JP2005173282A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera by which prints to be easily viewed can be obtained by automatically adjusting data positions and data forms or freely changing data forms (e.g. the size, angle, color, etc. of data) by an adjusting means attached to the camera and allowed to be operated from the external. <P>SOLUTION: The camera comprising an image pickup means for converting an optical image of an object into an electronic image signal, a display means for displaying a prescribed data in an image photographed by the image pickup means and an object position detection means for detecting the position of the object is provided with a data position selection means for selecting data position in accordance with the detected object position and a data position information detection means for detecting the information of the data position and constituted so as to change the data forms in accordance with the data position information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to adjustment of data position and data form of predetermined data in a photographed image.

  Conventional techniques for changing the date position or color of shooting data, which is a data form, according to subject information, are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  Patent Document 1 is configured to automatically change the date display so that it does not overlap the subject depending on the position of the subject when the date is displayed on the video taken by the video camera.

In Patent Document 2, a scanner for reading the color of each part on the screen of the film is provided, and the data color is changed according to the image photographed on the film by the data of the scanner.
JP-A-6-268897 JP-A-5-323469

  However, since the date size and angle cannot be changed in the conventional example, the date arrangement is not sufficient.

  In addition, in order to read the image color of the film, it is necessary to use a scanner, and the operation is very troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and automatically adjusts the data position and data form, or adjusts the data form (for example, data It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera that can freely change a size, an angle, a color, etc.) and obtain an easy-to-see print.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image pickup means for converting an optical image of a subject into an electronic image signal, and displays predetermined data in an image photographed by the image pickup means. In a camera having a display means for detecting and a subject position detecting means for detecting a subject position, a data position selecting means for selecting a data position in accordance with the detected subject position, and detecting information relating to the data position Data position information detecting means for changing the data form according to the data position information.

  With the above configuration, an optimum data position can be automatically selected according to the subject position, and the data form (for example, data size, angle, color, etc.) can be changed with respect to the data position.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, the data form is a data size.

  With the above configuration, an optimum data position is automatically selected according to the subject position, and the data size can be changed with respect to the data position.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, the data form is an angle of data.

  With the above configuration, the optimum data position is automatically selected according to the subject position, and the angle of the data can be changed with respect to the data position.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, the data form is a color of data.

  With the above configuration, an optimum data position is automatically selected according to the subject position, and the color of the data can be changed with respect to the data position.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the second to fourth aspects, the data is any one of date, photographing information, and data information set by a photographer. .

  With the above configuration, the photographer can freely set data information.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the camera according to the first aspect, further comprising external operation means for adjusting a data form in accordance with the data position information.

  With the above configuration, the photographer can easily change the data state (for example, the data size, angle, color, etc.) by external operation input according to the data position information.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, the data form can be confirmed by display means in accordance with the data position information.

  With the above configuration, image information is displayed on a monitor which is a display means, and the photographer can immediately confirm the subject position, data position, and data form.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, the data position information is information relating to a size of an area other than the subject.

  With the above configuration, the data form can be easily obtained from the information regarding the size of the area other than the subject.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, the data position information is information relating to contrast.

  With the above configuration, the data form can be easily obtained from the information regarding the contrast of the subject.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the camera according to the first aspect, further comprising printing means for printing photographed image data on a print sheet.

  With the above configuration, since the printing unit is installed in the camera, there is an advantage that the photographer can select a desired image and print it.

  According to the present invention, the data position is automatically selected according to the subject position of the captured image, and the data form is automatically set according to the data position. In addition, since the photographer operates the external operation member, the data size, the data angle, and the data color, which are data forms, can be easily set.

  Therefore, printing of the set data information is easy to handle, the image is easy to see, and the overall balance of the printed image can be improved.

  That is, in claim 1, the subject position detecting means mounted on the camera automatically detects the subject position, so that the photographer can control the optimum data position such as date and photographing information without any special control. Is selected, the data form is determined according to the position of the data, and an easy-to-view print can be obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the optimum data position is automatically selected according to the subject position, and the data size as the data form is automatically selected for the data position.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, an optimum data position is automatically selected according to the subject position, and an angle of data which is a data form is automatically selected with respect to the data position.

Further, in claim 4, the optimum data position is automatically selected according to the subject position, and the color of the data that is the data form is automatically selected for the data position.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the photographer can freely set information regarding data, and the data information can be easily printed.

