, among the shooting conditions recorded in the previous storage memory, functional shooting conditions (for example, aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity setting value, zoom magnification, peripheral light amount, strobe emission amount or charge amount, setting value, compression rate or Recording mode, etc.) is set in the camera 1, and the through image 3 is superimposed and displayed on the captured image 2 together with the alignment guide 4 (the azimuth information may be displayed together with the guides 4 and 5). The captured image 2 and the guide 4 are displayed as a translucent transparent image (hereinafter referred to as a semi-transparent image (in the illustrated example, a broken line in the drawing) so that the position comparison with the through image 3 and the guide 5 displayed in a superimposed manner is easy. ))) And is displayed in duplicate on the through image (FIG. 1B).
[0041]
When the photographer moves the camera 1 so that the guide 4 of the captured image 2 and the guide 5 of the through image 3 overlap each other or aligns the direction of the camera 1 up and down, left and right, and the guide 4 and the guide 5 overlap each other. Take a picture by operating the shutter. At this time, the above-described shooting conditions at the time of shooting are acquired together with the image data, and stored in the storage memory together with the image (FIG. 1C).
[0042]
In the example of FIG. 1, the alignment guide is shown in the lower right corner, but the display position of the guide is not limited to this position. Also, the number of guides is not limited to one, and for example, a plurality of guides indicating front, rear, left, right, up and down may be displayed.
[0043]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of an embodiment of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, and shows an example of a digital camera. 2A is a front view, FIG. 2B is a rear view, and FIG. 2C is a plan view (top view).
[0044]
In FIG. 2, the digital camera 100 includes an imaging lens 111, a strobe light emitting unit 113, and a photometric sensor 114 on the front side, and further includes an optical viewfinder 112. A switch and keys such as a liquid crystal monitor screen 41, an optical viewfinder 112, a mode change switch 31 for changing modes, a liquid crystal monitor switch 32, a zoom key 33, a menu key 34, and a cursor key 35 are provided on the back of the digital camera 100. It has been. In addition, a shutter key 36, a strobe setting key 37, and a power button 91 are provided on the upper surface, and a USB terminal connection used for connecting a USB cable to an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or a modem is provided on the side. A portion 95 is provided. Furthermore, an optical transmission / reception port for near field communication such as infrared communication or Bluetooth, a radio communication antenna, or a GPS reception antenna may be provided on the front surface or the like.
[0045]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the digital camera of FIG. In FIG. 3, the digital camera 100 includes an optical system 11, a signal conversion unit 12, a signal processing unit 13, a DRAM 14, a GPS module 15, a direction sensor 16, a strobe light emitting unit 17, a control unit 20, an operation unit 30, a display unit 40, A flash memory 50 and a power supply 90 are included.
[0046]
The optical system 11 includes an imaging lens 111, a photometric sensor 114, an automatic diaphragm mechanism, and the like (not shown), and the light flux of the subject image collected through the imaging lens 111 is placed on a subsequent imaging device (CCD). Make an image. The sensitivity of the CCD is determined by the ISO sensitivity setting value.
[0047]
The signal conversion unit 12 includes a signal conversion circuit such as an A / D converter, and converts an image formed through the optical system 11 in the previous stage into an electric signal by an image pickup device such as a CCD. Is converted into digital data and output at a constant cycle.
[0048]
The signal processing unit 13 receives the digital data from the signal conversion unit 12 and temporarily holds it in the form of Bayer data corresponding to the CCD pixels, interpolates it to create RGB data, and further generates luminance and color difference multiplexed signals. A signal component such as (Y, Cb, Cr data) is obtained. The Y, Cb, Cr data (hereinafter referred to as image data) is transferred to the DRAM 14 and temporarily stored. In addition, the captured image data is thinned out and sent to the display unit 40 in order to display a through image (photographing standby image). When the shutter operation is performed, the image data at that time is sent to the display unit 40 to display a still image.
[0049]
The signal processing unit 13 reads the image data written in the DRAM 14 when recording and saving, performs JPEG compression processing, saves and records the data in the flash memory (storing memory) 50, and stores the flash memory (storing) during playback. A compression / decompression unit that performs decompression processing on the compressed image data stored and recorded in the memory 50 and reproduces the image data; and a thumbnail image generation unit that generates a thumbnail image (reduced image).
[0050]
Further, a high-speed expansion unit that expands the compressed image data at high speed may be provided. There are two modes to store in correspondence with the compression ratio: low resolution (generally called high definition, fine, normal, etc.) and high compression ratio low resolution (commonly called economy, etc.). The mode can be coded (for example, “1”, “2”...) And stored in the flash memory 50 in accordance with the compression rate.