  Further, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the data form can be set to the optimum form by the operation of the external operation button attached to the camera for the automatically set data position, and the print image on the next level is printed. It becomes possible.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since a display monitor is mounted on the camera, it is not necessary to connect to an external monitor, and the photographer can easily confirm the data position and data form.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to find the size of the area other than the subject in accordance with the subject position and select the data position on the next level.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the color of data that is one step higher can be set according to information on the contrast of the subject in accordance with the subject position.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the printer unit is installed in the camera, there is an advantage that the photographer can select a favorite image and can print without connection to an external printer.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  A camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  The camera has a digital camera unit that stores an image captured using a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD in a memory, and a printer unit that prints an image stored in the memory by, for example, an inkjet recording method on a print sheet and outputs the print sheet Is provided. The configuration of the camera will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a right front perspective view of the camera, and FIG. 2 is a right rear perspective view of the camera.

  A lens barrel unit 2 having a photographing lens unit (not shown) is provided on the front surface of the camera body 1, and includes a finder objective window 3, a strobe 4, an AF light projection window 5, an AF light reception window 6, a remote control light reception window 7, and a photometric sensor. An AE window 8 is provided.

  Then, an image on the subject side of the photographic lens optical axis 9 is taken in by the lens barrel unit 2, and an optical image of the field to be photographed is formed on a solid imaging element (not shown) built in the camera body, and the solid imaging element The captured image obtained by converting the optical image into an electronic image signal is stored in a medium such as magnetism of the camera body 1. The stored image information can be printed on the printing paper 11 so as to be visible by a photographer's print instruction operation.

  A release button 10 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 1. A discharge port 12 through which printed print paper 11 is discharged is provided on the right side of the camera body 1 (when viewed from the front). The printed print paper 11 is discharged from the discharge port 12 as printing proceeds. That is, the photographer can see a part of the printed printer image even when printing is not completed.

  Further, on the back of the camera body 1, a viewfinder eyepiece window 13, an image liquid crystal display panel 14, a main switch button 15, a mode switching button 16, a data size setting button 17, a data angle setting button 18, an image feed button 19, A print button 20 and a zoom button 21 are provided.

  In addition, on the left side of the camera body 1 (when viewed from the front), there is a cartridge 22 in which a plurality of print sheets 11 are stored, and the cartridge 22 is inserted through the insertion port 23 to the storage position in the camera body 1. As a result, the camera is housed in the camera body 1.

  Next, the configuration of the printing means will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view in which the back cover of the camera is opened.

  1a is a back cover of the camera, 24 is a nozzle of each color provided in the printer head, 25 is ink ejected from the nozzle, and 26 is a printer head for printing.

  Here, the ejection direction of the ink 25 from the nozzle 24 is parallel to the optical axis 9 and is directed from the image plane side of the camera toward the subject side.

  A general photographer holds a camera and issues a print instruction while holding the camera. Then, the progress until the printing is completed is observed in that state.

  For this purpose, the camera is held with both hands, and the subject side in the optical axis direction of the camera is often facing the ground.

  If the ejection amount of the ink 25 is controlled in such a state where the posture is stable, clean printing can always be performed quickly, so the ejection direction of the ink 25 is aligned with the subject side in the optical axis direction.

  When the image is printed on the back side of the camera in this way, the photographer completes the photographing, and can view the print state of the printed image without changing the camera as it is, and the camera is easy to handle for the photographer. .

  Next, the functional configuration of the camera will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the camera.

  The camera includes a control unit 27 that controls the entire apparatus, an imaging unit 28 that captures a subject image and outputs it as an image signal, an imaging control unit 29 that controls the imaging operation of the imaging unit 28, and the cartridge. A printer engine unit 30 for printing image data on the print paper 11 fed from 22 and a printer control unit 31 for controlling the printer operation of the printer engine unit 30; Mode setting means 32 for setting the height mode, print angle mode, print output mode, etc., memory means 33 for storing the captured image data, and monitor display for displaying the captured image data Means 34.

  Furthermore, the cartridge detection means 35 for detecting the loading state of the cartridge 22, the subject position detection means 36 for detecting the position of the subject, and a plurality of switches 37 to 39 for performing various settings and instructions (hereinafter referred to as the following) , SW1 to SW3).

  Next, the operation of the camera will be described with reference to FIGS.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the camera.

  First, when the main switch 15 is turned on (step S1), power is automatically turned on to the entire apparatus. And the control means 27 drives the imaging part 28 via the imaging control part 29 (step S2).

  Specifically, the lens barrel unit 2 is driven and set to the WIDE end that is the photographing position. Thereafter, an operation such as mode setting by the photographer can be performed. For example, the shooting mode is set by the mode setting unit 32.

  In this embodiment, there are several modes such as a normal fully automatic shooting mode, a portrait mode, and a continuous shooting mode, and a desired shooting mode can be selected by operating the mode switching button 16.

  When the shooting mode is selected by operating the mode switching button 16, a signal indicating the selected shooting mode is input to the control means 27, and the selected shooting mode is set.

  When the photographer pushes the release button 10 to the first stroke after adjusting the angle of view by the zoom button 23 during photographing, the SW1 signal from the switch 37 is input to the control means 27 (step S3).

  In response to the input of the SW1 signal, the control unit 27 drives the imaging unit 28 via the imaging control unit 29, determines the exposure control value according to the amount of light input from the photometry AE window 8, AF projection window 5, AF Determination of distance measurement information by near-infrared light projected and received from the light receiving window 6 and various conditions necessary for the exposure operation such as the presence or absence of light emission of the strobe 4 are determined (step S4).

  When the photographer further presses the release button 10 in order to actually execute photographing, the SW2 signal from the switch 38 is input to the control means 27 (step S5).

  The control means 27 drives the image pickup unit 28 via the image pickup control unit 29, and performs a series of operations such as lens driving for focusing, shutter speed control, aperture opening amount control, and if necessary, strobe light emission. The exposure operation is performed (step S6).

  Then, image information captured by a solid-state imaging device (not shown) is taken into the memory means 33 (step S7).

  The control means 27 drives the monitor display means 34, that is, the image liquid crystal display panel 14, and displays the captured image information (step S8).

  The photographing operation is performed by repeating the above-described operation, and the captured image data is stored in the memory means 33. If the photographer desires print output, the print output mode is set by the mode setting means 32 (step S9).

  In the setting of the print output mode, the image information taken into the memory means 33 is selected by selecting the image information to be printed out by performing a search while displaying it on the image liquid crystal display panel 14 while sending it by the image advance button 19. It is possible to be done.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing image information displayed on the monitor.

  When an image is selected by the image advance button 19, a signal indicating the selected image is input to the control means 27, and the selected image is set.

  Then, the control means 27 performs a detection operation of the subject position of the selected image via the subject position detection means 36 (not shown). For the result of the detected subject position, the data position is automatically selected, and according to the information on the data position, as shown in FIG. It is possible to automatically determine and display (step S10).

  On the other hand, when the range occupied by the detected subject position is large and the size of the area other than the subject position is small, the control unit 27 automatically sets data such as date or photographing data via the subject position detection unit 36 (not shown). And a warning is issued while displaying the minimum data position on the monitor (step S11).

  In the present embodiment, the photographer is notified by blinking the display of the date or photographing data or by sounding the sound. As shown in FIG. 7B, the photographer changes the displayed date or the size and angle of the photographing data while looking at the monitor.

  Specifically, the photographer can change and set the data size using the data size setting button 17 (step S12), and can change and set the data angle using the data angle setting button 18. (Step S13).

  Further, in order to change the data position, when one of the data size setting button 17, the data angle setting button 18, the image advance button 19, and the print button 20 is pressed while pressing the mode switching button 16, the data position is changed. It moves up, down, left, and right, and the photographer can set an optimum data position (step S14).

  When the photographer presses the print button 20 (step S15), the SW3 signal is input from the switch 39, which is the print button 20, to the control means 27, and the control means 27 enters a printing operation.

  Next, the control means 27 checks whether or not the cartridge 22 is loaded based on the output of the cartridge detection means 35, that is, a cartridge loading switch (not shown) (step S16). The printing operation by the printer engine unit 30 is executed via the unit 31 (step S17).

  In this printing operation, the printer control unit 31 performs image processing (color correction, binarization processing, etc.) on the image information stored in the memory means 33 for printer output, and uses the image information after this image processing as a printer engine. To the unit 30.

  The printer engine unit 30 prints on the print paper 11 fed from the cartridge 22, and the printed print paper 11 is conveyed and discharged to the discharge port 12 (step S18).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the size of characters or data can be appropriately adjusted with a simple operation via the data size setting button 17 and the data angle setting button 18, and other operations can be performed. When combined with a button, the data position can be freely moved, so that a balanced print can be obtained.

  In addition, it is an example that the data size and angle can be changed with respect to the subject position in the present embodiment, and it can be said that the same effect can be obtained by changing the data size and color with respect to the subject position. Nor.

  8 to 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the camera.

  Since the structure in the present embodiment is almost the same as that in the first embodiment, the same structural elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 7 in FIG. Description of these structural elements is omitted.

  In FIG. 8, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that when the photographer desires to print out the photographed image, the image information captured in the memory means 33 is displayed as the image feed button 19. The image information to be printed out is selected by performing a search while being displayed on the image liquid crystal display panel 14 while being sent.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing image information displayed on the monitor.