[0051]
The DRAM 14 is used as a work memory, and an image buffer area for temporarily storing captured images, a work area for JPEG compression / expansion, and an image composition area are secured.
[0052]
The GPS module (current position acquisition means) 15 is provided with a GPS antenna (not shown), and demodulates and decodes the L1 band C / A code (GPS data) from the satellite received from the GPS satellite. The longitude / latitude of the position is calculated, and the calculated latitude / longitude information is sent to the control unit 20.
[0053]
The azimuth sensor (direction acquisition means) 16 measures which direction (azimuth) the photographing lens of the digital camera 100 body is facing, and sends the result to the control unit 20. Since the position information acquisition technique using GPS and the azimuth information acquisition technique itself using the azimuth sensor can employ known techniques, they will not be described in detail.
[0054]
When the strobe light emitting unit 17 is set to the strobe mode by the strobe setting key 37, the strobe light emitting unit 17 charges the light emission amount according to the peripheral light amount, and emits light to supplement the peripheral light amount when the shutter key 36 is operated.
[0055]
The control unit 20 has a microprocessor configuration having a timing mechanism such as a CPU, a RAM, a program storage ROM, and a timer. The CPU is connected to the above-described circuits and a power supply switch (not shown) via a bus line. The entire digital camera 100 is controlled by the control program stored in the program storage ROM, and each mode stored in the program storage ROM corresponding to the status signal from the operation unit 30 is supported. The processing program is taken out and execution control of each function of the digital camera 100 is performed, for example, reproduction of a recorded image and execution of semi-transparent display for acquisition, acquisition of an imaging condition, recording, setting of the previous imaging condition, and the like. Further, the date and the current time can be output by the clocking mechanism and the date creation program.
[0056]
Further, the shooting conditions acquired at the time of shooting (for example, shooting date and time, the position (latitude / longitude) of the digital camera 100 acquired from the GPS module 15, the angle of view (azimuth) of the shooting lens 111 acquired from the direction sensor 16, and the optical system 11. The aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity setting value, zoom magnification, strobe emission amount acquired from the strobe light emitting unit 17, peripheral light amount acquired from the photometric sensor 114, number of pixels, compression rate, recording mode, etc.) are saved. The image data is recorded in the flash memory 50 in association with the image data to be recorded (compressed image data).
[0057]
In addition, since a captured image (reproduced image) for alignment is displayed as a translucent image, the reconstructed image is monochrome, as in a known technique, for example, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 4, and the reconstructed image is further displayed. The signal processing unit 13 is controlled so that the luminance of the image becomes higher than that of the through image and becomes a semi-transmissive image.
[0058]
The operation unit 30 includes buttons and switches such as a mode switch 31, a liquid crystal monitor switch 32, a zoom key 33, a menu key 34, a cursor key 35, a shutter key 36, and a strobe setting key 37, and these keys and buttons. Alternatively, when the switch is operated, a status signal and a set value are sent to the control unit 20.
[0059]
The display unit 40 includes a video encoder (not required in the case of a digital input / output display unit), a VRAM (not shown), a liquid crystal monitor screen (LCD) 41, and the like. A through image, a translucent image, a reproduction image at the time of reproduction, a selection menu (or icon) at the time of processing selection, and the like are displayed.
[0060]
The flash memory 50 stores image data (compressed image data) and shooting conditions associated with the image data (for example, shooting date and time, position (latitude / longitude) of the digital camera 100, angle of view (azimuth), aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity. In addition to the set value, zoom magnification, strobe light emission, and peripheral light amount, the number of pixels, compression rate, recording mode, etc.) are recorded in the flash memory 50 in association with image data (compressed image data) to be stored and recorded. It is also possible to record an image information registration list (not shown) for registering image shooting modes and the like. Note that a removable storage medium such as a memory card may be used instead of the flash memory. The photometric sensor 114 measures the amount of light around the digital camera 100 and sends the measured value to the control unit 20.
[0061]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen in the alignment mode. When the digital camera 100 is set to the alignment shooting mode, the shooting date selection screen 45 as shown in FIG. Displayed on the monitor screen 41 to prompt the photographer to select. When the photographer selects a shooting date, an image selection screen 46 (in this example, an image shot on the selected shooting date is a thumbnail image (reduced image)) as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed. Prompt the user to select an image.
[0062]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the shooting position of the comparison target image and the current position of the camera when the comparison target image is selected. The shooting position 52 acquired when the comparison target image 51 is shot is translucent. It is displayed together with the displayed comparison target image (reproduced image) 51, and the current position 56 of the camera is superimposed and displayed.
[0063]
The photographer moves the place so that the photographing position 52 and the current position 56 coincide with each other, aligns the angle of view and the like at the previous photographing position, and then designates the “photograph” button 58 to shift to the photographing mode. .
[0064]
The digital camera 100 may be provided with a map memory, or the digital camera 100 may be configured so that map data can be taken in from an external map database wirelessly, and a map is displayed to display the shooting position of the comparison target image and the current position of the camera. You may comprise as shown.
[0065]
By displaying the shooting position display screen as shown in FIG. 5, even when time has passed since the last shooting date, such as aged observation, if the digital camera 100 is turned on at an approximate position, The distance between the shooting positions of the previous shot images can be immediately recognized, and the photographer can move to the previous shooting position to fix the digital camera 100 or hold the digital camera 100.
[0066]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the photographing control operation of the control unit 20 by the photographing operation program in the alignment photographing mode. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS.
[0067]
In FIG. 6, when the alignment mode is selected at the time of shooting, the control unit 20 controls the display unit 40 to display a shooting date selection screen 45 as shown in FIG. Encourage selection and designation of date and comparison target image. The control unit 20 examines the signal from the operation unit 30, and proceeds to step S9 if “new photographing” is selected / designated, and proceeds to step S2 if photographing date / time is selected / designated (step S1).
[0068]
The control unit 20 examines the shooting date and time of the image recorded in the flash memory 50, and extracts the thumbnail image recorded in association with the image shot in the alignment mode from the images with the same shooting date and time. The signal processing unit 13 is controlled and reproduced, the display unit 40 is controlled and displayed on the image selection screen 46 as shown in FIG. 4B to prompt the photographer to select, and the operation unit The signal from 30 is checked, and if an image is selected, the process proceeds to step S3, and if there is no image taken at the selected / designated shooting date and time, the process returns to step S1 (step S2).
[0069]
Next, the control unit 20 reads out the shooting conditions associated with the image selected in step S2 and recorded in the flash memory 50, and from that, shooting position information (the selected comparison target image) of the image (selected comparison target image). (Latitude / longitude) is taken out and the display unit 40 is controlled to display it on the liquid crystal monitor screen 41 as the photographing position 51 as shown in FIG. 5 (step S3).
[0070]
Furthermore, the control unit 20 activates the GPS module 15 and controls the display unit 40 when the GPS module 15 receives position information (latitude / longitude) of the digital camera 100 received and demodulated from the GPS satellite from the GPS module 15. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the current position 56 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor screen 41 (step S4).
[0071]
The photographer moves the place so that the photographing position 52 and the current position 56 coincide with each other, and when the photographing position 52 and the current position 56 coincide with each other, the “photograph” button 58 is designated. When the “shoot” button 58 is pointed, the process proceeds to step S6 (step S5).
[0072]
The control unit 20 switches the processing mode to the reproduction processing mode, reads the photographed image data (compressed data) selected in step S2 from the flash memory 50, controls the signal processing unit 13 to perform expansion processing, and performs image processing. The data is reproduced (step S6), pixels are thinned out from the reproduced image data to generate a translucent image (image data), and the display unit 40 is controlled and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor screen 41 together with the alignment guide (step). S7).
[0073]
Further, among the shooting conditions read out in step S3, functional shooting conditions (for example, aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity setting value, zoom magnification, peripheral light amount, strobe emission amount or charge amount, setting value, compression rate, or recording mode) Etc.) is set (step S8).
[0074]
Next, the processing mode is switched to the shooting mode, and based on the shooting conditions set in step S8, the optical system 11 is controlled to capture the subject image, and the through image (through the signal conversion unit 12 and the signal processing unit 13) (Shooting standby image) is acquired (step S9), and the display unit 40 is controlled so as to superimpose the alignment guide together with the through image on the captured image displayed semi-transparently together with the alignment guide on the liquid crystal monitor screen 41 (guide 4). 5 may be displayed together with the orientation information acquired from the orientation sensor 16 (step S10).