  When an image is selected by the image advance button 19, a signal indicating the selected image is input to the control means 27, and the selected image is set.

  Then, the control means 27 performs detection determination of the subject position and contrast of the selected image via the contrast determination means 40 (not shown). According to the information on the detected subject position and contrast, the position of data such as date or shooting data is selected, and the data color and data in the form of data as shown in FIG. Can be automatically determined and displayed (step S20).

  On the other hand, when the range occupied by the detected subject position is large and it is difficult to detect the contrast via the contrast determination unit 40 (not shown), the control unit 27 cannot perform automatic setting of the data position such as date or photographing data. Then, a warning is issued while displaying the minimum data position on the monitor (step S21).

  In the warning form of the present embodiment, the photographer is notified by blinking the display of the date or photographing data or by sounding the sound. As shown in FIG. 10B, the photographer changes the color and angle of the displayed date or photographing data while looking at the monitor.

  Specifically, the photographer can change the data color using the color setting button 41 (see FIG. 2) (step S22), and change and set the data angle using the data angle setting button 18. (Step S23).

  In order to change the data position, when the data angle setting button 18, the image advance button 19, the print button 20, or the color setting button 41 is pressed while the mode switching button 16 is being pressed, the data position is changed up, down, left, right. The photographer himself can set the optimum data position (step S24).

  When the print button 20 is pressed by the photographer (step S15), the SW3 signal is input from the switch 39, which is the print button 20, to the control means 27, and the control means 27 enters a printing operation.

  Next, the control means 27 checks whether or not the cartridge 22 is loaded based on the output of the cartridge detection means 35, that is, a cartridge loading switch (not shown) (step S16). The printing operation by the printer engine unit 30 is executed via the unit 31 (step S17).

In this printing operation, the printer control unit 31 performs image processing (color correction, binarization processing, etc.) on the image information stored in the memory means 33 for printer output, and uses the image information after this image processing as a printer engine. To the unit 30.
The printer engine unit 30 prints on the recording paper 11 fed from the cartridge 22, and the printed recording paper 11 is conveyed and discharged to the discharge port 12 (step S18).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the color and angle of the data can be appropriately adjusted with respect to the print image by a simple operation via the data angle setting button 18 and the color setting button 41. When combined with other operation buttons, the data position can be freely moved, so that a well-balanced print can be obtained.

  In addition, the color and angle of the data can be selected with respect to the subject position in this embodiment, and the same effect can be obtained by selecting the subject position with respect to the designated data color and angle. Needless to say.

  Furthermore, although the case where the camera in the present embodiment is provided with the printer unit has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to various cameras to exhibit the effect.

It is a right front perspective view of the camera of a 1st embodiment concerning the present invention. It is a right back perspective view of the camera of a 1st embodiment concerning the present invention. It is the perspective view which opened the back cover of the camera of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the camera of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the camera of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the camera of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is the image information displayed on the monitor of the first embodiment according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the camera of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the camera of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is the image information displayed on the monitor of the second embodiment according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera body 1a Back cover 2 Lens barrel unit 3 Viewfinder objective window 4 Strobe 5 AF light projection window 6 AF light reception window 7 Remote control light reception window 8 Photometry AE window 9 Shooting lens optical axis 10 Release button 11 Print paper 12 Output port 13 Eyepiece window 14 Liquid crystal display panel for image 15 Main switch button 16 Mode switching button 17 Data size setting button 18 Data angle setting button 19 Image feed button 20 Printer button 21 Zoom button 22 Cartridge 23 Insertion port 24 Nozzle 25 Ink 26 Printer head 27 Control means 28 Imaging section 29 Imaging control section 30 Printer engine section 31 Printer control section 32 Mode setting means 33 Memory means 34 Monitor display means 35 Cartridge 36 Subject position detection means 37 SW1
38 SW2
39 SW3
40 Contrast determination means 41 Color setting means

Claims (10)

A camera having imaging means for converting an optical image of a subject into an electronic image signal, display means for displaying predetermined data in an image photographed by the imaging means, and subject position detection means for detecting a subject position In
A data position selecting unit that selects a data position according to the detected subject position; and a data position information detecting unit that detects information about the data position, and the data form is determined according to the data position information. A camera characterized by changing.   2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the data form is a data size.   2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the data form is an angle of data.   2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the data form is a color of data.   5. The camera according to claim 2, wherein the data is one of a date, shooting information, and information set by a photographer.   2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising external operation means for adjusting a data form in accordance with data position information.   2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the data form can be confirmed by display means in accordance with the data position information.   2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the data position information is information related to a size of an area other than the subject.   2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the data position information is information relating to contrast.   2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising printing means for printing photographed image data on a print sheet.

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