[0075]
The photographer moves the digital camera 100 so that the alignment guide for the captured image that is displayed semi-transparently and the alignment guide for the through image (see FIG. 1) overlap each other, or moves the digital camera 100 up, down, left, and right. When the captured image alignment guide and the through-image alignment guide 5 are overlapped, the shutter key 36 is fully pressed to give an imaging instruction, so the control unit 20 outputs a signal from the operation unit 30. If a shooting instruction is made by operating the check shutter key 36, the process proceeds to step S12. If a shooting instruction is not issued, the process returns to step S9. However, when “new photographing” is selected in step S1, a semi-transparent image is not displayed, so that it is not necessary to perform alignment, and the user half-transparently presses the shutter key 36 when photographing the subject. (Step S11).
[0076]
When there is a shooting instruction, the functional shooting conditions at the time of the shooting instruction (for example, aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity setting value, zoom magnification, peripheral light amount, strobe emission amount or charge amount, setting value, compression rate or recording) Mode) and the shooting position information from the GPS module 15 (step S12), and the subject image captured at the time of shooting instruction is generated through the signal converter 12 and the signal processor 13 generates a still image (image data). And temporarily storing it in the DRAM 14 and controlling the display unit 40 to display a still image on the liquid crystal monitor screen 41 (step S13).
[0077]
Next, the display unit 40 is controlled to display a message prompting the user to save and record a still image on the liquid crystal monitor screen 41 to prompt the user to select a recording mode. When the user selects the recording mode, the process proceeds to step S15. If not, the process returns to step S9 (step S14).
[0078]
When the recording mode is selected, the control unit 20 controls the signal processing unit 13 to compress the image data temporarily stored in the DRAM 14 and record it in the flash memory 50, and further generate a thumbnail image of the image. The image is recorded in the flash memory 50 in association with the recorded image (step S15).
[0079]
Further, shooting condition data is created from the functional shooting conditions, shooting position information, shooting date and time acquired in step S12, and is recorded in the flash memory 50 in association with the image data recorded in step S15 (step S16). .
[0080]
When the subject is not fixed (when the object to be compared can be moved relative to the background), for the captured image to be compared, the current shooting standing position (front / back / left / right / up / down) Align the guides.
[0081]
With the configuration of the flowchart of FIG. 6 above, it is possible to easily identify the deviation of the captured image to be compared, and to match the angle of view by matching the position of the guide and to shoot the same subject under the same shooting conditions. In the case of observation, it is possible to observe changes and differences due to temporal transition more clearly. In addition, since shooting is performed under the same shooting conditions, it is not necessary to make adjustments that occur due to shifts in shooting conditions when combining moving images.
[0082]
In the above embodiment, the captured image to be compared is displayed semi-transparently, but the contour of the captured image to be compared may be extracted and displayed. Further, the reproduced image of the previous photographed image may be displayed as it is.
[0083]
In each of the above embodiments, when a captured image is recorded, the previously captured image and the image captured this time may be associated and recorded in the storage memory. As a result, when the recorded images of the subject at the same position are continuously played back and displayed, for example, the emergence of insects, the growth state of flowers and trees, changes over time in the natural environment, etc. can be displayed as a moving image. It becomes easier for the person to grasp the state of the overall change.
[0084]
As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said Example, It cannot be overemphasized that various deformation | transformation implementation is possible.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily specify the shooting position of the comparison target shot image, hold the camera at that position, match the angle of view by the alignment of the guide, and set the same subject to the same shooting condition. Therefore, in the case of follow-up observation or aging observation, it is possible to observe changes and differences due to temporal transition more clearly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an alignment method based on imaging conditions according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the digital camera of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shooting mode selection screen.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a shooting position of a comparison target image and a current position of a camera when a comparison target image is selected.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a shooting control operation of the control unit 20 according to a shooting operation program in the alignment shooting mode.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,100 Digital camera (imaging device)
4 Through image (image for standby)
6 Translucent image (reproduced image, processed image)
13 Signal processing unit (image reproduction means, photographing standby image generation means)
15 GPS module (current position acquisition means)
20 control unit (standby image display control means, recording control means, photographing condition reading means, recorded image reading means, coincidence information detecting means)
36 Shutter key (shooting instruction means)
40 display unit (superimposition display means)
45 Shooting date selection screen (recorded image selection means)
46 Image selection screen (Recorded image selection means)
50 Flash memory (storage memory)
51 Shooting position display screen (shooting position display means, current position display means)

Claims (14)

An imaging device that captures the current image in relation to the previously captured image,
Means for storing position condition information taken last time;
When shooting this time, means for calling the position condition information and shooting under the same position condition;
An imaging apparatus comprising: An imaging device that captures the current image in relation to the previously captured image,
Means for storing shooting condition information taken last time;
When shooting this time, means for calling the shooting condition information and shooting under the same shooting conditions;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying at least a part of a previously captured image at the time of the current shooting. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the means for displaying at least a part displays the image in a semi-transmissive manner. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for combining and storing the previously captured image and the current captured image. In an imaging method of an imaging device that shoots a subject, generates image data thereof, and records the image data in a storage memory,
Selecting a recorded image recorded in the storage memory;
Taking out shooting conditions associated with the selected recorded image and recorded in the storage memory, and displaying the shooting position of the selected recorded image;
Acquiring and displaying the current position of the imaging device;
Detecting coincidence information between the shooting position and the current position;
Replaying the selected recorded image;
Displaying the replayed recorded image;
Setting shooting conditions recorded in the storage memory;
Capturing a subject image to generate a shooting standby image;
A step of superimposing and displaying the generated shooting standby image on the reproduced recorded image,
An imaging method characterized by guiding a user to adjust the angle of view so that a positional relationship between a reproduced image of the recorded image and the imaging standby image displayed in a superimposed manner coincides with the position adjustment of the imaging apparatus main body by a user. The guide for adjusting the positional relationship between the reproduced image and the photographing standby image is performed by aligning a position display guide displayed together with the reproduced image and an alignment guide displayed together with the photographing standby image. 6. The photographing method according to 6. An imaging apparatus comprising: a shooting standby image display control unit that performs display control of a shooting standby image; a shooting instruction unit; and a recording control unit that records image data generated based on the shooting instruction in a storage memory;
Recorded image selection means for selecting a recorded image recorded in the storage memory;
Shooting condition reading means for reading shooting conditions recorded in the storage memory in association with the selected recording image;
Shooting position display means for displaying the shooting position of the selected recorded image based on the read shooting conditions;
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the imaging device;
Current position display means for displaying the acquired current position;
Coincidence information detecting means for detecting coincidence information between the shooting position and the current position;
Image reproducing means for reproducing the selected recorded image;
Replay image display means for displaying the replayed recorded image;
Shooting condition setting means for setting the read shooting condition;
Shooting standby image generation means for capturing a subject image and generating a shooting standby image;
Superimposing display means for superimposing and displaying the generated shooting standby image on the reproduced recorded image;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The shooting position display means displays a shooting position guide together with the shooting position, the current position display means displays a positioning guide together with the current position,
9. The positional relationship between the reproduced image and the shooting standby image is adjusted by aligning a position display guide displayed together with the reproduced image and an alignment guide displayed together with the shooting standby image. Imaging device. The image reproduction means includes image processing means for processing image data reproduced by the recorded image reproduction means, and the reproduction image display means displays an image processed by the image processing means. Item 10. The imaging device according to Item 8 or 9. A program that can be executed in an imaging apparatus that captures a subject image, generates and displays a shooting standby image, shoots the subject based on a shooting instruction, generates image data thereof, and records the image data in a storage memory. ,
A program step for selecting a recorded image recorded in the storage memory;
A program step for retrieving the shooting conditions selected and recorded in the storage memory in association with the recorded image;
A program step for displaying a shooting position of the selected recorded image based on the taken shooting condition;
A program step for acquiring the current position of the imaging device;
A program step for displaying the acquired current position;
A program step for detecting coincidence information between the shooting position and the current position;
A program step for reproducing the selected recorded image;
A program step for displaying the replayed recorded image;
A program step for setting shooting conditions recorded in the storage memory;
Generating a shooting standby image of the captured subject image;
And a step of superimposing the generated shooting standby image on the reproduced recorded image. An imaging device that includes a display unit and captures an image this time in relation to an image captured last time,
Means for storing position condition information taken last time;
Means for calling up the position condition information of the previously captured image and displaying the first guide information indicating the previous position on the display unit when shooting this time;
Means for displaying a standby image to be captured this time on the display unit;
Means for acquiring position condition information of the standby image to be captured this time;
Means for displaying second guide information indicating the position of the standby image on the display unit based on the acquired position condition information of the standby image;
An imaging apparatus comprising: An imaging device that captures the current image in relation to the previously captured image,
Means for simultaneously displaying both the previously captured image and the current captured image on the display screen;
An image pickup apparatus, comprising: means for displaying a guide indicating a shooting position of a previously shot image and a guide indicating a shooting position of an image shot this time on a display screen on which both images are displayed. . 14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image captured last time and the image captured this time are associated and recorded in a storage memory.

Images